Q&A Beauty Look and feel your big-day best with help from the professionals LIGHTEN UP The dark circles under my eyes always bother me and I never have managed to hide them to my satisfaction. My wedding day is the time to solve this! What can you recommend? Emese Csoma from My Beloved Makeup (http://mybelovedmakeup.com) says: First, we need to get to the bottom of what causes the dark under eye circles. It could be genetics, lack of sleep, diet, medication, or illness for example. Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can treat accordingly. Fair skin tones contain less melanin, which means the thin skin in the under-eye area is naturally more transparent, making you more genetically prone to dark circles. In this case, all you can do is cover them up. Use a yellow undertone concealer for purple, or an orange undertone for blue under-eye circles to cancel out the discolouration. Darker skin tones tend to have hyper-pigmentation in certain areas of the body, including under the eyes. Here, because the cause is the excess melanin, use a brightening eye cream and SPF to solve the problem. Some people simply don’t get enough sleep, which can cause those annoying under-eye circles. The solution, of course, is more sleep if at all possible. Until then, get out those concealers! Hardly anyone drinks enough water, so I recommend investing in the most beautiful water bottle you can dream of, preferably an expensive one that’s painful to pay for, so you’d feel bad about not using it. It works like magic! Consuming too much caffeine and alcohol can also be the cause of this particular woe, so best not to exceed the recommended daily amount or switch to decaf. Some medications and illnesses can also be the root cause. Either directly, when it’s a side effect or indirectly when it causes insomnia. Certain eye products can help by increasing the circulation, just be careful if you have sensitive skin or eyes. Finally, please have reasonable expectations. Weeks of sleep deprivation can’t be made up with one good night’s sleep, or years of not drinking enough water by drinking more for a couple of weeks. Cosmetic products also need to be used every day, the key is consistency and discipline. But not to worry, on your wedding day we’ll be there to look after you, and those under eye circles if needed, making sure you look your best and feel confident. GLOW UP What make-up tips can you offer for my more mature skin? I’m a bride in my 50s and would love to have that fresh glowing look! Make-up artist Ellie Collins (www.facebook.com/elliecollinsmakeup) says: I absolutely love creating fresh glowing skin and it can work with so many different skin types! To all of my brides with more mature skin, I always recommend a more lightweight foundation. MAC Face and Body is my go-to. It leaves a beautiful dewy finish perfect for brides. When it comes to bridal make-up ensure your foundation or base doesn’t have any SPF as this can cause flashback in professional photos. Plus, don’t forget about skin prep, ensure you’re using a good skincare routine in the lead up to your special day. A pore-filling or tightening cream also works a treat as a base. It’s also important to remember less can be more with regards your make-up look. Being too heavy with products can create a cakey affect and will enhance any fine lines. A professional make-up artist will find the perfect balance for your skin and needs in order to create a beautiful glowy base with coverage in all the right areas. 86
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