Bridal makeup – tips and inspo for choosing your look
2019 was a year filled with stunning brides, beautiful bridal parties and fabulous venues. I had endless requests for beautiful, timeless bridal makeup. Red carpet makeup where you wear the makeup, the makeup doesn’t wear you.
Book Gemma Rimmington for your destination wedding – UK and international
Bridal bookings take up a large percentage of my work and I’m lucky to travel around for weddings wherever I am needed. I will travel to your chosen wedding destination. Wherever you chose to get married I will travel to your location. UK or international.
You should consider this when booking your bridal Makeup Artist so you find the perfect supplier for you
Bridal makeup is a specialist area of makeup artistry. My clients rarely ask for a full evening look for their big day. That’s not to say they don’t look glam – far from it. In my opinion, there is something very beautiful about some fluttery lashes, a statement lip or a sultry smokey eye.
There is a fine line between too much and too little. I often hear the same concerns from clients who have had unsuccessful appointments elsewhere.
“It was too heavy”
“My makeup felt like like ‘night out’ makeup”
“The results didn’t look like anything I asked for”
“I looked orange”
How to get the most from your bridal makeup trial
It can feel strange letting someone else do your makeup. Here is the thing… your makeup shouldn’t feel like you are caked in heavy products. Mature skin requires different products and application to ensure a flattering result. This is where the consultation process begins.
Honesty is key to a successful makeup appointment
Your trial is a 2-way conversation. Your Makeup Artist should be able to get a feel for the kind of look you are aiming to achieve by talking through how you usually wear your makeup. You should discuss what you love about your inspiration images and your Makeup Artist should advise you on how the look is best achieved. At the end of your trial appointment there might be tweaks you wish to make. You might want to add an eyeliner, make the eye shadow darker, decide against the false lashes after trying them…
Those are only minor tweaks and perfectly natural and easy to fix. I always encourage complete honesty with my clients. If there is something you’re not sure of, tell me, I’ll change it. I want you to feel excited for the big day and not nervous about your makeup look.
Most requested bridal makeup looks
I really love soft eyes and my signature glowing skin.
I wanted to share some of my favourite looks with you from my 2019 weddings.
All images are taken on my iPhone camera phone with natural light only. I never edit my images in any way.
Bridal makeup low down
GLOWING SKIN
Glowing skin is my signature look.
BEAUTIFUL NATURAL BROWS
Brows. My own rule of thumb is to add a little definition and fill in any gaps where needed. Believe me, the ombre brow, the pasted brow, a heavily blocked off brow – its all a trend. I’ll be honest, if you ask me for a trend brow, I probably wouldn’t do it for you.
How to ensure enviable bridal brows
I LOVE a natural full brow.
With all brows, your eye makeup will look much cleaner if your brows are tidy (threaded, waxed, whatever…). Those photographers love a close-up of your makeup-prep!
Here are some of my favourite naturally full brows…
EYE MAKEUP TO DEFINE YOUR EYES AND MAKE THEM POP
Eye makeup is the easiest way to make you feel fabulous. With some clever tweaks, you can make the eyes look bigger, younger, brighter or darker for a smokey look. Nudes, metallic, smokes… they all photograph beautifully. Pop on some lashes for a bit of volume and you can transform any look to add a little extra something.
Those are all my favourite elements of bridal makeup. I have really enjoyed getting to know my brides again this year.
Thank you for your kind words and images from your wedding day
A special thank you to every bride who drops me a review, a thank you card, or a text message after the wedding. I save everything – its always appreciated. I love to see your professional images from the big day. Thanks to everyone who sends me photographs, tags me in social media and refers me to friends. As a self-employed individual we rely on you sharing the love and it is wonderful to feel appreciated.
Wonderful wedding photography inspiration
Here are some professional images that have been sent to me or I have been tagged in… thanks again!
If you are looking for some dreamy bridal inspiration, check out British Bride magazine here.
Get in touch if you would like to check availability for your wedding.
Gemma Rimmington – Makeup Artist and Beauty Editor x
