What’s the inspiration behind your wedding look? Did you have any hair and makeup pegs?
I just wanted something simple and classic. My hair was pretty short at the time so we definitely had to have my hair down and work with extensions – although I wouldn’t have chosen an updo anyway since I wanted something relaxed as well. I just googled celebrities with at similar face shape as mine and found a particular style Sophie Turner did for the Oscars in 2016. We then tweaked it by having the waves a bit more relaxed. As for the makeup peg, I just went for a bronzey look with a neutral brown smokey eye.
Who designed your wedding gown, and how did you come up with the style? How long did it take to create or find the perfect wedding dress?
Rosenthal Tee. Right off the bat, I made sure to tell her I wanted something off-the-shoulder. I know that this isn’t something most people would recommend for broad-shouldered types such as myself, but I just felt like it would work and took the risk! If I remember correctly, it didn’t take very long for us to come up with it. She just started sketching right after we sat down, and literally agreed on a rough design by the time we finished talking.
“If you’re not calm and relaxed on your wedding day, you won’t be able to enjoy the experience of it all.”
How did you choose your hair and makeup artist?
My family actually owns a salon so one of our junior stylists came along and then I just gave her instructions on what to do. As for my make-up, I got my friend Nicole Pastrano to do it. I chose her because I love how she does make-up on herself! That was more than enough for me to be able to appreciate her skill and talent.
What lip color did you choose for the wedding day?
The lovely person at the Bobbi Brown counter recommended their Art Stick in Bare.
What was in your wedding day makeup kit/pouch?
I just had my art stick from Bobbi Brown, the rest were Nicole’s.
What were the preparations you did for your skin prior to the wedding day? Did you go to a skincare center regularly? What kind of services did you have done? Is this something you would recommend to other brides-to-be?
I didn’t really do skin prep… It was more of tan prep. I definitely wanted to look tan for our wedding but didn’t have time to go to the beach. Luckily for me, there’s one spray tan parlour in Manila (Pink Parlour) so I did a trial run about a month and a half before our wedding just to see how it fades, etc, also since it was also my first time getting a spray tan done. It went well, so I had it done again, about 3 days before our wedding day.
What was the best beauty advice you received that helped you prepare for your wedding?
I think it’s probably three advices from my parents. First is that I should be getting enough sleep. Second is to keep myself hydrated. And well, third is that I shouldn’t be anxious or worried, should anything not go according to plan. I know that doesn’t sound like beauty advice, but it actually is! If you’re not calm and relaxed on your wedding day, you won’t be able to enjoy the experience of it all. Having negative energy the whole day surely wouldn’t make any bride (or groom) look and feel beautiful.. It wouldn’t make the experience beautiful either.
How about in terms of fitness? What did you do months before the wedding to stay in shape and make sure your wedding dress fit perfectly? Did you enroll in a gym or fitness center? What was your diet like?
I didn’t have much time to go to the gym. I think it was more of my diet that kept me the same size so I could fit into my wedding dress. I have been consciously avoiding beef and pork for what I think has been 15 years now, so there’s that. Plus, avoiding processed food as much as possible. I also drink fruit and vegetable juice/smoothies.
Did you have your nails done? If so, where? Would you recommend this nail salon to others?
Yes. I just had them done at our salon. I went for good old nail lacquer, no gels or acrylics, so that if I messed anything up, it would be an easy fix. (I mean, let’s be real – I wouldn’t want to have to worry about my nails the whole day, in case something happened to them.)
“You shouldn’t ever let the pressure of it having to be perfect get to you.”
What was your biggest takeaway from your wedding day? Do you have any beauty-related tips you’d like to share to upcoming brides?
I think that it’s not to be too critical about everything. Attention to detail is good, but make sure you’re still able to enjoy the whole experience, from planning to the actual event itself. After all, it’s supposed to be a fun memorable experience with your husband-to-be, right? Although it is a very important day for most people, you shouldn’t ever let the pressure of it having to be “perfect” get to you. You may encounter speedbumps along the way, and that’s okay. What’s more important is what happens after your wedding day!
The best (not just) beauty-related tip I can share with upcoming brides is to go for whatever feels right, whether that’s sticking with your go-to’s or taking a risk by doing something different. As long as you know it in your heart to be right, you won’t have any regrets.