Q&A Beauty

Look and feel your big-day best with help from the professionals

WHEN, WHAT AND HOW?

I’m recently engaged and want to start thinking about my wedding make-up. What are some of the most frequently asked questions that brides come to you with?

Toni says: Speaking from personal experience, the most popular questions I encounter from newly-engaged couples are around timings and logistics of the wedding morning itself...

How many bridesmaids can you cater for on a wedding morning, and what time will you need to arrive? The biggest wedding party I’ve ever worked with is 11 – 10 bridesmaids and the bride! They were all having their hair and make-up done for a ceremony time of 2pm. It was a fun morning that had to be meticulously planned beforehand. I sought the help of two other hair and make-up artists, and we arrived at 8.30am. So, I’m able to cater for any size bridal party and will be in charge of the plans from choosing and booking the extra help to scheduling the morning, ensuring we run on time so that you stay calm and relaxed.

What beauty treatments should I have in the run up to my wedding? Eyebrow shape and tint are a must in my opinion. Brows are the frame for the face and tidy, well-groomed brows will level up a finished make-up look. So, even if it’s out of the ordinary for you, this is a non-negotiable step! Of course, there are a few other treatments I’d still recommend such as regular facials and adopting a good skincare regime to give you clear, glowing skin on the big day. A lash lift and tint is also ideal if you’re not opting for falsies on the day, as well as dermaplaning to remove all of those peach fuzz hairs on the face, creating an excellent make-up base.

Do I need to bring anything with me on the day? My bridal kit can cater for all skin types, tones and textures so I’m pretty well equipped. However, you’ll need a lipstick or lipgloss to touch up throughout the day. I’ll make a recommendation during your trial and if you love it I can order you one and bring it with me on the day. Equally, if you have a favourite lippy or fancy a spot of lipstick shopping where you find something you fall in love with, bring that with you. If you’re prone to shine, it may be worth investing in some blotting papers or powder too, or if your skin is a little on the dry side, a hydration spritz will freshen up your make-up when you need it.

MATTE VS. METALLIC

I tend to wear matte make-up products dayto-day, so I’m not sure whether to switch it up and use metallics for my wedding. Which is the best way to go with bridal make-up?

Alison says: 2023 brides are continuing to embrace natural make-up looks that emphasise the eyes and give a glowing, dewy and healthylooking complexion. When it comes to the eyes, both matte and metallics have their merits in bridal make-up but I’d avoid glitter.

Matte, textured eyeshadows are good for a simple, natural eye look. They have more pigment and blend well, helping to reshape and define. They’re best layered over a good base so that they don’t look patchy. They won’t settle in fine lines either, so work well on mature skin.

Metallic eyeshadows on the other hand shine out like metal or foil with an underlying gold or silver shimmer. Rose gold, copper or silver will look great if you like the current 90s vibe in hair and make-up. The shiny particles do settle in lines and creases though.

I do love to give my brides a bit of shimmer on the lids to make their eyes pop, as it reflects the light giving off a subtle shine. These products offer a beautiful sheer coverage and tend to flatter mature eyes too.

Here Come The Curls

What hair look would you suggest for an English country garden style springtime wedding?

Shanon says: I’d suggest soft but defined curls that can be worn up or down. If you prefer to wear your hair down, a French braid half up half down looks beautiful and you’d be able to complement the style with fresh flowers woven into it that match your bouquet, which you can get from your florist.

If an up do is more your vibe, a loose bun with a natural fall down at the front along with twists and curls throughout is a real favourite. You may prefer this if you’re getting married during the summer rather than the spring, but you can also dress this with fresh flowers, which I think is a lovely touch for the setting.

Blurring The Lines

I’m noticing a few fine lines and wrinkles start to appear lately! How can I best conceal these on my wedding day without looking caked in make-up?

Becky says: A great tip when applying your products is to keep them all lightweight and gradually build up on layers rather than using too much in one go. I love starting with a primer such as the Laura Mercier Illuminating Primer all over the face to give a radiant, plump, soft look.

For any lines and wrinkles, creamy and thin concealers are great. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is my go to. Apply a few dots where you want it and blend with your finger, the warmth of your skin will help it melt in, leaving you with a seamless finish. This is perfect around the eyes and any other area you may have found wrinkles appearing. If you’d like more coverage, apply a dot at a time keeping each layer thin and blended.

Avoid using foundation around the eye area as it can be quite heavy, just stick to your concealer. It’s a good idea to set with a little powder to help it stay in place, but don’t go too heavy as this can end up enhancing any lines. I love Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Pressed Powder as it’s so fine and doesn’t look cakey. Just use a small, fluffy brush to dust a little of this over your concealer.

If you feel make-up is settling into your lines all over, not just in certain areas, try using a tinted moisturiser or mixing some moisturiser with your foundation to keep it lightweight and hydrated for a soft focus look.

BE PREPARED

I have very long, fine hair. How can I add volume and texture for my wedding?

Charmaine says: Making sure hair is prepped correctly for styling will play a huge role in adding the right amount of volume and texture. There are so many styles available to you, so the type of preparation can vary; however, your bridal hair stylist will be able to tailor this in order to suit you.

Personally, I find a good base to start with is light crimping at the roots. Scary thought I know, but it gives you a natural root lift as well as additional thickness without seeing the crimping itself. This then means minimal backcombing, which in turn can create beautiful styles with a clean textured finish, rather than a frizzy end result.

Pairing the right products together with hair type can also make a huge difference. When used correctly, you can end up using quite a lot on the hair, although you’d never tell by looking at the results!

Of course, with some styles the only way to create your desired look will be with the additional help of extensions. Clip-ins are generally recommended, but your hair or bridal stylist will be able to make sure you have the correct ones to achieve the look you want.

Boost Your Skin From Within

Raising the bar, St.Tropez’s new Self Tan Luxe Body Serum infused with a unique collagen-enhancing complex, responds to consumer demand for a hydrating, longer-lasting natural glow with skincare benefits. It works to firm, smooth, soothe, reduce redness and even skin tone while instantly hydrating skin in the most easy-to-use format yet. What’s more, it’s infused with the iconic St.Tropez Luxe scent, a fine fragrance with Tritech Olfactory Fragrance Technology, which equals no biscuity smell.

Having learned of its zero transfer attribute I asked Michaella Bolder, St.Tropez tanning and skincare expert, whether she’d recommend this particular product to brides, and if so when would be the best time to apply. She told me, “Yes, it’s a beautiful tan for brides. However, I’d always recommend to apply tan the day before. This way, you can be prepped and make sure you apply evenly without any worries or concerns on the morning of your wedding. It is zero transfer but as the tan starts to take, you want to make sure you’re super-confident, as it comes through over four to eight hours. So, always apply the day, evening or 24 hours before your big day. It leaves you with a beautiful rich, medium glow and with the skin being so hydrated it just beams.”

£35, available at Boots, Superdrug, Look Fantastic, ASOS, Amazon and all leading online retailers.

DAWN ‘TIL DUSK

Left with a hole in my life when my previous primer ran out I was bereft. Until Milk’s Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer landed on my desk that is. This lightweight water cream makeup primer with skincare benefits claims to blur pores and control shine for a long-lasting soft matte finish, and I can confirm it does just that. It feels fantastic to apply and leaves skin feeling satin smooth. After a long day visiting London recently my foundation looked as good when I arrived home as it did when I left. What’s more, it’s 90 per cent natural, clean, vegan, cruelty-free, noncomedogenic, paraben-free, and silicone-free. I’ve found a new favourite! £31, www.cultbeauty.co.uk

Golden Goddess

Leading Irish make-up giant BPerfect Cosmetics is a celebrity and influencer-loved brand with a difference. Expanding into stores across the UK later this year, BPerfect has partnered with Love Island 2022 winner, Ekin Su Cülcüloğlu to launch a range of innovative new products.

Ekin Su wore BPerfect in the Love Island villa and has now shared her secret weapons in recreating her iconic golden goddess look. Launching with four luxurious products – the Fearless Face & Eye Palette (£29.95), the Radiant Glow Luxurious Skin Enhancer (£16.95), the Luxury Half Lash Set (£16.95) and the Mini Empress Base & Body Brush (£9.95), they’re set to become make-up bag staples. Check out www.bperfectcosmetics.com