Get ready for the big day by planning your make-up makeover following our special tips. Redhead, blond or brunette? Find the best way to enhance your natural beauty.
Most brides opt for simple and neutral make-up for their special day; however, getting the desired effect may be a challenge. First of all, go for a trial in advance so the make-up artist can test and try different options and also check if a skin treatment is required. It’s important to remember the goal is to bring out your best features and not how well the make-up is applied.
Have make-up applied on your décollet if your dress shows this area. Don’t forget to use waterproof products. Also note that some foundations and loose powders may create a strange effect in pictures, since they reflect light differently. If possible, get your make-up photographed with a flash before to see what it will look like.
Now you’re aware of the little details, check out Woman This Month’s top tips for women of various hair colours and skin types.
GREEN EYES AND RED HAIR
Eyes: play with purples; this hue is on the opposite side of the colour wheel from green, making it stand out. To widen the look, apply shades of deep plum eyeshadow towards the outer edges and a lighter tone towards the inner eye. If your eyelids are a little droopy, do the opposite. You can also go for dark green, bronze, gold and copper. For eyeliner, choose brown or charcoal grey as they are softer and less harsh; never pick bright silver.
Skin: use a yellow-based or peach foundation and stay away from red or pink bases, they will make your complexion look too reddish and clash with your hair. Don’t over apply to let your unique freckles show through.
Lips: to finish the look, go for nude and beige lip glosses. The golden rule is to avoid pink and red lipsticks. However, many rules are there to be broken and this might be one of them, so take the risk and experiment. Cherry pink and bright plum are some of the best options in matte or lip stain formulas.
BLUE EYES AND BLOND HAIR
Eyes: It is all about contrast here. Opt for warm colours such as bronze and orange undertones like pearl, gold, peach, rose gold and almond. If you have blue eyes and pale skin, try combinations based on the pink palette, like milk chocolate, taupe, mauve or blush. Black or charcoal grey liner or mascara enhance the lash line that is usually unseen. Avoid frosty light and mid-tone blues; they can look dated and ageing. Any shadow that matches your eye shade exactly will make it look dull by comparison.
Skin: pick light beige or ivory (depending on skin colour), avoiding warm tones. If your skin is golden, apply a thin layer of shiny bronzer. For cheeks, dust on a peach, coral or copper shade to make your blue eyes appear bluer.
Lips: lipsticks make a considerable difference when you have light eyes. Adding a pop of colour can balance your features and brighten the eye colour even more. You can go classic with a bright red, flirty with a hot pink or outstanding with a berry shade.
BROWN EYES AND DARK HAIR
Eyes: since brown doesn’t have an opposite or complementary shade on the colour wheel, most eye make-ups work for these women – the determining factor is the depth of the eye colour. For deep browns, opt for dark shades such as forest green, charcoal grey or metallics – gold and bronze. Medium browns can try green, violet or bronze eye shadows; however, most tones work really well here. Hazelnut eyes are beautifully painted in pearly shades paired with violet, bronze or brown.
Skin: the complexion colour can vary to all shades here, so pick the hue that provides best coverage and that blends well with your skin tone. On the cheeks, try warm pinks, rosy browns and bronzes. Brush the bronzer up towards the eyes and add a hint of pink blush on the apples of the cheeks for brightness.
Lips: most of the time, pale pink lipsticks don’t flatter brunettes; best to play with richer colours such as brownish tones or spicy red. If you want lighter shades, opt for coral or peach.
Remember: brunettes with blond highlights can wear make-up with pink undertones better than girls with red highlights. If you have medium brown hair colour and a medium to dark complexion, select honey shades and metallics. But if, instead, you have fair skin, never pick dark lipsticks or silver eye shadows.
For blue eyes and brown hair or any other different combination from the above, mix and match the tips from the two categories for the best results.
