1. Cleanse, Moisturise & Eye Cream
Before any wedding makeup application it is essential that the skin in clean, so using a cleanser ensure the face and neck is thoroughly cleansed. Following this, moisturise.
The delicate eye area needs a little eye cream, gently pat this on beneath the lower eye over the ‘bag’ area and just above the mobile lid
2. Primer
Primer is essential. Until I trained as a professional makeup artist, I didn’t realise how crucial primer is! It gives the skin a gorgeous luminous look, can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and makes your wedding makeup stay put.
My two favourites are Illamasqua Hydra Veil and Mac Strobe Cream, both give a radiant finish to the skin.
If you suffer from oily skin, there are also some fantastic matt primers which will give your skin a matt look and help to reduce unwanted shine.
3. Eye Primer
Eye primer helps eye makeup to last. Before training as a makeup artist, I always used to wonder why my eye makeup wore off so quickly. Then I learnt I wasn’t putting a base/primer on. At the moment I am using a lovely Smashbox eye primer, but I also recommend Mac Paintpots.
4. Eyes
Eye makeup can be very tricky. If you want a natural look go for soft browns, for something more dramatic a purple smokey eye can also look amazing. I think the main secret to getting it right is blending using a good blending brush and using the right products.
5. Foundation
Foundation can be done before or after the eye makeup. If I am doing a heavy look on the eye, I prefer to do the foundation after as you can get a lot of fall. Apply foundation with a foundation brush, then use a stippling brush to work into the skin and give a natural finish.
There are so many foundations out there, so it really depends on the coverage you require; natural, medium or heavy. I am currently using Illamasqua Skin Base, and for a lighter finish I have a tinted Decleor BB Cream or use Mac Face and Body.
6. Conceal
If you suffer from any blemishes, red patches or spots, concealer is very important. Apply with a concealer brush and pat in to the area. For the under eye area, put some just below the inner corner. A makeup artist friend of mine recently recommended the Aldi under eye concealer, so I have just started using it and it is fantastic and was only about £2.99!
7. Contour
Contouring is so popular at the moment. Especially with Kim Kardashian’s use and promotion of it. I wouldn’t recommend going as heavy as her, but it can certainly help sharpen the cheek bones, jaw law, reduce the size of the appearance of a large nose or forehead.
8. Highlight
It’s nice to highlight under the eye area on the top of the cheek bone. Contouring is used to shade and cover areas and highlight is used to brighten and show off.
9. Blusher
I love blusher and you can get so many colours. Daytime I usually use a nice girly pink, whereas for an evening look I go for a browner/apricot one. What you go for depends on the colour lipstick and eyes you go for.
10. Lips
First line the lips, then fill with lipstick, lip stain or lip gloss.
