Wedding make-up...

When planning a wedding, a lot of time will be spent thinking about what dress to wear, the shoes, the accessories, the guests and the venue.  But, one of the most important things that cannot be left until last is organising your beauty regime.
Looking your best on your big day  is a must and plenty of thought and planning into how you are going to wear your hair and style your make-up is required.  Although many brides feel comfortable doing their make-up themselves, its always a good idea to have an expert on hand.  Its the one day of your life when you will be the star attraction, there is a real pressure to look beautiful.  However, the rule of thumb is to be yourself and look like yourself...but better!Naturally enhance what you have got, without going overboard.
Like with everything else, planning is key, therefore book a trial-run through in about 2-3 months prior to the big day.  The aim being that the bride can get an idea of what she will look like,  aswell as pick up some ideas and tips along the way.
When it comes to bridal make-up, less is more.  You don't want to look too dramatically different for your wedding.  However, you don't wear such a special dress everyday, therefore, your make-up should reflect that too. Its all about balance, feeling confident and looking the best you can using the right products.
Its always best to do your make-up like you were going to a special occasion such as a black-tie event.  You don't want to look too natural but then you don't want to look heavily made up...but you do need to have slightly more make-up on than what you would normally wear.
Skin preparation is vital and  using the appropriate moisturiser for your skin type will help to ensure your make-up stays on a lot longer during the day.
Along other make-up must haves for the day, waterproof mascara is a must for obvious reasons! not only will it withstand tears on what is a very emotional day, but it generally lasts longer.  On the cheeks, its best to use a pretty shade of blush, a pink tone is good if you are fair and rose if you are darker.
White highlighter looks beautiful on the brow bone as a highlighter and also a gel eyeliner next to the lash-line always enhances the lashes and eyes.
You need to be careful when giving definition to the eyebrows, as you don't want them to be too overpowering, but then you don't want to not see them as defining them is a very important step as they frame the face, so never skip this step.
Many brides opt for fake tan - this is not to be ruled out, however, its very important to shop around and have a trial run first as you don't want to look too orange!  You can always even out skin colour using bronzing powder.
Yellow-based foundations and powders are best to achieve flawless, natural looking skin, Bobbi Brown do a great range for all skin types and shades.
For lips, pale or brown shades can make you look washed out so always add a bit of colour.

If you like to add a bit more glamour, then false eyelashes are a nice option and Shu Uemura, MAC and Eylure do a great selection.  These always enhance the eyes and you don't have to go for panto-length!  These will not damage your lashes, however, as always, give them a try beforehand to see if they look and feel alright...and finally, embrace your look! You don't get married everyday so enjoy the attention!

Make-up books...

I am just getting round to ordering the new Nars "Makeup your mind:Express yourself" - I will keep you posted!!  I am really interested in getting this as I do have his other book, but this one is more for "real" women and show before and after make-up - something I deal with everyday, so I am really looking forward to getting this and reviewing it! Watch this space!...

Bold make-up...

Bold make-up - 

Stand out from the crowd in statement make-up. Bold colours on eyes/lips bring a very retro, almost cartoonish vibe.  Create a stunning look with high intensity, vibrant shades as seen in Christian Dior and Fendi.  If this looks scares you, then tame it down with a more natural shade of the lip and/or eye colour.

While the sky is the limit for colours of eye shadow, one rule does apply: do not choose an eye shadow that matches your outfit. It must be a contrasting colour.  Recreate this look - Think: conventional smoky eye but with colour! Use green/blue and accentuate those lashes! You will not go wrong if you plan on making a smoky eye out of any hue you use!  For lips, if you are doing strong eye make-up then play down your lips by using a clear gloss or nude lip colour, the same applies if you are using a strong colour on your lips, use nude shades on your eyes to avoid make-up overkill! 

Products used – (Bobbi Brown) Luminous moisturizing foundation for a dewy look, concealer where needed and set with sheer loose powder just down the t-zone.  Define the brows by using eyeshadow.  Apply eyeshadow in Bone all over the eye area, then on the lid and around the eye apply Passionate by MAC and blend into the crease of the eye, blend well to achieve a more natural look.  Apply black Long-wear gel eyeliner by Bobbi Brown along the top lash line and wing out.  Apply Blacksplash, Splashproof lash by MAC. Then apply MAC false eyelashes and blend together by finishing with another sweep of mascara.  Keep the cheeks glowing by applying a cream blush in Pale Pink by Bobbi Brown then apply a shimmer brick as a highlighter on the top of the cheekbones, I used Rose.  For lips apply Beige lip colour straight from the bullet and blend with your fingers and then apply a little clear gloss in the centre of the lips.

I use Make-up Forever Mist and fix to set the make-up and make sure it lasts all day. Available from www.gurumakeupemporium.com

Matching lips and nails – inspired by Gucci 2011.

This is normally a fashion no-no, but this season it is totally acceptable.  This is a nod to the disco glamour of the 70’s which is the leading trend of the Spring/Summer 2011.  You could wear this look for daytime paired down, or go stronger for an evening look. 

Products used –

Bobbi Brown long-lasting foundation in Sand on areas where needed, tinted eye-brightener in Porcelain peach, sheer finish loose powder in Sunny Beige.  Define the eyebrows with an eyeshadow the same shade as your eyebrow hairs, I used Sable.  Keep the base clean with minimal blush and minimal eyeshadow too, concentrate the colour on the lips.  I used a smidge of Bobbi Brown Sand Pink blush and used  Blance type by MAC on the eyes finishing with a Bobbi Brown long-wear,metallic cream eyeshadow in Goldstone. Apply 2 coats of mascara on the top lashes.  I used Bobbi Brown Pink lip colour with Pink lip pencil.  I then matched the lip colour up with a Pink nail varnish by Collection 2000 in 16 Material Girl.

Summer make-up looks inspired by the 2011 trends...

How to create 3 summer looks –

 Almost bare – inspired by the new Bobbi Brown collection.

This is a very wearable, natural, summery, daytime look, good for any age, however, avoid shimmers on your eyes/cheeks if you have very dry or mature skin and opt for matte instead.  This look has a soft, shimmery bronze eye with a lovely shimmery lip. It is very easy to recreate and takes 5 minutes to do.

Bobbi Brown Tinted moisturizer as a base in Light-medium tint, tinted eye-brightener in Porcelain peach, a light  dusting of sheer loose powder down the t-zone in Sunny beige. I then used Bronze shimmer wash, which is a very nude, shimmer wash eye-shadow followed with 2 coats of Black MAC Splashproof mascara on top lashes only.  Illuminating bronzing powder in Aruba on forehead, cheekbones, etc.  I then used Slopes blush by Bobbi Brown placing a light pop of blush on the apples of the cheeks then finish with Bellini shimmer gloss by Bobbi Brown on the lips.