Beauty Tips by Tania

Tag Archives: Hawaii Weddings

Destination Hawaii for Wedding Couples

j0145116Whether you are coming to Honolulu for your destination wedding, or you are local and have friends and family flying in for your wedding, this is the perfect time to explore and enjoy the beauty of paradise. There are iconic parts of Oahu that all visitor’s should see at least once, and then you have the lesser known vista’s that you need a local to suggest, because they are not in any guidebook.

For an iconic hike, you cannot get any better than Diamond Head overlooking the beaches of Waikiki. Since you don’t want to do any super-strenuous exercise right before the wedding, this is perfect for all of your family & friends. They have even modified the trail so the dreaded stairs are much easier. If you can bring yourself to wake up early, sunrise from Diamond Head is guaranteed to be spectacular.

Plan a day trip to the North Shore for our next few suggestions – you won’t be disappointed! (Just make sure to bring plenty of sunblock and water to stay hydrated!)

  1. The North Shore is the best place to get a taste of Old Hawaii. Haleiwa Town has plenty of quaint shops and as you continue driving, you’ll see many great spots to pull over and view the ocean, see turtles and seals on the beach, and, of course go swimming in the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Waimea Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches and has the advantage of the Waimea Botanical Gardens right across the main road from the beach!
  2. A Hawaiian Plate Lunch is an absolute must when you visit Oahu. One of the most well-known – and ono (delicious) food trucks, Giovanni’s is near Haleiwa Town and cannot be beat if you like shrimp. Plate lunches are available all over the island, so look for the traditional Kahlua pig lunch or indulge in a loco moco (a burger over rice with eggs cooked however you like and gravy to tie it all together).

The Polynesian Cultural Center really needs a day of its own. It is a bit of a drive from Waikiki, but check with your hotel to find a bus to take you there and they may have tour packages available as well. Look into the evening luau packages & don’t forget to take one of the canoe tours through the property. This is a perfect time to learn the history and culture of Hawaii!

For the more adventurous, ocean-loving members of your party, drive to Hawaii Kai and the amazing Haunama Bay for snorkeling. (Once again – don’t forget the sunblock and the water to stay hydrated!) The tropical sea life alone is worth the drive, but the scenery along the way is breathtaking. Drive a little further to see the blowhole and the famous Sandy’s Beach – just be careful as the surf is powerful.

We can’t give away all of the local secrets, but send us a message and we can give you a few hints of favorite spots from a local perspective! Hope to see you soon in our island home!

Posture Check-up!

Iris_004As soon as you read the title, you straightened up a bit, huh? Was your mother or teacher’s voice running in a recording through your brain, “Stand up straight!” “Don’t slouch!” “If you don’t stand up straight…(insert dire warning here).”

Turns out, mom was right for more reasons than one. Not only does good posture affect your health, but if you think about it, people with good posture seem to exude confidence and vitality. And, if you plan to wear a strapless wedding dress, good posture is an absolute must!

How do you know if you have good posture?

One way is to stand up against a flat wall with the back of your head and entire shoulder blade touching the wall and tuck your pelvic bone forward so the small of your back touches the wall and your heels touch the baseboard. Stand there and feel that for 2 minutes, then walk away from the wall maintaining that posture. This exercise will also strengthen your core and becomes easier as you become stronger (we recommend some good stretching as well).

It’s not easy to hold that perfect posture, but practice every day so you know instinctively what it feels like and you can turn it on for the camera on your wedding day!

Strike a Pose (Part 2)

Missed Part 1? Check it out here!

For over 20 years, Tania has taught models how to pose in front of the camera & every photo shoot requires a little practice beforehand if you want to look & feel amazing. Strike a Pose photo 1Here are some more tips on striking the perfect pose for the perfect wedding photos!

  • Keep your shoulders relaxed, down and back. If you are self-conscious about your upper arms, keep them slightly away from your body and avoid ‘smooshing’ poses.
  • Stand at a 45 degree angle, not straight on, to slim your figure. (A good photographer will be able to let you know what angle slims you the most.) Put each leg in a slightly different position and put all your weight on the back leg.
  • If your dress is shorter and your legs are showing, point your toes, bend your knees and position each leg differently. Don’t forget to shift your weight on one leg more than the other. Interestingly enough, “awkward” leg positions photograph better than the more relaxed, comfortable.
  • For a more natural look, hold your bouquet in one hand and allow the other arm to relax and your hand to be soft. If you feel your hands and arms tensing up, take a moment to shake them out and start again. A slight curve of the fingers always looks better than straight.

 

BONUS TIPS ::

Research. I know, that sounds like homework. But look through the bridal magazines and all the Internet photos of celebrities at award ceremonies & movie premiers. They are experts at posing so they look their absolute best – learn from them.

Practice in front of a mirror! Gather your bridesmaids, some snacks, a bottle of champagne and practice till you feel you look your best. Then, it will be more natural on the big day.

When is your bridal look a Fad

AndreaBrionnePhotography_StyledRusticBridals_10

A bridal look is a very personal thing and many brides enjoy getting pampered with makeup application and hairstyling.  On the other hand, which bridal look to choose may be a daunting task for some.  So I’ve listed some questions to ask yourself when working with your stylist.

1.  Is the makeup and hair timeless and appropriate to the dress style, venue and theme.  Remember you’ll have to look back at these photos and show them to your children and grandchildren.

2.  Is the look a trend that will come and go quickly.

3.  Is the hairstyle complementing your facial shape.

4.  Is the eyeshadow color and application, your personal style or a fashion look.

Thought you might like to know

IMG_4706
Dear Global Brides,  You may find the attached link very interesting, I know I did.
Yours Truly,
Beauty by Tania,
Honolulu, Hawaii
Shared from Weddings on Flipboard. Download Flipboard for free here.

Prepping for your Wedding Day

5000107695Most brides are preoccupied with the overwhelming details and timing of their wedding day. They forget to pack the little things or don’t have time to really think about themselves.  So here is a packing list of “your little thing”s that may be overlooked.  I write “your” because there is comfort in the things you are use to seeing, touching or using.  Your skin is a perfect example, you may become sensitive to the body lotion or sunscreen provided by the hotel. The type of pillows may cause you to sleep with your head buried in the them leading to puffy eyes on your wedding day.

Pack your favorite:

Pillow, aromatherapy-lavendar for relaxation, sun hat, eye drops

sunscreen, cleanser, eye makeup remover, moisturizer for face and body,  lip balm

shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner, body wash, blowdryer