Bridal Beauty Checklist 5707 views

Perfect skin and make up for the big day means getting into some good habits in the lead up to your wedding day. Make-up artist Emma Trevillion shares some top tips.

Skin quench. Beautiful skin comes from within so be sure to drink plenty of water ­– preferably at room temperature to aid circulation. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol, which can cause dehydration and effect your skin.

Herbal love. Warm fluids and herbal teas can help with circulation for clear and healthy skin.

Bathing beauty. Remember that over-exposure to hot water can dehydrate the skin. Take shorter baths or showers and keep the water cool or warm, not hot. Add bath oils to keep your skin moisturised and replace harsh soaps or shower gels with milk- or oil-based varieties, which are gentler on the skin. Apply a body moisturiser while your skin is still damp.

Weather check. Adapt your skin-care routine to the season. A refreshing facial wash might feel right in spring, but a milky cleanser is usually gentler in winter. Remember to protect your skin from the sun throughout the year, but especially in summer. Wear a cream with SPF15 or more, and don’t forget a lip balm with an SPF too.

Winter wonder. Believe it or not, central heating can have a drying effect on your skin. When the heating is on, place a bowl of water by the radiator to act as a humidifier, or leave some windows open.

First things first. Use a cream-based moisturiser before applying make-up. Next apply a primer as this will keep your skin hydrated and make your foundation last longer. Smashbox and Chanel both have great primers.

Firm foundations. Use a foundation that is fluid-based and contains a sunscreen factor. Chanel Vitalumière gives a radiant finish and contains SPF15, while Lancôme Photogénic is good for dry skins and contains SPF12.

Glow getter. Blend a little bronzer with your foundation for a glowing look.

Blushing bride. Apply blusher to keep your complexion looking rosy. A cream-based product such as MAC Blushcreme gives a natural effect. Dab a blusher brush in the cream and use outward-sweeping motions to brush into your hairline, finishing off with your fingers. Smile when applying blusher, blushing the apple of your cheeks lightly, then going slightly darker out towards the hairline.

Look into my eyes. The Take Wing shadow set by MAC contains four great complementary shades. Cover your whole eyelid and right up under your eyebrow with Tickles (a lightly silvered pink), then add Restless (silvery grey) over the eyelid only. Apply Bravado (an antique rose shade) just over the eyeball area, and finish with Take Wing (rustic brown) in the crease of your eyelid. Remember to blend thoroughly with a blending brush at every stage.

Mascara must. Choose a waterproof mascara in case the emotion of the day causes tears! My favourites are Lancôme Hypnôse Waterproof, Maxfactor More Lashes Waterproof and Kiss Me Mascara by US company Blinc.

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