We know we’re all supposed to glow on our wedding day, but what about that extra late night at the rehearsal dinner? And all those weeks of tying up loose ends leading up to the Big Day? And, too, what about those of us who simply fade away into pale shadows of our summer selves when the cold weather arrives? Don’t you worry, lassies! Grab our hands and come along as we dish on salvation.
We checked with top makeup artists in the Charleston area to learn what products are the best for adding a quick, yet long-lasting “rise and shine” freshness to your fabulous face, no matter your natural state. Best? Even the most novice beauty queen can apply these products, especially the tints, which leave a hint of translucent color atop your skin. And they are proven to wear well in Lowcountry weather, all year round. You're welcome.
SHOP ON, SHOPPER
We road-tested the colors
Mimi Striplin models above, and no matter the staffer’s skin tone, each shade looked fantastic and lasted well, too. (Thanks to
The Water Room [
843/ 377-8115; TheWaterRoom.com] for the great manicures seen in this story. For more on nail picks, hop below the swatch shopping list.)
“Renaissance”
Hydraglow by Clove + Hallow ($19)
Aqua XL Color Paint Extra Long Lasting Shadow by Makeup Forever ($25)
“Afternoon Delight”
The Highlight of the Day Illuminating Serum by Maya Chia ($42)
Available throughout the Lowcountry; see stock lists at MayaChia.com
“Velvet”
Hydra Tint by Clove + Hallow ($19)
“Moon Cry”
Pressed Blush by RMS Beauty ($24)
Available throughout the Lowcountry; see stock lists at RMSBeauty.com
NAIL IT IN NEUTRAL TERRITORY
Matte-finished neutrals so subtle they’re knockouts—seen here on both
Mimi Striplin and
Charleston Weddings' intern Hannah Rose Hunter—are our pick for best bridal party nail color. Their stunning manis were done at Charleston’s nontoxic nail salon,
The Water Room (843/ 377-8115; TheWaterRoom.com). Located in the Cigar Factory downtown with a private room perfect for bachelorette bookings, the salon offers a sweet incentive for surcies: Bring in a bottle of your old polish and you get 10 percent off a new bottle of “clean” polish.
THE BEST TWO-FER STICKS AROUND
Yes,
Eco Lips Cheek + Lip Tint ($8.99 from Walmart) sticks are vegan-friendly and cruelty free. And yes, they are made of organic jojoba, coconut oil, organic and fair-trade cocoa butter, and sunflower seed wax. But they also smell out of this world, add just the right hydrating wash of color, and can be used on your lips, eyes, cheeks—wherever you want a little flush. The three shades—nude, pink, and red—each look different based on skin tone, so we can’t recommend one based on skin type. But we can tell you they were great on everyone at the office who tried the collection.
One last boon? The sticks are all-ages; our moms, our interns, and those of us in the middle each raved about the results. The only downside? The color doesn’t last quite as long as mainstream products, but if the price of clean beauty is reapplying every so often, so be it—the sticks are easily carried on the go.
Our rec: Give ’em to your bridesmaids in their goodie bags on your bachelorette weekend.
PRETTY WAYS TO CLEAN UP YOUR ACT
As you get your beauty on, consider clean beauty products, those that are, in Goop’s succinct-ish words, “nontoxic and made without a long, ever-evolving list of ingredients linked to harmful health effects.” Here are some favorite sources with ties to Charleston.
RMS (
RMSBeauty.com) is named for its creator, Rose Marie Swift, who’s background as a nationally known makeup artist led her to
create a line of glorious—yes, glorious—luminescent creams, eye “polishes,” bronzers, and so much more.
Maya Chia (
MayaChia.com), based in Mount Pleasant and renowned nationally, might just have tapped into the fountain of youth with their line of chia seed-infused oils. Try the highlighters they offer; these shimmering hues of facial oils add honest-to-goodness long-lasting color.
Aillea (843/ 501-7662;
Aillea.com), is a small but mighty chain that only stocks clean products on its shelves; they opened a storefront on King Street last year. For a quick-fix glow, we love their Clove + Hallow products, specifically the Hydra Glow and Hydra Tint.
