You are perfect, just the way you are, but a once-in-a-lifetime occasion like your wedding calls for something extra-special. With all eyes on you, nailing the right makeup to complement your outfit is essential. You may have hired a professional bridal make-up artist for the main wedding ceremony but what about the other festivities? Worry not, here are the answers you are looking for.
Tip no 1: Pre make-up routine
Imagine this. You sit down to paint and the sheet you are given is a crumpled one. Wouldn’t that affect the quality of the painting no matter how great an artist you are? Make-up is something like that. In order to present the best canvas to the artist or even for yourself, you need to take care of your skin at least for two to three months before the wedding. That means following a strict day and night skin routine, protecting it from the sun, eating healthy, exercising and drinking lots of water.
Tip no 2: Prepping the skin
Before you rush to open the make-up kit, there are a few steps you should do to ensure your makeup stays on for a long time and that looks good on wedding photography.
- Cleanse your skin thoroughly with a face wash and pat dry.
- Use a moisturizer with an even skin tone and rub it in in circular motion extending to your neck, shoulders and arms.
- Dab a primer on your skin. This is a base coat to help preserve your makeup longer.
Tip no 3: Order of putting on make-up
What comes first? Concealer or the foundation? That doubt is as ancient as the classic egg and chicken story! But there is a definite order that make-up artists swear by and you should too!
- Colour correcting concealer
First comes the colour correcting concealer. Believe it or not, each shade on that palette has a purpose. Say you have acne, the redness is neutralized by a green shade. Got a yellowish pigmentation? Dab on a light purple concealer and you will see a polished finish.
- Foundation
The next step is the foundation. There are three kinds of shades – warm, cool and neutral. How to find out which shade is right for you? Apply them as a line across your cheek and see what suits your skin better.
Once you select your shade, remember to start from the middle and work towards the edges. This is to ensure that the residue isn’t caked unevenly across your face.
If you have oily skin, apply an oil-free foundation. Water-based foundations, especially natural ones, tend to be kinder on the skin.
- Contouring
Wish you had a sharper nose or better cheekbones? You don’t need to go under the knife. Just contour. This is a clever technique using a cream or stick of a shade that is several times darker than your skin to redefine your features. Suppose you have a round face and prefer an oval shape instead, you can use a contouring stick on the side of your forehead and below your cheekbones to give it the desired effect.
Tip no 4: Eye make-up tips
Just like your skin, eye make-up has it’s own routine and an order to be followed.
- Start with a concealer on dark circles or patches.
- Red and gold are the quintessential Indian bride colours and if you want to paint your eyelids with those shades, we say why not? But remember to give the external contours a brown dab to give it the smoky effect.
- Next, apply the Kohl or Kajal and remember to keep it subtle otherwise it will take away the sheen of your contoured eye lids.
- Applying the perfect eyeliner without smudges takes some practice but is rewarding when you get it right. Just remember to keep the corner lines thin and the middle portion thick.
- Top it off with a round of volume enhancing mascara and a pull of the eyelash curler to complete the look.
Tip no 5: Lipstick tips
When it comes to lipstick make-up, there is no one-size-fits all approach. If you have thin lips, it helps to make them fuller by using transparent or nude shades. For those on the other side, your beautiful lips deserve a splash of a bold red or brown. Use a brush to give you a neat finish.
Matte vs Glossy lipstick – What’s the difference?
- Matte
Matte lipsticks are the bold, new-age applications that may not shimmer or stand out, but are the most dependable and long-lasting kind of finish. For occasions like a marriage, you can give it a bit of shine by applying some lip gloss.
- Glossy
As the name suggests, a glossy finish is a hydrating effect that works best if you are prone to chapped lips. Apply a lip balm before you apply the lipstick to retain the moisture for longer.
Tip no 6: Mistakes to avoid
There are quite a few faux pas brides make in their eagerness to copy their favorite film star’s make-up. Here are some to stay clear off :
- Putting make-up on a dry skin leading to cracked make-up.
- Applying make-up under artificial lights which can alter your look completely when you step intothe natural light.
- Using too much concealer which gives your skin a dark and heavy patched look.
- Getting your eyebrows done on the day of the wedding which will leave you with redness around them.
- Dabbing bronzers everywhere (instead of just the cheekbones and jawline) leading to the discolored looking skin.