What I Know About Brides

So it's one of the biggest days of your life, if not The Biggest. However, that doesn't mean that you should change who you are. That means looks-wise or personality-wise; there is nothing we makeup artists fear more than a Bridezilla!

I don't mean to be harsh but I believe that your wedding should be a celebration of you and your groom and all that you are together so try to leave the stress of the planning behind you and enjoy every second, it's only one day; you won't get it back.

When it comes to your styling, I think that you should be looking for the best and most romantic version of YOU, not someone else. Too many brides try to morph into some random celebrity on the day when that is not their style. Your partner wants to marry you, so aim to look like yourself not someone else! I have worked with brides who have changed themselves so massively via dieting, tanning, hair colours and even surgery and I can't help but feel that it's all a bit much.

When I am working with a bride I spend a lot of time perfecting her skin. The ever- elusive glow is what we're striving for. I keep the foundation light in texture but enough to control any skin issues she may have. When enhancing her eyes I always look for the shades that will make her eyes Pop, this means that we can see her eye colour looking vibrant rather than noticing the shadow too much. I use a light, matte bronzer to contour the face and a cream colour on the cheeks to get the blushing bride effect; it's so pretty and freshens up the face like nothing else.

The lips should match the cheeks for a seamless look that is elegant and timeless. I prefer not to use any trend makeup designs as they will date so quickly and will inevitably lead to cringing at the wedding album in years to come!

Some of the products I rate for bridal makeup are:

• Armani Luminous Silk Foundation - perfect lightweight coverage that stays put
• Clinique Airbrush Concealer - good coverage for shadows, light and non-cakey
• MAC Select Sheer Powder - an invisible veil of sheer powder
• Rimmel light matte bronzer - non-orange , low key bronzer ( a rarity)
• Stila Convertible Cheek Colour in Peony - my ultimate cheek colour
• Lancome Hypnose mascara (waterproof, natch!) - lengthening and volumising
• Eyelure individual false lashes - less drag queen than strip lashes!
• MAC lip liner in Whirl - a tone or two darker than lips
• Lancome Juicy Tubes - Melon is a gorgeous shade and the perfect amount of pink

Remember, you are a romantic goddess for the day and you want to make your groom swoon, not gasp in shock!