Jo Reid, Director and makeup artist at blush.
Booking an appointment with a hairdresser you trust on your big day is just one part of your preparation. To look your best there is another element to fashion and with a great hairstyle on your wedding day it's essential you have makeup to complement your look, and bring out your beauty. As well as giving you extra confidence, knowing that you have makeup that will last all day will take a lot of the stress out of looking good. On your big day you will need your makeup to last all day and probably all night, especially if you are getting married somewhere in the sun where you are going to perspire more readily.
A LESSON FROM AN EXPERT
Most brides prefer to have a makeup artist with them, as the day itself can be stressful enough without having to worry about your makeup as well. However, this is not always an option for those getting married abroad, for financial as well as practical reasons. If you are intending to do your own makeup on your wedding day, and if you have a sneaking feeling you are not doing something correctly, then invest in a makeup lesson. As well as helping you discover what colours you shouldn't be wearing, along with those you should, you'll learn how to apply your makeup so it doesn't look as if you are wearing any (harder than it sounds!) or if you do want something a bit glam, then you can ensure you'll look polished, rather than overly made up. Remember that photographs date quite quickly and so try to opt for a "classic" look, rather than high fashion, as you will want to look at the photos for years to come. At the same time remember that you are not getting made up for the camera, as photographic makeup is entirely different. Your "˜husband-to-be" needs to see you looking as much yourself as possible and you don't want to be remembered for wearing too much makeup at your wedding. Keep it simple but effective and remember that less really is more.
A TOUCH OF THE SUN
The classic makeup faux-pas is in wanting to look more tanned and selecting a darker foundation to achieve that. This has to be the biggest sin! Clever bronzing or fake tans are the only way to achieve this and you must match your foundation to your skin tone. If you have tanned (with maybe a few days in the Italian sun before the big day) then of course a foundation will be one or two tones darker than your natural skin tone but it should still disappear with minimum effort at blending. One top tip is to invest in a good quality foundation. Cheaper foundations tend not to have the range of colours available and rarely look as natural. It's so important not to choose a foundation that's too pink for the skin, as most of us have a yellow base skin tone, especially when we tan. Those with pinker skins tend not to tan anyway and you are better sticking to the porcelain or ivory skin tone you have, rather than try to fake tan as it just won't look right.
THE EYES HAVE IT
When it comes to eye makeup, try and open your mind to false lashes, which are currently all the rage in make up fashion and have advanced enormously in the last few years. False lashes are no longer the caterpillars they were, and can totally update your look and transform your eyes. Even just a couple of lashes on each corner will open the eye up, which is vital for bridal makeup. You won't actually notice they are there but you will see the effect instantly. For those who want something more permanent, there is the option of eyelash extensions, which can last up to three months if you look after them properly. Even finer than false lashes, you can have these as long or as subtle as you like - fantastic! Eyeshadows have a habit of sliding off and creasing if they are not applied with a good base beforehand and applied using the correct tools. A set of quality brushes will make all the difference to the ease of application and to ensuring your makeup lasts. The best eyeshadows have a velvety quality with high colour pigmentation and shouldn't allow any skin to show through the product once on. Try them on the back of your hand and blend with a finger to test this out before you buy. If you compare any top of the range eyeshadow and lipstick with a cheaper high street brand, you will see more depth of colour and longevity in the high end product without a doubt - but with lipstick it depends on the look you want because if it's sheerness you're after, you don't need to spend a fortune.
SHEEN, NOT SHINE
Shine is a real problem for most brides. Even the driest skin can appear to shine on the camera, particularly when you're in a hot country. The last thing you want in photographs is a shiny skin, which will just look greasy, although on some areas of the skin it's attractive to have a sheen, which gives the skin a glow. The key is in knowing where to apply it! Limit sheen to eyes, cheekbones and lips but be careful to use a modern sheen or sheer look rather than a dated frosty finish. Camera shine is easily rectified with clever powder application to the T-zone, however for extra support there are some great skin primers available which matt the skin beforehand and appear to close up pores, so you can apply makeup over the top. One last word of warning with regard to hiring a makeup artist abroad: if you can't get there for a trial and if they haven't been highly recommended by someone you trust then don't book! It is vital you get to meet your makeup artist and have a consultation to discuss all your needs and concerns, as well as trying out a few different looks. Great makeup is partly about communication and it can take a couple of tweaks to find something that feels 100% right. This isn't something you want to be doing on the day of your wedding when stress levels are already running high, so if in doubt, have a lesson at least one month beforehand, or try and push the boat out and have a makeup artist you trust with you on the day. You won't regret it.
