By Katherine Boehret Wall Street Journal

Appy Couple has features tailored for guests, who can upload photos, get travel and weather information and vote in polls.

Last year, I spent weeks making my own wedding website, and very few of my tech-savvy guests used it or visited it more than once—if at all. I only wish Appy Couple had been available for my wedding, where most guests carried iPhones or Android phones.

This app-creating website is currently free to use, and it will always be free for guests to download; they follow an email link or use a provided code to access their couple’s wedding app. Readers of this column can create their own wedding apps on AppyCouple.com using their email addresses and “AppyPreview” as a code, since it is currently usable by invitation-only. In the fall, AppeProPo will start charging couples to make apps: Some designs will cost $49, while limited-edition and designer-series app templates will cost $99 to $200 each. One hundred designs are available now, and 50 more are coming by fall.

Appy Couple works on iPhones, Android phones, iPads, Web browsers and via email invitations.

Couples begin on AppyCouple.com, where a stylish, simple user interface walks them through seven steps for making their wedding app. Each app also comes with a wedding website that will display the same content for relatives or friends who don’t have smartphones.

One of my favorite parts about creating a wedding app was that I could change its design at any time. I started with a yellow-and-gray bubble design and later changed the design to a completely different black-and-gold pattern. With one click, the entire app was updated.

Another useful feature is the Events section. Only guests who are invited to certain events will see those events appear in their apps. So if only 15 friends are invited to the bachelorette party, only they—and not the rest of the guests—will see it. Couples can customize Events to add songs, guest polls, information on dress code, child care, weather, travel and hotels.

Appy Couple connects to Facebook, but only for the purpose of pulling images and names of friends into a section called Key People. It will never display any Appy Couple activity in your Facebook timeline. It also links to Yahoo, Google, Windows Live, AOL, Plaxo, Outlook and Apple’s Address Book for finding friends’ email addresses.

Judging from the many weddings I’ve attended, Appy Couple’s Gallery will be the most-used section on the app. In the test app I created, friends uploaded photos that can be viewed by the couple and other guests, and the app grew richer with their contributions. Images can be uploaded without pre-approval from the host couple, though any image can be deleted by the hosts on the AppyCouple.com website. A “moderation” option will be added to the app to give the couple more control over content.

A guest list can be uploaded to the app, but it must be saved as a CSV (comma separated values) file with columns for each guest’s first name, last name, email address and phone number. Couples who use traditional response cards will likely not also digitally invite guests to their wedding, but casual wedding events might merit a digital invitation.

Appy Couple’s CEO and co-founder, Sharmeen Mitha-Sehgal, wants couples to use personalized apps long after their wedding day. Next up is Appy Life, where people can create apps for events like births, birthdays, new homes and anniversaries.

This app brings useful wedding website content on the go with guests as they attend weddings. If nothing else, they’ll know how to get to the church and when the ceremony starts—even if they forget to bring the paper invitation.

—Write to Katherine Boehret at katie.boehret@wsj.com

Write to Katherine Boehret at katie.boehret@wsj.com

Extraordinary make-up Artist, as well as creator and pioneer of luxury for less cosmetics for Target, Sonia Kashuk gives Colin Cowie Weddings an exclusive tutorial on how to create flawless wedding day makeup. Say I Do to Sonia’s How-To.

If it’s good enough for the Duchess of Cambridge who went sans makeup-artiste on her rather major wedding day, then it’s good enough for us too.

Sonia Kashuk takes the guess work out and strategically divides the face into four major sections: the face, cheeks, eyes & brows, and lips as she shares her expertise, step by step.

Sonia’s Master Class: One

About Face: Prep + Foundation + Conceal

PREP: LAY THE GROUNDWORK

Skin preparation is crucial to makeup application and, “I always begin with a great moisturizer so that the face is thoroughly hydrated,” says Kashuk. “Then, I use a primer to re-texturize and prep the skin. My vitamin-enriched primer, Primer Vitamin Serum, creates a smooth, even surface that helps achieve a beautiful, flawless application.”

FOUNDATION: FIRST BASE

The type of foundation you use is a personal preference. Kashuk advises, “There are various textures and finishes to choose from, but I am personally a fan of creams and liquids that offer a luminous, radiant finish.”

CONSIDER COLOR

More important than the finish, however, is the color. “Always test color on your face,” Kashuk says. “If you can’t see the foundation when blending it on your facial skin, then you have the right shade. Your skin tone will change from season to season, so be sure to check your coloring throughout the year.” It’s also a good idea to keep a few shades on hand that you can mix and match to achieve your perfect color.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

How you apply foundation is also a personal choice. For Kashuk, “I use anything from my fingertips to my foundation brushes to a blending sponge. I often use a combination of a foundation brush and dampened sponge to get an airbrushed effect.” Using the proper tools helps to control intensity, coverage and finish. Always use a foundation formula that is buildable so you can start off light and build coverage where needed.

CONCEAL: HIDE & SEEK

If you don’t have a lot of darkness under the eyes, foundation can be used as a lighter substitute for concealer. Otherwise, a liquid, cream or powder concealer can be applied before or after foundation application.

“The concealer texture is another personal preference,” Kashuk explains. “Liquids tend to be the lightest in application while creams offer the most coverage. I am sure that you have heard the old rule of thumb ‘always go a shade lighter with concealer,’ but I firmly believe that concealer should only be a slightly lighter shade because going too light draws attention to problem areas. When being photographed, the last thing you want is white ‘raccoon eyes’ to be the center of attention. “

TONE UP

If you decide not to wear foundation and opt for just concealer, chose a shade that is the same color as your skin tone. Apply to the inner part of the eye focusing on the area where the eye socket meets the nose – since the area is so hollow, when lightening with concealer you brighten the whole eye.

SLEEPY HOLLOWS

When applying concealer or foundation only use product where needed, focusing application on red areas, uneven tones or discoloration and blemishes. “First, always apply an eye cream to give moisture under the eye,” says Kashuk. “When using concealer don’t apply under the entire eye area. Concealer should go on either side of the nose to brighten the hollows of the inner eye and then just onto the dark areas underneath the beginning of the eye. ½ to ¾ of the eye should have minimal concealer and then you can touch up that with your foundation.”

Look for liquid foundation with a yellow base to reduce redness in the skin and even out skin tone for a flawless complexion. “A great product to try is my Perfecting Luminous foundation, which is specially formulated with a yellow base to neutralize redness and create a natural dewy glow without the oily shine,” Kashuk advises.

MELLOW YELLOW

To conceal redness, choose a concealer with a yellowish/green tint that will neutralize redness, especially with blemishes and spots. “Try my Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette, the perfect 4-in-1 product containing: two concealer shades, one light and one dark, so you can mix for the perfect match; there is a neutralizer with a yellowish/green tint to combat redness and hide blemishes, as well as a setting powder to keep the concealer in place all day,” Kashuk says.

“After your moisturizer and primer are applied, cover dark circles with concealer using fingertips lightly, or a concealer brush like my Kashuk Tools Synthetic Concealer Brush. Next, use the neutralizer to get rid of redness from blemishes and minor imperfections. Lastly, dust translucent pressed powder over top to set and keep everything in place using my Kashuk Tools Small Multipurpose Powder

MELLOW YELLOW

To conceal redness, choose a concealer with a yellowish/green tint that will neutralize redness, especially with blemishes and spots. “Try my Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette, the perfect 4-in-1 product containing: two concealer shades, one light and one dark, so you can mix for the perfect match; there is a neutralizer with a yellowish/green tint to combat redness and hide blemishes, as well as a setting powder to keep the concealer in place all day,” Kashuk says.

“After your moisturizer and primer are applied, cover dark circles with concealer using fingertips lightly, or a concealer brush like my Kashuk Tools Synthetic Concealer Brush. Next, use the neutralizer to get rid of redness from blemishes and minor imperfections. Lastly, dust translucent pressed powder over top to set and keep everything in place using my Kashuk Tools Small Multipurpose Powder Brush.”

Join us as Sonia gets cheeky.

Sonia’s Master Class: Two

Define Your Face: Contour + Cheeks + Highlight

Makeup Artist Extraordinaire, Sonia Kashuk, gives Colin Cowie Weddings an exclusive tutorial on how to create flawless wedding day makeup. This lesson is about creating definition on your face.

Now that we’ve got a flawless canvas from our first session, Sonia guides us through the next phase: how to contour, highlight and color our cheeks. It’s time to become the ultimate Blushing Bride.

CONTOUR: SHAPE SHIFTER

Contouring is a great way to enhance the natural structure of your face and cheat a perfectly chiseled frame. “I always contour with powder, so it is essential for me to set any liquids that I put on the face beforehand,” Kashuk says, “You always want to apply texture to texture, meaning powder to powder or cream to cream. If you start by applying a liquid foundation, the wetness of the face will capture a colored powder for an uneven distribution of color.”

IN THE DUST

Start by dusting a super light application of colorless powder over the face to set everything in place. The layer of dry product will also promote the longevity of your makeup wear. “Be careful because powder can give the skin a matte finish, but if you use sparingly, powder will take away shine, not sheen,” Kashuk advises.

TAKE A POWDER

“Next, begin contouring by using a nude-toned pressed powder, such as bronzer or a fleshy blush, and using my Medium Angled Multipurpose Powder Brush,” Kashuk says, “Find the area right below your cheekbones, then apply a light dusting of the powder and sweep the brush forward, starting at the hairline working towards the front of the face. The brush should fall along the hollow of the bone and naturally lift off the face as you let it glide towards the edge of your cheek. The key to flawless contouring is to avoid striping, always go back over your edges with a clean buffing brush to soften and blur any distinct lines.”

DON’T BE NOSY

You may also want to contour your nose using a highlighter down the bridge. “Using the same nude powder that was used on your cheekbone, apply with my Kashuk Tools Medium Fluffy Eye Shadow Brush and shade both sides of the nose. This depth along the sides and brightness along the bridge will contrast to make the nose appear thinner. Again, don’t forget to buff out any hard lines with a clean brush,” Kashuk instructs.

CHEEKS: AU NATURAL

“Once I’ve given definition to the face, I go in and add color,” Kashuk says. “I like to add a pop of color to the cheeks with either a pink or coral blush. I am a firm believer of keeping blush colors somewhat natural, so try to choose colors that are reminiscent of your own natural flush or the color that someone of your skin tone would normally blush. The choice to use one shade or multiple shades is entirely up to you. I personally like to use a cream blush then set it with a powder blush for added wear and an extra pop of color.”

BRUSHING UP

Using the right brush is so important. Different brushes have varying densities, which create multiple effects. “For a heavily pigmented blush, use an airy brush such as my Duo Fibre Multipurpose Brush to lightly distribute color on the cheeks,” Kashuk says. “It’s important to consider the formula you are using when choosing a brush. If you are using a liquid or a cream blush stick to a synthetic brush, while powder products work best with natural hair brushes.”

SO CHEEKY

All types of blushes are generally applied in the same manner. Apply your blush beginning at the apples of the cheeks and working your way back towards the hairline in a circular motion. Regardless of product type, always make sure that all the edges are perfectly blended. “Remember that less is more,” Kashuk advises. “Start with a light application because you can always build the color to reach the desired effect.”

HIGHLIGHT: IN THE GLOW

“Lastly, add highlight to the top of the cheekbone with my Super Sheer Shimmering Highlighter. This will play off the light in your venue to illuminate the cheek and create a gorgeous glow,” Kashuk says.

By breaking the cheek into three separate sections (contour, color and highlight) you’ve given definition and form, shaping the cheek through a blending of light, dark and color. “To finish, be sure to take a clean buffing brush, such as my Synthetic Domed Multipurpose Brush, and work over all the edges so that you can’t really see where color is beginning or ending,” Kashuk says.

Sonia’s Master Class: Three

Eye-Do: Brows + Color + Lashes

Makeup Artist Extraordinaire, Sonia Kashuk, gives Colin Cowie Weddings an exclusive tutorial on how to create your ideal wedding day makeup. This time Sonia gives us the low-down for spectacular brows, lids and lashes.

Flawless face? Check. Pretty cheeks? Check. We’re looking pretty good and feeling like a pro. But hang on because Sonia still has more tricks up her sleeve.

THE BROWS: THROUGH THICK & THIN

Eyebrows are the most important aspect of framing the face. “Start by brushing the brows upward with a Spoolie, moving the hairs into a desired shape,” Kashuk advises. “Using either my Arch Alert Brow Kit or Brow Definer Pencil, depending on the preferred texture, fill in the eyebrows by applying product in light, feather-like strokes that mimic the aesthetic of hair. Next, use the Spoolie to comb through eyebrows with short strokes to buff out lines.”

Since brow products are creams or waxes, the buffing will blur harsh lines and prevent eyebrows from looking drawn on. You can also use powder, but be sure to keep application light and airy. “Be careful when choosing an eyebrow fill color–when brows are too dark they overly define the eye,” Kashuk warns. “My Brow Definer in Tauped is a shade that looks great on 80% of women–blonds and brunettes alike. After filling in the brows, use my Brow Gel to set the brows and keep every hair in place.”

EYE COLOR: SHADY LADY

First, apply foundation to the entire lid to act as a base if you haven’t already. Before adding color to the eyelid, apply a light dusting of loose powder under the eye. “Do not blend the powder into the skin – it should sit on top of the skin to serve as a barrier for any possible shadow fallout,” Kashuk says. “When you are finished applying your shadow, dust off the excess powder, but leave it until then. This trick helps to keep the pristine base of a flawless face, but should only be used on more youthful skin because powder can sit in under eye creases and cake up.”

KATE THE GREAT

“When choosing color for your wedding day, stick with a classic, romantic look to divinely enhance your natural beauty–it’s not the time to try a new, dramatic look!” Kashuk says.

One important thing about wedding makeup is that when you look at your pictures down the road, you don’t want the makeup to cause them to appear dated. Kate Middleton, for example, looked great on her wedding day because the look was so timeless. If you look at photos of her ten years from now, she will still look modern and relevant.

STAY NEUTRAL

Keep eyes natural and soft with neutral tones to shape and define the eye. Start by sweeping a base color across the entire lid, and then use a slightly darker shade in the crease.

“A few great options are my Instructional Eye Shadow Palette in Eye on Neutral which comes with twelve neutral matte shadows and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve three beautiful looks,” Kashuk says. “My Eye Quads in Shimmering Sands, Fair & Square, Bronzed Beauty, Show Stopper and Paris At Night are also great because they contain at least one stunning shimmering shade that is highly reflective to light for extra sparkle on the big day.”

JUST A TOUCH

For a little more definition in the eyes, add darkness to the upper lash line. You can also add color along the outer third corner of the lower lash line for even more definition. “Take a pencil, dabbing it in mini dots, directly along the lash line to accentuate eyelashes,” says Kashuk. “Keep application smooth, smudged and close to the eye–nothing too deep or harsh.”

EYE LASHES: A SET OF FALSIES

Today of all days, false lashes are your best friend because they give your look the extra oomph that you’ll want on your wedding day. Stay away from a style that is too heavy to maintain, and go with a style that is natural, but exaggerated.

“Curl lashes with my Dramatically Defining Eyelash Curler and pump three times on each eye, squeezing the false lashes and your natural lashes together to organically mesh the two,” Kashuk says. “Finally, apply about two to three coats of mascara to complete the look.”

Now for the finale as Sonia gives us some lip.

Sonia’s Master Class: Four

Put On Your Pout: Lips + Finishing Touches

Makeup Artist Extraordinaire, Sonia Kashuk, gives Colin Cowie Weddings an exclusive tutorial on how to create your ideal wedding day makeup. In this last installment, Sonia gives us the low-down on your kisser.

The grand finale: your lips. Saving the best for last, Sonia weighs in on how to perfect your precious pout for the big day and gives us some final pointers on how to keep it all together.

To see the previous lessons, click here:

• Sonia’s Master Class: Week One (Flawless Face)
• Sonia’s Master Class: Week Two (Pretty Cheeks)
• Sonia’s Master Class: Week Three (Eye-Do)

THE LIPS: PUCKER UP

“I save the lips for last since lip products usually come off first,” Kashuk says. “To extend the wear of the lip shade, begin by lining the lips with a soft nude shade, such as my Lip Definer in Bare or Dusty Rose, and then fill in the whole lip. Be sure to go back and soften the edges to eliminate any strong, defined shape – nothing dates a makeup look more than drawn-on lips.”

Next, use a coordinating shade of lipstick or gloss to cover the lips. “A few beautiful neutral shades that I recommend are my Luxury Lip Color in Truffle, Soft Pink and Mauvey, and my Ultra Shine Sheer Lip Gloss in Whisper and Luscious,” advises Kashuk. “My Lip Gloss Quad in Natural Nudes is also great. A strong red lip can also be beautiful because it is a very classic makeup statement, but again, soften the edges to avoid overly defined lips.”

The Finale

Your last step is to address any shine issues. “Lightly dust a sheer, translucent powder such as my Brightening Powder or Colorless Matte Powder to absorb excess oil where needed,” Kashuk instructs.

“Focus on the chin, forehead and sides of the nose, as those areas tend to produce the most shine. Use a small brush, such as my Small Multipurpose Powder Brush, to hit the targeted areas,” Kashuk says. “Remember, you do not want to go too matte because skin should look radiant, but not shiny. You can also keep blotting papers in your bag to address shine throughout the wedding. Finally, dust off excess powder with a large clean brush. “

Thank you Sonia!

–Juli Alvarez

Photo courtesy of Sonia Kashuk.

Photography by Jennifer Cooper

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