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Beauty tips from the pros
Want to know the secret to long-lasting foundation and flawless skin? We’ve asked professional makeup artists for the answers to your most pressing beauty questions
By Laurel Rhind
Q. What’s the best way to apply my foundation and lip product?
A. According to Heather Farmer of Elegant Faces, the best way to maintain your look is to use good brushes. Using a brush to apply your foundation saves product. Says Farmer, “Sponges suck up a lot of product, so a brush is best when applying foundation. You’ll use less foundation than you would have otherwise.” When it comes to the lips, Farmer recommends using a lip stain – it’s long-lasting and therefore a great choice for brides. But using your fingertips to apply the product will only stain your fingers – a definite no-no for brides in white gowns. For best results, use a lip brush. When applying, Farmer says, “The less lip stain you apply, the longer it lasts. You only need enough to cover your lips.” A good lip brush can make the application of lip products more effective. Invest in quality tools to ensure your makeup look is at its best.
Q. I’d like to wear a shimmer shadow to make my eyes look subtle and sexy.
However, I have heard that brides shouldn’t wear shimmer because it doesn’t photograph well. Is this true?
A. Shimmer shadows are in style at the moment, but they do pose a problem for brides. Says Farmer, “If you wear shimmer shadows you must be careful. You need to wear the finest of products.” Chunky shimmer simply won’t photograph well. In addition, a high shimmer can create shine, which often looks greasy in photos. Fortunately, today there are quality products on the market that you can use to get a sheer, sexy eye without looking greasy. First, stick to a low shimmer to avoid excess shine. Secondly, know what to look for when shopping for shimmer. Farmer suggests placing the shimmer in your hand and examining it. “If you put it in your hand and you can see pieces, the product is too chunky,” says Farmer.
Q. I have very light eyelashes and eyebrows but I want to play up my eyes for my wedding. Is there any way to do this without endless coats of mascara?
A. Many fair-haired women face this dilemma, but today there is an easy solution. Makeup artist Sandy Cabral recommends eyelash and eyebrow tinting, especially for blond brides. “Blond women typically have light brows and eyelashes. Tinting is great because it keeps the look natural but defines the eyes so well.” Inquire at your local salon about this treatment.
Q. I want my foundation to last all night. What’s the best solution?
A. To make foundation last, you’ve got to prep your skin before applying your makeup. Most makeup artists apply what is called primer to the face. Ivy Mok of Minutemakeup says, “Primer smoothes out the skin and creates a nice surface for makeup application. It also blocks the skin’s oil from getting into your makeup, which helps your makeup last longer.” Once your face has been made up, your makeup should be set. Use a finishing spray to make your makeup last longer. Marla Baker of Caryl Baker Visage recommends Visage’s spray-on Rosewater Hydrating Mist. Not only does it set your makeup so it’ll last, it also gives the skin a soft and dewy appearance.
Q. I always sweat when I get nervous or excited. Considering the importance of the event, I am worried that I will be sweating buckets on my wedding day. Is there anything I can do?
A. Fortunately, there is a solution to your dilemma. Aside from piling on layers of antiperspirant, there is a simple way to stop sweat before it starts in problem areas. According to Cabral, Botox is the new answer to sweat, “I would recommend having Botox done in the hands, feet and underarms of brides who are concerned about sweating.” She suggests that brides have this procedure done about one week prior to the wedding. Check out the listings in this book for clinics that offer this treatment.
Q. I have thin lips. On my wedding day I want my lips to look a little plumper so they don’t disappear in photographs. What should I do?
A. Modern technology is truly amazing. Today it’s possible to give your lips a fuller appearance using a simple makeup product. Try Caryl Baker Visage’s Liquid Kiss Plumping Lip Gloss. Sold in a variety of different colours, this lip gloss temporarily plumps up the lips to give you that kissable pout you’ve always dreamed of. Containing Vitamins A, B and shea butter, this gloss is a modern miracle – sexy lips without the fuss.
Q. I am getting married in six months and I want my skin to look flawless on my wedding day. Is there anything I can do now to prepare?
A. While nobody can guarantee that you will be without a blemish on your wedding day (after all, it’s a stressful time and what’s more likely to cause pimples than tension and anxiety?), there are some things brides can do to help promote luxurious skin. Baker reminds us that beautiful skin doesn’t happen overnight – it’s something you need to work on. She recommends that brides visit a Caryl Baker Visage salon and benefit from their expert skin services. She suggests brides have a facial, glycolic peel or microdermabrasion. But you can promote healthy and beautiful skin right at home too. With the right facial scrub, you can help clear away dead skin cells and rejuvenate your skin to give it a healthy glow. Try Visage’s Power scrub. According to Baker, it gives the skin a great polish. (We’ve tried it. It’s true!).
Q. I am getting married in the winter and I am concerned that my skin will be dry. What can I do to make sure I look my best?
A. It’s important that every woman has a good moisturizer. Just like your body, your skin needs hydration too. Before shopping for a moisturizer, women should first assess their individual skincare needs. Kimberly Soane, Canadian area trainer at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics stresses that during the winter “the skin needs to be properly hydrated.” Well-moisturized skin can make your makeup last longer too. Bobbi Brown carries a variety of different moisturizers for all different skin types. If you don’t know what your skin needs, ask a professional – it’s often hard to determine your skin type by yourself. If you’re looking for a product that’s great for our harsh winters, Soane suggests Bobbi Brown’s Extra Moisturizing Balm. Made for extremely dry and dehydrated skin, this moisturizer will give your skin the hydration it needs.
Q. What’s the best way to conceal under my eyes?
A. Dark circles under the eyes are challenging for many women. Brides often use a concealer to banish darkness, but that can be problematic. If your makeup application or product is too thick or dry, it can dry out your skin too. Ivy Mok’s trick is simple, “I use a lighter toned foundation under the eyes because concealer dries out the skin and can get cakey. This can happen no matter how good or how expensive the concealer is – it still dries out the skin.” Try this trick yourself or ask your makeup artist about it.
Q. I don’t really like wearing foundation. In fact I rarely wear it at all. Still, I’ve been told I should wear something to even out my skin tone on my wedding day. What should I do?
A. Many women don’t wear foundation on a regular basis and therefore would rather not wear it on their wedding day. This is understandable, but probably not the greatest idea. Considering the number of pictures you will be taking and the significance they will have in your life and your extended family’s, a little extra help at looking your best can’t hurt. If you don’t like the feel of a heavy foundation, try something a little lighter. Makeup artist Cristine Dymond recommends a “sheer foundation – it’s great for brides who don’t want to wear a heavy foundation on their wedding day.” She says sheer foundations are great because they provide great coverage without the weight. Another important tip for brides who wear foundation – no matter what kind – is to make sure you apply it all over the face. Says Heather Farmer, “If you want to conceal around your nose and eyes then you must apply your foundation everywhere.”
Q. I don’t want to wear a lot of colour, but I want to highlight my cheeks somehow. Is there a product that will do this but not look heavy on my face?
A. Try a sheer illuminator. Sandy Cabral says that sheer illuminators are really popular right now because when applied, they leave a transparent finish. Because highlighted cheekbones are currently trendy, she says anything that works to softly illuminate this area is popular. Says Cabral, “I would recommend Chanel Brilliance Lumière – it gives a dewy appearance without looking wet.” Getting the look without the weight has never been easier.
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