Bras

Let’s talk about Bra’s and what style(s) are best to bring to your photoshoot with Belle Boudoir. There are four main styles of bra’s; The Balconette, Demi Cup, T-shirt, and Push-Up. While you may love your t-shirt bra’s and wear them everyday, are they the best style for your boudoir shoot? You be the judge. Below I am going to break down the different styles and explain how to determine which style your bra’s are.

The Balconette: This is a bra that only covers the lower half of the breasts. It typically has lining and is cut straight across the bust line.

The Demi Cup: Our favorite! A bra that covers the lower three quarters of the breasts and is great for pushing up and creating cleavage. It can be lined with padding or unlined and sheer. This style is typically covered with beautiful lace. This style tends to be the most universally flattering when you aren’t wearing anything over it.

The T-Shirt Bra: This style has smooth molded cups that are virtually invisible under a t-shirt or other thin fabric. A t-shirt bra is NOT the best choice for boudoir as it is the least flattering on its own.

The Push-Up Bra: A heavily padded bra designed to push up breasts and create a fuller appearance. It is imperative that you take the time to get measured before buying a push-up bra. Most women are wearing a bra size that is both too large around and in the cup. The key to a push up bra looking picture worthy is making sure that you are wearing the right size. This will ensure that the bra does its job and pushes up your breasts, not hide them behind the padding.

After reading the above, which bra style(s) will you bring to your session with Belle Boudoir?

434bb(pp w768 h512) Bras

Don’t Forget About Your Hands

There is evidence that human beings have been manicuring their nails for over 4000 years and for good reason – to keep them looking clean, healthy, and attractive. Getting a manicure is one step you don’t want to overlook when preparing for your photoshoot with Belle Boudoir. Inevitably your hands will show in several of the poses Cheryl will help you create and you want to ensure that they look as put together as the rest of you does.

When it comes to choosing a color for your session, it is important to pick a color that is neutral so that your nails will be sure to flatter any outfit you decide to wear. I know it is hard to steer away from that new shade of glittery fuchsia nail polish. Especially these days when your manicurist can bedazzle your index fingers with gold bow shaped jewels and put a navy chevron print on each of the remaining nails. But as you know, we are not guaranteed to love the trends we do today twenty years from now. And we here at Belle Boudoir want to ensure that you will love and cherish the images from your session for the rest of your life. So take our advice and go for a neutral nail polish. Even if it’s just for the day.

 Dont Forget About Your Hands

Hollywood Glamour Makeup

Today I want to talk about makeup in black and white photography as it is quite a bit different than color photography. Since a B&W photography only picks up depth and not actual color, lighter colors will appear white or varied shades of soft grey depending on how dark the color is applied. Mid toned and darker colors will read as various dark grey and black tones.

Take the below image for example. Her eyeshadow is white with a soft brown in the crease for definition. We did a jet black gel eyeliner and long glamorous false eyelashes. I filled her brows in a dark brown color and applied a soft pink blush on the apples of her cheeks. I finished the look with a bright red lipstick to give her that “Hollywood glamour” effect. Notice how the brows and lips read as almost the same color grey and the soft pink blush doesn’t show up in the image at all. And of course her black eyeliner and lashes read true to color.

If you are planning to have a large selection of B&W images in your collection of photos from your session with Belle Boudoir, keep in mind that your makeup will read differently than what you see in the mirror or a full color image. Talk with your makeup artist when you arrive and let her know that you are planning to focus on B&W photos and she will be able to guide you in the right makeup direction.

Xoxo,
Nikoma

 Hollywood Glamour Makeup

BelleFleur Lingerie

Our favorite lingerie boutique, Bellefleur Lingerie, is just two miles from our studio and definitely worth shopping at before your photo session. I always know the wardrobe is going to be stunning when I see Bellefleur’s paper bags and purple tissue paper enter the studio in the hand of a client! The bra and garter belt below came from Bellefleur. Isn’t it beautiful?

If you want an entertaining introduction to their collection of designer lingerie, you won’t want to miss their fashion show this fall at the Enchantment Hotel! All profits are going to Free The Girls, a charity that helps rescue girls from sex trafficking.

You’ll probably even find a little something awesome from our studio in their swag bag. See you there!

 BelleFleur Lingerie

Shadow and Shimmer

Some people believe that once you are in your 40’s and beyond, you are no longer allowed to wear shimmer or a dark smokey eye. I want to share the below image to prove YES YOU CAN. Especially for a super sexy special occasion such as your session with Belle Boudoir. The smokey eye look I created below was done with a shimmery gun metal and jet black matte shadows on the lid. Using a soft neutral shade in the crease to blend out the colors on the lid keeps things simple and refined. I finished off her eyes with jet black gel liner for added definition and a big pair of false lashes. Since we chose to use a deeper color on the lips in addition to a dramatic eye, I kept the cheeks super soft and chose an almost bare neutral color.

If you are ever going to play up both your eyes AND your lips, a boudoir shoot with Belle Boudoir is the perfect time to do it. So go ahead, be extra bold, be extra sexy, and wear a dark smokey eye with bold lips. I dare you. smile emoticon

xoxo,
Nikoma Souza

 Shadow and Shimmer

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