MAKE-UP DRAMA

Bridal Beauty Drama Fixes
With expert tips from industry pros, beauty editor Candice Gregor devises the ultimate beauty S.O.S. list for brides-to-be.

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With expert tips from industry pros, beauty editor Candice Gregor devises the ultimate beauty S.O.S. list for brides-to-be.

1. I want truly glowing skin

Just a few drops of Kosmea Skin Clinic Organic Rose Hip Oil applied to skin day and night is all you need to smooth your complexion, reduce the signs of ageing and promote healthy, balanced skin, as it's rich in fatty acids and vitamin A. A great trick is to have your make-up artist mix a little of the rose hip oil with your foundation before applying to the face. It's a technique celebrity make-up artists use to give skin an incredibly healthy luminosity. Call 1300 130 320. Mineral make-up is also a fabulous choice for brides who want a flawless finish. It injects skin with vitamins for nourishment and won't clog pores. Look for brands like Inika, Proof, Jane Iredale, Face of Australia and L'Oreal.

2. My make-up is blotchy and flaky

Using a pre-foundation skin primer provides a smooth base for foundation to adhere to. Primers increase foundation's staying power and result in a flawless finish. Apply directly to skin or after moisturiser. Try: Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot or Laura Mercier Foundation Primer.

3. How do I apply like a pro?

Professional make-up brushes make application so much easier. Brushes can be purchased separately or as part of a set, and a bronzing or blusher brush is a particularly great investment. It's important to know that the direction you brush powder onto skin makes a difference in your overall look. Make sure you sweep powder in downwards motions, to avoid highlighting tiny facial hairs. Try Aveda's make-up brushes.

4. My blush makes me look clownish

Blush is intended to give a natural, healthy glow to your face and enhance cheekbones. To contour, apply blush lightly in a circular motion underneath cheekbones and blend well. Apply blush after your foundation and powder but before you do your eyes. This helps the result look more natural, as the amount of blush applied should be balanced with your skin, not eyes. Cream blush will add a dewy sheen to your skin and powder, like M.A.C's Pinch 'O Peach, will add more definition to your cheekbones.

5. I don't want a greasy face

Applying powder over foundation helps to prevent shine and sets your foundation. If you have oily skin, chances are you will require touch-ups with a pressed powder during the day, so it is best to be prepared and carry a compact with you. Apply with a powder brush or puff. Blotting paper is also a good way to keep oily skin at bay. Jane Iredale's facial blotting papers made from 100% flax seed gently absorbs excess oil and leaves a fine powder over the skin. Visit janeiredale.com.

6. I want long luscious hair

Extensions made from 100% human hair are a great way for brides to ‘grow' their hair and add a touch of high glam, in an instant. Award-winning Sydney hairdresser Pierre Haddad practises the copper bell technique of hair extensions, where a length of hair is attached to your own hair and fastened in place with a small bell made from copper. The results are virtually seamless! Pierre recommends extensions are fitted at least 10 days before your wedding. Call (02) 9233 1999.

7. I don't like wearing loads of foundation

It is certainly advisable to wear foundation, as it provides flawless results for wedding photographs. If you prefer a lighter foundation, try a liquid with a light dusting of powder, or a wet-to-dry foundation. Try: M.A.C Mineralize SatinFinish or Napoleon Perdis China Doll Foundation.

8. My lipstick is dry, flaky and ‘bleeds'

Make sure lips are well exfoliated before applying any lipstick or gloss. Try Sara Happ's The Lip Scrub in Brown Sugar. Follow with a moist, creamy lipstick, like Rimmel's Moisture Rich, or opt for lipgloss if you dislike the feel of lipstick. A lip primer applied under lipstick may also help to combat flakiness. Try: L'Oreal Shine Delice, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss or M.A.C LipGlass. A good quality lip pencil applied under lip colour can make lipstick last longer and combat colour bleeding. Outline the lip line and then fill in the entire lip with pencil before applying lip colour. To make lip pencil last longer, apply foundation to lips first. Try Estee Lauder Lip Pencil, M.A.C Lip Pencil.

9. My skin has broken out

Treat skin seriously with products from the fabulous Rationale range, like Skin Refining Serum. With Alpha and Beta Hydroxy acids, the serum works to unclog pores and reduce breakouts. To find out more and start a treatment plan, visit northshoreskincare.com.au. If all else fails, concealer is a God-send in covering up under eye circles, blemishes and evening out skin tone. Applying concealer over your foundation (as opposed to under it) saves you work and product, as the foundation will do most of the concealing for you. Apply with a brush or cotton tip and blend well.

10. I want my foundation to go the distance

A good-quality foundation is crucial to perfect wedding day make-up. It needs to be long-lasting, provide good coverage and match your skin tone perfectly. Stick foundations provide the most coverage and have long-wearing power. Apply with a cellulose wedge-shaped sponge. Try Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick or M.A.C Studio Stick. A make-up setting spray like Model Co's Beauty Fix Airbrush Face will also ensure make-up stays put.

11. I want neat, manicured nails

Apart from your smile, wedding guests will be doting over your amazing rock, with all eyes consequently on your hands – so make sure they're ready for the attention! For a classic polished look, opt for a French manicure. If you must wear a coloured polish, go for neutral shades or those with a touch of sparkle. A good moisturiser will keep hands looking youthful and skin supple. Try Bloom's Green Tea and Bergamot scented hand cream – shea butter is its magic skin-moisturising ingredient!

12. I want to really play up my eyes

False lashes work a treat to add oomph to eyes. Use individual ones (three or four lashes make a cluster), as opposed to a full set. Attach clusters to the outer corners of eyes for maximum impact. Hold lashes with tweezers, apply a small glob of glue and press against your natural lashes, holding for 30 seconds until dry. Try: MAC lashes and Ardell Lash Grip glue. If you don't want to fake it, invest in some Jan Marini Age Intervention lash treatment which is designed to stimulate eye lash growth! Apply to the top lash line once a day and watch your lashes blossom... in front of your very eyes. See shapeclinic.com.au. Or make eyes pop by wearing a vividly coloured eye shadow like i.d. bareMinerals Azure Glimmer.

13. I want to look picture perfect in my photos

After your trial with your make-up artist, take a photograph of your face. It's recommended you use a flash, too, as some foundations react with the camera flash (beware of products with sunscreen as they often carry light-reflective particles that lead to that ghostly photo face).

14. I have under-eye circles

Of course it's important to be well-rested in the lead up to the wedding, but we all know that this is easier said than done. Products like Gatineau's Skin Lightening Concentrate work to gently bleach the delicate eye skin and, used morning and night for prolonged periods of time, will see bags and dark circles dramatically reduced. A topical vitamin C serum like emerginC is another way to feed the area with nutrients and restore a healthy glow.

15. Eeek, panda eyes!

Waterproof mascara is essential to stand up to wedding day tears and prevent dreaded panda eyes! Apply one coat, let dry, then apply a second coat. Try Max Factor 2000 Calorie Aqualash or M.A.C Splashproof Lash.

16. I want smooth skin

Exfoliating everyday in the shower will help remove dead skin cells and little bumps on upper arm skin known as Milia. Try Make Up Store's Arctic Body Buff. Always moisturise after you shower to keep skin hydrated and buoyant.

17. I'm over my cellulite

The active ingredient in Chanel's Body Excellence Firming and Shaping Gel, Purple Bengle, stimulates the production of collagen, elastin and glycans, to help you on your way to dimple-free skin.

18. Help! I'm stressed out...

Don't take a Valium. Manage your stress by immersing your muscles in The Body Shop's Spa Wisdom Plunge and Purify Bath Soak. Epsom Salts will detox and relax, while babassu oil will moisturise and soothe.

19. I want a golden tan

Magic Tan is a quick and private way to achieve an all-over sunless tan. The spray tan booth preps, tans and moisturises you within minutes. To book, see magictan.com.au. A dusting of bronzer, like The Body Shop's Brush on Bronze balls, on cheeks and decolletage, will enhance your colour.

TOUSLED LOOK HAIRSTYLE

Whimsical Waves
Gently tousled waves will work for beach brides marrying on the sand.
Make wedding hair a cinch with this romantic styling idea.

Hair and Make-up : Jessie Glova

1. To create this summery style at home, setting hair in large rollers or pin curls.

2. "Wait for the rollers to cool, then take them out and gently start to loosen the curls with your fingertips," she adds.

3. To crank up the volume, backcomb locks at the crown. "Then twist both sides of hair at the crown, fastening with pins at the back of the head.

4. For a soft and feminine finish, secure a small flower clip on one side of the 'do.

5. Minimum effort is required to keep this style looking good throughout the day. In fact, a light beach breeze will actually help maximise the wind-swept effect.

6. A simple, elegant and unfussy gown will perfectly complement this look.

ALL ABOUT LASHES

I've never worn or applied false lashes before, where do I start?

Go for shorter lashes that fit snugly along the length of the natural lash line. This will make application easier. Don't be afraid to cut them with scissors to custom fit them to your eye. If you don't feel confident applying full lashes, go for individual ones, like flares by Eyelure to give a winged effect at the corner of the eye. Most brands of falsies come with adhesive in the pack, but if they don't, glue can be bought separately

Start by dabbing a small amount of glue along the false lash line and wait about 30 seconds until glue is tacky to touch. Using tweezers, apply lashes half a centimetre in from the outer corner of your eye so when you look straight ahead, your lashes continue in the diagonal line from the corner of the nose to the corner of the eye. Press into place and after lashes feel secure apply a coat of mascara to blend the false ones with your own. If you normally curl your lashes, do so before applying falsies, otherwise you'll pull them off. It's fiddly, so practise!

Lash extensions are another way to boost the flirt factor. Salon professionals attach individual silk lashes to each of your own lashes with a specially formulated glue. These extensions last between six to eight weeks and cost around $150. See www.eyebrowstudio.com.au.

For an even more long-term effect, start using growth stimulating formulas like MD Lash Factor three months before the wedding for fuller longer looking lashes.

Crowning Glory

Crowning Glory - Chic Chignon
Backless gowns will best suit this 'do.
Make wedding hair a cinch with this romantic styling idea.


1. For this chic and sophisticated style, start by blow drying your hair smooth.

2. Once totally dry, pull hair back into a ponytail on the crown of the head.

3. Wind the ponytail around itself to make a donut shape, secure with pins.

4. Wrap crystal ribbon firmly around the chignon. Ideal for a cocktail wedding.