How to beat wedding bloopers
Ashleigh Cometti sends an SOS to four wedding-day beauty experts for to beat their quick fixes when disaster strikes
IT’S QUITE POSSIBLY the most photographed day of your life, so naturally there any many things you’d want to go as smoothly as possible come W Day — from decor and music to seating arrangements and speeches. Thanks to current restrictions, some aspects of planning have taken a back seat, not least wedding day makeup.
But whether you’ve chosen to hire a professional or be your own artist, wedding looks present a universal challenge. The anticipation of walking down the aisle brings with it the pressure of looking like a romantic vision.
According to freelance makeup artist Sophy Phillips, when planning your makeup look for your wedding day, the most important consideration should be longevity. “This will come down to prep, product selection and setting. And, once your look is complete, having a few essentials with you on the day for touchups,” she says. However flexible the term bridal makeup may be, there are a few scenarios that can cause undue stress on the day. Here, we’ve talked to four experts to present a cheat sheet to help you avoid beauty blunders, from aisle strut to after party dance-off:
SCENARIO #1: You wake up the morning of your wedding to — shock horror — orange palms.
How To Fix It: According to Blair James, co-founder of Australian-based tanning giant Bondi Sands, orange palms are a telltale sign of applying tan without a tanning mitt. But don’t panic and reach for an abrasive sugar scrub, Blair says there’s a far gentler way to remove it. “The best plan of attack is to use a specially formulated product designed to remove stubborn tan without stripping the skin of hydration,” he explains.
Try the new Bondi Sands Self-tan Eraser Gel, $25, which effectively removes self-tan in as little as five minutes. For more prewedding tanning tips, visit Viva.co.nz/
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SCENARIO #2: Your lover’s vows have left you a blubbering mess (and your mascara has migrated down your face).
How To Fix It: Pre-empt a mascara meltdown by opting for a waterproof formulation from the outset, says Christchurch-based freelance makeup artist Kasia Stanicich. “It’s super common, so ask your artist to use a mascara that will hold up to tears is your best bet,” she says. We love Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, $43.
If you do need to clean up a spill, Sophy recommends blotting gently beneath the eye area with a tissue to dab away any stray mascara, before touching up with a tiny amount of concealer.
SCENARIO #3: Temperatures are soaring halfway through cocktail hour and your face is shinier than an oil slick.
How To Fix It: Blotting papers or a lightweight translucent powder will be your BFF on a scorching hot day, says freelance makeup artist Sarika Patel. “Opt for ones that focus on absorbing shine but with minimal coverage,” she says. Otherwise, a spritz of setting spray before leaving the house should help keep makeup locked in. “An essential I never leave a bride without is a spritz of Morphe Continuous Setting Mist, $27, to ensure makeup lasts all day and doesn’t appear oily,” Sarika says. If you feel yourself overheating, Sophy recommends running cold water over your wrists for a couple of minutes to cool down.
SCENARIO #4: Your red lipstick-wearing great aunt Brenda plants a big kiss on your cheek right before you head off for your portrait session.
How To Fix It: “I’m part of a big, loving, kissy, smoochy family with two grandparents who are known for this,” laughs Kasia. Sometimes a cheek kiss can be difficult to dodge, so remove a lipstick mark by following Kasia’s simple trick: “I like to warm my fingers up and gently dab as much away as I can, and then take a pressed powder or a small dot of foundation and press it gently into the skin until it’s no longer visible,” she says.
Try Dior Forever Natural Nude Foundation, $109. If you get lucky and the kiss mark is on your cheek, Kasia says to gently blend this into your blush for a seamless finish.
SCENARIO #5: With all the smiling and chatting, your concealer has creased under your eyes and in your smile lines.
How To Fix It: The beauty of smile lines is that they’re not visible when smiling, Kasia says. “Grin away! I personally believe makeup should move, crease and go with the skin. It should be a part of your face, not a thick, heavy layer that feels restrictive.” But if you would like to smooth things over, Kasia says to use the warmth of your finger and some gentle dabbing motions to correct any creasing. If you find you often crease up, let your makeup artist know ahead of time and they can recommend a concealer and setting powder combo that is crease-proof. Sarika loves Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-longwear Concealer, $47, with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $63, on top.
SCENARIO #6: Your poppy pink lip looked fabulous until it started to feather.
How To Fix It: “If you can afford to start from scratch with your lip, it’s worthwhile,” Sophy says. Press a small amount of concealer over your natural lip line, before lightly dusting with pressed powder. Next, use a firm lip pencil (Sophy recommends using a waxier one like the Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 Lip Liner, $33, to keep things in place if you’re prone to creasing) to line and fill the entire lip. Apply your lipstick over the top and use a tissue between the inner part of your lips to avoid it transferring onto teeth. “Matte or satin finishes are best for those who find lipstick feathers easily, but if you’re going for a shiny lip, finish with a gloss or balm on top — focus your application on the centre of the lip to avoid further bleeding,” she says.
For more fashion & beauty news go to Viva.co.nz
SCENARIO #7: A quick touch-up of your blush has left you firmly in Clown Town. How To Fix It: Been a bit too heavy handed with your blush brush? Don’t fret, Sarika says you only need two products to diffuse strong colour for a fresh and natural finish once more. “M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural ($72) is not only a great setting powder for a natural bridal look, but will also soften the look of too much blush,” she says, adding that a spritz of hydrating mist will also help ensure makeup looks as good as it did in the morning.