Wedding Makeup Secrets
by Elke Von Freudenberg, Celebrity Makeup
Artist Visit site
On that special wedding day, every bride wants to
look her very best and be at her most beautiful, but presenting your best face
can be a little daunting. How do you make sure your wedding makeup stays on all
day, looking flawless in your wedding photos, and manage to make you feel like a
model, but still look like you?
I spent years doing wedding makeup early on in my career when I worked as a
makeup artist in the beauty salon. I also did photo shoots and advertising on
the side for top magazines, and I realized that the best wedding makeup was
actually the same makeup tips and tricks that I used on top models for their
photo shoot. The dynamics are the same, whether it be a wedding, or a top photo
shoot. Pictures are being taken. It must stay on all day. The model/ bride
wants to look beautiful, yet real.
Are you having a makeup artist do your makeup? Here are some tips that will
help you make sure that you get the look you want:
1. A lot of time and detail went into choosing your dress, ring, flowers, and
even your hairstyle. Don't let your makeup take a backseat. Take the time to
go through magazines and pull out makeup styles that you really like, even tear
out the ones you really hate. It could be how a certain feature is played up,
or that great lipstick color, or how the skin glows, or even how they used way
too much eyeliner. All this is easy to say and show to a makeup artist, like
me, with pictures. It helps tremendously to show your desires by pictures rather
than endlessly describing it. This helps me immensely in seeing what you like
and don't like. Remember, our mental ideas of pink lipstick could be completely
different. There is a lot of truth in the adage that says "a picture is worth a
thousand words". It really gives me a lot more information with a visual sense.
2. To save some wear and tear on your nerves on that big day, by all means,
schedule a consultation, or even better, a complete makeup application before
the big day with your makeup artist. Plan it for the rehearsal dinner, or a
special evening out alone with your groom, or a get together with all the
bridesmaids. Don't overlook this very important step because this way you can
see if you like your makeup artist's style.
Things to bring to your consultation appointment:
*tear sheets from magazines, of makeup you like and don't like.
*A picture of your wedding dress (a Polaroid will do). This gives me a great
idea of the style of the dress and the wedding. Is it romantic? Dramatic?
Elegant? This gives me an idea of your style.
*The shade of lipstick that you1d like to wear. If I don't have it, using yours
is no problem. This is also a great test to see how long your lipstick will last
during the evening.
*Your favorite waterproof mascara. I highly recommend using your tried and true
mascara, and yes, waterproof. You just might be shedding tears of joy. If it's
your brand, I don1t have to worry about watery eyes, redness, allergies, etc.
Remember, your makeup run-through is the time to play, try different ideas,
colors, etc. Don't be afraid to say you don't like something. Makeup is easy
to take off and reapply. Once you have your look down, make sure the makeup
artist writes everything out, and notes makeup items you may not have that
you'll needing for that day. And don't forget, if your makeup rehearsal is set
for a romantic dinner with your groom, have the makeup artist change the
lipstick or eye makeup a little so your groom can't tell you are wearing the
same thing for your wedding day. We wouldn't want him seeing the same look
twice.
Are you planning on doing your makeup yourself? Here are some great tips and
tricks that I use in photo shoots that you can easily incorporate into your look
to make it last all day.
1. Make sure your foundation is an absolute perfect match. Color blend along
the side of the jaw and blend in 2-3 strokes. Is it gone? It should be. If not,
or you find yourself blending forever, you have the wrong shade. It's not that
it blends in, but how fast. I can make any shade blend in if I blended it long
enough.
2. For under eye circles, the easiest way to lighten them is with an opposite
color applied on top first. If your darkness is gray, lightly brush a soft pink
eye shadow on clean skin first, and then apply your foundation. If the darkness
is more blue, try a matte light peach shadow. You'll find yourself using much
less concealer and foundation.
3. Using concealer is easier when you have the perfect shade. Don't go 1-2
shades lighter than your skin, as this actually makes the darkness appear more
gray and muddy. Mix your concealer shade with a drop of your foundation and
then apply. You want your skin tone to appear one even shade.
3. To keep foundation and concealer on all day, take a Kleenex folded into
squares, and lightly press into the foundation before you've powdered. This
removes excess oils from the foundation and leaves pure pigment on the skin. If
you find this removes too much foundation, then apply a little more than you
think you need, and then press. You'll find that foundation stays on hours
longer.
4. Lightly brush on loose powder with a large brush to set. This is not the time
to press powder into the skin with a powder puff. This actually can make your
skin look and get shinier quicker.
5. Apply your blush next. Find a blush brush that is the size of the apple of
your cheek for a perfect application. Pick up your color and tap onto the
apples of the cheeks, slowly blending back towards the temple. When you have
enough on, take a clean makeup sponge and blend. This one step makes your
blush look real, rather than just sitting on the surface of your skin. Also, by
applying blush first, if you look great with just your blush on, you have the
right amount. If it looks too bright or harsh, lighten it up.
6. Do your lips next. To last all day, powder lips first, then apply your lip
pencil filling in the entire lip. Don't worry too much about the outline of the
mouth. Then, apply your lipstick shade, blot, powder, and apply again. By
blotting and powdering, you are actually removing the excess wax in the lipstick
that causes it to bleed. Once finished, then apply a light coat of lip gloss if
desired in the middle of the bottom lip.
7. Brush and fill in eyebrows if needed with a shade that's 1-2 shades lighter
than your eyebrow hairs. Too dark, and you can start looking a little harsh.
Brush through with a toothbrush afterwards for a more natural look.
8. Last but not least, your eyes. A soft shimmering cream or white is beautiful
on the brow bone, and the inner corners of the eyes, both above and below the
lashes. This wakes up the eyes and creates a beautiful highlight. To make eyes
appear larger, apply a sand or taupe in the crease of the eye. Blend so that
the shadow fades well. Keep the eyes looking neutral, while the colors
emphasize the cheeks and lips. Make the most dramatic part of the eye your
lashes and eyeliner as this looks the best in pictures. Take a black or brown
pencil and line the lashes on the outer 1/2 or 1/4 of the eye. Blend with a
Q-tip. Then, take your mascara and a eyeliner brush, and lightly line the eye
with your mascara. Once it's dried, smudge again, and you1ll find that your
eyeliner will stay on forever. If your mascara is waterproof, that's even
better. And remember to curl your lashes before, not after mascara.
9. If you're applying false eyelashes, single eyelashes are the most natural
looking. An easy way to apply them is to apply one coat of mascara, let dry.
Apply a dot of glue on the tip of the lash and along the length. This is
actually the part that anchors to your lashes. Then, take your tweezers,
looking down, and place 2-3 single lashes on the outer 1/4 of the eye. Let the
glue dry, and then another coat of mascara to seal the lashes together. False
eyelashes go a long way in making your eyes dramatic and the focus of the face.
10. Finishing Touches: When you're done with your look, you may want to apply a
little more blush, and then finish with a final brush of loose powder. Make sure
everything is blended well. If you feel like you have a lot of makeup on,
lightly mist with a soft spray of water to set. This will take away the feeling
of makeup on your skin and also helps to set the makeup. If you want your skin
to glow, lightly brush on a soft shimmering eye shadow or the new shimmer loose
powders. To avoid over doing it, just dust across the tops of the cheekbones
and collar bones. For a more over-all glow, you can even go across the forehead
and chin.
You want to look beautiful, glowing, soft and romantic. Remember, this moment
only happens once in a lifetime.
--Elke Von Freudenberg works in Los Angeles and New York as a top Celebrity and
Editorial Makeup Artist. She also offers her beauty services as a wedding and
special event makeup artist in Los Angeles, CA. http://www.makeup.gq.nu
Officiant - Officiate - Reverend -
Reverand - Minister - Celebrant
-
Pastor - New Jersey Wedding Officiant - Presiding over New Jersey
Wedding Ceremonies
*Please note that New Jersey
no longer has a "Justice of the Peace" position. The position was
eliminated many years ago.
