Make sure your customers say ‘I do’ to our top wedding beauty tips
Do you promise to start pampering your skin at least six weeks before the big day?
Regular exfoliation six weeks prior to the big day, and applying weekly intensive masks are essential, says Emma Schulz, education manager at Darphin: “Regular exfoliation will maximise the results of your products, as it will eliminate dead skin cells to allow deeper penetration. A weekly mask to hydrate, brighten or purify the skin will also step up the activity of your homecare products.” Your customer should choose a mask that suits their requirements, so a clay mask will be better suited to someone who has excessively oily skin, while a rich, creamy formula will be better suited to dry skin.
Do you promise to care for your skin on a daily basis?
Wedding planning and stresses can make skin look tired and dull, which is why it’s important to give it a little pamper every day. “Regular cleansing and exfoliating will keep the pores clean and provide the perfect base for your make up on the day,” says Emma Schulz. She adds: “Serums and moisturisers will keep your skin looking fresh, young, bright and healthy, while treating your skin type.” It’s also important not to experiment with different products too close to the big day, in case your customers’ skin doesn’t like them. Chopping and changing products can lead to irritation and breakouts.
Do you promise not to fake tan the day before the big day?
Fake tanning the night before the wedding should be avoided at all costs. Instead apply it three days before the wedding, so it has time to settle into skin and will look more natural on the day. What your customer also wants to avoid is a patchy tan, so make sure they exfoliate and moisturise dry areas thoroughly before application, and then moisturise thoroughly after application to keep it from fading patchily. Emma Schulz advises against applying too much fake tan before the wedding application itself: “I would avoid using too much self tan before your big day. It is always advisable to have a healthy glow so you do not look lost in your dress. However applying too much tan can produce a build up of tan and dry flaky dead skin cells. This makes it difficult to apply an even, fresh application prior to the big day.”
Do you promise to leave enough time to experiment with make up before deciding on a look for the day?
Whether the bride-to-be is doing her make up herself or using a make up artist, it’s important she is completely happy with her look and that the products she’s using will flatter her and not cause irritation. International make up artist and creator of Laura Mercier Cosmetics, Laura Mercier, says the most important thing is to take your time when experimenting. She says: “It’s great to experiment with make up, and see different textures and colours as they appear on the skin.” But she advises against trying anything too drastic: “Do not try to create an entirely different look just for your wedding day – instead try subtle variations of your day-to-day look. It is important that you feel comfortable on the day and still look like yourself,” she says.
Do you promise to spend enough time perfecting your make up base, in order to help the look last all day?
Hannah Martin, Bobbi Brown, says: “Keeping wedding make up set is super important. To keep base make up in place be sure to use the best primer for your skin type. If you have dry skin, layer hydrating products to prevent skin drinking your make up, like Extra Repair Serum, Hydrating Face Cream and a little extra balm blended into any stubborn dry areas. If your skin is more oily and you use an emollient based primer it may cause your foundation to slide – an option like Oil Control Lotion down the T-zone and hydrating gel cream over the cheeks would be much more suitable. An oil free setting powder is a must to keep foundation in place. It doesn’t necessarily need to make your make up completely matt but a little powder through the T-zone will work wonders for keeping base make up in place.”
Do you promise to make sure your make up kit is fully prepared for both application and top ups throughout the day?
There are a number of products that are essential to all wedding day looks; primer, setting powder, longwear eyeliners and eyeshadows – and the all-important waterproof mascara, says Hannah Martin: “Waterproof mascara is a wedding kit essential – not just for teary brides but for long wear and to avoid smudging. A bright ‘pop’ of blush colour is key to keeping even the weariest of brides looking fresh, and a little lip balm will keep lips hydrated and kissable. The key products for touch ups are foundation stick, powder, blush and lip balm.”
Do you promise to treat hair to one intensive hair treatment a week for at least one month before the big day?
An intensive moisture hit once a week will do hair the world of good, maintaining shine, reducing frizz and preventing the appearance of split ends. Ben Randle, head stylist and product director for Umberto Giannini, says: “Weekly treatments are the way forward – give your hair a moisture boost with a conditioning mask like the Umberto Giannini Beauty Secrets Indulgent Beauty Moisture Mask. It contains shea butters to give dry and damaged hair the deep treatment it needs.”
Do you promise not to wash your hair on the morning of the wedding?
Hairdresser Lee Stafford says: “Wash your hair the day before your wedding day. Newly washed hair is harder to work with and style, especially if you will be wearing it up. Grips and pins will stay put better in hair that isn’t squeaky clean.”
Do you promise to consider the hair trends for weddings in 2012 before deciding on a style?
The last few years have seen a rise in the number of people wanting loose, boho do’s at their weddings, and there’s no change for 2012. Lee Stafford says: “The big hair trend this season is all about the classic loose wave draped to one side with a statement accessory such as a pretty hair band or pearly pins. Adding a statement accessory will really add the finishing touches to your bridal hair…as they say, ‘the devil’s in the detail’. Make sure to add volume at the roots to soften the wavy look.”
Grooming Guru
Richard Sawyer, international education director for Lab Series Skincare for Men, shares his beauty tips for grooms on their big day • Keep the skin clean and dirt free in the build up to the wedding, to reduce the build up of dirt and pollution that can leave skin dull and aggregate blocked and congested skin. • Keep skin hydrated. Don’t just settle for lip balm; your whole face needs moisture. • Use Lab Series Invigorating Face Scrub a couple of days before the big day to slough off dead skin cells for a healthy, even complexion. • Do not shave in a hurry as it can leave skin blotchy and sore. If irritation does occur, use Lab Series for Men Razor Burn Relief, which will eliminate redness, turbo charge the healing process, and hydrate and repair the beard area. • On the day, start by sweeping Lab Series Oil Control Solution over the most oily areas of the face – this will unclog the pores and clear away excess oil. Follow with Lab Series Skin Revitalizer Lotion, which will instantly hydrate the skin, absorb excess oil and minimise the appearance of pores for a softer, smoother look.
Wedding SOS
Bobbi Brown make up artist, Hannah Martin, reveals her top troublesome skin tips
Spot solutions “It’s best to not pick at the spot – it’s far easier to conceal a lump than it is to conceal a scab. Use a concealer that matches your skin tone and dab it over the area. Always remember to conceal a larger surface area than the blemish so you don’t see a patch of concealer. Dab powder on top of the concealer to lock it in place. Repeat as many times as you need until you achieve complete coverage.” Rosacea rescue “Rosacea can be easily concealed with yellow based, skin tone correct foundation. A pink based foundation will make the skin look pale pink, as will a foundation that may be too light. You may need to try a foundation a little darker than the colour of the skin that isn’t suffering from high colour to ensure the foundation covering the rosacea doesn’t look pink. If you can still see a little high colour coming through the foundation then apply a little touch up stick on top.” Dry skin sorted “Dry skin is best combated with hydrating primers and foundation formulas but a great trick to fix dry skin quick is Bobbi Brown’s Soothing Balm. It’s a clear balm that when warmed between fingers and pressed over dry skin, soothes and hydrates it in a way that means the appearance of dry skin disappears. The great news is it can be used underneath and on top of make up.”