Make up 101...

Wedding Makeup tips

From the photographers point of view

Every bride wants to look her best and most beautiful on her wedding day, but wedding makeup for your face can be a little daunting. How do you make sure your makeup stays on all day, looking fresh for your wedding photos, and manage to make you feel a little like a model, but still look like you not like the makeup truck hit you.
I have spent many years shooting weddings and I have realized that the best wedding makeup is actually the same makeup tricks that they used on top models for their photo shoot. The dynamics are just the same, whether it be a bride at a wedding, or a top photo shoot. Photos are taken. And the make up must stay on all day. The bride wants to look wonderful, but her self.

If you are having a Pro do your make up, which say you should as the triangle between bride/photographer/make up is one of the most important for a photographer/videographer Here are some tips that will help you make sure that you get the look you want...

#1...Many hours maybe days went into choosing your dress, ring, flowers. Don't let your makeup take a backseat to this. Take the time to go through magazines and pull out makeup styles that you really like, even tear out the ones you don't like. It could be how a certain feature is played up, or that great lipstick color, or how the skin glows, or even how they used way too much eyeliner. All this is easy to say and show to a makeup artist, with pictures. It helps a lot to show what you want in photo form rather than trying to describe it. . There is a lot of truth in the adage that says "a picture is worth a thousand words". It really gives a lot more information with a visual sense.

#2... To some wear and tear on your nerves on the wedding day, by all means, schedule a consultation, or even better, a complete makeup application before the big day with your makeup artist. Plan it for the rehearsal dinner, or a special evening out alone with your man, or a get together with all the bridesmaids. Don't overlook this very important step because this way you can see if you like your makeup artist's style and how you look.

Here are some things to bring to your consultation...

Tear sheets from magazines, of makeup you like and hate.

A picture of your wedding dress . This gives the make up artist a good idea of the style of the dress and the wedding. Is it romantic or Dramatic This gives an idea of your style and taste.

The shade of lipstick that you like to wear. If I don't have it, using yours is no problem. This is also a great test to see how long your lipstick will last during the evening.

Your most favorite waterproof mascara. I recommend using your tried and true mascara, and yes, waterproof. You just might be shedding tears of joy. If it's your brand, you do not have to worry about watery eyes, redness, allergies, etc.

Remember, your makeup run through is the time to play around, try different styles, colors, etc. And don't be afraid to say if you don't like something. Makeup is easy to take off and and put back on. Once you have your look down, make sure the makeup artist writes everything out on paper, and notes makeup items you may not have that you'll needing for that day. And don't forget, if your makeup rehearsal is set for a romantic dinner with your man, have the makeup artist change the lipstick or eye makeup a little so your groom can't tell you are wearing the same thing for your wedding day. We wouldn't want him seeing the same look twice.

If you planning on doing your makeup yourself... Here are some good tips & tricks that you can use in photo shoots that you can easily incorporate into your look to make it last all day...

#1... Make sure your foundation is an absolute perfect color match. Color blend along the side of the jaw and blend in 2-3 strokes. Is it gone? It should be. If not, or you find yourself blending forever and a day , if you have the wrong shade. It's not that it blends in, but how fast. I can make any shade blend in if I blended it long enough.

#2... For under eye circles, the easiest way to lighten them is with an opposite color applied on top first. If your darkness is gray, lightly brush a soft pink eye shadow on first, and then apply your foundation. If the darkness is more blue, try a matte light peach shadow. You'll find yourself using much less concealer & foundation.

#3... Using a good concealer is easier when you have the perfect shade. Don't go 2 shades lighter than your skin, as this actually makes the darkness appear more dark & muddy. Mix your concealer shade with a drop of your foundation and apply. You want your skin tone to appear one even shade.

#4... To keep foundation and concealer on all day, take a Kleenex folded into squares, and lightly press into the foundation before you powder. This removes excess oils from the foundation and leaves pure pigment on the face. If you find this removes too much foundation, then apply a little more than you think you need, and then press. You'll find that foundation stays on for hours .

#5... Very lightly brush on loose powder with a large brush to set. This is not the time to press powder into the skin with a powder puff. This actually can make your skin look and get shinier much faster.

#6... Apply your blush next. Get a blush brush that is the size of the apple of your cheek for a perfect application. Pick up your color and tap onto the apples of the cheeks, slowly blending back towards your temples. When you have enough on, take a clean makeup sponge and blend. This one step makes your blush look real, rather than just sitting on the surface of your skin. Also, by applying blush first, if you look great with just your blush on, you have the right amount. If it looks too bright or harsh, lighten it up.

#7... Lips next. To last all day, powder your lips first, then apply your lip pencil filling in the entire lip. Don't worry too much about the outline of the mouth. Then, apply your lipstick shade, blot, powder, and apply again. By blotting and powdering, you are actually removing the excess wax in the lipstick that causes it to bleed. Once finished, then apply a light coat of lip gloss if desired in the middle of the bottom lip.

#8... Brush & fill in eyebrows if they need them with a shade that's 1-2 shades lighter than your eyebrow hair color. Too dark, and you can start looking a little harsh. Brush through with a toothbrush after wards to look more natural.

#9... Last but not least, your eyes, this is important as everyone looks at the eyes. A soft shimmering cream or white is beautiful on the brow bone, and the inner corners of the eyes, both above and below the lashes. This wakes up the eyes and creates a beautiful highlight. To make eyes appear larger, apply a sand or taupe in the crease of the eye. Blend so that the shadow fades well. Keep your eyes looking neutral and real, while the colors emphasize the cheeks and lips. Make the most dramatic part of the eye your lashes and eyeliner as this looks the best in pictures. Take a black or brown pencil and line the lashes on the outer 1/2 or 1/4 of the eye. Blend in with a Q-tip. Then, take your mascara and a eyeliner brush, and lightly line the eye with your mascara. Once it's dried, smudge again, and you1ll find that your eyeliner will stay on forever. If your mascara is waterproof, that's better. And remember to curl your lashes before, not after mascara, this is imoprtant


#10... Finishing Touches are very important. When you're done with your look, you may want to apply a little more blush, and then finish with a final brush of loose powder. Make sure everything is blended very well. If you feel like you have a lot of makeup on, lightly mist with a soft spray of water to set it . This will take away the feeling of makeup on your skin and also helps to set the makeup. If you want your skin to glow, lightly brush on a soft shimmering eye shadow or the new shimmer loose powders. To avoid over doing it, just dust across the tops of the cheekbones and collar bones. For a more over-all glow, you can even go across the forehead and chin.

Remember makeup is important and a good Pro does not cost much.
We hope this helps and please let us know

Peter & team bELLE