Planning your Wedding day - Make-up Tips

As a wedding photographer I often get asked many questions about the “Big Day” and things that will make it less stressful and more beautiful.  As weddings are expensive, and most of us don’t realise how much they really do cost until you decide to tie the knot, we generally try to cut a few corners to make it more affordable.  There are a few things I believe are very important and shouldn’t be overlooked.

The one thing I find that Brides often cut first is Make-up.  Us ladies all know how to put make-up on don’t we?  Most of us wear it every day for work, and our trusty brands we buy from chemists or clothing stores really do the job!  Well actually this is pretty far from the truth.  We know how to do every day make-up application, and what most ladies don’t realise is that this does not look great on camera. 

Top Tip!

If you want to go for a facial, make sure it is at least 4 weeks before the wedding so that all impurities are not visible on the wedding day

Monique

The normal foundations we buy have an SPF sunscreen in them, and while this is great for everyday use and protects our skin, on your wedding day when your photographer, friends and family are taking photographs that sunscreen reflects light.  So you suddenly end up with a very white face in all of the images, and this makes it look like you have greasy skin …. A definite NO for your wedding photos which you will cherish for the rest of your life!  Professional foundation is formulated to prevent this and your Make-up Artist knows how to apply it correctly and smoothly to remove imperfections and make your skin look flawless.   Professional Make-up Artists have been trained to make you look amazing, they use little tricks to accentuate your best features and hide the things we all don’t like, like the dreaded dark rings under your eyes. 

Your eyes are the window to your soul, and lovely lashes help to frame your eyes and make them more beautiful.  I am personally not a fan of strip lashes, although I do ask for them to be used during short photo-shoots like fashion or boudoir.   They don’t work well for weddings as they have a bit of a fake feel and may come off with the tears of happiness.  Spoil yourself with a set of individual lashes, the Make-up artist applies them individually to each eyelash and they last until your lash falls out naturally.  These are really lovely and natural looking but still give us ladies the long lashes we crave.  Organise to do this a few days before your wedding so you can get used to them and don’t have additional pressure on your wedding day.

Top Tip!

Don't apply any new creams or facial products to your skin within the week leading up to your wedding day.

Shandre

Top Tip!

Brides should avoid wearing makeup the day before the wedding and on the wedding day, so that the makeup artist can have fresh clear skin to work with.

Monique

Some comments I have gotten from brides-to-be is that they want to look natural and they don’t feel they get this with professional Make-up, or that the make-up feels a bit too heavy.  My suggestion here is talk to the Make-up Artists, tell them your concerns and ask how they can make it suit your needs.  They are a service provider, and they definitely want to make you look amazing!  The two Make-up Artists I work with regularly (Monique and Shandre) are both wonderful and friendly, and will always try to accommodate you.  One thing to bear in mind though, camera ready make-up is a little heavier than our normal day-to-day make-up, but it is definitely worth it. 

Do not rely on Photoshop to create the perfect look for you.  Great edited images result from great starting material!  If we have to edit the images in Photoshop too much you will end up looking plastic like a Barbie Doll!

Choosing a Make-up Artist is the same as choosing a photographer!  Look at their work; decide if you love what they do and choose the supplier that can offer you everything you want.  You choose a supplier because you love their work, not just on price!

As Make-up artists use the professional ranges of Make-up, they know that it will last for the whole day. You will look radiant and have wonderful images from start to finish.  This day is a special day, so go ahead and relax, get pampered, feel and look great – Book a Professional Make-up Artist!

Top Tip!

Make sure you get lots of rest the night before your wedding to prevent puffy eyes or dark circles on your special day.

Shandre

Make-up By Monique - [email protected]

A few more tips from Monique:

• Brides should brush their teeth before the makeup artists starts with you makeup on your wedding day.
• Make sure the MUA uses waterproof makeup as the brides becomes teary eyed on her wedding day.
• Make sure your bridesmaid has your favourite colour lipstick or lip gloss for touch ups.
  

Make-up By Shandre - [email protected]

A few more tips from Shandre:

• Drink plenty of water to ensure your skin is well hydrated and looking radiant.
• Give your Bridesmaid your compact powder to touchup with on the day of the wedding. A compact powder is preferable, as lose powder tends to fall on the dress.
• Always have a few tissues and cotton buds with you or ask a bridesmaid to keep them for you. These are to dab your eyes when those tears of joy fall.