Mpls.St.Paul Magazine - Weddings - Fashion + Beauty

Heart + Sole: Eight Shoe Showstoppers

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:37:23 GMT

Fit to Be a Bride

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:52:13 GMT

Brides-to-be go out of their way to slim down and shape up for their big day. Forget the quick fixes and the diet fads. To get the body that you’ve always dreamed of, turn to these local get-wedding-ready fitness routines. We’ve tried them all, and though our buns were burning and our arms were aching, we achieved the “wedding arms” we were after.

THE WORKOUT

STEELE T.W.O.

HOW IT WORKS

Steele Fitness’s T.W.O. (team workout) program provides the benefits of a personal trainer with a more budget-friendly price tag and the camaraderie of a small group to tackle your fitness goals together. The small class typically begins with 10 minutes of cardio, either on a bike or a treadmill. From there, one or two personal trainers (depending on the class size, which can range from three to 15 people) direct the class through a series of various circuit training exercises (think burpees and jumping squats) with hands-on corrections and in-your-face motivation. From there, it’s another bout of intense cardio and then more circuit training followed by stretching. With little to no time to stop and catch your breath, the class is not for the faint of heart, but it does offer a calorie-blasting hour and major motivation for anyone looking to lose weight or tighten up.

FAVORITE TEACHER

Sergio. He developed the program, so he knows his way around the studio and there’s no move he won’t make you try.

THE VERDICT

We thought we were in decent shape before our first class, but our huffing and puffing after 15 minutes made us think twice. Though the constant mix of cardio and strength training is strenuous, after 60 minutes of lunging, lifting, and running, you leave feeling lighter (albeit sweatier) and confident that any weight-loss goal you set is attainable.

THE DETAILS

$490 for 10 sessions; $1,100 for 25 sessions.
3908 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-285-8009, steelefitness.com

DEFINITION

INTENSITY

SORENESS

THE WORKOUT

PURE BARRE

HOW IT WORKS

The goal of this ballet-inspired class (no dance experience required) is to work each muscle group to fatigue using small isometric movements. Then, once you can’t take it any longer, stretch that muscle and move on to the next, resulting in longer and leaner muscles. The high-energy, primarily female class starts with a 10-minute warm-up that places an emphasis on the core, which is worked throughout the entire class (hello, honeymoon abs). Arms follow and incorporate two-to five-pound weights with an exhaustive number of repetitions. (Don’t be fooled by the small weights; continuous, varying movements for nearly 10 minutes result in screaming muscles and obvious results.) Next up is a focus on thighs, which includes three different positions for about three minutes each, resulting in shaking legs that are a sure sign of changing muscles. Seatwork, abs, lower back exercises, and more stretching round out the hour-long class.

FAVORITE TEACHER

Lindsey. She’s the most experienced and knows how to push you so you don’t think about how tired you are until the very end.

THE VERDICT

After just three weeks, our arms were more defined and our skinny jeans slid on more easily. We loved that the class was so fast-moving that we didn’t have time to think about anything other than what to do next. We also appreciated that it didn’t leave us gasping for air and dripping with sweat.

THE DETAILS

$22 for a single class; $450 for three months of unlimited classes.
5620A W. 36th St., St. Louis Park, 952-378-1586, purebarre.com

DEFINITION

INTENSITY

SORENESS

THE WORKOUT

ORANGE THEORY

HOW IT WORKS

This heart rate–based workout is perfect for any bride-to-be with a competitive streak who is looking to jump-start her metabolism. At the start of each class, a heart-rate monitor is strapped to your chest. As you spend the next 60 minutes powering through bouts of cardio mixed with weight and resistance training led by a personal trainer, you and your classmates’ oscillating heart rates are projected onto flat-panel screens scattered around the studio. (That means there’s no shirking the tough stuff with this workout; the trainer and all your classmates will know if you’re phoning it in.) The ultimate goal is to spend an optimum amount of time moving in and out of the “orange zone” (aka the fat-burning zone), which kicks your metabolism into overdrive. The whittled waist and toned arms are just a bonus.

FAVORITE TEACHER

Mike. He’s always one step ahead of you and he’s got the finesse to push you to your limit without being (too) scary.

THE VERDICT

There’s instant gratification when you hit that “orange zone” and you know your body is burning those unwanted calories from the weekend. Weight loss is almost inevitable if you’re consistent. There’s also something to be said for pushing yourself harder than the rest of the names on that screen. Unleash your inner bridezilla; she’ll love it.

THE DETAILS

$25 for a single class; $159 for a month of unlimited classes.
Three metro locations, orangetheoryfitness.com

DEFINITION

INTENSITY

SORENESS

THE WORKOUT

MOKSHA YOGA

HOW IT WORKS

There’s something to be said for a workout that can strengthen and tone while simultaneously reducing stress and detoxifying your skin. At Moksha Yoga in Uptown, the heated yoga studio hovers around 103 degrees for a 60-minute class that works through a series of 40 traditional yoga postures. Everything from downward dog to tree is held for a handful of deep breaths, which sounds easy enough, but as the heat increases your body temperature it also fires up your heart rate to speed your metabolism into burning more calories and making you sweat. A lot. By the end of class, the detoxifying effects leave you feeling fresh and ready to tackle your next round of to-do lists. Plus, the staff at Moksha is approachable and encouraging, and the studio is incredibly clean given all that sweat.

FAVORITE TEACHER

Ryann. As co-owner, she makes it her business to recognize new students, and she provides hands-on corrections and variations for all levels. She also adds personal anecdotes to make the class entertaining.

THE VERDICT

The final months leading up to a wedding are inevitably chaotic, but this class enables brides to slow their minds while still working up a serious sweat (now that’s taking multitasking to the next level). Following the post-class shower (it’s a must), we felt refreshed, energized, and thirsty for something healthy to make that cleansed feeling last.

THE DETAILS

$17 for a single class; $95 for a month of unlimited classes.
3252 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-920-3004, mokshayogaminneapolis.com

DEFINITION

INTENSITY

SORENESS

Apply & Demand: Choosing a Hair and Makeup Artist

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:54:51 GMT

While some brides leave it to the last minute, choosing a hair and makeup artist early is more important than you think. With the plethora of beauty services available, finding one you trust can be a bit overwhelming. Simply follow these guidelines and expert tips, and you’ll spend less time stressing and more time preparing to be pampered:

1. START EARLY—DON'T WAIT! “We would consider a ‘last-minute’ booking to be two to three months out," says longtime hair and makeup artist Brett Dorrian (brettdorrianartistrystudios.com). Once the big stuff—the venue, the photographer, and the florist—is booked, start making calls.

2. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Check out online reviews to get a feel for what’s out there. Bonus points for personal referrals. After perusing the website, the next step is picking up the phone or meeting in person for a chat, because . . .

3. PERSONALITY IS PARAMOUNT. “The person who does your makeup is the last person you’re probably going to be working with before you get into your dress, go down that aisle, and make the biggest commitment of your life,” points out makeup maven Maggie Long (makeupbymaggielong.com).

4. DON'T BE SCARED BY THE PRICE Think of your hair and makeup as an investment. Does it really make sense to spend all that money on a killer photographer and then skimp on what you look like in those photos? As Emily Koski of emily j. hair + makeup (emilyj.com) points out, “In the grand scheme of your wedding, it’s probably not even 1 percent of your budget.”

4. SPEAK UP If you don’t like something, your artist will likely appreciate the honesty rather than be offended. Keeping the lines of communication open is crucial in creating the look you envision. —S. A.

It's a Nice Day for a Wild Wedding

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 11:02:53 GMT

Rock Stars

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:05:34 GMT

Four Guy Aisle Style Looks

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:10:54 GMT

Wedding Gowns: Sleeves Are Back

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:00:45 GMT

Mrs. Scent: 4 Local Perfumes for Your “I Do” Day

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:47:17 GMT

1. ONE OF TWO ($88), by Nelle, from l'atelier couture or nellehandbags.com

2. SEDUCTIVE: MAKE LOVE ($68), from Intelligent Nutrients

3. WILD ANGELICA COLOGNE ($18), from Thymes

4. BAMBOO & AGAVE ($16), from Illume

The Wow Bar

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:39:25 GMT

Bridesmaids bond best when everyone comes out looking like a movie star. So gather the girls at a blow-dry bar—the Twin Cities now has five of them—for blowouts and makeup. Yes, the blow-dry bar mantra is in and out in 45 minutes (for $35), but these beauty shops are always up for some fun. The Wow Bar at 50th & France, with its striped walls and tufted white sofas, provides a chic setting for your getting pretty party. Book a group of appointments or rent out the whole place for a Wow Social, which includes optional makeup services, drinks, and nibbles along with hot towel service, a vigorous shampoo, and your choice of hairstyling from a highly trained staff led by blow-dry guru Jason Deavalon. Parties can be customized, so call for pricing.

The Wow Bar
5037 France Ave. S.
Minneapolis
612-334-3333

Burn, Baby, Burn: Melt Inches Away Fast

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 11:37:51 GMT

A looming wedding is a powerful motivator—especially when it comes to slimming down and shaping up. But if you’ve been busting your butt and still can’t seem to shake those last few stubborn pounds, maybe it’s time to take a different tack. The Metropolitan in Edina offers a new laser therapy treatment that promises to help you lose that final inch or two before you say “I do.”

The Accent body contouring heat therapy system is a noninvasive laser therapy treatment, cleared by the FDA, that helps rid your body of excess fluids that build up in your cells and add volume. The Accent uses radio frequency to gently warm up, break up, and flush out said fluids to leave you looking and feeling leaner. The heat also promotes the creation of new collagen, resulting in smoother skin and reduced cellulite.

Radio Frequency flushes out fluids in the cells, making you look and feel leaner.

So what does this mean for you and your nearly aisle-ready abs or thighs? Once you pick the problem area you’d like to treat most—the thighs, seat, arms, and back are common target zones—you simply lie still while an aesthetician runs a laser over your skin to heat the water within your body. The treatment, which feels something like a hot stone massage, takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on the area that needs to be treated, and the results are instant. After the requisite series of sessions (most trouble areas require six to 12), those last irritating inches will be a thing of the past.

Aestheticians Amy Chapman and Nathan Jesh are happy to show potential clients before-and-after snapshots. Chapman, who lost one and a half inches from her waist after just one session, swears by it. Packages start at $549. 7300 France Ave. S., Ste. 300, Edina, 952-288-2230, themonfrance.com