Perfect bridal make-up

By: Ariane Poole

FOUNDATION: One of the most important things for a bride besides the dress, is looking great on her wedding day. A flawless complexion is very important in achieving this. Whether you are a make-up wearer or not, an even complexion is important. To bring into being this you can decide foundation, tinted moisturiser or just concealer. Foundation: - even if you don't wear a foundation it's a good idea to use a light weight one to even out your complexion, photos and videos tend to show every little thing. - don't be tempted to apply a darker foundation to get a healthy glow it will look awful, opt for an all over false tan instead - keep it simple. If your complexion is fairly even, all you'll require is a little concealer applied where needed ( spots, dark circles etc. ). Otherwise decide a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser.

How to decide the right one. Choosing the right foundation is one of the hardest things. Get it right and you'll look fantastic, get it wrong and none of your make-up however good will look right. So before you get to the beauty counter, do the following that way you won't be daunted by the huge amount of products to choose from. What type of foundation is best for your skin type? Dry skin would benefit using a moisturising foundation, one that is semi-matte, one that has a dewy finish up, light reflective one or even a cream to powder foundation. Avoid oil free and powder / foundation in one. Combination skin.This skin type is very lucky because they can use any type of foundation depending on the type of look they want. Problem or oily skin. A problem skin would benefit from an oil-free foundation, some cream to powder foundations (some of the new ones are oil-free) and powder / foundation in one. They should avoid any creamy, moisturising foundations or light reflective ones. Mature skin. A hydrating foundation or light reflecting one would be appropriate for a mature skin. A cream to powder could also be good. Look for ones with a semi-matte or dewy finish off that are not too heavy. Avoid anything too heavy, opaque or matte as this can be very ageing.

Different coverages and finishes Coverage: Sheer (hardly anything, Fantastic for young near best skin), Light ( a bit more cover Brilliant for someone who just wants to even out their complexion, good for dry, combination or mature skin), Medium ( moderate cover for a slightly less than appropriate complexion, good for all skin types), Opaque ( maximum cover for those skins which need it, i.e. scars, broken veins, birth marks, most suitable skin types apart from mature and very dry). Next decide the type of finish you would like: Shiny is perfect only on youthful Flawless skin. Dewy/Moist is suitable for all skin types other than problem/oily. Demi-matte this is a Brilliant for all skin types. Matte is appropriate for problem/oily and combination skin.

At the Counter Having chosen the appropriate foundation, based on skin type, preferred finish off and coverage, you are now ready to discover the appropriate colour. To find the right colour, apply a stripe of foundation on your clean jaw line, not on the back of your hand. The colour is NEVER the same. Leave it to settle for a couple of minutes to see if the colour changes when the foundation reacts with your skins natural oils. Now check it in natural day light, this is the only true light. The foundation colour that you DON'T see is the right one. Don't be tempted to change your skin colour with foundation, it will just look false-mask like. You may find that you have to mix two foundations together to the best shade for you, don't worry Make-up Artists do this all the time.

Tips for a flawless complexion. Foundation needn't look false or mask like if applied properly. Although all foundations are slightly different, the method of application is similar. Start with a cleansed face, allow your moisturiser to absorb. Then prime your skin (If needed) Now you are ready for foundation. Place a little foundation in the palm of your hand, this helps warm it to skin temperature, so it goes easily. Using either your fingers, a latex sponge (these feel damp even though they are dry) or brush apply foundation to the cheeks, nose and chin. Always apply in a downward motion starting in the centre and blending out toward the edges. You needn't wear foundation all over your face like a mask, if the colour and texture are right then use it only where you need it (most don't need any on the forehead).

Quick Tips: Choosing the right Foundation. a) First determine your skin type, the coverage you need and the finish (matte, dewy etc.) you'd like. b) Next choose your colour, test along your jaw line wait a couple minutes for it to react with your skins natural oils. Check in day light, the one you don't see is the one for you. c) Using either a latex sponge, fingers or a foundation brush apply only to the areas that need it, since you've chosen the right one you don't need to apply it all over like a mask. And there you have it a flawless complexion. Powder: - in photos too much shine looks sweaty, even if you want a dewy look keep your t-zone mat. Use either one of the many mattifying products patted on the t-zone over foundation or some translucent powder. To make your make-up last, you could try long lasting foundation or a make-up primer.

BLUSH Let's begin with classic way. Apply your blush just slightly below your cheek bone, from the apple blending up ward towards the ear. This will give a slightly sculpted effect. Brilliant if you want bring out your cheek bones, and/or thin your face. You can also apply blush to the apple of your cheeks. To discover your apples simply smile, and put your blush on the 'roundy' bit. This gives a really fresh glow, which looks Brilliant on almost everyone.

Tips If put on too much blush don't worry, you don't have to take it all off. If it's a powder one just take a little yellow powder on a puff or brush and dust it over, this will soften it. If you've used a cream blush, get a bit of foundation or tinted moisturiser on a sponge and smooth it over the area. Now you can leave it or replace it. Add any blush a little at a time to build up the colour, that way you avoid making mistakes.

There are four different formulations of blusher. a) creams: a cream blush is just that, it has a soft creamy texture and is best applied to bare skin or one that only needs a tinted moisturiser or light weight foundation. It doesn't blend well on a skin using a matte/powdery foundation. Cream blushers will give the skin a dewy, sheer fresh look. It is Fantastic on dry, normal or combination skins. And should be avoided by oily or blemished skins. The perfect way to apply a cream is either with your fingers or a dry latex sponge. Dot the blush on the apple of your cheeks and blend along the cheek bone. b) cream to powders: these are the newest formulations of blush. They combine the sheerness of a cream with long lasting wear of a powder. This formulation seems to be the favourite with most make-up artists at the moment. If gives a soft slightly sheer semi-matte look, which is very wearable. It is easy to apply using either fingers, sponge or even blusher brush. Going on anything from bare skin to one requiring foundation and powder. It is fab for all skin types. c) powders: in the past these have been the most popular. They can offer a more matte finish, although some may contain shimmer. They tend to be longer lasting. Powder blush is suitable for most skin types, especially oily skins. Though really dry/flaky skins should avoid powder blush as it can sit on the surface and make the skin look parched. Some find powders easier to apply and blend. They should always be applied to a matte or semi-matte skin using a proper blusher brush otherwise it will look blotchy. d) gels/stains: these are sheer oil free formulations with a high concentration of pigment. They give a sheer but intense colour with a modern feel. They are appropriate suited to an oily or combination skin. They tend to be the more difficult of the blushers to apply, because you have to work quickly and exactingly using your fingers or sponge otherwise they can look very patchy. Apply to bare skin or one needing a tinted moisturiser / light weight foundation. Do not use over powder or a matte foundation. When applying a powder blush it is very important that you use the right size brush, otherwise your blush will look patchy and uneven. Never use those little ones that come with the blush. - When choosing the colour remember it is perfect to stick to pinky-browns, soft apricot/peach or soft red-browns depending on your skin tone if you want a natural look. For a long lasting effect: Try layering, that is apply a cream or cream to powder blush initially followed by a matching powder.