D.I.Y Make-up – A how to guide

Nicolette' Knights-Marx, Owner of Weddings by Nicolette explains how to do DIY Make-up for your wedding day:...

The best tip I can provide for doing your own make-up on the day, is to purchase a professional range of make-up that is designed specifically for camera work. The make-up you wear on a regular day-to-day basis will not be suitable for your wedding day, as you will be in a lot of photos, and many of them will also be 'close-up' shots. Otherwise, your make-up may not look the same in the photos as it does on the day, and photos last forever, so it is worth investing in a good range of make-up! The make-up range I prefer to use in my make-up kit box is a professional range designed by a make-up artist, imported from USA. I purchase it locally at Brushstrokes studio telephonically on (021) 423 7078, or simply email info@brushstrokes.co.za and they can mail order products to you no matter where you stay.

Other than that, have an idea in mind, or experiment sufficiently beforehand. Practicing the 'look' before the big day is always a good idea, as nerves creep in and what seemed like a good idea to apply liquid eyeliner, may now not be as 'slick-looking' as it ought to be. You can also visit a good make-up counter (MAC, Bobbi Brown) in a department store and ask them to give you a make-over lesson a few weeks before your wedding day, so that you know exactly how to apply the products and where to apply them. Some Make-up artists and salon’s offer a 'hands-on' makeover lesson, whereby the artist will apply make-up on ½ your face, while explaining each step of the way, and then you apply the other half of your face (step by step), so that you can be sure you know exactly how to recreate the look when you go home! A great investment!

Then, focus either on your eyes or your lips, never both. A 'smoky' eye looks amazing with a soft, nude lip - but pairing a 'smoky' eye with bright red lips will not look good at all, as there is then focus on the eyes AND the lips. Alternatively, keep the eyeshadow application soft and natural, and apply a bolder colour lip - this works particularly well when wearing red lipstick. Most brides I work on prefer a more dramatic eye and a softer lip, as this is actually a low-maintenance look - with all the kissing of congratulations going on at the wedding, touching up a nude lip with a bit of gloss is a lot quicker and easier than touching up red lipstick!

Also try not to go for a completely different look on your wedding day. You should rather look like a more beautiful version of yourself - enhancing your natural beauty. You should not look like a different person. Perhaps ask one of your close friends for her opinion after one of your make-up 'practice sessions' - someone who you know will give you an honest answer! You can even take some photos to see how the make-up will show up in the photographs, as you may be surprised as to how different make-up looks in photos.

And finally, always go for a timeless look. Colour eyeshadow may be in fashion at the time, but will not always be, and when you look at your photos many years down the line, you don't want to cringe and wonder 'what was I thinking'! A classic look for a bride is always the most beautiful and elegant. Refer to current wedding magazines for some inspiration, and above all, enjoy your special day!

For further information regarding D.I.Y Make-up, please feel free to contact Nicolette from Weddings by Nicolette.

D.I.Y Make-up – A how to guide | Wedding Articles