Bridal Advice

Pinkgloss bridal advice is in three sections: Makeup | Hair | Fragrance

Bridal Makeup

It is essential for all brides to consider a few things before deciding on the look they will create with their chosen makeup artist for their wedding day. Firstly, do you normally wear makeup? If so what colours do you feel comfortable in and how much product do you normally apply. Do you have any colours for the day in your flowers, bridesmaid dress' that you will need to consider when finalising a look for the day? What are your best features? Your eyes, lips or skin maybe, we all have something we prefer and through discussion with your makeup artist they can help to achieve an individual look for your day and enhance the features you like.

Some clients have also considered their future partner when looking at different styles of makeup, it's always good to go for something a bit special but everyone is there to see you and it is important that you feel confident with the look you have chosen and you do not stray too far from the real you.

Not only do you have to feel comfortable with your look that you created with the help of your makeup artist but it has to be easily maintained through-out the day. You should only be looking to touch up with a transparent pressed powder and the lip product the artist has used.

In the final few weeks before your big day please ensure you have a great skincare routine in place, a makeup artist is on hand to enhance your natural beauty and to have hydrated, glowing looked after skin is a number one advantage. You do not want dry dehydrated skin on the day as the base will not look its best. Keep it simple, a great cleanser, moisturiser and facial scrub 1-2 times a week. Please do not try new products this close to the day as your skin may be extra sensitive due to the stresses of the wedding and allergies may occur. Also if you do wear makeup normally remove this with a separate makeup remover before cleansing. I'm sure by now you will have gathered a library full of Bridal magazines so have a good look through and pull out any makeup looks you like. You may be drawn to a certain style or colour of makeup and this will help the artist to understand the look you would like to achieve.

Please find to follow a little advice about your makeup for the day and future application:

Base - Primer
Prepare your skin properly by wearing a foundation primer. Not only does it make your skin smooth they generally have sheen to them and this will create that lovely natural glow on your skin, it will also help keep your make-up in place until the end of the day.

Foundation
It is vital that your artist uses the correct coloured foundation, they are very used to mixing two together if needs be. Don't use a darker foundation to look more tanned as you will have a line around the jaw-line and it will ruin the whole look, a bronzing powder will be used at a later time to add colour to the skin. The texture is very important too as you need the base to last all day, you want it to look great on your photographs but also great in reality, something light is best. The artist will be skilled in application so they can perhaps apply a couple of fine layers instead of using a heavy coverage foundation that runs the risk of cracking and drying through-out the day. You do not want to look or feel as though you are wearing a mask.

Concealer
A Concealer should be used for any redness, darkness and blemishes on the skin. The artist will use a heavier consistency on your face to around your eyes. Use a Concealer brush for this as it helps with the placement of product and blend with your finger.

Powder
This is the number one for maintaining your makeup all day. If you do not wear a powder you will look very greasy in your pictures and the camera will pick up all the shine on your face and ruin your photographs. The artist will apply a loose transparent powder using a large powder brush so you will not look like a flour bag but have a soft, smooth finish to your skin. You will need a pressed transparent powder to maintain your base all day. Just press lightly with the powder puff where the shine has broken through, usually on the forehead, nose and chin.
Bronzer
This is a great product to lift the skin tone, apply it in the areas that the sun would normally tan. Use a large bronzing brush and apply the powder across the forehead, around the temples, across the cheekbones, down the nose and across the jaw-line. Please do this lightly as we would want you ruining your base at this point. A bronzer gives you a lovely glow on the skin but it is always best to use a separate blush for the colour on your cheeks.

Eyes - Shadow
Eye shadow is probably one of the most difficult products to get right. Once the artist has shown you where to apply the 2-3 colours you will be able to create this look time and time again, build your confidence and try new shades. Never go too dark for your wedding day, a Smokey eyed look is great but the artist may mix 2 or 3 colours to create this instead of just one. Please do not over do the black either as it will appear darker on your photographs. Again the artist will be skilled and will be able to advise you on the correct tone / colours to suit your colouring. They will consider your skin, hair and eye colour when making their choice.

Eyeliner
Eyeliner can be subtle or a feature when used on the eyes. If the eyeliner is placed very close to the lash-line it will help to make your lashes appear fuller and it will give you definition for your photographs, keep it soft as you do not want heavy rings of kohl around your eyes. Remember it is all about enhancing your features so your guests will comment on how beautiful you look. Be very careful if you are considering a stylized look using eyeliner as you would not want to look back on your wedding day photographs and regret this.

Lashes
Curling your eyelashes if needs be before applying mascara will make your lashes look longer and your eyes more defined in your wedding photos. False eyelashes are used a lot of the time by brides, you can choose from semi-permanent individual lashes, a full lash or a few lashes placed here and there to add a little volume. It's always best to try some at the trial to make sure you are happy with the look as they do change the entire look of the eye. Applying a few single lashes for extra emphasis is a great bridal trick and the perfect way to perk up eyes.

Waterproof Mascara
Mascara is essential as it opens up the eyes giving a bright, wide-awake look. Make sure it's waterproof to get you through those teary moments. A bride with panda eyes is not a good look! Do not use mascara that is too thick in consistency as this will make the lashes clumpy; ensure the lashes are coated top, bottom and sides and always comb through the lashes to finish with a clean mascara wand. Remember the lashes run from the inner corner out; do not make the mistake of only putting the mascara on the outer edges of the eye as this will make the eyes appear smaller. Always use black mascara as this will help to make the whites of your eyes appear fresh and clear.

Blush
It is important to use a blush colour that is going to tone with your theme for the day if you have one. Pinks are popular as they are similar to the natural flush we all get and will make you look more natural, apply a little to the apples of the cheeks with a smaller blush brush. Do not apply colour over the entire cheekbone as this will create stripes and will not look natural at all. A mousse, cream or gel will give you a more diluted effect, apply a few dots on the cheeks and blend with your fingers.

Lipstick or Lip Gloss?
You can use a lipstick or gloss on your day, just remember which ever you choose you will need to apply as you go through the day, we always recommend that our brides carry the product with them and a retractable lip brush is an essential for the day. You can load this up before the ceremony and be happy to know once you are married all you have to do is apply the product on the brush just before the photographs and you will look amazing. Some brides will have already chosen the colour and product they want to use for the day but the artist will advise you if not.