I’ve seen so many bridal makeup inspiration boards from clients looking for natural makeup especially for their nuptials, and after pouring over fresh-faced looks for years, I know exactly how brides want to wear minimal makeup. So now, I’m letting you in on the secret and dishing out the three most wanted ways to wear barely-there, but beautiful makeup on your big day. Consider it an early wedding gift ;)
While the styles shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, from freshly sun-kissed cheekbones to a radiant, all-over glow to subtle pinks that turn you into that timeless “blushing bride,” this fact will: the most asked-for natural bridal makeup looks are all totally DIY-able. We’re showing you how to master the elegant makeup, step-by-step. So brides, stop your search and scroll below!
1. Begin by applying a primer. This helps fill in fine lines and creates an even base to apply foundation, which makes your makeup last longer as well as stand up to flash photography better. Try Japonesque Velvet Touch ($32).
Barely Bronzed
2. Once the primer has had a chance to dry, apply your favorite foundation. On Krystle, we used Covergirl Tru Blend in Ivory ($10).
3. Apply bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, temples, along the frame of your hairline and down into your jaw line. Be sure to blend, blend, blend for the most natural look. Wet N Wild Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil ($7) is really good and incredibly affordable.
4. For concealer, try Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer in Light ($5) and apply under your eyes, on the bridge of your nose, in the center of your eyes into the center of your forehead, under your nose outside your nostrils and right in the center of your lower lip.
5. Japonesque Velvet Blush in Shade 3 ($22) is a great blush for this look because it’s slightly shimmery and has rich undertones that make just about any skin type look sun-kissed.
6. Be sure to set your makeup with a good powder like Laura Mercier Translucent Powder ($37) to help keep your makeup from smudging.
7. If your skin is pale, use High Beam by Benefit ($17) as a highlighter on the top of your cheekbones. If you have a deeper complexion, Sun Beam by Benefit ($26) is a better choice.
8. Apply a copper eyeshadow like MAC Amber Lights ($22) to the lid and crease of your eyes.
9. On your brow bone, inner corner of your eyes add MAC Nylon ($19) for a natural highlight.
10. Use a flat brush to apply the same coppery eyeshadow to the bottom lash line for an extra pop of color, but to still maintain a very natural look.
11. For a really natural liner effect, use a dark brown pencil like Palladio Retractable Eye Pencil in Black/Brown ($5) on the inside upper lash line (aka “tightlining”).
12. Curl your lashes.
13. Add your favorite mascara, ideally a waterproof one for your big day.
14. Give your eyebrows a little extra shape with our favorite eyebrow pencil by Billion Dollar Brow Universal Brow Pencil ($12).
15. Finally apply a subtle bronzed gloss like Wet N Wild Mega Slicks in Rose Gold ($7).
Consider this dewy bronze look a preview of honeymoon skin :)
1. Begin with a primer like Japonesque Velvet Touch ($32).
Perfectly Pink
2. Next apply your foundation, on Ashley we used Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous in Golden Tan ($9).
3. Bronze the hollows of your cheeks, your temples into your hairline and along your jawline with POP Beauty Double Duty Bronzer in Honey bBeam ($30).
4. Apply concealer like YSL Touche Eclat Mascara Radiant Touch No 1 ($35) under your eyes, on the bridge of your nose, in the center of your eyes into the center of your forehead, under your nose outside your nostrils, and right in the center of your lower lip.
5. If your skin is pale, use High Beam by Benefit ($17) as a highlighter on the top of your cheekbones. If you have a deeper complexion, Sun Beam by Benefit ($26) is a better choice.
6. Prep your eyelids with prep with MAC Pro Mixing Medium in Matte ($34), then apply a shimmery pink eyeshadow like MAC Kitschmas Pigment ($35) on the base of your lids — and be sure to .
7. Apply a cream colored shadow like MAC Nylon ($25) to your browbone and inner corner of your eyes.
8. Line the inside upper lash line of your eyes with a brown eyeliner pencil like Palladio Retractable Eye Pencil in Black/Brown ($5).
9. Apply a couple coats of your favorite waterproof mascara.
10. Next use a brow pencil like Billion Dollar Brow Universal Brow Pencil ($12) to fill in and polish your brows.
11. To really tie this look together, use a similar hue of lipstick as the shade you used on your eyelids, we used Revlon 805 in Kissable Pink ($9).
This simple-chic look is all about the balance between the eye and the lip… and maybe a little about that headpiece, too.
1. Apply a primer like Japonesque Velvet Touch ($32).
Gorgeous Glow
2. Next apply your foundation. On Sarah, we used Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Light ($43).
3. Bronze your temples, along your hairline, hollows of your cheeks, and along your jawline with Wet N Wild Bronzer in Ticket to Brazil ($7).
4. Apply concealer like YSL Touche Eclat Mascara Radiant Touch No 1 ($35) under your eyes, on the bridge of your nose, in the center of your eyes into the center of your forehead, under your nose outside your nostrils, and right in the center of your lower lip.
5. Set your makeup with a powder like Laura Mercier Translucent Powder ($35).
6. Use MAC Pro Mixing Medium in Matte ($35) as a primer on your eyelids, then add a shimmery white eyeshadow like MAC Frost Pigment ($7) to your entire lid and inside the corners of your eyes.
8. Line your eyes with a black pencil like Palladio Retractable Eye Pencil in Black ($5).
9. Mascara it up with a few coats to help contrast the white eyeshadow.
10. Back to our favorite eyebrow pencil by Billion Dollar Brow Universal Brow Pencil ($8) — use it to fill in and bulk up those brows.
11. Finish the look with a neutral matte lip that won’t compete with your eyes like Myth by MAC ($18).
This luminescent look will give you a subtle glow while you’re on the alter, and wow even more up close. Plus rocking a nude lip means no chance of smudging when it’s your partner’s turn to kiss the bride.
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
You X Ventures for Unsplash
Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
Kobu Agency for Unsplash
You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures