BEFORE THE WEDDING
Here’s how to make sure you have the right look for your first days as a new makoti
Walking down the aisle is the dream of many women, and some have pl ann ed th eir w ed ding day to the tee since they were little girls. But – from working on the perfect body to fit into your wedding dress, to the designs of the nails, the hairstyles and long lasting make-up – becoming a bride can be stressful.
Although becoming a makoti is filled with a lot of preparations and trying to impress the inlaws by showing that you can take care of their son as well as their entire family, the busyness shouldn’t take away from the excitement you should be feeling about your big day.
So, what does a modern-day makoti who loves looking fabulous while carrying out wifely duties need to know before staying with the inlaws? Beauty expert and Cape Town-based makeup artist Yolanda Lupuwana shares all the important details every bride should pay attention to before and after her wedding day.
“We usually do a consultation with the bride to see what skin type they have and we would then draft down the things they need to eat and shouldn’t before their wedding day. This can be a month prior to the wedding or even two weeks before. Whatever the bride eats will affects her skin, so we try to avoid the bride having dry skin or pimples,” Yolanda says.
Before the wedding day, it’s important for the bride to have trial makeup. This is so she is able to see what her makeup will look like at her wedding and she is able to decide what she likes and doesn’t about the look.
“Trial makeup might take away the excitement of looking good for the wedding day, but brides need to know what they’ll look like before their big day,” says Yolanda.
“We need to check the products for the bridal look, we want the bride to look beautiful with subtle makeup. Using nude and natural colours that will make the bride’s features pop out is the way to go.”
Do cleanse skin with micellar water Do scrub and tone
Do moisturise
Do prime
Do use under-eye cream for bags under the eyes
“Make up lasts longer on prepped skin – it can even last up to 48 hours,” Yolanda says. “Using full coverage foundation covers everything and it lasts longer.”
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SKIN PREPARATION BEFORE MAKEUP DIET DO’S AND DON’T’S
Do drink water daily
Do eat fruit, especially ones rich in Vitamin C
Don’t eat junk food that might trigger break-outs
Try to avoid starch as much as possible
MAKE UP DO’S AND DON’T’S
Do nude colours
Do a smokey eye if you want a bit of drama
Do short, natural-looking lashes Do short (acrylic or gel) nails a week prior to wedding day Hairstyles need to be in an updo – a bun laid to the top of your head, away from the face
If you go for a nude lip, rather add gloss instead of colour lipstick.
YOLANDA’S TOP 3 PICKS FOR BRIDAL HAIRDOS
A low bun can be elegant. An installed lace front wig that is styled away from the face is also fabulous.
You can never go wrong with an updo (can be done with natural hair or extensions).
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Try to consult a makeup artist at least a month before the Big Day.