Wedding Day Make Up Tips From A Bridal Make Up Specialist

Hello lovelies,

I've moved my Beauty School posts over to Saturdays (instead of Sundays) because then I figure you've got the whole of the weekend to peruse beauty counters if you're feeling inspired!

And inspired you will be after reading talented and experienced make up artist Ana Ospina‘s top tips on bridal beauty. Over to you Ana…

So you are getting wed and you are probably thinking Yikes! Make-up! What to do?!

Whether you are doing your own make-up, getting your make-up done by a friend or by a professional make-up artist like me I have a few pointers, hints and tricks to share to ensure your big day make up looks picture perfect. After all, months of hard work go into getting every detail perfect for your wedding, then the day comes and goes so quickly. All you are left with, other than great memories, are your photos to reminisce over how lovely you looked as the “Blushing Bride”.

With over 20 Years experience as a make-up artist I have come across most bridal and post bridal scenarios where brides have told me that they regretted the choices they made when it came to their make-up. Further into my discussion with said brides I discover they fit into 3 groups: the ‘DIY bride', the ‘my friend is good at make-up bride' or the ‘I’ll book an artist for the day-with no thought as to who that might be bride'.

With this in mind I have a few suggestions that hopefully may help you to achieve your desired bridal look:

~ If you are a DIYer or a friend doing make-up for the bride, are you experienced in bridal make-up application?

If the answer is ‘yes' then fantastic, there is no need for assistance. However if the answer is ‘no', you may need a bridal trial/lesson to address any issues and receive tips on application and which products to use. A long lasting softly applied but clearly defined bridal look is actually far from easy when you have to consider different skin types and what products would best suit it on top of creating your signature look.

~Do you have all the products/tools needed to create your look at your disposal?

This includes the right skin care, primers, foundations, concealers and powders to create a flawless complexion and on top of that your colour options in shadows, blushers and lip colours. Plus the professional brushes, eyelash curlers and false lashes etc to complete your desired look. These can add up to a few hundred pounds but are products that a reputable make-up artist should have in their kit.

~ Do you know how to blend, contour and highlight the face to create a beautiful yet natural bridal make-up application that will look fantastic in pictures for both colour and black and white photography and even HD filming?

If you are using a make-up artist, have you had a trial? This is your opportunity to go through all your ideas including colours, themes, style and time of year when your wedding will take place as these are key when discussing your look as well as the usual analyzing skin type and your colourings (hair/eyes/skin tone).

~ Make sure you view examples of your chosen make-up artists work by way of their website, portfolio, or even editorially and ensure your artist is insured by Babtac (in the UK) or other industry approved insurance to carry out the work they say.

~ If you know of anyone recently married see if they can recommend their artist and if they were happy with the experience, skill and calming personality demonstrated on their wedding day as these are key in ensuring you are kept a happy bride.

~ A natural make-up look is different to a bridal look in the sense that you have to add a little more than usual in all areas but know how to blend in order to get a flawless complexion.  Most brides wear a pale gown that can be draining if the right choices aren’t made to add that bridal glow to your skin.

How gorgeous are those bridal make up looks? Thanks so much to Ana for stopping by and sharing her top bridal make up tips and her work. I had the pleasure of meeting Ana in person, recently ~ she is really lovely and so passionate about bridal beauty too!

A Little More About Ana

Ana Ospina is a highly experienced freelance make-up artist having worked on shows such as Dancing on Ice, Live at the Apollo and Comic Relief does Fame Academy she has also worked in Fashion, Editorial and Advertising and also a specialist in airbrush bridal and special occasion make-up and is London based but travels the UK for her Brides and Clients.

For information and examples of work visit her website call 07919 410974 or see her Facebook Make-Up page.