Your Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Wedding- June/July 2020 (Issue 21)

81 EXPERT ADVICE Q&A Beauty Our experts solve your problems CONTACT OUR EXPERT Tracey Curnock | Freelance hair & make-up artist | 07702 239 170 | www.traceymakeup.co.uk BLUSHING BRIDE How do I ensure that my make-up lasts the entire day and evening at my late summer wedding? We are having an outdoor ceremony followed by a garden party. Tracey says: No matter how much interest in make-up you have, you don’t want to wait until the special day to decide what your bridal look will be. You can practice applying products yourself beforehand, or, if you’re using a professional make-up artist, you must have a trial. Perfect skin is the best canvas for your chosen products and making sure that they last which is vital for a wedding. The key is in the preparation so if you have a beauty therapist, ask them which treatments they would recommend to prepare your skin. I would suggest a couple of facials three to four weeks before the big day. These will help firm and plump up your skin, and illuminate your complexion. Alternatively, if your budget doesn’t allow this then exfoliation is essential to prepping it for any make-up application. The smoother the skin, the more evenly products can be applied, allowing them to last longer. The next step is to use a moisturiser that won’t dry your skin or make it oily either. Always use a good brand with an SPF 30 minimum. Have you noticed when wearing make-up that it starts to collect into fine lines? A quality primer seals the moisturiser and provides a smooth, even surface for make-up. It also prevents it from being absorbed, giving it greater staying power. A primer will serve as a temporary corrector, filling in enlarged pores, as well as smoothing fine lines. The different textures of primer will also help to prepare your skin. For oily types, choose a mattifying one that will help to diminish excess shine. If your skin is dry and dull, select an illuminating primer to give the skin an instant, radiant base. While you need to remember to apply foundation to the t-zone, use a minimal application of concealer under your eyes to help with any bags and dark shadows. It’s worth a visit to a beauty counter to ask for expert help in finding a foundation that’s right for your skin type and one that creates a natural look. Always try a couple of colours and check the shade on your jaw line. It’s worth heading outside into the natural light to take a look. Make sure you don’t use a foundation with an SPF because they can highlight your skin which will show up in photographs. Always seal your make-up with powder to help it stay in place. I always recommend a transparent loose powder that’s suitable for all skin colours. The phrase less is more is my tip and it applies to everything, from skincare to make-up. It’s better to add product gradually than having to remove it and remember that items containing an SPF, sparkly products and highlighters bounce off the camera lense which doesn’t look good in photographs. While you might be tempted to use more powder throughout the day, you should never reapply it. I always suggest using blotting sheets that absorb oil. They won’t disturb your make-up, they simply erase the oil and perspiration for a shine-free finish. In addition to making sure that your make-up lasts, you want it to look flawless in your photographs whether these are taken as your wedding starts or as the disco lights come on! Eyebrows shape your face so if you already have natural, full, perfectly shaped brows, you would only need to use a small amount of clear mascara to keep them tidy. If you haven’t got full eyebrows, use a long-lasting brow pomade or eyeshadow and define what you have, always working with your natural shape. When using eyeshadow, pick matte neutral, subtle tones. Select three colours starting with a light one applied from the eyelid to the brow. A second colour needs to be applied just on the eyelid, and a slightly darker colour on the outer corner of the eye, making them pop. You can use either an eyeliner pencil or eyeshadow on the corner of the top and bottom of the eye which draws attention to them. Mascara needs to stay in place all day, through the tears, perspiration and heat at a summer wedding so choose a really good-quality waterproof product that will withstand all of these. A light dusting of bronzer over the cheek bones and jaw line will contour your face, giving it a more natural frame. Blusher applied to the apple of the cheeks will add a pop of colour to your natural bridal make-up. The secret for long-lasting lipstick is building up the colour. Firstly, apply concealer to your lips. Then use a lip pencil in the nearest shade to your lipstick colour to frame them. Gently enhance your cupids bow and the corners, which will give structure, then go over the top and bottom lip with the pencil, smiling as you do this, to allow your lipstick a better chance of application in the natural creases. Finally, apply your lip colour with a brush. Build it up in fine layers and then finish it off with another coat of lip pencil to set it. Make-up setting sprays are specifically designed to prevent it from moving or melting in the heat and help to ensure that you don’t have to touch it up. You can use it in between your make-up application as you’re putting each step on, to help set it. Think of it as hairspray for the face - a fine mist of setting spray should be the final step.