As I’m sure everyone knows I am an official make-up junkie.
I love the stuff and wear several products every day – including liquid liner and a good few coats of mascara.
I’m accutely aware however that there are many lovely brides out there who actually don’t wear a lot of make-up, pursue the ultimate natural “look” and the thought of having to potentially pile on the slap just because it’s their wedding day fills them with dread.
Believe me I’ve met a few – the poor pets have literally melted under the make-up artist/sales consultant “You should wear this, this and this!!!!” spell – always with regret and on one occasion a complete refusal to admire her W-day photo’s so “overdone” was her maquillage.
Well we don’t ever want you to feel like that lovelies….
There is no need to change ANYTHING about your look for the Big Day if you don’t want to.
So for all you au natural ladies out there RMW have selected a range of ( what we consider) the perfect “Are they/aren’t they?” cosmetics that will just make you a slightly glossier version of your already gorgeous self.
Naked Ambition
Brows: As everyone knows they frame the face and a neat and tidy groomed pair can make you look instantly polished. MAC Brow Set is nothing short of genius, a tinted gel that fills in the patchy gaps and makes wayward strays stay put. Comes in clear and shades for blondes and brunettes.
Skin: Love the skin you’re in? Don’t feel the need to wear foundation but fancy a bit of flawless? Then Laura Mercier tinted Moisturiser is for you. Sheer, undetectable and comes in a vast array of face friendly shades. This product wins prestigious beauty awards left right and centre ( it’s that great) and is now available in a rich version for dry complexions and oil free for “say no to shine” types.
Cover: Aptly named “Nude” this new concealer from Christian Dior is sublime. Dot onto dark shadows and pat in gently for seamless coverage and/or around the sides of the nose to mask redness. I also used this on my somewhat tomato-like wind chapped cheeks last week and you couldn’t tell I had anything on at all.
Brilliant.
Get Your Glow On
Finish: I have tried a zillion million loose powders ( ok slight exaggeration but a fair few)…and I ALWAYS go back to this Chanel beauty. I wear it on its own in the summer with concealer – It does somehow make your skin more even without the need for foundation. I use shade 50 “Peche” as it gives a “Lit from within” glow.
Oh and a tub lasts FOREVER.
Lips: I can’t recommend one gloss – that would be ridiculous as there are so many great shades out there. Am a big fan of the NARS lip gloss pots though and “Chelsea Girls” is a particularly sexy pout enhancing hue.
And its not too goopy.
Cheek: A recent discovery and another gem from Madam Mercier, cream blush in “Oleander” – the perfect suits all “just went for a brisk walk in the park” blush. Blends like a dream and has pretty good staying powder for a cream formulation.
So then folks…. what natural products float your make-up boat – sticking to your much loved favourites for W-day or trying something new?
I did a bit of both to be truthful, invested in a few new pretty pieces but didn’t stray too much from looking like “me”.
Big Naked Love
Charlotte xxx
I am currently in the process of buying everything under the sun.
I think the only regular product I will be using on the day is Benefit ‘That Gal’ primer. Not sure how much difference it makes to my foundation staying power but it blends in an instant and always makes me smile.
Uber fan of laura mercier tinted foundation! Also a new favourite product is one I found out about via here, chanel pro lumiere. It’s thicker coverage for those late nights (medium) but looks natural. Love Chanel under eye concealer (I must have a lot of late nights).
I go heavy on the eyes and slick of Vaseline on the lips and that’s me done
tempted to try the Chanel powder though. Need the right colour, had tester in Newcastle and looked like an oompla loompa. Need to get the colour right me thinks
I love make up, and I love hearing about new products that I haven’t got around to trying yet. I think i’ll invest in the Chanel powder!
I’m going to do my own face on my wedding day, a natural boho look – I have looked through old Diy posts on here and taken lots of notes for products and application tips!
Thanks girls!
Jen x
Snap Jen…am doing my own face too-I had a MAC lesson recently and didn’t recognise myself afterwards! Uber-glam but not what I was going for, natural is where it’s at for me!
Must recommend Bloom’s primer/base. Is stupendous and lasts forever-gives whole new meaning to dewy glow!
Yay for make-up!
x
As a wedding photographer can I give a couple of handy hints for photogenic loveliness…don’t go too heavy and dark on your eyes as they tend to look really cavernous on your photos, all you will see is lashes but no eyes! Try to open your eyes up. Go for fresh looking lips, anything shimmery (especially pale & shimmery) makes lips look really thin on camera! x
Laura, I have freakishly large dark eyes anyway, does that still apply? I always feel I need to balance out my puffyness if that makes sense? Great tips though!!
Woo hoo! For your next beauty feature can you tell us all how to get beautiful fresh looking skin that radiates beauty as well? I suck at skin care regimes so all help would be appreciated. And by the by, you had already converted me to Laura Mercier previously so thanks a million.
I am a massive massive make up junkie you name it I try it (I dread to think how much of my credit card debt has been spent on make up) I am the beauty counter sales persons dream customer as I am convinced that the next new product will be the thing that transforms my face to reveal a beauty that I never knew was there! Recently I was introduced to Bare minerals I was very sceptical at first as I have nightmare combination skin so I dont normally like powders on my face as by lunch time I feel like I am wearing a tight dry mask I also find liquid foundations make my skin feel really greasy by the end of the day. With the bare minerals powders they dont dry my skin out, its also so quick and easy to use and it gives a really natural look. This is not to say that i dont still use all my other lovely make up products but I am rather impressed with the bare minerals so much so I may be using it for my wedding day. I havent decided if I am going to do my own or have a professional do it. The nars lip gloss looks very yummy colour I am always on the hunt for that perfect nude lip gloss xxx
Something on how to deal with blemishes pleeeease…..
Rebecca, naturally big dark eyes look fabulous! When taking a portrait shot the eyes are always the focus so if they are loaded up with tonnes of liner and mascara we dont get to see them!
Oh I am loving this post, I am pretty much allergic to all make up, and have a natural aversion to it anyway… don’t think I’ve worn it in the last 3 years and I am filled with dread about having to pile it on for my wedding. I don’t see why I should have to, photos taken of me without make up before have been fine, and not “washed out” like everyone is telling me is going to happen. I’m about 90% sure I will be wearing no make up at all, save for a bit of lip gloss, I have never wore it around my other half, and don’t feel like I should have to start just because we’re getting married… I won’t feel like me at all.
My little sis will be doing my makeup as she knows I don’t want to look like anything other than a glossier version of myself.
I went for a Bobbi Brown trial the other day and absolutely hated it – as a natural fair blonde, why did the makeup artist feel compelled to colour my eyebrows dark brown? Looked like I had two slugs perched above my eyes!
After reading this I went straight out to try the MAC brow kit and was delighted with the result – thanks Charlotte!