As wedding season is officially upon us, we decided to prep for everyone’s upcoming nuptials by getting some much-needed makeup guidance from our favorite makeup artist, Linsey Snyder of Face Time Cosmetics. Linsey launched Face Time 2 ½ years ago after working at Saturday Night Live and being inspired by how much makeup can impact a person’s look. Her favorite clients? Brides, naturellement. (She even did Thread designer Melissa Akey’s makeup at her wedding. See above photo!)

If you could give one piece of makeup advice to brides-to-be (and their bridesmaids!), what would it be? Balancing the face is key. If you play up the lip, play down the eyes and vice versa. Be sure to play up your favorite feature, because your favorite feature on your wedding day will most likely still be your favorite feature in 20 years.

What is the biggest makeup mistake brides often make? Brides often forget to consider the setting, atmosphere, and weather of the location they are getting married in. It’s important to think about what would be “natural” in that specific place. For example, if a bride is to marry on a beach, a bronzed, sun-kissed look is much smarter then red lipstick and a pale powdered face.

What is the best way for a bride or bridesmaid to maintain or touch up their makeup throughout the day? Make sure your makeup artist applies a primer to your skin before anything else–it will hold your makeup in place throughout the day and night. Bring a few sponge wedges and dab your face or use it to brush off any eye makeup that has fallen on the cheeks. As for lip color, use a stain and then put a gloss or lipstick on; this way there is color on the lips even after the gloss has vanished.

If a bride or bridesmaid only has room for only one product in her clutch, what should that product be? Lipstick! It is the universal product and all you need. Pinkish-toned lipstick can be used not only on lips, but also on the cheeks to give a little lift. Even better, if you find dark circles under your eyes late at night, a bit of the lipstick under the eyes will cancel out the darkness.

(Above photo: Linsey applies lipstick to Melissa at her December 2007 wedding. Photo courtesy of Christian Oth Photography. For more information about Face Time Cosmetics, take a peek at the website or email Linsey directly at linsey@facetimecosmetics.com.)

It’s been a busy month for us here at Thread (see last post)–so busy, in fact, that we (sadly) have yet to throw on our party dresses for a proper night on the town. Lucky for us, a couple of our favorite celebs have been out and about doing just that–and in Thread Social dresses, no less. A svelte Kelly Ripa rocked our green ruffle halter dress on her David Letterman guest spot last week, while the always-fashionable Kerry Washington donned our strapless techno canvas dress at a Cole Haan dinner in LA the week before. (Can we just take a moment to admire their identical pose? Note to selves when posing for pictures: hand on hip = fab arms. Of course, hitting up the gym on a regular basis probably doesn’t hurt…) Consider us inspired.

It is all happening: the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and while the weather isn’t quite as warm as we’d like it to be, we at Thread have spring fever.

Last week was Bridal Fashion Week, during which bridal designers showcase their latest confections for brides-to-be to fashion editors, stylists and buyers. We hosted our own little fete at our showroom, complete with French macaroons, pink peonies and Charles Trenet crooning in the background. The main event, of course, was the collection, which we cheerily showcased rainbow-style on racks. Everyone, it has to be said, positively oohed and ahhed over our dresses.

All in a day’s work, ladies, all in a day’s work.

Ok. Wedding registries: While it IS nice to pick out fine china or timeless flatware, most couples already own pots and pans, bowls and plates by the time the big day arrives. So, what’s a couple to do nowadays? One word: Honeymoon. Yep, there are a whole slew of websites out there that offer registry services for your honeymoon, in lieu of more traditional, Crate and Barrel-esque registries. Going to London? Register for a classic high tea at the Ritz. Jetting off to Thailand? Add a privately guided elephant ride through the jungle to your list. Taking a Caribbean cruise? Sign up for a couples massage, complete with champers, strawberries and an ocean view. The possibilities are endless. Happy exploring!

(We like this particular site, but a quick Google search will give you options upon options.)