Rocking Bridal Lashes

As a wedding blogger, I get lots of offers of free stuff because people want me to promote them on the blog. Mostly I turn them down, because I'm too busy with featuring Real Weddings, or because their product just doesn't float my boat. But when Kym from Lash Lab offered me a free set of semi-permanent eye-lash extensions, I knew I had to say yes! I'd already been considering it for my own wedding day, as I'm aiming to do my own make-up, and I'm useless at putting on false eyelashes. So last week, I headed down to her super-glam salon on Brick Lane in East London, and emerged from the treatment 25% prettier. I kid you not - it works that well. Even The Boy noticed something had changed. He wasn't sure what, but he knew 'something' was different. Since then, everyone has commented and said how natural they look. So I can wholeheartedly recommend Kym AND eye-lash extensions, and I'll be keeping them up for my wedding day. Pictured below is me with my new lashes, click here for my before and after shots. The lovely Kym is offering £10 off to anyone who mentions Before the Big Day, so get ready to rock some serious lashes!

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Messy side ponytail

My lovelies, you know the messy side ponytail from J. Crew's spring lookbook? Well, I really wanted to learn how to do it myself, so I invited over my friend Caroline (who is a hair genius) to explain how to get the look, and the fabulous Jamie Beck took a few photographs. (What I love love love about this style is how the top looks like a beehive!)

Here are Caroline's steps, if you'd like to try it out....
1. Start with day-old hair...meaning it's been a day since you've washed it. (If you must wash your hair, then use a volumizing spray to add oomf; and if your hair is oily, use a French dry shampoo to build body and texture.) Now make a deep side part on one side of your hair. You can use a rat-tail comb to get an extra straight part.

2. Backcomb the top quarter of your hair. Basically, brush the hair downwards toward your scalp so it's sort of frizzy and can stand on its own.

3. Gently brush the very top layer of your hair to make it smooth on the top. That way, all the backcombing will be hidden under the layer that you brushed. Still, don't brush too much, you want it a little messy.

4. Take the entire backcombed section and pin it behind your head. To make it secure, place the bobby pins in an "X."

5. Now take all your hair and put it in a low ponytail at the nape of your neck. Tighten the rubber band as tight as you can. This will help "push" your hair up, creating more volume at the top.

5. You can either leave the rubber band exposed, or hide it by taking a small half-inch section of hair from the ponytail and wrapping it around the rubber band. Take a small bobby pin and pin the hair to the rubber band.

6. Rough up the ponytail with your fingers to match the texture at the top of your hair. Use the same motion as you did to back comb, but use your fingers instead, since this will create a messy texture but will be softer and gentler than using a comb. Remember, this look isn't about perfection; it looks best slightly messy.

Let's do it! Thank you so much, Jamie and Caroline! xoxo

(Photos by the wonderful Jamie Beck)

Messy hair

Ha, what a cute print. It would be good to put next to the bathroom mirror.

(Via Katie)

Looking Good

With my wedding in May, I'm looking to start the New Year with a brand new health plan, which makes me one of more than 70% of brides-to-be want to svelte-up ahead of saying their vows. If you find dieting on your own difficult, check out nkd diet. They're my secret weapon in the battle against the bulge! They take all the hassle out of dieting by providing all your meals for a month, for only £199. They count the calories and deliver to your door, and on average women lose 2-3 lbs a week. Check them out! ** nkd diet are offering 5% off all 28 day plans to Before the Big Day readers - just add the code bigday at the checkout **

Wedding hair

Isn't this bride's twisted bun beautiful? She looks right out of a Jane Austen novel.

(Photos by Steep Street)

Sparkles

Found. The perfect nail polish for the holidays.

Fabric hair tie

Since Toby arrived on the scene, I've worn a ponytail almost every day. So, in an effort to jazz things up, I was happy to come across this idea of using a piece of fabric instead of a hair tie. Simple and pretty, don't you think?

Side chignon

Kater tried out the side chignon tutorial, and it worked!! Bravo!

P.S. Her jacket looks like these, which I adore. Perfect for walks through the woods.

Holiday hair

Whoa! I literally gasped when I saw this fiery red side chignon. The instructions are here, and her tomato red lipstick is Clinique's Red Red Red. Even if you wore a black turtleneck and jeans, you'd be the most glamorous girl at the party.

(Via HipHipGinGin, This is Glamorous, and Wit & Delight. I couldn't help reposting!)

Hair knot

Oh my goodness, is this woman's hair simply tied in a knot? I don't even think they used ponytail holders! So cool. I really want to try it out but know I'd end up with a serious rat's nest.

(Photos by Hanneli, via Wit & Delight)

Choppy haircuts

Want to hear a weird secret? When you're pregnant, your hair gets thick and glossy, but a few months after your baby is born, it starts to fall out! It's crazy; I'm officially balding with a full-on receding hairline. Apparently it does grow back, but in the meantime, I'm thinking of getting a choppy haircut to make it look thicker.

Anyway, aren't these two pretty? Perfectly easy and messy.

(Photos from J. Crew and Elle Canada, via Kate Arends)

Maine perfume

A few years ago, my dad took my sister and me on a fall weekend trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. We stayed in a charming old B&B and made it our goal to eat lobster for every single meal, including lobster scrambled eggs, bisque, rolls, whole lobsters, and even a McDonald's McLobster...
Even though it rained almost the whole time, the trip was one of the best I've ever taken.So I was psyched to discover this Maine perfume. Wouldn't you love to smell its sea, air, sun, pine and grassy scent?

(Photos by 3191 Miles Apart and Between the Bread)

Hot pink lips

I usually wear red lipstick or nothing, but I'm really digging this hot pink lip color. I'm planning to try some at Sephora this weekend and crossing my fingers that my alabaster complexion can pull it off. Would you wear it? xo



(Photos from DvF, via Aubrey Road)

How to do Heidi braids

I'm terrible at doing my hair and usually wear it in a messy bun. So I was excited to see that Julie did a post on how to do Heidi braids. What a cute fall look! Will you try it?

Fall trend #4: The beehive

This fall, the 1960's beehive is back! According to The New York Times, the modern version is sexy and tousled, and the ears are covered for a pretty profile. (Here's a how-to.) Would you try it?

(Via Marvelous Kiddo)

The perfect red nail polish

Yesterday Toby and I went on an adventure to the nail salon so that I could get a pedicure. (He was cuddled up in the sling and loved the massaging chair.) But the best part was that, after years of trial and error, I finally stumbled upon the PERFECT red nail polish! Most reds are too bright or too dark, but Essie's Fishnet Stockings is just right and made me feel like a 1920's starlet (despite wearing a T-shirt covered in spit-up). I'm loving it and would highly recommend it. xo

Wedding ponytail

These days, I keep finding myself drawn to relaxed, low-key weddings. My friends Erica and Patrick got hitched in Jamaica, and she wore a ponytail! Doesn't she look adorable and happy?

(Photos by Anna Robin)

Get in the Mood

So I'm not really that big on beauty products. I tend to stick to my Clarins and add a splash of Jo Malone occasionally, but my make-up bag's been the same for ten years {...unhygynic I know....}. But then I saw these on the wonderful website that is Daily Candy, and I fell in love. It's nail polish that changes colour according to your mood!!! I don't think I've been this excited since The Boy found a vintage hyper-colour T-shirt in American Apparel. Check out their website here, buy all the colours, and make them rich - they deserve a reward for such a fabulous idea.

Daydreaming

My sweets, today has become unexpectedly busy, but I wanted to say hello! Wishing we could all be hanging out on a boat, reading books and wearing oversized glasses right about now.

(Photo via Little Reminders of Love)

Bangs love

Bangs don't suit me, but this photo of a pretty girl in Berlin -- named Claude! -- makes me want to grab the closest pair of scissors.

(Photo by the Sartorialist)