So it's been said, your wedding is the biggest celebration of the year. Do try to remember, though, that everyone wants to see you, not a radically changed woman masquerading behind bridal makeup. If you don't wear much makeup normally - or none at all - you don't want to walk down the aisle with a heavily painted bridal makeup. It won't seem natural, you won't be comfortable, and the pictures taken will reflect it (not to mention your memories).
The bridal makeup that you do use should be good for flash photography, too. Stick with foundations that have a yellow undertone, as these will create a warm healthy appearance in the photographs that are taken during the wedding and reception. Nicole Marie's suggests also looking into a good bronzing powder to warm your skin tone. Apply bronzing powder with a natural bristle brush, lightly applying color to areas of the face that the sun naturally warms. Your forehead, the high curve of your cheeks, and the bridge of your nose are the best places, but if you're naturally pale you might want to apply a very light dusting over your neck and chest for a more even tone. That's the way bridal makeup and bronzing should be done!
We use a gel foundation primer before we apply your bridal make-up. A light dusting of loose powder will help prevent unwanted shine (this can result in a greasy, highly reflective look in your photos), but we stay away from heavy pressed powders. Too much powder will leave your skin looking chalky, dull and unhealthy in photos.
Tip Two: Glittery Bright
If I were doing a list of Do's and Don'ts, this tip would top the list of Don'ts.
Right, unless you've been living in a cave for the last few years, you know that glitter is all the rage. It's beyond trendy, and done right can be absolutely beautiful. Five or so years from now, though, will it still be so cool? Probably not. Do you want to look at your wedding photos and see a glittery bridal makeup, or would you rather have a timeless, classic and natural face?
Basically, by going with "trends", you end up dating your photographs. If you're really stuck on the idea of glitter, why not get some special photographs taken before the wedding? Grab the groom, set an appointment, and go glam at the studio, but go for a natural, matte look on the big day itself.
Go for warm, flattering cheek colors like peach and rose, and don't forget about the bronzing powder I mentioned. This will give you a bit of a shine without unflattering glow, you don't want to look like you ran a marathon. When you apply blush, focus on the rounded parts of your cheek and blend the blush back and up towards the top part of your ears. If you have dry skin, you can achieve a natural, dewy glow by using a cream blush - but powder blush will work better on oily skin.
By focusing on blush and bronzer instead of glitter and shine, you'll avoid looking either washed out or super-bright in your wedding photos. If after all this you still just have to have some glitter on your wedding day, stick to a little highlighting on your cheekbones or eyes, not your whole face. I suggest to my clients a little highlight or the pigments by Mac on the eye for a beautiful bridal makeup, try the pigment called, (reflects gold), it's an interesting color that looks silver at first and has tiny flecks of gold in it.
Also Nicole Marie's is running a special for the lovable Valentine's month of February for 20% off all makeup services. Call to set up an appointment with me, Nicole Brevetti 203-721-4908.