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Planning your Wedding Day Look

Your wedding day is one of the most special events you will ever attend so it is imperative that you look your best. Although make-up is very important factors for every bride, it is usually the last one to be considered, but this isn't a bad thing. Here are some top beauty tricks and tips for you.

© Capture It, Creative Wedding Photography

Preparation before Your Big Day. It is every brides nightmare to have bad skin, or wake up with a giant spot. There is no sure fire secret to guarantee clear skin, but there are ways to try and avoid it. Facials are a great way of relaxing and treating yourself. It is best to try a few different facials to see which one benefits you the most and to prepare your skin for the change in it's routine on the run up to your wedding. Try not to have any facials or saunas in the week of your wedding, as this may encourage any impurities to come out, which may lead to spots. Drink lots of water and eat lots of vegetables, to help cleanse your body and skin, and give you a natural glow. Sun beds/St Tropex tans are a very personal choice, but if you are going to have any kind of bronzing treatment, I strongly suggest a test a few months before your wedding day, not just to see if you like the colour you go, but also to see how it wears off.

Choosing the Right Colours. A lot of people want to try something new and different, but are scared to experiment. It's not always the colour but the application that can give you the perfect look. When choosing colours there are a few ideas to help you. Most people have a colour theme to their wedding, the flowers, table decorations, grooms tie/waistcoat, bridesmaids outfits, so it is a nice idea if you can to match your make-up to your colour theme. Also, dependant on the colours you are wearing and the season, you may need to add colour to brighten up your face. When selecting colours for you and your maid's make-up, don't feel that you all have to wear the same colours. Everyone needs to use different colours dependant on their skin tone, hair colour, eye colour etc., so don't try to match all your make-up together, this won't work, getting the best colours to complement each person individually always looks more glamorous. You want people to think you look beautiful, but you don't specifically want them to remember you just for your make-up. This is when you know you have it just right.

Making your make-up last.Foundation/Base. The most important way to keep your make-up on all day is your base, If this is done correctly then all the make-up applied on top of it will last too. A good foundation is important. Don't go for any oil-based foundations, but look for matt ones. It is a good idea to wear foundation, even if you don't usually, as it will take away shine from your photos, and give you a very even skin tone. The old idea of checking foundation colours on the back of your hand doesn't really work, not only is the skin a different texture, but a different colour too. To really check a foundation to see if it is suitable, test it on your jaw line. When you look in the mirror you shouldn't be able to see where the foundation starts or finishes. ALWAYS use powder on top of your base. Translucent loose powder is excellent, as it won't change the shade of your foundation and goes on evenly with a large brush. Keep applying the powder till your face is smooth to the touch, there should be no tackiness left when you feel your skin. When applying powder under the eyes, always make sure you are holding the skin under your eyes tight, so that no foundation is caught up in the lines, as this will only enhance them.

Once your base is done it's time for your eyes. When applying eye shadow, don't be scared to experiment with colour. A natural look doesn't have to be brown or grey, colour can look natural too. If you are applying shadow, hold a tissue under your eye so that no powder drops onto your face to smear your base. Eyeliner may sound scary, but it is a great way to define your eyes, you want these to stand out at a distance and in photos. When applying eyeliner, unless you are used to wearing it, try to use the liner only on the top lid, from outside in, and on the bottom lid from outside in. Mascara is also very important. There is a good chance you may cry, so always use waterproof. Use an eyelash comb to get rid of any clumps that may appear. Individual false eyelashes give a wonderful finish to any eyes. If you do cry, dab at your eyes, don't ever smear tears away.

Lips! All lipsticks will fade, especially with the amount of kissing, talking and even drinking you will be doing throughout the day, so remember to take a top-up of the lipstick you are wearing with you. When applying your lipstick, put a thin coat of foundation over your lips, as this will hold the lipstick for longer, and stop if from running if you have any small lines around your mouth, as most of us do. Use a lip liner, as this too will make the lipstick look sharper, and will stop the lipstick from running. Try to think whether you want your lips or eyes to stand out, it is best to emphasise one main feature rather than two as then they can both get lost. If you have emphasised your eyes, use a subtle lipstick. Apply your lipstick with a brush, and steer clear of glossy lipsticks, these will fade away far quicker than matt ones. If you want glossy lips, apply a separate gloss on top of your lipstick.

Leave your blusher until last. Until you have finished your lips and eyes, you won't know how much to apply. The colour of the blusher if up to you. Pink gives you a nice fresh glow, brown will make you appear tanned. If you are nervous of choosing a colour, go for the colour which is most like the colour your cheeks naturally go when they are flushed. When applying blusher it's almost like filling in a box. Start on the apple of your cheek. Bring the blush up and stop level with the corner of your eye. If you are worried about hiding a double chin, blusher can be used to bring out your good features. Use it around your jaw line so that it gives the impression of a perfect jaw line and will clearly separate your jaw from your chin.

Advantages and How to Choose a Professional Makeup and Hair Artist. There are a lot of worries on the wedding day itself, and being nervous and not having a steady hand to do your own make-up and hair will only add to the worry. Choosing a professional make-up artist, will take the pressure of you, if will give you the confidence to try new looks, you will have had a trial so you will be sure of what you are getting, and it is a little bit of pampering which is just what you deserve on your special day. As your make up artist is not with you all day ensure you have powdered paper, lipstick, tissues and a few hairgrips with you or a member of your bridal party.

With Many Thanks To Chloe Mortimer, Make-up and Hair Artist for the above article.

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