Beauty Inspiration from our Real Brides

Hello Friends! If you didn't already know it, this is one of my absolute favorite topics to blog about... particularly because it allows me to share some really great pictures of our lovely brides that don't make it to my social media or website.

As I sat down to plan this out the other day, it hit me just how long it's been since I've shared one of these "real bride" posts with you all- so please accept my apologies! Currently making a note to myself to work ahead on these things in the off-season.

Enjoy!

(above)

Erin

6.5.2020

Darcy Demmel Photography

(above)

Kayla

7.17.2020

Luminaire Foto

(above)

Carol

8.1.20

George Street Photo

(above)

Rachel

8.8.20

Artisan Events

(above)

Meghan

8.8.20

Cage and Aquarium

(above)

Liz

8.22.20

Austin O’Brien

(above)

Valerie

8.29.20

Mike Ando Photography

(above)

Ariana

9.2.20

Hannah Costello

(above)

Juliette

9.5.20

George Street Photo

(above)

Maria

9.6.20

Artisan Events

Nora Events

How to Style Perfect Waves on a Humid Day

Anyone else have hair that frizzes and puffs out while completely losing the beautiful loose waves that you just styled within 15 minutes of stepping outside??? I know I'm not alone here, and it just so happens that we are heading into a weeklong stretch of high humidity as I type this.

Read on for my best tips for styling waves that will hold up. They key here is changing your products and adjusting your technique a bit.

First of all- let's ditch the texture spray and the flexible hairspray that we love 3/4 of the year. What we need now is a STRONG HOLD hair spray. I prefer Kenra's 25 Volume spray with "super hold".

Like usual, we will approach our styling broken into manageable sections like usual- but the difference here is that we are really going to blast our hair with this strong hold spray.

Then take a moment to brush the hair so that the spray is evenly distributed. This also gives the spray the 3 seconds it needs to dry. We don't want to hear a "sizzle" when we put your hair in the iron in a moment!

When we use our iron, we want to clamp down on the hair (for added smoothness & reinforcement with heat) and take our iron all of the way to the scalp. Even if we don't want to wave the hair that high- we still want to slide the hair through- just like you would with a flat iron.

Then I like to blast the hair with my strong hold spray again once curled, and work up to the top with my Spray, curl, spray routine.

Then I spray it again when finished. Your waves should feel stiff and crunchy. This is your "set". Meaning; not the desired end result- but an over compensated- more intense version of your style. We can leave your hair hang out in this state for awhile if you have time.

If my plans involve being outside for hours, I will leave my hair exactly like this. It only takes a little while outside for this crunch look to soften.

If I am taking an Uber somewhere and spending minimal time out doors, I will break it up just a bit with my wide tooth comb so I don't look crazy when I arrive at my destination.

But don't be afraid to leave your hair waved a little tighter that your desired look.

The idea here to expect your hair to still loosen a bit when you're outside.

And even with some frizz activating you will still have a loose wave that looks intentional because of your strong set in the beginning!

I hope you found this helpful! Enjoy this beautiful weather, Ladies!

xoxo,

Ann

Skip the Reception

Have you ever imagined just bailing on your formal reception and instead wandering around Wicker Park alone (with your partner of course), and maybe grabbing some good ramen and hanging out in an arcade???⁠ Basically doing whatever you want...

⁠

This was the inspiration for our recent project with Lionhearted Events and photographer Mari Trancoso.⁠

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I'm sure there's at least a few fellow introverts who can relate. And besides- for many couples, reality looked a lot like this over the past year... so why not make the best of it!⁠

Plus- the non traditional event makes the perfect setting to wear whatever you want- like a belted bridal pantsuit, hat & boots!

Contributors;

Photography- Mari Trancoso⁠

Production- Lionhearted Events⁠

Hair & Makeup- Beauty by Ann Krause⁠

Bridal attire- Honey Bridal⁠

Groom model- Broderick

Bride model- Jasmine