For anyone desiring a simple look, hiring a professional freelance make-up artist can seem expensive. It is also a long procedure to find the right person. Hiring a professional is the quickest way to fabulous photographs but someone who wants to look super natural can easily achieve a beautiful bridal look with some kit essentials. These might be things that are not in an everyday make-up bag and will help to give a special bridal polish to the occasion.
Wedding Make-up Checklist
- Foundation primer smooths the skin and helps to keep make-up on all day, lending a natural look to even a heavier make-up application. Choosing a primer without silicone means you can use any brand of foundation over it.
- Waterproof mascara is a little bit harder on the lashes than a regular mascara, but much less likely to run on a long or emotional day.
- Cake eyeliner can be a tiny bit tricky to use but is worth it for anyone having photographs taken. It is a dry product which is mixed with water. Apply to the lash line with a flat brush to give definition and the illusion of dense rich lashes. This hardly looks like make-up. Many brands sell these and it is advisable to get a beauty consultant to demonstrate this before buying. It sometimes takes people a couple of attempts to get right, so this is not something to leave until the actual day before trying. Investigate the commercial pioneer of cake eyeliner, Laura Mercier, for good education and a quality product.
- Eye base is usually a creamy product which dries to a water-tight finish. It helps eye make-up to last without creasing and fading. It can also brighten up the eye lid, giving a clean look to build a little shadow into. Not all eye bases are equally effective so shop around if buying this product for the first time. The best ones are often from professional brands as they are made to stand up to stage wear.
- Blotting papers do exactly what the name suggests and are excellent for blotting shine throughout the day or in between photos without disturbing the make-up or adding a chalky powder deposit to the skin.
- Lip pencil helps to shape lips and keep lip color on for longer. Worn under a gloss this is ideal for giving a neutral yet more polished look. For the most natural look, use the side of the lip pencil to outline lips or color inside, rather than drawing a hard line.
- Translucent Pressed Powder is essential in setting make-up and keeping it on all day. Applied correctly it softens make-up, giving it a skin like quality rather than appearing caked. This is true even for people with dry skin. The key to setting make-up naturally with this product is to use a velor puff rather than a brush. Work the product well into the puff and then press or roll over the skin.
Creating a simple look is the best idea for anyone without the practice of a professional make-up artist. Magazines can provide inspiration, as can booking a free make-up lesson with favorite make-up counter or shop. This should be able to teach some basic tricks and give the opportunity to create something a little different which is still in keeping with your own natural look.
Shefali Choudhury - Writer and visual artist, Suite Beauty topic editor, Shefali spent 10 years in professional makeup artistry from beauty to blood ...
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