artistrhi weddings update! Here are the gorgeous pro pics of Heather's wedding courtesy of kieleyphotography.com. Heather is the perfect combo of bridal babe plus sweetheart, as you can tell from the pics. It's always great to catch up with my brides a few months after things have settled down and hear how everything is going so well....and that the Big Day was everything they dreamed of. This is what it's all about.

Thank you Heather for letting me share in your Big Day! xo

See more from Heather's wedding day here.

See the original post on Toronto Wedding Professionals - your e-source for all things wedding!
It may be wintertime and wedding 'off-season', but if you're planning for your Big Day next year, now is the time to get a jumpstart on your skin care and beauty routine! Try these tips to get your skin Big Day ready:

Think and live healthy.
Drink more water, get as much rest as possible, eat well (limit your intake of high-sugar foods, caffeine and alcohol) and be more active.

Don't sweat the small stuff.
Some breakouts are stress-related. Remember to ask your bridal party for help when planning your wedding - they're your support group!

Follow a daily skin care routine.
Wash and moisturize your face 2 times daily - once when you wake up, and then again before you go to sleep. Make sure to thoroughly remove the day's make-up before you sleep and exfoliate no more than two times per week. If you're trying a new skin care routine, start it at least 6 months in advance of your wedding day to ensure your skin has time to adjust. Meet with a dermatologist or skin care consultant if you're unsure how to get your routine started.

Everyone's skin tends to feel dry and tight in the winter - so opt for a richer moisturizer for the face (i.e. add a night cream or a serum to your routine). Avoid taking long hot showers/baths as these can actually dry out the skin, reducing the production of the body's natural oils.

Something old, something new...
The wedding day or even the week leading up to the wedding is not the time to experiment with a new product or a completely different hairstyle, etc. Your skin needs time to adjust to a new product and cut hair won't grow back overnight!

Facials, Waxing and Threading.
Depending on your skin sensitivity, have your last facial at least 1-2 weeks before the Big Day. Facials lead to temporary bumps and redness that may or may not subside before your wedding day. Go for any waxings at least 3 days before the Big Day to make sure your skin has time to heal.

Remember, great wedding make-up always starts with a great base, so take care of your skin now and you'll have less to worry about as you near the Big Day!

Check out wnetwork.com for my latest Q & A on Mascara Brushes!
Here's a bit more on the mascaras I recommended in my response (click on the photos below to enlarge).

Brushes that Lengthen:
A thin mascara wand (like that of Maybelline Lash Stiletto or Lancome Definicils) works to lengthen lashes and help make even those tiny hairs in the corners of the eyes stand out! I love Maybelline's Lash Stiletto for the overall finish it gives the lashes and for its affordable pricepoint (under $10 when on sale!).

When it comes to the splurge option, I was first hooked on Definicils the first time I tried it in a Lancome gift with purchase. I love the long, separated lash look that Definicils leaves (it ain't award-winning for nothing!), but I can't rationalize spending the $30 on it! I'd rather go for the deal in this instance! :)



Brushes that build volume:
A plush and full bristled brush like those of the Loreal Voluminous and Dior's Diorshow mascaras (pictured below) to add volume to your eyelashes. L'oreal's Voluminous has been a staple in my personal kit since the day I discovered the power of mascara. Usually after trying something new, I always revert back to this old faithful because it doesn't disappoint!

Dior's Diorshow is a mascara I've bought a few times - even at the splurge price of approximately $30! I love the big, bold lashes you get with Diorshow. Even though I wouldn't spend the extra dollars on Definicils above, when I'm in the mood to treat myself, I definitely splurge on Diorshow. Guilty as charged!

It's nearing the one year mark for the artistrhi site, and I was definitely itching for a change! I wanted to adjust the design layout to have a cleaner and brighter aesthetic...and I'm extremely happy with the results, all with the help of Rosie of Design in Rotation (aka my awesome and talented sister!).

To further improve the user experience, you'll also notice the following changes:

1. Removal of borders and titles within the galleries to let the pictures speak for themselves :)

2. Minimizing the amount of scrolling! Don't you hate it when you go to a site, but it's optimized for a different resolution so you have to scroll up and down, AND right and left?!

3. Compatibility with more browser versions, including Internet Explorer 6...which means it will look as it's supposed to!

4. Icons on the main page that allow you to easily connect via Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot and the new gig at wnetwork!

5. Moving towards uniform branding for 'artistrhi' with logo changes on the site, the blog and on rhiaamio.com

I'm always open to suggestions on how the site can be improved. Let me know what you think!

You may have been read about this on your Facebook or Twitter feed... :)
I'm extremely happy and excited to announce that I'll be contributing as a Style and Beauty Expert on wnetwork.com, the online presence for the leading specialty network for women (channel 27 in Toronto, people!).

Have a beauty or style question? Check out my page or the vast archives of previously asked questions on the W site. Even if you have any other questions in the realms of Style and Beauty, Food and Health, Money, Relationships, Shopping or Home and Garden, there's definitely a W expert that can help! I'm in some awesome company with the Style by Jury team on the Beauty and Style Page. Love that show! :)

In all honesty, I'm still in awe of this wonderful opportunity, but hopefully (crossing fingers!) it's just a hint of even bigger and greater things to come! It's been two years since the humble beginnings of this blog (which I started initially as a portfolio of sorts, because I'm hardly computer programming savvy!)....and it's evolved into this information resource for make-up products and beauty tips. Really, I just have too much stuff in my head about make-up to not share (and it's probably abnormal). So this blog is kinda selfish, because I would otherwise have no outlet! I'm sincerely just very thankful for everyone's support and encouragement. It's why I do what I do :)

Remember you can contact me through the wnetwork site or always email me at rhia[at]artistrhi[dot]com to have your beauty and style question answered! For now, back to writing my responses for upcoming questions!