Glamour Day

We choose to call traditional ceremonies "Glamour day" because of the three wedding ceremonies, this is the only day you are permitted to apply heavy makeup and use lots of accessories. It is a traditional occasion and both families would want to show-off their cultural heritage especially when the bride and the groom are from different tribes. It is a day for *efizzy*, more like if I don't display today what other day do I have?


The brides makeup is always on gear five, makeup artist showcase their works on this day than any other day. Although, we are given a freehand, we must do it with a lot of skill. There are two major aspects to the makeover for the bride, the Head-tie and Facial Makeup. Some people get one right and miss other, it shows and will definitely give an incomplete package.


Let's start off with the head-tie. Not all brides use a head tie but a higher percentage do especially here in Africa. Head-ties can be wrapped up really cute, moderate or very large. I prefer it moderate because you can be sure of retaining its style throughout your occasion without getting it messed up. It's important to study the tips of the head-tie material so as to display it in style with unique patterns.


During engagement ceremonies, bright colours are often used - reason it's called glamour day anyway.  Let's bullet tips for engagement makeup, shall we?

• Your skin moisture should be balanced to ensure a good base for your makeup

• Next is application of your foundation and concealer. Apply the foundation over your eyelids and the concealer below the eyes, around the nostrils and areas with spots.

• Apply your powder on entire face and neck to leave your face with a healthy glow 

• Hot shadows applied on the eye lids will suit your day. If an earthy shade of eye shadow is to be used, it should be applied to the crease. 

• Depending on eye shape and size, you may apply eyeliners for a striking look

• The brow bone must perfectly shaped, you can fill thin areas with brow pencils. 

• Curl your lashes and apply mascara at the top and bottom.

• Dust on some blush on cheek to peak up brides face in pictures.

• The makeup won't be complete without matching hot lips, play down on lipstick application if you have heavy shadows on eyes and vice versa.  

Its very important to note that expensive products do not translate to perfect makeup. Without the right knowledge of application, the outcome may not be what you have always dreamt of. 

Glamour day models...

Best Regards,
Belle

Weddings & I !!!

Whenever I get the "you are cordially invited to" card, my smile is super broad when it has an "X weds Y". Weddings!!! I just love the sound of it, has a romantic air, calls for celebrations, brings lots of people together and simply births good things!

People look their best at weddings than any other occasion. Why? The question should actually be, why not? I mean, that's a gathering of people with generational gaps... You get to see people you haven't seen in ages. On such occasions I wear my one-in-a-million-you've-never-seen-it outfit so I can make a grand entry in confidence, *don't shake your head at me*, it's the truth!

The essence of weddings centers on two people. Couples take months to prepare for their wedding day, what they will wear, decorations, what the people will eat (the couple never really eat), video coverage and photography.

At Belle, we are interested in the planning that goes into the preparation for your big day. In today's books, people no longer want to get involved in the nitty gritty, too much stress involved. The bride is also our focal point, I mean girls always imagine that they would look like fairy tale princesses on their wedding days. I'm amazed when I see some brides looking like they just stepped out of Michael Jackson's Ghost video - very pathetic.

This sounds lame but I have to say it anyway - it is very important that a bride is detailed in her dressing, all eyes are on you! You need to avoid any fatal makeup blunders on your wedding day! Your wedding is so not the time for trial and errors. Comm'n generations yet unborn will know how you looked on that special day of yours. With the explosion of technology in our time, a click button will download your pictures and videos. Well, you either get *washed* by your grandchildren or praised  - I want to be seen as a fabulous grandma oh, no dulling!

In Africa we like celebration sha oh, instead of a one-day ceremony we have two or three days before we let the couple "leave & cleave". Hmm... we go from the Registry to the Traditional and round it off with the Religious. Nevertheless, it is expected that on all these days the bride looks outstanding. We will give a few tips for each of the special days. For this post - Registry.

Registry
The registry ceremony is attended by close relations as a result it is often belittled. Your appearance is important on that day too. Makeup and outfit should be "simply classic". I think the norm is for people to wear misfitted corporate wears for the occasion or an after-thought native attire, that is so wrong. You need to plan for the registry. We like to do dresses for our brides - simple ones with light makeup to enhance the look. Semi-corporate attires would be a good bet. You could have a dress mixed with African prints. What people do with African prints these days ehn, you will be surprised. I think you should see pictures now so we are not speaking from imaginations. Our models are ready for the registry, see for yourself...

My darlings, we will continue this gist in our next post. 

Best Regards,

Belle

Looking Good Is Good Business

The first time I heard the quote "looking good is good business" i pondered about its meaning. It was from a receptionist in an advertising firm. For someone in such an establishment, its quite necessary, I mean very mandatory to look good. She did look good with the right outfit - a blue striped shirt with a matching navy blue skirt. She had lovely black "wet-look pointees" on. She looked fabulous except for her makeup! Gosh! That outfit didn't march the face, for crying out loud, you are not going for a costume party as a masquerade! I was depressed. 

I couldn't get my eyes off her outfit though coz it just fit right but her makeup was an insult to Mary Kay, for she claimed to use that brand of Makeup. If Mary Kay had seen her that day, she wudda closed down her business. Like seriously, some people just don't realize that makeup is supposed to enhance your already God given beauty not for an artistic face painting that would turn you into a scarecrow! I mean she thought she looked good, maybe she did but minus the outfit, I'd keep her on a farmland to scare off all kinds of birds.

Lets get down to business, I'll just give you a few tips on how to look good at work with a few products. Afterall, you need to look good to get good business. Some of you would say, "I'm always at the counter paying or receiving cash who cares how I look"? Your customers do. Some would keep coming back coz of some smart looking lady and when they transfer her, you would hear them ask after her. Besides, you just may bump into one of your oooooollllddddd school mate. You'd want to impress na. So y'all better take these tips and put'em in your left hand so u don't eat'em up (go ask a yoruba guru about that, its a proverb).

Tips

Tip 1: Powder - Finding the right powder for you is key, and applying it right makes all the difference. Learn to shop for a powder that will match the color to your natural skin tone. You should actually select a color that is the exact shade of your skin so your face doesn't speak two different languages. Apply on your face and blend it carefully. 

Tip 2: Eyeshadows - Please when applying eye shadows, do not use very bright colours at work. Remember you are not preparing for a night party and wouldn't want your shadows screaming - Hey! See me! I'm right here! Use earthy shades of eyeshadow, shades that blend properly with your skin.

Tip 3: Mascara/ Eyeliner - Your mascara and eyeliner best choice colour should be brown and black. 

Tip 4: Lip Makeup - If you are wearing heavy eye makeup, you can keep lips nude to look natural and vice-versa but always avoid those tones like beige, taupe or earthy tones that look muddy in office lights. Please remember looking natural will enhance the beauty that is your own and it will help you get that goood business you are after.

Best Regards,

Belle

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Hi

Y'ello People,

Belle Signature is here! Yay!!! Apologies for our disappearance online, we have been offline for far too long but we've decided to get active and keep you informed.

For our training (gele tying, makeup, hair pieces/fascinators, hat making...) you will get updates real time. We encourage you to follow our blog so you'll know wassup as soon as possible. Your promo codes will come in handy from our posts so stay connected! Thank you so much for your support. You are the reason we are here and we are out to serve you better. Lots of love people. Muah!

Best Regards,
Belle