Friday, 22 August 2014

Makeup on Camera: A Photographers Perspective


It’s your wedding day and it’s so important that you truly feel amazing…and you will! You’ll be surrounded by friends, family and loved ones, you’ll be wearing a beautiful wedding dress and marrying the person you want to spend the rest of your life with; so wedding hair and makeup is just a finishing touch. Choosing hair and makeup styles should be fun and enjoyable and it really isn’t worth panicking about providing you have found a trust worthy hair and makeup artist.

It’s a pet hate of mine when I hear others say that you need more makeup for it to show on camera, as I’ve never believed that’s strictly true. Of course you need the right products; ones that are good quality and that are going to last all day; and you also need the correct application which helps it look flawless…but that certainly doesn’t mean you need to hide behind a mask of makeup.
Rebecca Wedding Photography says Gone are the days when a lot of flash was used in wedding photography which often washed out the skin colour and tone. These days the natural, relaxed and more fine art photographers use mainly natural light or bounced flash were possible thus capturing a softer real life look.”
As a makeup artist, we are taught to stay clear from using SPF in our products as they can create unsightly grey patches or a ghostly glow. With wedding photography now becoming much more relaxed and documentary style, it means we are less restricted by products so don’t panic too much if you would like to use your favourite product but it still contains a little SPF.

It’s so important that you feel comfortable with your makeup yet still look like yourself; after all you don’t want to give your groom too much of a shock when you walk your way down the aisle!
I once had a Bride that was desperate for a dewy look but was so worried she would have to wear lots of powder for the photographs so not to look shiny.” Says Rebecca Wedding Photography. “ I told her that it was far more important for her to feel comfortable, confident and beautiful on her day and that is what would show through in the photographs, any shots that looked at all shiny could easily be adjusted with a little Photoshop. There were literally 2 or 3 photos from later in the evening that needed this, in the rest of the photos she looked the glowing, blushing Bride she wanted to be.”
If prone to oily skin or you’re particularly worried about shine breaking through, Lucy Noble Photography recommends keeping some blotting paper with you. Blotting paper is a great way to battle shine without applying additional product and building up too much foundation and powder.

A professional will ensure your hair and make up looks great from all different angles which is important for the wedding photos!” Says Clare Tam-Im Photography. “If a professional does the hair and makeup, I rarely come across any problems. I have unfortunately seen it where a bride has applied makeup herself or a friend has done it for her and she has to excuse herself multiple times during the day to go and re-apply as it just hasn’t lasted. Brides don't need any extra stress on the morning of their wedding when they should be excited and looking forward to their day, so when their own makeup application takes multiple attempts it can be a bit tense!”

Please please please be sure to help your makeup artist by giving them a great canvas to start on in the first place. Whilst we can work our magic to an extent, please remember that we are not plastic surgeons or miracle workers! I would definitely recommend getting eyebrows shaped, although you’re not trying to look like a different person, it’s important your brows don’t look unruly or lack definition. Look after your skin and exfoliate, drink plenty of water and eat well. Your body and skin reflect what you eat, so get plenty of vitamins and minerals from your vegetables. If you’re getting any facial treatments done, be sure to get them several days before the wedding as skin can look irritated and be sensitive for a few days following.

Lucy Noble Photography recommends to seriously consider the use of fake tan before the wedding day. “I think fake tan is a real risk factor, nearly every bride feels that they would look better if they have fake tan on so as to look nice and brown …but this is not always the case sadly. This goes for bridesmaids too!  Sometimes it can show up very streaky or too orange on camera and sometimes even rubs off onto the dresses!”

So enjoy choosing your wedding makeup, don’t over think it and remain true to yourself and your usual look. You makeup will be fine, it won’t be applied so that you look like a drag queen and you will have a wonderful wedding day!

Thank you to Rebecca, Lucy and Clare for sharing their knowledge!

Vicky Brown Hair and Makeup Artist
Based in Hertfordshire
www.vicky-brown.co.uk

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Wedding Day Skin and Hair Preparation


Wedding Day Preparation.

With less than 2 months to go until I get married, I thought I should share what I’m actually doing myself in terms of hair and skin preparation. There are so many advice pages online and in wedding magazines that it can often be a little confusing!

Drinking Water: Around two-thirds of our body is made up of water and if we’re dehydrated, we start to shrivel up…and so does our skin! I’m drinking lots of water to help flush everything through and keep my skin supple.

Expensive Face Creams: Nope! Just pick your products and stick to them, chopping and changing is likely to upset your skin so if it works for you, stick with it. Simple has a great range of products that are free from fragrance and brilliant for sensitive skin and those on a budget. I have sensitive skin prone to breakouts so I’ve chosen products that are kind, calming and soothing: Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator, Elemis Balancing Lime Blossom Cleanser, Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner, Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask. Just chose a range that works for you!

Fruit and Vegetables: Nourish yourself from the inside; simply putting expensive products on your skin isn’t going to fix the problem, only hide it. Your skin needs vitamins and minerals to help cell reproductions. Make sure your vitamin C and zinc levels are good; this will help the absorption of iron and hopefully prevent dark circles under the eyes. I’m trying my best to incorporate a green smoothie into my diet to guarantee I get at least my 5 a day. Make sure it’s vegetable based and not just packed with sugary fruit. I’m also taking omega 3 and a women’s health supplement.

Facials: Nope! I’ve had a few facials in the past as a treat but I’m thinking it’s probably not a good time to go and try something new and invasive, after all I’ve survived this long without! No one will be looking as closely at your skin as you do in the bathroom mirror…and if they are, they’re standing too close!

Spots: Don’t pick at them. It’s much easier for a makeup artist to hide a red spot than it is to try an hide a dry, sore and red picked at spot. Put some witch hazel on or a spot treatment cream and let your body deal with it. Easier said than done, I know!

Cut the out Alcohol: If you get problem skin, this is the most important! Alcohol is full of sugars, toxins and is a dehydrator. Think about how awful you feel after a big night and imagine what that’s doing to your skin. Even if this is only a few weeks before the wedding, it’s best to give it a miss.

Regular Hair Cuts: Ok, so this is where the hairdresser in me and my desperation for long hair battle it out. As a hairdresser I know that whilst having your hair trimmed regularly won’t help it grow quicker, it will keep it in tip top condition meaning that its less likely to break. However, if like me your hair seems to have a finite length and never grows, the thought of getting it cut every 6 weeks is a little terrifying! Just look after your hair in the run up to the day, a few hair masks, lay off the heat appliances and try not to over colour.

Fake Tan: No no no! I’ve seen far too many orange hands, feet and elbows and if you’re wearing a white dress, it WILL rub off! I don’t agree with the long term use of sun beds but I will be a few sessions before the wedding day just to help with the glow. Just go to a proper salon that can advise for your skin type and don’t do this long term.