Twenty bridal makeup questions every bride needs answering.

1. How will my makeup last all day?

This has to be up there as one of the most frequently asked questions from my bridal clients. Makeup is meant to come off so it will come off at some point, unfortunately. However, I use certain industry tricks to help my bridal client’s makeup last throughout the day.

Firstly I always prime the skin well which helps the makeup to glide on and smooths out the texture of your skin. I also powder and I recommend buying a translucent powder and topping up through the day especially if you have oily to combination skin. On the day if you have oily skin I use a blot film first to take off shine then add a bit more concealer and then add the powder to set again. I have used this process on brides in really hot locations and the makeup still lasts till the end of the day.

If you are topping up powder to reduce shine I also recommend buying the blusher and highlighter to apply through the day, you will be having photos taken all day and want the makeup to look as fresh as when you first had it applied. My favourite powder right now is the Laura Mercier translucent powder.

I find that eye makeup always lasts well, I use the MAC Paintpots as a base to help the shadow to last all day and stop creasing. I use a neutral colour such as Painterly or Groundwork depending on your skin tone, I can use any colour of eyeshadow on top. I find that using brushes to apply all the makeup as well seems to help make up to last longer I’m not sure why maybe because you are applying more product but gradually and building up light layers. It’s not to say I don’t use my hands to apply the primer and skincare and sometimes to smudge eyeliner or shadow under the eye.

Lipstick is going to come off, you will be eating drinking smiling and kissing! A matte lipstick will always last longer so depends if you want to go for a matte look for the day. A lot of my brides recently have wanted a demi-matte finish. For this look, I prime the lips with the MAC lip primer also applying above the lip line. I then use a lip liner and sometimes fill in the whole lip with the liner, I then apply the lipstick using a brush which uses more product and ensures the lipstick is opaque. Then if it needs it I use a gloss either a clear one or one with a bit of colour that suits the lipstick. Then blot with a tissue and reapply the lipstick again. This will last for a few hours at least. I don’t tend to use the fixing sprays as I find the makeup does last for a good few hours and only needs touch-ups if your skin is oily or combination.

2 How can I achieve a natural Bridal makeup?

Every bride wants to look like the best version of herself she can for the wedding day. So each bridal client view is subjective on if their makeup is heavy/ cakey. If you generally don’t wear any makeup on a daily bases if I then apply a red lip smokey eye and a full face of heavy foundation you are going to feel like the makeup is heavy and cakey even if it doesn’t look like it to everyone else. But if on a daily bases you wear the full works highlight contour lashes liner etc then a full makeup will not feel heavy or cakey.

For makeup to look flawless you will need to have the full range of makeup products applied, normally primer foundation concealer and powder. It doesn’t have to look cakey or made up, there are so many products on the market that give a lightweight natural look whilst still giving you the coverage you need. I like to build up gradually and for a flawless but natural finish apply product where is needed rather than over the whole face. Each bride is an individual and I tailor each makeup application to the bride’s requirements.

3. What preparations can I make to my skin before the wedding day?

Around a month before I suggest to my bridal clients to go for a facial so if you have a bad reaction can heal before the day. Don’t try anything new at least a week before the wedding you don’t want to have any reactions to products or for it to bring out blemishes that won’t have healed by the wedding day. Continue with a good skincare routine get as much sleep as possible and drink at least two litres of water a day. The night before you can use a hydrating mask even if you have oily skin and under-eye masks that you have used before.

4. What makeup colours should I wear on my wedding day?

There are no set rules when it comes to a colour palette, each of my bridal clients is unique. I do like to choose a colour palette which enhances my client’s eye colour and skin tone. This will be determined on the trial day. And neutral tones will stand the test of time, your wedding photos will be on show for all to see.

If you have a colour scheme or accent colour, for example, we can try and use that in the makeup but ideally, the makeup palette should enhance your colouring. And make you look your best.

5. Do you bring all the makeup or do I have to provide my own?

I provide all of the makeup products and brushes and bring everything with me on the day and the trial, I suggest that brides purchase powder, lipstick and maybe blusher so you can touch up throughout the day. But I can give you the shades or purchase for you.

6. What makeup brands do you use?

I am not affiliated with any makeup brand in particular and update my kit regularly, at the moment I have products from MAC, NARS, Laura Mercier, Tarte, and Huda Beauty.

7. How long will my makeup take on the day?

It can be anything from 45 mins to over an hour depending on the look. But as we have already done a trial I will know exactly what look I am creating, if no trail has been done then may take slightly longer.

8. Is it better to have hair or makeup done first on the wedding day?

I suggest to have hair done first purely as the heat from any styling tools might melt the makeup. This goes for the rest of the bridal party as well if possible.

9. Can you the makeup for my whole bridal party?

This depends on the time of your ceremony and the size of your bridal party. I do have trusted makeup artists that I work with if the timings don’t work out for me to do the whole party. We can discuss the timings and draw up a schedule before the day.

10. Do you recommend having a makeup trial first?

I recommend having a makeup trial before the big day so we can go through your ideas and my recommendations for your wedding day. After talking through your ideas I normally start on the natural side of the look and then build up from that if needed. You can always add more make up its harder to take it away. Rarely do I ever take off the whole look and start again. With my knowledge and experience, I know which questions to ask you so I can find out the look you have in mind and to create the perfect look for your day. It can help if you have gathered a few images that have inspired you or that you like certain aspects of the makeup.

The trial can take up to 90 mins and I suggest that my brides to leave on the finished look so you can see how it looks lasts throughout the day. I take a photo and write done the products I have used so I can recreate the look exactly on the day. Wear clothes that are close to your wedding dress colour so you can see how the makeup looks against that rather than a dark colour. Ideally have the trial in the daylight as well which is the best light to see the how the makeup looks.

11. How far in advance should I book my makeup bridal trial with you?

I recommend booking your trial around 6 months before the day. Once you have your dress or an idea of your dress makeup should be the next stage. If you book your trial too far in advance before your dress we could decide on your look and then you choose your dress and the makeup might not compliment the dress. It’s good to leave enough time can you can secure your date also. That being said I have done bridal trials a week before the wedding day but the wedding date was already secured with a deposit.

12. Where do you do the makeup trial?

I can come to your house or a venue of your choice and will bring everything with me so it’s comfortable for you. It’s a good idea not to have too many people around as ultimately the makeup look is your choice!

13. Can you come to the venue on the wedding day?

I can travel to the venue or wherever you and your bridal party are getting ready on the day. Ideally, the whole bridal party will all be at the same venue so I can just set up and not move the makeup station, this will help the makeup schedule run smoothly and more fun for the bridal party and you.

14. Do you travel outside of London?

I do travel outside of London there will just be a cost for travel and expenses if required.

15 Do you travel for destination weddings?

I do destination weddings again all travel and expenses covered by the bridal client.

16 How long does bridesmaid’s makeup take on the day?

On the day I like to give each member of the wedding party around 45 mins.

17 How do I secure my wedding date?

To secure your wedding date I take a non-refundable deposit for the day.

18 What if I need to cancel my wedding date?

You can cancel the date but the deposit is non-refundable and a fee is taken if cancelled 48 hours or less notice.

19 What if Verity needs to cancel the date?

If I need to cancel the date I will do my utmost to find a suitable replacement from my trusted makeup artist team if that is not possible then the deposit will be refunded...