So, you have booked your make-up artist for your wedding – what now? You may have a clear idea of the bridal make-up look you want, or just don’t know where to start. Below are some suggestions to inspire you! I’ll try and keep it as brief as I can, although this is a subject I could continually waffle about!
Firstly, whichever make up look you go for application of foundation is key for bridal make-up. The make-up artist should always prep the skin with moisturiser and a primer. This ensures you get a flawless and long lasting base which is vital on your big day. Your make-up artist should have different shades and types of foundation to suit your skin. Getting the right foundation shade is a must! Nothing looks worse than a tangoed bride or tide marks from unblended foundation! The make-up artist, if using the correct type and colour foundation, shouldn’t need to trowel on the foundation or blend it down the down the neck. Foundation only should be applied where needed on the face, and it needs to be blended to within an inch of its life!
Secondly – get those brows groomed. This will really frame the face and ensure a polished make up look!
So here are some key bridal make-up looks to get you inspired!
VINTAGE
A ‘Vintage’ look can be used to describe many iconic styles from yesteryear! However, in bridal make up terms, for me, it is a 1940’s inspired look sheer skin with the neatly defined brows, black feline liner flicks, plus gorgeous full lashes, topped off with the signature red lippy.
{Image courtesy of glambistro.com}
However, whilst many brides rock this look, for some, it may look a little too harsh with the black liner and red lippy. Below are some ways to adapt the look!
- Blend the black liner a little to soften the look
- Use more muted tone lippy (soft pink for example)
- Use brown liner on the eye instead of black
Remember the wedding pictures are with you for life, if have your heart set on this look, make sure it suits you. Just because something is ‘so now’ or your best mate rocks the look you desire, it doesn’t mean it will suit you individually. Your bridal make up should be timeless, not a fashion fad!
NATURAL
Many brides, particularly those who don’t wear a lot of make-up, opt for a very natural look. Those who wear every minimal make up on a daily basis may not feel comfortable wearing heavier make -up on their wedding day.
{Image courtesy of taratempleton.co.uk}
Although the make-up is natural, application shouldn’t take any less time. In fact, quite a lot of skill goes into the natural look, as you have to put enough make up on to make it last, and also look defined for the camera, whilst keeping it fresh.
Foundation should be sheer and light – you don’t want to smile for the camera and fear your face will crack due to heavy foundation and powder! So here are some tips to get that ‘natural’ look perfect:
- Use matte browns/plums with a bit of frosted eye shadow on the lid to add, especially for those with blue or green eyes, these tones will make your eye colour pop.
- Use eyeliner on the lid (near the lashes) for extra definition, but blend with a little matt shadow (of the same colour as the liner) for softness
- Choose a lip colour that is as near to your natural lip colour as you can get. If you want to add a bit of sparkle and glamour, use a dab of lip gloss in the centre of your bottom lip
- Applying a gorgeous baby pink blusher to the apples of your cheeks will give you a lovely rosy glow – but don’t be too heavy handed with the blush, it needs to be subtle, not ‘Aunt Sally’ style!
SMOKEY
Many brides, especially if they are comfortable wearing more make-up go for this look. A smokey eye can add a subtle glamour to the make-up.
{Image courtesy of ameliacblogs.wordpress.com}
However, going ‘smokey’ doesn’t mean ‘club style’ make up, or charcoal black eyes. In this example the eye make-up is beautifully blended which is a must for this look! Here are some tips to get the look just perfect for you:
- As with all bridal eye make-up, use an eye primer to ensure any shadow you apply on top is blendable and doesn’t crease
- In this image, the eyes are more defined as liner has been added to the waterline – however many brides steer away from this through worry the liner wouldn’t last. If you want this look, the make-up artist, should use a high quality kohl liner, line it once, continue with the make-up, and then line it again to add staying power
- To create softness, don’t use harsh liner underneath the lashes, instead line with eyeshadow using a fine angled brush, then blend with a soft brush
- If you don’t like the idea of greys/blacks for a smokey eye, this look works just as well using dark brown shadows and liners. This works well for brides with blue eyes, or ladies of more mature years
- If you opt for more drama on the eyes, keep the lips and cheeks simple with neutral colours
ALL ABOUT LASHES
Now this is one of my favourite looks, where the emphasis is on the eyes, particularly the lashes.
Ok, we can’t all be Kim Kardashian, but gorgeous lashes can really transform your bridal look. Here are some pointers to get it right!
- You either can use strip or individual lashes. Strip lashes give a more striking look, however to keep it natural looking, opt for those that have a thin band (the part where you apply the glue, which sticks to your own lashes) and wispy looking lashes
- The make-up artist should trim the lashes to size – if they don’t fit properly they will annoy the hell out of you, and more than likely fall off in your glass of bubbly!
- Individual lashes are applied one by one, starting from the outer corners of the eye. They not only lengthen the lashes, but the shorter ones can add fullness to your existing ones
- Apply mascara to your real lashes prior to sticking on the falsies. After the lashes have been applied, use liner to cover the seam line, and apply more mascara ensuring there is no gap between the fake, and your own lashes (don’t go overboard though, you don’t want your luscious lashes turning into crispy spiders legs)
So there you have it, some of my favourite bridal looks! I hope this has helped to inspire you, whether you hire a make-up artist, or decide to do your own. Happy Wedding Day!
Article written by Suzie Townsend
Freelance Make-up Artist
As a fully trained make up artist Suzie have been involved in various projects over the years. She has worked on model portfolios, editorial features, short film, photographic shoots and music tours such as Fat Boy Slim, Simply Red and Pop Idol and have featured in Tatler Magazine. She also trained with and worked for the make up brand Bobbi Brown.
She offers bridal and wedding party make up, as well as special occasion make up and tutorials.
