Beautiful Bride
All brides want to look their absolute best on their wedding day but the make-up artist behind one of this year's biggest celebrity weddings says the trick is to keep it real.
Gone are the days of caked-on make-up - today's bride is fresh and natural, according to leading make-up artist Liz Kelsh. And she should know; Ms Kelsh did the make-up for Jennifer Hawkins at her Bali wedding earlier this year.
"Doing Jennifer's make-up is a no-brainer really. She's the most beautiful girl in the world. But, again, it was just a really, really fresh, soft natural look. We brought out her eyes a little bit, with soft taupe neutral colours, a tiny bit of cream blusher on her cheeks, and then that was it, really, I just let her natural beauty shine through.
"She got married in Bali, so it was really, really hot and the last thing you want to have is a heavy cake of make-up in a humid 36C day."
The same goes for mere mortals.
"Don't go into uncharted waters on your wedding day," Ms Kelsh says. "Keep it pretty natural and neutral, just let your natural beauty shine through."
Avoid a heavy base so the skin can breathe, she says.
"Then just powder those areas like the T-zone, the forehead on the nose and the chin. That way it won't look too shiny in the photograph - it will still have a radiance to it."
Ms Kelsh is the beauty ambassador for this month's Fashion and Beauty Uncovered at Midland Gate and Rockingham shopping centres, offering her tips to the latest in make-up looks.
She says luminisers are a bride's best friend; helping to reflect the light off the face and looking amazing in photos.
"It's really nice to have some light-reflective elements there, like a bit of luminiser that the light bounces off. Even if that shows in the photo, it's really nice, really attractive.
"Where you don't want shine is in-between your brows on your forehead, just either side of your nose and on your chin, because if it's too shiny there it can just look sweaty - as opposed to luminous. That's the balance that you want to get right; it's about where you want the light to bounce off your face so you have a luminous glow, as opposed to an oily looking shine."
Even if your wedding is months away, start work on your eyebrows now, says Ms Kelsh.
"Get your eyebrow shape looking really good a few months out," she advises.
"Perfectly groomed eyebrows look great on a wedding day, they frame the face and just give the make-up a real sophistication."
Evoque Lash Spa in West Leederville director Marnie Kallmeyer says lash extensions can make an amazing difference to the bride's look; highlighting cheekbones, eyes and eye colour.
If it's lash extensions you want, trials six-to-four weeks before your wedding are essential. This way, brides-to-be can have a full set applied and become familiar with wearing and caring for them.
"When she's ready for the big day, then I would suggest that she comes in one-to-two days beforehand," Ms Kallmeyer advises.
When it comes to wedding hair, Maurice Meade Karrinyup style director Siobhan Hiller says bridal hair is reflecting old Hollywood glamour.
"Soft, voluminous styles are making a comeback with hair swept completely off the face," Miss Hiller says.
She says the key to a stress-free wedding day is planning ahead.
"Schedule a consultation with your hair stylist, bring a photo of your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses as well as a few hairstyles that you love or are drawn to.
"Book a trial to ensure you get exactly what you want in advance. If you have a hair colour in mind for your wedding day, start planning six months ahead to make sure you work towards your desired colour slowly so you don't damage your hair. We also recommend regular in-salon treatments every six weeks to ensure your hair is healthy and shiny for your big day."
