It’s one of the biggest days in a person’s life (not to mention the most expensive), so it’s normal for a bride to want her wedding day to be picture perfect - and that includes having enviable hair, skin and make-up. Here, we quiz a number of beauty experts on what a bride can do to dazzle on the day when all eyes are on her...
MAKE-UP
The big day requires some seriously long-wearing makeup, especially if the weather is warm. Don’t forget to use a primer first - it prepares the skin for make-up, addresses specific skin concerns and holds foundation for longer. - founder Lynne Meaney.
Don’t overthink it – go for make-up and colours that you feel comfortable in. Now’s not the time to experiment! Look for a primer suited to your skin type, whether you need to hydrate, control oil, disguise redness or brighten a dull complexion. A mattifying primer will keep you camera ready by smoothing out the skin and keeping shine at bay. If it’s a summer wedding, keep a pressed powder handy to blot and stop make-up from melting. - Red Earth brand manager Emily Alonzo.
For luminous skin, steer clear of any products containing too much shimmer as they reflect light, leaving you looking like a disco ball. Avoid any products containing sunscreen as they throw a whitewash to your skin on film and photos. - national education manager Hannah Terrett.
Have a trial for your make-up and really settle on the look you want. A lot of anxiety is relieved when you know exactly what is happening on the day. Get enough sleep; a lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your skin, face and nervous system so it’s important to get enough every night. Drink lots of water and stay well hydrated. Dehydrated skin will show up strongly with long lasting make-up and is the number one thing we try to combat as make-up artists. Always have some key products in your bag to take with you on the day: the same lipstick or gloss your make-up artist used for touch-ups, and blotting paper or powder to keep nasty shine away. - director Leia Corrie.
Have these products in your arsenal: 1) Long-lasting matte foundation. You want a foundation that will give you full coverage but not one that looks caked on as it won’t wear well through the night. Matte products are the best option, with the exception of lips. 2) Illuminator. This is important to give you the bridal glow without the shine. 3) Waterproof mascara. Weddings and tears go hand in hand and the last thing you need is your mascara running down your face. It also helps to combat watery eyes when taking photos and looking into direct sunlight. - Savoir Faire director Leia Corrie.
Remember he is marrying you! You want to look like you, so I always suggest choosing a make-up style that suits your personality and look – have a trial with your make-up artist to work things out. Use a quality foundation to create the perfect canvas. Be sure to powder well to ensure the make-up lasts as long as it needs to, but remember your natural oils will continue to flow during the day and you won't look powdery for long, if at all. Keep a little touch-up kit with you - you should just need a light powder, mattifier (if you have oily skin), lipstick and gloss. - Absolute Spa director Jai Harvey-Yin.
I find that blush/bronzer tends to not last as well as other products, so go a little heavier in your application. You'll look fab in the photos and then by the evening, it will have settled nicely and reapplication won't be necessary. Lipstick should be applied three times in the initial application: liner, apply lipstick, blot like a fiend, powder, then reapply lipstick and blot again. Finally, reapply colour or gloss. This makes the lippy stay like nothing else and you should have some colour left at the end of the day. The only time I EVER recommend waterproof mascara is for brides that are likely to cry. - Absolute Spa director Jai Harvey-Yin.
SKINCARE
In the lead-up
Our recommendation would be to implement a routine skincare regime at least two to three weeks prior to your wedding to ensure the best results. This will help to give your skin a natural glow and flawless finish, perfect for your wedding photos. - research and developer director SY Koh.
It’s never too early to start preparing your skin for the big day! Avoid trying new products too close to the wedding day as skin may be over-reactive due to emotions and nerves. Glycolic treatments are recommended to refine, brighten, deeply cleanse and give clarity to the skin. Introduce a mask once per week. - Dr. LeWinn's national training manager Kerrie Moore.
Start early! Ideally, begin six months prior to the wedding to get your skin in tip-top shape. Exfoliate and hydrate - it’s the quickest way to fresher, dewier skin. It’s especially important to protect your skin using an SPF 30 or 50 daily. - national skincare trainer Iola Ciavarra.
In much the same way that you plan your wedding, ensuring you have the best skin possible on the day takes planning. There are three main skincare tips I have for brides. 1) Have a consultation 4-6 months out with a medical skincare expert, especially if you are prone to problem skin. The last thing you want is breakouts on the day. 2) Look at resurfacing treatments and light fractionated lasers such as Clear + Brilliant for the two months prior to the day. This will ensure your skin is glowing and your make-up looks flawless. 3) No big or untried treatments in the two weeks prior. - spokesperson and Clear Complexions CEO Suzie Hoitink.
Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water, wear a serum each day under your moisturiser, and apply a night cream before bed. This will help to ensure your skin looks plump, healthy and glowing on the big day. - founder Nicole Chadwick.
Exfoliate twice weekly to slough away dull skin and reveal your best complexion on the wedding day. But don’t over-exfoliate – it will stimulate excess sebum production and irritate the skin. - Red Earth brand manager Emily Alonzo.
We always recommend four to six professional enzyme treatments to exfoliate the old dead skin cells away, improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, and enhance collagen production so the skin has that really youthful glow for the special day. We also always recommend getting on a good home care regime tailored specifically to your skin. - head of education Debbie Dickson.
Give your skin an energy boost. All that organising (and the inevitable stress) can take its toll on your skin. Look to use a product that recharges your skin to ensure it has the energy to function at its optimum even when you feel flat. Take a little bit of time each day to develop a good routine. It will mean your skin looks its absolute best on the day and beyond. - national training and promotions manager Belinda Besant.
See an expert skincare therapist and work out a plan in the lead-up. I generally recommend a course of treatments which will not only help to manage stress levels (and those pesky breakouts which come as a result of that) but will also optimise hydration, firmness and general health of the skin so you have a flawless canvas for that day. Don't change anything too close to the wedding day – remember the skin cycle is around 28 days, so if something goes wrong in terms of an allergic reaction, it may take a full skin cycle to get back to normal. - Absolute Spa director Jai Harvey-Yin.
The night before
On the night before the wedding, be sure to stay hydrated. This will keep your skin looking plump while enhancing your natural glow. Before bed, apply a hydrating moisturising cream to your face to maintain the balance between moisture and oil on the skin. With your wedding make-up expected to last all day and night, moisturising the night prior will also help to prime the skin for make-up application. - RACINNE research and developer director SY Koh.
The most important thing you can do is keep the skin calm and hydrated and not to try anything new the night before. Even a well-intended soothing masque could cause a skin reaction if you’ve never used that particular product before. Just stick to the basics of your routine and ensure your skin is clean and nourished. Make sure your pillowcase is fresh and your sleep “space” is cool and quiet to ensure a good rest. A great night’s sleep will work wonders for the appearance of your skin on the big day. - Obagi Medical national skincare trainer Iola Ciavarra.
Perform a very gentle exfoliation followed by a good hydrating masque that will soothe and calm the skin as well as making it look really dewy and plump. - DMK head of education Debbie Dickson.
Don’t change your routine at the last minute. To enhance your skincare routine the night before, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep so you wake up looking and feeling refreshed. - La Prairie national training and promotions manager Belinda Besant.
This is not the time to do something new. Even a facial could be a BIG mistake as you just never know how your skin is going to react. Steer clear of alcohol the night before and don’t fall asleep in your make-up - clogged pores and puffy eyes in the morning won’t be pretty! Be sure to go to bed wearing an emollient skin smoothing balm so you wake up with smooth lips and not chapped ones. - founder Paula Begoun.
On the day
It’s essential to follow your normal morning skin routine of cleansing, toning and moisturising to keep your skin in good stead for the day ahead. Also, keep application of your individual products on the lighter side. This way, your make-up is less likely to slide off. If you’re using a primer under make-up, be sure to apply it just prior to make-up application. - Obagi Medical national skincare trainer Iola Ciavarra.
Look for a moisturiser that contains hyaluronic acid to help your skin maintain water through the day. For oily skin types, look for products that contain oil absorbers to control excess shine. Coast to Coast founder Nicole Chadwick.
It’s a good idea to take a mist with you to set make-up, replenish moisture levels and continually balance your skin throughout the day. - Red Earth brand manager Emily Alonzo.
Make sure you moisturise no less than 30 minutes prior to the make-up artist arriving. That way, your skin can absorb the cream, and you will get a more lasting flawless foundation application – apply too soon before and it may slip from your skin, causing a barrier and the make-up won't last. - Absolute Spa director Jai Harvey-Yin.
HAIR
Once you have decided on that special date, then your crowning glory needs to be in top condition! Visit your professional hairstylist and work a plan back from the wedding day so your ends are in top shape, your colour is fresh and the condition is being cared for with your home haircare program. Get a tidy up every six/eight weeks and your strands will grow faster than ever (it’s better to maintain the length up until your trial so you have more to work with if needed.) - hair specialist and guest artist Paula Hibbard.
Wake in time to have a relaxing shower or bath before stylist arrives (don't wet your hair). Give your hair a good brush. Have a hair emergency kit of bobby pins and 50g Granite lacquer spray. - De Lorenzo hair specialist and guest artist Paula Hibbard.
Do a trial a couple of weeks prior and take pictures. If you get home and are unsure about your ‘do, have another trial. Hairdressers would rather get the trial right and know you’re not a neurotic nightmare, than deal with a meltdown on the big day! Make sure you show the hairdresser what your dress looks like – we need to know to ensure the hairstyle you have both decided on will go with the dress. - Lady Jayne spokesperson and hair stylist Clive Allwright.
[The night before] don’t go putting any treatments in your hair - your hair won’t be doing anything special the next day as it will be too soft. If you are having your hair put up, wash and condition your hair the morning prior or around lunchtime the day before, then dry your hair depending on the style. It's best not to wash your hair the day of the wedding if you’re wearing it out. Your hair will be very slippery and will need extra products to enhance the body. - Lady Jayne spokesperson and hair stylist Clive Allwright.
[On the day] remember not every hair on your head will be exactly like it was on the trial. Your hairstyle will change slightly - 99 per cent of the time it will look better than the trial because the hairdresser has had more time for planning your ‘do. - Lady Jayne spokesperson and hair stylist Clive Allwright.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:
The Porefessional
Oil Control Mattifier, Firm & Lift Facial
Lash Primer, Amplified Mascara, Liquid Eyeliner Pen
Original
Coastal Lightweight Moisture Lotion, Coastal Ultra Soothing Cleansing Oil, Cellular Recovery Smoothing Serum, Supercharge Serum, Skin Illuminating Cleansing Water, Lightweight Mattifying Lotion
Quick Dry Drops
Luxe Leave in Mask
Equilibrium Masque Treatment, Oil Balance, Novafusion, Defence Thermal Extinguish Heat Protection Spray
ACU-THERM, EFA ULTRA, Micro, Hydrating Masque, Deep Pore Pure Cleanser, Betagel Serum, Biogen C Crème, Herb and Mineral Mist, Soliel Defence 50+ Sunscreen, Crème Glaze A
Soothing Intensive Treatment, Lavender Sandalwood Calming Body Cream, Lip Care Stick
Dr. LeWinn's Reversaderm treatment, Ultra R4 Recovery Mask, Line Smoothing High Potency Treatment Mask, Line Smoothing S8 Hydrating Day Cream, Instant Radiance Beauty, Skin Perfect Illuminiser
The Brides Glove
GLAM by Manicare Gisele Lash
Professional “Ready to Wear’ g10 (DHA 10%), Tanning Mousse, Shimmer Instant Illuminser
Cellular Power Infusion, Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask
Lady Jayne Bobby Pins - Contoured
Gradual Tan
Eye Mask
Endless Performance Créme-to-Powder Foundation
Clear Eyes by Murine® Wipes
Huile Prodigieuse
Nu-Derm Exoderm
Olay Regenerist Luminous Brightening Cream Cleanser, Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Treatment, Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream
Go
3D White LUXE Glamorous White Toothpaste
Clinical Instant Calm Advanced Redness Relief, Hydralight Healthy Skin Refreshing Toner
Natural Look Lashes, Curl Wonder Lash Curler
Ultimate Hydra Perfection Gentle Refining Scrub, Ultimate Hydra Perfection Eye Care Cream, Ultimate Hydra Perfection illuminating cream
Gentle Perfecting Exfoliant, PM Recovery Cream, Instant Revival Mist, Antioxidant Cleansing Water, Shade Play Silk Finish Eye Colour, Colour Flash Radiance Blush, Face Time Long Wear Foundation SPF 18, Prime Perfection Makeup Base, Perfect Touch Pressed Setting Powder, Pure Colour Pigment Rich Lipstick
Illuminating Eye Primer, Liquid Foundation, Cosmetics Volume Mascara, Cosmetics ‘Unite’ Lipstick
Clear Polybands, No Slip Grip Bobby Pins
The Makeup Finishing Spray - Bridal
Manic Mani Nail Clipper with Mini Nail Shaper
Lip Balm
