Bridal makeup: not a detail, the centre of the day
There are many things we notice at a wedding. The flowers, the decor, the dress, the cake, the music, all the details that took so much work. But if we think about it, there is only one thing everyone is waiting to see: the bride. How she looks, how she is dressed, how her makeup is done and, above all, how happy she is.
What I have learned in 16 years, in three countries
I have been doing bridal makeup for 16 years and hundreds of women have added up, in three different countries. I have seen a great many styles and a great many wishes. Some brides come knowing exactly what they want, some show me a few photos, and a great many tell me they want something as natural as possible. And I understand completely.
Today glowy makeup, luminous skin, the glass skin effect and that look of perfect skin without seeming loaded are very popular. They are beautiful things, but I do not think we should choose a particular look just because it is in fashion. The same goes for evening makeup. It can be very beautiful, but not every evening look is right for a bride.
The most important thing is that it represents you
For me, the most important thing is that the makeup represents you. That you look in the mirror and say "yes, this is me", only in a slightly more glam version.
I have seen the difference between a bride who feels wonderful in her makeup and one who is wearing a look that does not represent her. When you do not feel like yourself, you are not as relaxed. And on a day with so much emotion, you do not need one more thing to think about.
Bridal makeup is designed for real life, not for the inspiration photo
You will be photographed and filmed from every angle, in natural and artificial light, you will laugh, you will cry, you will dance, it may be hot, you will perspire, and your skin may flush. All of that is completely normal.
Makeup does not have to transform you or cover your face completely. Sometimes its role is simply to even out the skin, bring out your features and help you look exactly like yourself, even after a whole day.
The small part of the budget with the biggest impact
Here is something we slightly lose sight of: makeup takes up a relatively small part of the budget and of the whole organisation of a wedding, but it has a very big impact. It is on your face in almost every photograph from that day.
We can spend months choosing the flowers, the decor, the menu or all the other details, but years later those are not the things you will look at most. You will open the photographs and you will see the people. And out of all of them, you will see a great deal of yourself.
In 20 years you will not be looking at the flowers
Maybe in 20 or 30 years you will no longer remember exactly which flowers were on the tables, what was served or which song the band played at some point. But you will look at the photographs and relive something of the emotion of that day. You will see your parents, your friends, the person with whom you began a new chapter, and you will see yourself. How young you were, how happy, how you laughed, how you shone.
Your mother will see her little girl. Your father will see his daughter happy, on her day. Even though you have grown up and set out on your own path, to them you will always be their child. I think that is exactly why these photographs come to be worth more and more as time passes.
Allow yourself to choose yourself too
We women often tend to think of everyone else before we think of ourselves. Of our parents, our partner, our children, the guests, what they will like and what else needs sorting.
Perhaps a wedding is one of the few moments when you should allow yourself to choose yourself too. It is not selfishness. It is important to take care of yourself, because the way you feel shows and passes on to those around you.
I do not want you to see a trend in the photographs years from now. I want you to see yourself.
There is no template for bridal makeup
And I do not think there should be one. It can be very natural, it can be glowy, it can be stronger, it can look like an evening look or it can be something completely different. What matters is that it is yours and that it represents you.
Because when you look at the photographs years from now, I want you to see yourself. Beautiful, young, relaxed and happy. To remember how much you shone that day and to know that the beauty you see in the photograph was not created by the makeup. It was already there. The makeup only made sure it was shown.
If you want to see how I work and what each option includes, I have set it all out on the bridal makeup in Bacău page, and the prices for the trial, travel and packages are in the price list. The practical questions, from the start time to false lashes, are in the guide with everything brides ask me.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I cry at the wedding?
You are allowed to cry. The makeup survives crying too. Ideally keep a tissue to hand: when you feel a tear coming, place it in the corner of your eye to absorb it, rather than letting it run down your face.
What if I do not like the makeup from the trial?
You are not obliged to wear the same makeup on the wedding day as at the trial. We can choose something else. The trial is more about getting an idea of how you look with makeup, how it feels on your skin, and trying different styles.
How long before the wedding should I do the trial?
I recommend between two months and a week before. Not so far ahead that you forget how you looked, and not so close that you are doing it in the days when you already have a lot to sort out.
Do we do the exact wedding day look at the trial?
Not necessarily. We can try the makeup you would like to wear and see whether anything needs changing. And if you like it after the trial but want something different on the day, you can change absolutely anything. I will explain how the change you are asking for will read.
Should bridal makeup be natural or can it be stronger?
There is no template. It can be very natural, it can be glowy, it can be stronger, it can look like an evening look. Luminous skin and the glass skin effect are very popular, but I do not think you should choose a look just because it is in fashion. What matters is that it is yours.
What bridal makeup suits me?
That is what we discuss. You show me what you like, I adapt the style to your features. I know what kind of makeup flatters you, but I also care about what you like. When I have both, I can do what I think suits you best.
Can I bring photos of the makeup I want?
Yes, any photos you like. It does not mean we will reproduce the look exactly, because every person is different, but it helps me understand what you like and which direction we are going in.
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