“What If I Don’t Normally Wear Much Makeup?”

A Bridal Makeup Artist’s Advice

“I don’t really wear much makeup. I’m worried I won’t look like myself.”

If I had a pound for every time a bride said that to me, well… I’d probably have a rather impressive makeup collection by now. (Actually, I already do!)

And do you know what? I completely understand.

If your everyday makeup routine consists of a bit of mascara, some concealer and perhaps a touch of blusher, the thought of having someone else do your makeup for the biggest day of your life can feel a little daunting.

But here’s the thing.

You don’t have to suddenly become a full-glam girl just because you’re getting married.

You should still look like you. That’s the whole point.

One of the things I feel most strongly about as a bridal makeup artist is that you should recognise yourself when you look in the mirror.

I don’t want you to feel like you’re wearing somebody else’s face.

I want you to look at yourself and think, Oh wow. That’s me. I look lovely!

For some brides, that means beautifully fresh skin, a little colour in the cheeks and softly defined eyes.

For others, it’s a touch more coverage, some lashes and a little extra glow.

There’s no right or wrong amount of makeup for a wedding.

It’s about finding what makes you feel amazing.

Natural-looking makeup isn’t necessarily hardly any makeup

Now, this might surprise you.

Some of the most natural-looking bridal makeup actually involves quite a few products.

Foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer, blush, eyeshadow, mascara… they’re all there.

But when they’re applied thoughtfully, in the right places and in the right amounts, the finished result can still look incredibly fresh.

You can see your skin. You can see your freckles. Your face still looks like your face.

And that’s where the skill comes in.

It’s not simply about using less makeup. It’s knowing what to use, where to use it and, perhaps most importantly, when to stop.

But what about the wedding photographs?

This is something we always need to think about.

Your wedding photographer will be capturing you in all sorts of lighting, from close-up portraits to beautiful outdoor photographs against the Lake District scenery.

And while I want your makeup to look gorgeous in those photographs, I also want it to look beautiful when someone is standing right next to you.

I don’t believe you need to wear dramatically heavier makeup just because you’re being photographed.

It’s about creating enough definition and balance so your features look lovely in different lighting, without making you feel overly made up.

This is exactly what your makeup trial is for

If you’re someone who doesn’t normally wear much makeup, a trial can be particularly helpful.

It’s a chance for us to sit down, have a chat and work out what you feel comfortable with.

You might arrive thinking you want practically nothing, then discover you actually love a little more definition around your eyes.

Or you might think you want soft glam and realise that something much lighter feels more like you.

Both are absolutely fine.

And please, please tell me if there’s something you’re not sure about.

I promise I won’t be offended!

I’d much rather you tell me you’d prefer less bronzer, a softer lip or no eyeliner than sit there politely agreeing with everything while secretly panicking.

My job isn’t to convince you to like my makeup.

My job is to create makeup that YOU love.

You don’t have to follow bridal makeup trends

Glowy skin, soft glam, full glam, barely-there makeup… there are so many different looks out there.

And Instagram and Pinterest can be wonderful for inspiration.

But just because a particular look is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for you.

If you never wear eyeliner, we don’t have to suddenly introduce a dramatic wing.

If you hate the feeling of lipstick, we’ll find something you’re comfortable wearing.

If you love your freckles, I’m certainly not going to cover them all up!

Your wedding makeup should feel like a beautiful version of your everyday self, not a completely different person.

And one last thing…

You are absolutely allowed to want to look beautiful on your wedding day without wanting to look heavily made up.

Those two things are not mutually exclusive.

In fact, creating makeup that looks effortless while still lasting beautifully is one of my favourite things to do.

So if you’re getting married in the Lake District and you’re worried that professional bridal makeup might feel like too much, please don’t be.

We’ll talk, we’ll work out what you love and we’ll create something that makes you feel comfortable, confident and gorgeous.

And when you look in the mirror, I want you to see you.

Just on a particularly fabulous day.

Looking for natural bridal makeup in the Lake District?

I’m Polly, a professional bridal makeup artist based in Windermere, specialising in fresh, glowing makeup that enhances your natural features.

I provide bridal makeup throughout the Lake District and Cumbria, and offer makeup trials at my Windermere studio.

If you’re planning your wedding and want makeup that still feels like you, I’d love to hear from you.

Makeup by Polly — Makeup that’s you.