Boston Magazine recently asked me to discuss my must-dos for a bride on her wedding day to get those seamless candid moments while getting ready. Take a look!
The moment is here. It’s just you and your ladies, getting dolled up and dressed up for your big walk down the aisle. No pressure for things to go smoothly.
We tapped 2014’s Best of Boston makeup artist Katrina Hess for her advice on how to create seamless and stress-free “getting ready” moments:
1. Although you could buy another dress for the reception, sometimes just a little change in makeup does the trick. Have your makeup artist up the ante on your look in between your ceremony and reception. Hess suggests going romantic and soft for the ceremony and then, especially if it’s an evening reception, achieve more drama with heavier eyeliner or a richer lip color. Bonus: a greater variety of photo looks.
2. When having your makeup done, consider your wedding venue, the weather (hello, humidity or wind), and lighting throughout the day. “Is your ceremony outdoors, but your reception is indoors? Is it sunny or overcast? Are you in a candlelit ballroom or a bright funky loft space?” she asks. “Your make-up should be adjusted to play off all of these factors.”
3. If a belly full of butterflies made sleep elusive the night before, you might wake with puffy eyes. Hess suggests dipping caffeinated tea bags into a bucket of ice for 15 minutes. Ring out the cold bags and place them on your eyelids for 10 minutes. “I do this for brides quite a bit the morning of the wedding,” she says.
4. There’s nothing more beautiful then a little sparkle for a winter wedding, according to Hess. To create a seasonal shimmer (hello, gorgeous Snow Queen), after applying eyeshadow add her favorite Kevyn Aucion’s The Loose Shimmer Powder. “It’s perfect for shaping and illuminating the eye, and these pearlescent shadows can be used alongside or as an over-lay on another color.” Try Candlelight, a golden Shimmer for a warmer look; Selenite, a cool grey that’s perfect over the smokey eye; or Rose Quartz, a soft pink shimmer that looks great on every skin tone. There’s also Make Up For Ever’s Star Powder. “It catches the light and gives the eyes an intense sparkle and unparalleled shine,” she adds.
5. “Brides should never get their make-up done last,” says Hess. “Go right in the middle of your wedding party, and ideally get it done in stages.” By spreading it out, your look will be as fresh as possible.
To read the entire list, please click here.