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Beauty
routine
Look
your best on your big day with these hair and makeup tips
By
Chiara V. Cowan
for The Brooklyn
Papers
Annalisa
Bavaro, 27, knows that everything happens for a reason, especially
when it happens a second time around.
When the Dyker Heights resident was 17, she started dating
Alain Farrelly of Bay Ridge and the relationship lasted for
two and a half years. Sometime between college, studying abroad,
and job searches, they broke up. Three years later, their
paths crossed again — a second chance.
“We knew when we got back together that it was the real
thing — not to date and be silly,” said Annalisa.
“The timing just worked out.”
Now all they need is to ride off into the sunset together
on July 20, 2007. The dress has been purchased, although she
gives no details regarding its style and cut. (Only her mother,
Rosaria, and grandma are privy to that information.) The venue’s
booked. And the debate is on — Hawaii or Italy? —
for the honeymoon. So Annalisa figured she’d get started
on completing her look.
“I’m very indecisive, which is why I’m starting
early,” said Annalisa.
Although the big day is still eight months away, a little
trial and error doesn’t hurt. Like many women before
her, Annalisa has dreamed of her wedding day since she was
a little girl. From the font on the table cards to the volume
of the music, everything has to be perfect, but nothing more
so than the bride herself.
Have a game plan
“It’s important to do a regimen of treatments on
a regular basis before the wedding,” said Bruno Grillo,
owner of Bruno’s Salon & Spa in Bay Ridge, where
Annalisa and Rosaria spent a recent Friday afternoon getting
trial runs of their hair and makeup from two of the salon’s
stylists, Greg Americo and Jovi Offitto.
This “regimen” includes, but is not limited to,
facials, waxing and hair conditioning treatments, color touch-ups
and frequent trims. Annalisa has dutifully followed her regimen
with help from the salon staff as well as her mother. Rosaria
recently purchased a package of facials for her daughter as
a birthday gift.
“I want my daughter to look her absolute best on her
wedding day,” said Rosaria.
Annalisa has since been going into the salon’s spa for
monthly facials.
“Right now, I’m just keeping my face clean,”
said Annalisa. “We’ve talked about doing masks and/or
microdermabrasion closer to the wedding.”
Grillo recommends microdermabrasion a week to 10 days before
the wedding.
“It makes the skin look rejuvenated, buff and smoothe,”
he explained. To avoid an adverse reaction, brides should
seek out experienced technicians, said Bruno.
“Here, we have a professional, medical-grade microdermabrasion
machine and our aestheticians are trained by Dr. Louis Tranese.”
That’s the kind of clean slate that makes a makeup artist’s
job so easy. After a facial, the skin has a healthy glow that
then allows for a more natural look when it comes to makeup
application.
Offitto, who has 15 years of experience with bridal hair and
makeup, applied Annalisa’s cosmetics.
“It’s all about the photographs,” said Offitto.
“Makeup shouldn’t overpower everything else.”
Offitto consults the bride about the style of her dress and
the shades of makeup she likes. And she always asks if they’d
mind if she added a bit of her own creativity. It seemed to
work on Annalisa.
“[Offitto] knew that I was getting married this summer
so she used purples and lavenders,” said Annalisa. “Everyone
says my eyes are my best feature, and she really played them
up, leaving everything else a little more subtle.”
Although completely satisfied, Annalisa may do another trial
with Offitto just to play around with the amount of eyeliner
applied as well as to see which products last longest.
“The beauty of starting early is that you’re left
with options,” said Hana Iskhak, a stylist at Allegria
Salon at the Marriott in Downtown Brooklyn.
Practice makes perfect
The
same holds true for hairstyles. Veil? Tiara? Elegantly detailed
stick pins? Half up, half down? All up? Pieces falling down
loosely? There’s so much to decide and waiting until
the last minute to schedule a practice run could leave a bride
stuck with a ’do that’s a don’t.
Offitto, Americo and Iskhak all agreed that it’s easiest
when a bride has some idea in mind as to what she wants. A
little homework or research on the bride’s part will
save her money and frustration in the long run.
“I don’t recommend too many visits,” said Bruno
stylist Americo, who has been creating hairdos for the big
day for 22 years. “She won’t be able to make up
her mind with too many choices.”
According to the pros, two practice visits is just right,
especially if a bride is toying with wearing her hair up or
down. It’s also helpful if she brings a photo of her
dress, so that the stylist and bride can arrive at the perfect
combination.
“The beauty of Annalisa is that she’s very easygoing
and open to suggestions,” said Americo, who pulled her
hair back softly with a few curls and loose loops during her
first visit.
“I gave [Americo] an idea here and there and then left
everything up to his creative genius,” said Annalisa.
“I like the way he took charge, and I didn’t have
to worry about the outcome.”
Nowadays, salons can do anything. For hair that’s too
short or too thin, there are pieces are extensions. If the
whole bridal party needs styling, there are packages for both
bachelorette events and the actual day. Offitto added extra
individual fake eyelashes — that lasted more than 72
hours — to the mother of the bride’s lash line to
make them look fuller.
Some stylists may even do home visits on the big day, although
it will cost more, and most don’t recommend it.
“All of the necessities are at the salon,” said
Americo. “It’s a lot easier that way.”
“We’ll open early to accommodate a bridal party
– at 6:30 in the morning – and we’ll do breakfast,
too,” offered Grillo.
To make the day even smoother, there are a few things that
a bride should do at home.
“When hair is washed and conditioned [before arriving
at the salon], all the stylist has to do is put it up,”
added Melaina Ulino, owner of Down Time Spa in Williamsburg.
“If we leave the focus on hair and makeup that day, then
the bride won’t have to worry about anything else.”
“It really speeds up the process,” agrees Americo.
Thanks to the hair expertise of Americo and the makeup artistry
of Offitto at Bruno’s, Annalisa is two steps closer to
that fairytale ending.
“Now, if only I can get Alain in here for a little TLC,”
said Annalisa with a laugh.
Additional reporting by Lisa J. Curtis.
Bruno’s
Salon & Spa is located at 6911 Shore Road at 69th Street
in Bay Ridge. For more information on spa services and bridal
packages, call (718) 921-0736 or visit the Web site at www.brunosalonandspa.com.
Allegria Hair Salon is located at the Marriott at 335 Adams
St. between Willoughby Street and Tech Place in Downtown Brooklyn.
For more information on spa services and bridal packages,
call (718) 875-5500.
Down Time Spa is located at 115 N. Seventh St. between Berry
Street and Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. For more information
on spa services and bridal packages, call (718) 218-9680.
November
11, 2006 edition |. Read
more about Brooklyn Weddings
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