Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days in your life and your make-up should help you look the most beautiful version of you possible. The bride, whether she would like to look natural, sophisticated or glamorous, is always the star of the show and it is imperative that her makeup looks natural in daylight as well as being effective for the photographs.
Some would say that bridal make up is the same as day makeup but, in my view, it is a combination of day and evening makeup using highlighting and shading techniques to bring out a bride’s best features and minimise flaws. Creating a look that’s pleasing to the bride that accentuates her eyes, lips and skin tone without making her look ‘over done’ is no easy task, especially if she doesn’t normally wear makeup.
Finding a bridal look that suits your personal style involves planning ahead. Fashion and bridal magazines provide inspiration and will keep you up to date with current trends and the latest makeup colours and looks. However, it is important to select colours that complement your natural colouring and features e.g. eyes, hair and skin tone before considering the theme of your wedding – the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses and the colour of the flowers. Don’t be tempted to be too way-out or trendy as this will date your wedding pictures, which should be a timeless reminder of your happy day.
Bridesmaids are in a supportive role and their makeup should never upstage or overshadow the bride’s by being more bold and intense. Unfortunately, irrespective of their natural colouring, they are often expected to wear the same lipstick and eye shadow colours as each other (the latter often chosen to co-ordinate with the colour of their dresses) which isn’t necessarily flattering. Bridesmaids need to look and feel their most attractive too, which means wearing makeup that is in harmony with their own colouring. Although these colours may be different, they should always be the same intensity e.g. one bridesmaid should not wear a dark or bright coloured lipstick whilst another wears a soft muted nude tone. Subtle shades that define and still add depth of colour are usually the best choice for everyone, and will photograph well.
For the make-up application to run smoothly on the day a makeup trial is an absolute must. Your makeup artist should ensure that all the necessary details are written down when the bride makes her initial booking, including:
• Date and time of the wedding
• Venue for make-up service (salon, home or hotel)
• Time of hair appointment (preferably before the makeup application)
• Time of photoshoot
• Colour of bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses
• Colour of the flowers
The bridal makeup trial is an opportunity to experiment with your chosen look and to see if it works. Book your makeup trial at least four weeks before the wedding to ensure that you are happy with the result and don’t be afraid to call your makeup artist after the trial if there is anything that you would like to change.
If possible, arrive for the makeup trial with your face freshly cleansed and moisturised. Take magazine pictures, samples of material or colour swatches with you to help you explain how you would like to look and then listen to your makeup artist’s feedback.
During the trial the makeup artist should try to perfectly match foundation to your skin tone. For accuracy, this should always be done in natural daylight. Your foundation colour should neither be darker of lighter but blend effortlessly with your natural skin to create a flawless base. If you intend booking some self-tanning sessions before your wedding it’s important that you let your makeup artist know as this will affect the colour of the foundation on your wedding day.
For eyes, I usually choose at least three eye shadow colours, perhaps a shimmery highlight, a soft matte midtone and a richer darker colour, according to the client’s wishes, colouring and the theme of the wedding. Neutrals such as ivory, taupe, beige or brown will accentuate and make the eyes sparkle without dominating but for colour pinks, peaches, plums, violets and golds can look stunning. I always prefer to use black or dark brown eyeliner and mascara to open up the eyes, giving them the definition they need for the photographs.
For radiant, rosy-cheeked brides, I often apply two complementary colours of blush along the line of the natural cheekbones – starting from the ear and blending down onto the ‘apples’ of the cheeks. The first colour defines the cheekbones, the second colour placed on the apples of the cheeks, makes them ‘pop’.
To make lip colour last, I start by concealing the entire area. I then use lip pencil to outline and to fill in the lips to provide a long-lasting base for lipstick and to help prevent feathering and bleeding. Soft, creamy textured lipsticks in rose and coral shades are the most flattering lip colours for brides. I apply lipstick with a lip brush for precision, then blot, powder the lips through a single layer of tissue, and then apply another layer of lipstick – this time, without blotting. I might finish with a dot of lip gloss just in the centre of the lips to add light and dimension.
I avoid frosted eye shadows, applying too much lip-gloss or an excess of ‘illuminators’ as these can create camera flash, which spoils the photographs.
During the trial I write down all the cosmetics I’ve used and how they’ve been applied, which I then forward to the bride for her approval, together with a photo, taken at the trial, of her wearing her bridal makeup.
Don’t forget that for touch-ups during the wedding, you will need to purchase the same lip pencil, lipstick and lip gloss that your makeup artist has used to create your bridal look.
Once I know the bride is totally happy, I complete a schedule that co-ordinates the make-up application with the other events of the day e.g. hair appointment, makeup application for the bride, bridesmaids and mother-of-the bride, the photographer’s arrival and photo-shoot.
On the day of the wedding, I travel to meet the bride at her home or other venue. I give myself plenty of time for travelling and parking and, just in case there is an unforeseen problem, an average of one hour and fifteen minutes for each makeup application.
All bridal party members having their wedding makeup done should have their faces cleansed and moisturised by the time the makeup artist arrives. I always apply the bride’s make up last so that it looks as fresh and as perfect for the wedding ceremony as possible.
Bridal make-up always needs to be completed in front of a window to achieve a natural effect since artificial lighting casts shadows over the face that makes makeup application difficult. Try to organise a quiet space for the makeup artist to work their magic - and ideally an uncluttered work surface for the makeup artist’s cosmetics and tools.
After I have completed the bridal make up, I leave immediately - having allowed enough time afterwards for the bride to get into her dress and for the photographer to take pictures before she leaves for the church / wedding venue.
Although weddings can be a little stressful, there is such happy anticipation surrounding a bride on her wedding day that it is always my privilege and joy to know I’ve played a vital part in helping her look and feel her most beautiful for what may be the most important and special day of her life.