Occasionally I have a bride and her bridesmaids opt to do their own make-up. A good make up artist is worth the expense. You spend a small fortune on the gown and the accessories. This is the one day you want to look absolutely fantastic. Quality make-up applied by a professional will have you looking like a super star. You want to shine on your wedding day but that doesn’t mean a bright shiny face which is the result of not using a great make-up artist. Your photographer should be able to give you the names of those she knows will do a great job. It helps make her job easier and she can capture many images of you at your glowing best.

It may be tempting for you to have your make-up done last so that you are fresh when you depart for the ceremony. This is fine if you are not having photographs at this time. However if you do have the photographer coming to photograph the preparations and to do bridal and family images before the ceremony then it is wise to discuss times with her. In this instance it is best that you are made up first (and also your hair is done) so that you are in the gown by the time the photographer arrives. The bride is usually in most of the images so valuable time is wasted if there is a considerable wait for her to be ready. If you are having lingerie shots you won’t need to be in the gown but you will still need to have your hair and make-up finished. Whilst on the subject of lingerie shots. If you are doing this then wear a robe prior to this shoot. You don’t want unsightly underwear marks on your skin.

Another make-up tip is to avoid glitter. Some girls like to have it on their face, on their decollage or in their hair. Glitter will sparkle in sunlight or flash light. You will look as if you have dandruff , as will anyone you hug – especially the groom in his black suit.

And please don’t tan in the days leading up to the wedding. Unsightly bather marks are hard to hide with make-up and it is a difficult task for the photographer to edit in the photographs and will probably result in additional editing costs. If you decide on a fake tan have it done professionally a few days before the wedding.  I have had instances where the tan was done the day before the wedding and resulted in tan solution staining the dress. Iwould advise a trial as that bright orange look is not very pretty. Unless you are naturally olive or dark skinned a lighter skin tone is a better choice than an overly tanned one.