Beauty how-to: Get a royal glow
Janan Jay gets the inside scoop from some of New Zealand’s top makeup artists on how to achieve the Markle sparkle at home.
Loved Meghan Markle’s fresh and radiant wedding makeup? Just because you’re not walking down the aisle with Prince Harry doesn’t mean you can’t look fabulous too. Nandan Bhat, makeup artist and New Zealand business manager for YSL and Lancome, says the best thing you can do to get your skin wedding day photoready doesn’t even involve makeup – and takes a lot of advance planning.
“Any time a bride comes to me, usually the first thing I recommend is to get into a good skincare routine at least a month before the wedding.
“The sooner you can get your skincare routine sorted the better,” he says. This gives you time to figure out what products work for you, and see the results before (and on) the big day.
“Your skin has a four-week turnover before it improves. You want to start as early as you possibly can. I would even say from when you set the date.
“Start by doing a double cleanse – washing your face with an oil-based cleaner, then a foam-based one. Follow up with a toner, and then a serum.
“Serum is a targeted treatment product that is more intense than a moisturiser because it penetrates a lot deeper.
“Lancome Genifique Serum (30ml, $137) isa godsend... because it suits all ages, skin tones and concerns.”
You then need to moisturise, and always wear SPF during the day. This step, Bhat adds, is especially important in New Zealand, due to our harsh sun.
According to Bhat, finding the right foundation for your skin, and having it applied correctly, is also extremely important.
He says a lot of people are following YouTube trends instead of considering what suits them.
You also need to gradually build it up in light layers, leaving you looking flawless, and not “cakey”.
This is done by lightly applying foundation all over with a brush, then slowly adding more with a blending sponge, and only where needed.
Lisa Matson, makeup director at L’Oreal Paris New Zealand, says longevity is key. It’s a long day, so pick a foundation that’s also going to stay on, and an eyeliner that won’t smudge, even when you (inevitably) cry. A foundation that is too glossy will just slip off, she says. However, all brides want to look radiant on their big day.
Matson’s tip is to pick a matte foundation, achieving a dewy look with glowing highlighters or illuminating primers. She applies a base first, then adds more foundation mixed with a touch of luminising primer such as L’Oréal Paris Infallible
Luminising Primer ($23).
This mix is only applied on the “highlights” – namely the cheekbones, the upper bridge of the nose and on the “cupid’s bow” of the lips.
When it comes to your eyes, Tony Baumann, head of artistry at MECCA Brands, says there’s only one way to fake it.
“Always go for individual false lashes rather than strip lashes (pictured: Mecca Cosmetica Single Flair False
Lashes, $26). They aren’t as heavy, letting more light into your eye and giving a much more romantic look.”
It’s not just about your peepers though. Nicky Shore, owner and founder of Off & On, a nationwide brow and hair removal specialist, explains that brows need to be looked after too.
She says brides need a gel to keep the brow shape firmly in place, and swears by Blinc Brow Mousse
($45 at Apotheka), which can be tinted or clear. When it comes to style, it’s all about keeping it classic, she adds. You want your brows to be dark enough to add context to your face, as washed out brows make you look older.
However, she warns, you don’t want them to overwhelm your look. Anything too bold, dark, or big is a big no-no.
Yet again, planning in advance is strongly advised. “Don’t colour tint your brows too close to your wedding, because the colour tends to be intense at the start and then drop out,” advises Shore.
She adds: “I would definitely get your shape done about a week before the big day.”