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Travel Skincare

March 15, 2018 by Sharon Becker

lineup of travel products — Remnants of my travel skincare regime.

Xin chào, các bạn (hello, friends)!
I just returned from an epic adventure in Vietnam, where it’s sunny, hot, and alternately dry and sticky.

Spring is soooo close – but it’s not here yet. You might even have a warm-weather trip planned for April, just to grab some precious vitamin D (so important for your overall well-being). If you do, please pack your kit accordingly. As a lover of all things skincare, I have some thoughts. Here is what I pack for myself:

Eye makeup remover – gotta be gentle with those peepers!
Facial cleanser – now is the perfect time to use up those sample sizes hanging out in your drawer
Serum – I want to offer my face needs as much love as I can
Moisturizer
Serious sunscreen for face and neck – this is my favorite, from Shiseido and available at Sephora
Sunscreen stick for my nose, forehead, and chin – great for touchups

As with all important matters in life, consistency is everything. I do a full skincare regimen morning and night, never take a night off, and I think my skin looks pretty good for my age. These items will fit in your carry on luggage, so no excuses! Oh, and I usually buy a big body sunscreen when I arrive at my destination (easier in some locations than others, so plan accordingly).

Happy trails!

vietnamese food — Sprinkling crushed peanuts on the grilled scallops in Saigon.

Vietnamese coffee — Enjoying a Vietnamese iced coffee (with condensed milk – so yummy) and watching the world go by in Hoi An.

On a bike, in Vietnam! — Biking past the rice fields in a village outside of Hoi An. Vietnam trails just behind Thailand as the world’s #1 rice producer.

On a bike, on a bridge, in Vietnam! — Bamboo bridge outside of Hoi An

rattan weavers in Vietnam — Trying, and failing, to help thread a rattan mat.

silk fabric in Vietnam — Choosing a bright silk lining for my custom velvet blazer!

Vietnam Selfie! — Cocktail at sunset on An Bang Beach

Genevieve, holiday wedding

January 3, 2018 by Sharon Becker

As a student of art history, I enjoyed the way Vermeer molded his subjects with his depiction of natural light.

I met Genevieve through her planner, who came to me rather last minute. The bride had hired another company, but couldn’t find a way to convey her makeup style to the artists. The planner called me, knowing that I can not only handle a “no-makeup makeup”, but make the bride and her party feel glamorous even with little makeup.

The bride and I met, and we hit it off – she’s bright and hilarious, and I couldn’t wait for her wedding! The wedding day brought a little snow, lots of gorgeous little kids in fancy outfits, and overall holiday cheer. The bride looked amazing (hats off to Jaime Carson for the facials!) – and check out her Vermeer moment by the window!

In one year, she got married, bought a house, and had a baby. I adore her and am very grateful for the three additional brides she referred to me in 2017. The planner was right – we were a match! I am so lucky to have all of these fabulous brides in my life.

Makeup: Sharon Becker
Planner: JZ Events
Photographer: Susan Baker Photography
Hotel: Gramercy Park Hotel

3 Beauty Products to Pick up at Sephora Before Memorial Day Weekend

May 27, 2016 by Sharon Becker

Hey, it’s finally warm, and we couldn’t be more excited! As you can tell from my travels (view on @sharonbecker), I loooove warm weather. I do hope you get this Memorial Day weekend off from work, and can enjoy the outdoors, barbecues, and remember the sacrifices made in pursuit of our freedom. I will be exercising my freedom to work for myself! We have two beautiful brides and I can’t wait to spend their wedding days with them on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, maybe we will take a walk outside, with this furry friend.

Before I send you off for the weekend, here are three beauty items I highly recommend you purchase! They will get you through the summer in safety and style, and are some of my personal favorites.

Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector Broad Spectrum SPF 42 I wear this every day in warm weather, under my makeup, at the beach, going for decaf. That’s it. Just do it.
Kevyn Aucoin The Neo Bronzer is drool-worthy in terms of stunning product and gorgeous packaging. Don’t you want to feel like a baller, whether you’re putting on your makeup at your summer share or touching up before a Yankees game? Yes, you do. This is a splurge, but the colors are subtle and flattering and the texture is So. Very. Soft. Please, no cheap bronzer.
Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 30 I’m loooooving this product! The texture is light and you can build the coverage. Best of all – since it’s a modern matte, you won’t feel greasy in hot weather. Do it!

Have a beautiful and safe weekend, and let me know how you like my recommendations!

Blizzard Jonas Bride, January 2016 – What’s a Little Snow?

May 12, 2016 by Sharon Becker

Forget June or October, our lovely bride Danielle wanted a winter wedding. She feels more comfortable and cozy in the cold weather, loves bundling up, and even loves snow. She and her handsome man scheduled their wedding for Saturday, January 23, 2016. I think you know what happens next.

This bride is beautiful, smart, and sweet, so I was looking forward to her wedding day. Here’s a picture of me in front of the Bowery Hotel, after my short but trying walk from my home:

The snow was already several inches high, coming down furiously, and it was only 7:30AM. We were all wet but optimistic, and carried on with bridal suite activities: makeup for 10, hair, bubbly, and photos. The governor called a travel ban early in the afternoon, and the parents had to make the tough choice to postpone the wedding – luckily, the venue was available the next day.

Our intrepid photographer, Joseph Lin, made the smart choice to have everyone dress up and took the party and family through a fantastic photo shoot. Everyone was already dolled up – why not? Danielle and her husband had a special “first look” moment, and then everyone headed outside into the snow.

Luckily, I was able to return to the hotel the next day, Sunday, (between two other bookings that started at 8AM) and we did it all over again, on a smaller scale. The couple married, everyone enjoyed a powerful party that lasted late into Sunday night, and I got this amazing note from the bride:

I’m still so blown away by how supportive you were the day(s) of our wedding. Your zen played a huge role in keeping me calm when I was told the wedding was cancelled and it means so much you did everything possible to be there the second day. Not to mention, you touched up all of the girls out of the goodness of your heart even though it really wasn’t part of our plan. Your kindness and talent are reminders that the most important thing when choosing a vendor is that they will support you when all else fails!

Thank you, Danielle and family – it was really my pleasure!

Makeup column: should my bridal party get their makeup done?

May 3, 2016 by Sharon Becker

Should my bridal party get their makeup done?

Yes! What’s more beautiful than a cohesive look? We think there are many reasons why the entire bridal should get their makeup done professionally. Here are three:

1. Everyone should look like they are attending the same party! If your dearest friends agreed to stand with you on your wedding day, arranged for travel and altered their gowns to fit perfectly, they are also willing to meet the bride at the level of polished beauty.

2. Guaranteed – the pictures will look better! A professional artist will make sure everyone looks like their best selves (that girlfriend with the penchant for rock n’ roll eyeliner? Have a professional do it and it will look softer). Bonus: a really great makeup artist will not allow anyone to walk down the aisle with tan lines, ruining the pictures.

3. The time you spend with your bridesmaids on your wedding morning is irreplaceable. They will keep you calm, bring perspective, and create a fun and festive atmosphere. Time is the most valuable commodity in life.

How to pay? Consider making professional makeup the bridesmaid gifts, or offer to cover half the cost.

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