Bridal Club Magazine
Wedding Makeup Secrets
I spent years doing wedding makeup early on in my career when I
worked as a makeup artist in the beauty salon. I also did photo
shoots and advertising on the side for top magazines, and I
realized that the best wedding makeup was actually the same makeup
tips and tricks that I used on top models for their photo shoot.
The dynamics are the same, whether it be a wedding, or a top photo
shoot. Pictures are being taken. It must stay on all day. The
model/ bride wants to look beautiful, yet real.
Are you having a makeup artist do your makeup? Here are some tips
that will help you make sure that you get the look you want:
* A lot of time and detail went into choosing your dress, ring,
flowers, and even your hairstyle. Don't let your makeup take a
backseat. Take the time to go through magazines and pull out makeup
styles that you really like, even tear out the ones you really
hate. It could be how a certain feature is played up, or that great
lipstick colour, or how the skin glows, or even how they used way
too much eyeliner. All this is easy to say and show to a makeup
artist, like me, with pictures. It helps tremendously to show your
desires by pictures rather than endlessly describing it. This helps
me immensely in seeing what you like and don't like. Remember, our
mental ideas of pink lipstick could be completely different. There
is a lot of truth in the adage that says "a picture is worth a
thousand words". It really gives me a lot more information with a
visual sense.
2. To save some wear and tear on your nerves on that big day, by
all means, schedule a consultation, or even better, a complete
makeup application before the big day with your makeup artist. Plan
it for the rehearsal dinner, or a special evening out alone with
your groom, or a get together with all the bridesmaids. Don't
overlook this very important step because this way you can see if
you like your makeup artist's style.
Things to bring to your consultation appointment:
*Tear sheets from magazines, of makeup you like and don't
like.
*A picture of your wedding dress (a Polaroid will do). This gives
me a great idea of the style of the dress and the wedding. Is it
romantic? Dramatic? Elegant? This gives me an idea of your
style.
*The shade of lipstick that you'd like to wear. If I don't have
it, using yours is no problem. This is also a great test to see how
long your lipstick will last during the evening.
*Your favourite waterproof mascara. I highly recommend using your
tried and true mascara, and yes, waterproof. You just might be
shedding tears of joy. If it's your brand, I don't have to worry
about watery eyes, redness, allergies, etc.
Remember, your makeup run-through is the time to play, try
different ideas, colours, etc. Don't be afraid to say you don't
like something. Makeup is easy to take off and reapply. Once you
have your look down, make sure the makeup artist writes everything
out, and notes makeup items you may not have that you'll needing
for that day. And don't forget, if your makeup rehearsal is set for
a romantic dinner with your groom; have the makeup artist change
the lipstick or eye makeup a little so your groom can't tell you
are wearing the same thing for your wedding day. We wouldn't want
him seeing the same look twice.
Are you planning on doing your makeup yourself? Here are some
great tips and tricks that I use in photo shoots that you can
easily incorporate into your look to make it last all day.
1. Make sure your foundation is an absolute perfect match. Colour
blend along the side of the jaw and blend in 2-3 strokes. Is it
gone? It should be. If not, or you find yourself blending forever,
you have the wrong shade. It's not that it blends in, but how fast.
I can make any shade blend in if I blended it long enough.
2. For under eye circles, the easiest way to lighten them is with
an opposite colour applied on top first. If your darkness is grey,
lightly brush a soft pink eye shadow on clean skin first, and then
apply your foundation. If the darkness is bluer, try a matte light
peach shadow. You'll find yourself using much less concealer and
foundation.
3. Using concealer is easier when you have the perfect shade.
Don't go 1-2 shades lighter than your skin, as this actually makes
the darkness appear more grey and muddy. Mix your concealer shade
with a drop of your foundation and then apply. You want your skin
tone to appear one even shade.
3. To keep foundation and concealer on all day, take a Kleenex
folded into squares, and lightly press into the foundation before
you've powdered. This removes excess oils from the foundation and
leaves pure pigment on the skin. If you find this removes too much
foundation, then apply a little more than you think you need, and
then press. You'll find that foundation stays on hours
longer.
4. Lightly brush on loose powder with a large brush to set. This
is not the time to press powder into the skin with a powder puff.
This actually can make your skin look and get shinier
quicker.
5. Apply your blush next. Find a blush brush that is the size of
the apple of your cheek for a perfect application. Pick up your
colour and tap onto the apples of the cheeks, slowly blending back
towards the temple. When you have enough on, take a clean makeup
sponge and blend. This one step makes your blush look real, rather
than just sitting on the surface of your skin. Also, by applying
blush first, if you look great with just your blush on, you have
the right amount. If it looks too bright or harsh, lighten it
up.
6. Do your lips next. To last all day, powder lips first, then
apply your lip pencil filling in the entire lip. Don't worry too
much about the outline of the mouth. Then, apply your lipstick
shade, blot, powder, and apply again. By blotting and powdering,
you are actually removing the excess wax in the lipstick that
causes it to bleed. Once finished, and then apply a light coat of
lip gloss if desired in the middle of the bottom lip.
7. Brush and fill in eyebrows if needed with a shade that's 1-2
shades lighter than your eyebrow hairs. Too dark and you can start
looking a little harsh. Brush through with a toothbrush afterwards
for a more natural look.
8. Last but not least, your eyes. A soft shimmering cream or white
is beautiful on the brow bone, and the inner corners of the eyes,
both above and below the lashes. This wakes up the eyes and creates
a beautiful highlight. To make eyes appear larger, apply a sand or
taupe in the crease of the eye. Blend so that the shadow fades
well. Keep the eyes looking neutral, while the colours emphasize
the cheeks and lips. Make the most dramatic part of the eye your
lashes and eyeliner as this looks the best in pictures. Take a
black or brown pencil and line the lashes on the outer 1/2 or 1/4
of the eye. Blend with a Q-tip. Then, take your mascara and an
eyeliner brush, and lightly line the eye with your mascara. Once
it's dried, smudge again, and you'll find that your eyeliner will
stay on forever. If your mascara is waterproof, that's even better.
And remember to curl your lashes before, not after mascara.
9. If you're applying false eyelashes, single eyelashes are the
most natural looking. An easy way to apply them is to apply one
coat of mascara, let dry. Apply a dot of glue on the tip of the
lash and along the length. This is actually the part that anchors
to your lashes. Then, take your tweezers, looking down, and place
2-3 single lashes on the outer 1/4 of the eye. Let the glue dry,
and then another coat of mascara to seal the lashes together. False
eyelashes go a long way in making your eyes dramatic and the focus
of the face.
10. Finishing Touches: When you're done with your look, you may
want to apply a little more blush, and then finish with a final
brush of loose powder. Make sure everything is blended well. If you
feel like you have a lot of makeup on, lightly mist with a soft
spray of water to set. This will take away the feeling of makeup on
your skin and also helps to set the makeup. If you want your skin
to glow, lightly brush on a soft shimmering eye shadow or the new
shimmer loose powders. To avoid over doing it, just dust across the
tops of the cheekbones and collar bones. For a more over-all glow,
you can even go across the forehead and chin.
You want to look beautiful, glowing, soft and romantic. Remember,
this moment only happens once in a lifetime.