Makeup. I used to hate it but now I kind of like it in small doses. Until recently, I never understood the mothers who ran after their soon-to-be-married daughters with an attache case full of cosmetics, screaming, “Just a little more foundation! Please! I’ll do anything!”
While weddings are a time of joy, new beginnings, and fellowship, they are often first and foremost a time of many photographs. These photographs are meant to be timeless…to show future generations how stunning the bride and groom looked on their special day. Which is why matrimonial makeup is so often designed to look as natural as possible, like so:
Following a few guidelines, like those offered by fashionista Sher Matsen, can help you avoid looking like an extra at a Clockwork Orange convention, like so:
Matsen says:
Avoid glittery or dewy looks – these are not very receptive for photographs and you may come out looking greasy.
For your makeup to look good in your photos, it must be completely matte and in neutral tones, brides usually prefer a little color. Pastels look soft and pretty, but avoid glitter, shimmer and frosted eyeshadows.
Don’t apply white or black eye shadow.
If you are doing your own makeup, see a beauty consultant and purchase your make up at least 3 months in advance. Then practice until you’ve got the perfect makeup.
Hear, hear!
This reminds me of my sister’s wedding day when I urged her to remove the thick coat of purple lipstick she had applied.
People who are going to be photographed need to consider how those photos will look in 20 years. A simple look will keep well, but a trendy look will soon become passe. (Simple doesn’t mean completely natural–the top bride looks like her eyebrows have been plucked, trimmed, and maybe penciled in a bit.)
But purchasing makeup three months in advance? You can learn trigonometry in less time! Besides, a bride’s face may be a few shades darker in June than it was in March.
Hmmm, Lori, you may be right that purchasing your wedding makeup so far ahead could represent a strong need to be overprepared. Perhaps choosing a loose palette of colors in a brand one can trust and then modifying that selection as needed later on would be more realistic.
I agree that three months is a bit much. But consulting a professional is a good idea… otherwise you may end up, the week before the wedding, having a massive argument with your maid-of-honor in Sephora about the need to wear blush.
…or, shudder, with your future mother in law!
Oh dear god… I argued enough with my mother about her opinion that I needed a spray tan. I don’t think I could have handled my M-I-Ls input without a total meltdown!
My sister hired a professional to bust into my hotel room and assault me with bronzer prior to my ceremony, over my protests. In some photographs, my face looks distinctly orange.
Be careful out there, brides.