A woman's wedding is usually the day on which she is most photographed in her life, so naturally, every bride wants to look her best. A professional can help, but as Kate Middleton proved, a bride can do her own makeup on the big day to great effect.HELLO! Online chats to Kelly Lloyd-Sanderson of beauty and wellness company Arbonne, who reveals her top makeup tips for brides — including the preparation women can take in the run up to the all-important day.
1. Cleansing
Get your skin in the best condition possible both before and on the actual day. Make sure you cleanse each morning and night to remove makeup and unblock pores, as this will make a real difference. Use a product such as Arbonne's Intelligence Genius (£84), an innovative formula that can be swept across the face each evening with resurfacing pads to provide an even, smooth tone, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and creating a healthy, radiant glow.
On the big day, apply foundation and then lightly use concealer to cover any blemishes, using different shades for each type of blemish. For example, broken capillaries may require a slightly darker concealer than a small blotchy patch of skin. Using this less-is-more approach will create the appearance of fresh, natural skin without creating a "caked on" look.Best makeup for spring: what you need to buy this season
2. Use a primer
Your bridal makeup has to last from the service through to the wedding breakfast and to the end of the reception; therefore using a primer is a necessity. Not only will a primer create a flawless base for the application of the rest of your makeup, it will also ensure your look lasts all day, meaning only minor touch ups are required. Arbonne's primer (£26) is great for this and also adds a dewy glow.
For those teary moments, you may want to wear waterproof eye makeup to ensure there's no chance of mascara running at the altar. As well as official photography, guests will be taking pictures too, so use pressed or mattifying powder to reduce any shine that could be highlighted by the flash of a camera.
3. Take the wedding dress into account
Consider the shape of your dress and the skin you have on show. If your wedding dress is strapless you may wish to use a swish of bronzer to ensure your facial tone matches your neck and décolletage.
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4. Look like the best version of yourself.
Wedding photographs are forever and are probably the most looked at image a woman ever has of herself. Create flawless skin with makeup and stick to what suits you best with everything else. For example, if a smoky eye and a simple lip make you look your prettiest, use that look. Likewise, if you have the complexion of an English rose, then your wedding day is definitely not the day to have your first spray tan. Avoid adventurous looks and highlight your best features to ensure picture-perfect photography.
5. Ensure treatments are done well in advance.
Nobody wants to be the bride who has redness on her skin left over from a last minute facial. Think about the after effects of any treatments and consider these when making appointments.
Practice makes perfect, so play around with a look until you're happy and have a routine rehearsed for the big day.