Beauty expert and make-up artist Suzie O'Neill gives her top tips to achieving beautiful wedding day make-up and the best skincare routine to prep for the big day.
We are in full-on wedding season now, so I thought it might be nice to talk about bridal make-up. You really want your wedding make-up to make you feel your very best.
A lot of brides will opt to have a professional do their make-up, but whatever way you choose, be sure the make-up is a look you are comfortable with. By far the two most popular looks are natural and vintage. These looks are timeless and will age beautifully.
The first step to great bridal make-up is preparing your skin. This doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple at home routine that is consistent will give you amazing results and won’t put a hole in your pocket. I am a big believer in keeping things simple but consistent; this is what makes the real difference!
On a daily basis, make sure you are cleansing well. I love a cleansing oil like Shiseido Cleansing Oil to remove all traces of the day, followed by a soothing oil to feed the skin overnight. I love MeToday Rosehip Oil: it is a must try. Each morning you will want to splash your face with water to freshen up and follow with SPF.
I am currently using the Skinician SPF30 and love it as I have very sensitive skin and this is beautiful and so light to wear. I would exfoliate once or twice a week and use a mask once a fortnight – this will keep you skin in top shape.
Just before the big day
When it comes to your make-up, if you are having someone else do it, I would organise a trial run-through of the look you are going for, so you won’t be worried on the day that it won’t look as you had hoped. If you are doing it yourself, use what you always use, as changing products on the day can lead to breakouts or stress if they don’t sit like your regular ones.
Nature’s way
For a natural bridal look, keep your skin simple and fresh. I love Ayu Fresh Skin foundation for brides. It is lightweight, has a high coverage and is self-setting so you won’t need to touch up during the day. A nice cream blush and a sweep of highlight will give that beautifully fresh-faced appearance.
For eyes, I love a bit of definition in the outer corners to define the eye and a nice sweep of liquid liner will give the illusion of fuller lashes and larger eyes. On your wedding day, a waterproof or resistant mascara is a must as we all tend to get a little emotional on days like this.
A fine vintage
If you are opting for a more vintage look with a red lip, my advice would be to keep the rest of your make-up minimal. Let the lips do all the talking. MAC Ruby Woo is a long-standing favourite with brides. It has more of a matte finish that is super long-lasting and the undertone will suit most people. It won’t transfer onto the teeth either, something that creamier finish lipsticks will do.
I would always finish your make-up off with a spritz of facial spray to keep the skin hydrated and the make-up looking fresh. A great one is the Ella & Jo Hyaluronic Spray.
Whatever look you choose for your big day, remember to enjoy it!
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