The Perfect Wedding Day Makeup Tips | Beauty Barn, Heage
As a wedding photographer, I spend an unusually high proportion of my weekend mornings photographing brides and bridesmaids having their hair styled and their makeup professionally applied, and yet I’m still completely at a loss as to how it is actually done! Honestly, I must have seen hundreds of brides have their hair put up, but I can GUARANTEE you that no-one in their right mind would want me to have a go. Not even for a bet. I still struggle to put my daughters’ hair into a convincing ponytail.
As for makeup? Well, I truly wouldn’t know where to begin. Again, I’ve seen it done so many times that I SHOULD be an expert, but then that’s because true experts make it all look so easy. The reality – under pressure on the biggest day of a person’s life – is very different.
In this week’s Supplier Spotlight, I’ve asked Lucy from the Beauty Barn in Heage to give you her top tips on choosing a Makeup Artist (MUA) and preparing for the big day. I worked with Lucy recently at a wedding and I was so impressed by her calm, professional and friendly approach: it really put everyone at ease.
I have been helping brides get ready for their big day for just over 4 years now; I absolutely love everything about working with brides on the lead up to and on the morning of their wedding. I was lucky enough to be a part of the makeup team who won ‘Salon Based Makeup Specialist of the Year’ at the English Wedding Awards in 2017. I now enjoy working at local venues and even at brides’ homes on the day and have travelled all over Derbyshire and even into Chesterfield, Nottingham and Staffordshire.
Here are some of my top tips for the perfect makeup application on your wedding day:
One: Choose the right makeup artist for YOU
This could be down to a recommendation, products used or their location. It’s always good to ask them for examples of their work; usually, a little Instagram searching can help you to find some recent work. Email them with ideas of what sort of a look you may like or ask to see them for a chat.
Two: Check out the products they use
What kind of look do you want? Full coverage or lightweight? Matte or dewy? Glam or natural? These factors are all down to the products used. I am lucky enough to work with Airbase Makeup where the foundation, blusher, bronzer and contour is actually sprayed on using an airbrush gun. It gives you the ability to build up the base to give a flawless finish whilst still being lightweight; it lasts about 18 hours; is water resistant and is perfect for every skin type. Everything else is done in the traditional way so you could have light, smokey eyes with a bold red lip or a glam eye with softer lips – the possibilities are endless!
Three: Put your MUA on trial
A trial is a perfect chance to make sure that you are completely happy with the makeup artist you have chosen. A good time to have a trial is when you’ve got a hair trial and a dress fitting on the same day so you can see the whole look together. Just prior to your engagement or pre-wedding shoot is a great idea too, or even your hen do. Any excuse to make the most of professional expertise, because the makeup won’t go to waste and you can really see how the look lasts over several hours.
Four: Look after your skin
Stick to a good skincare routine in the weeks and months leading up to your big day. Your makeup artist may not do other beauty treatments but they should be able to recommend someone who does specialise in skincare. This includes going for monthly facials, sticking to a good routine at home, and drinking plenty of water (this is my top tip!). If your skin is not hydrated under your makeup you will struggle to get that bright-eyed, dewy makeup look. This is the most simple thing you can do but it makes the most difference.
Five: More than just an artist
They may do the best makeup in the world but if they don’t keep you calm and relaxed while you’re in their hot seat on one of the biggest days of your life, you may start the day stressed and won’t look back on your getting ready process as a positive experience. Also, be honest with them – if there’s something you’re not quite sure about, whether it be the actual makeup, the timings or the order of people getting their makeup done – just ask! Sometimes there’s a method to their madness and generally, they’ll have done lots of weddings before yours so they should know what’s best and why.
You can find out more and get in touch with Lucy at The Beauty Barn by visiting their Facebook page here: The Beauty Barn.
