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Make-up Artists' Guide For Mother of The Bride Beauty

Feature: Long Read
Words by Nateisha Scott

As a mother of the bride, your make-up look is just as important for the big day. Consider elevating your everyday make-up routine by adding a luminous, lasting finish. Start by introducing hydrating and moisturising ingredients to help prepare and nourish skin, and prioritise waterproof make-up and creamy complexion products to make sure your look lasts all day. While the bride's make-up is heavy-duty (think powders and matte finishes), the mother of the bride can consider a softer and hydrated approach for the wedding. Where to start? Read on as four leading make-up artists share their tips for the upcoming nuptials.

Janice Kinjo

Celebrity Make-up Artist

"There will be tons of happy tears and hugging, so waterproofing and transfer-proofing your make-up is key. Leading up to the special day, I always recommend that you top up your skincare routine with a soothing balm that you can also slather all over your lips. Not only will it seal everything in, but you will also wake up with moisturised and soft skin for the big day."

Janice Kinjo, Celebrity Make-Up Artist

Janice's Picks

Amy Conway

Global PRO Artist, Bobbi Brown

Make-up

Radiant Skin is Always In

They say the best beauty looks start with the prep work – enter skincare. “Reach for a primer that still adds radiance to ensure that you achieve a long-lasting natural glow. I love using vitamin C for mothers of the brides, as it instantly brightens and lifts skin underneath foundation – the vitamin enriched face base is a beautiful option,” Conway shares. And when trying to avoid the dreaded flashback photography on the day, Amy recommends staying away from SPF and instead opting for an SPF mist you can apply on top of make-up.

“As a mother of the bride you still want to look and feel like yourself, so I recommend going for a look that is both classic and radiant.”

Amy Conway

Radiant Skin is Always In

They say the best beauty looks start with the prep work – enter skincare. “Reach for a primer that still adds radiance to ensure that you achieve a long-lasting natural glow. I love using vitamin C for mothers of the brides, as it instantly brightens and lifts skin underneath foundation – the vitamin enriched face base is a beautiful option,” Conway shares. And when trying to avoid the dreaded flashback photography on the day, Amy recommends staying away from SPF and instead opting for an SPF mist you can apply on top of make-up.

Application is Key

“No matter how clean our hands are, we still have natural oils on our fingertips. So, a foundation brush will ensure you get an even, buildable application that looks flawless and lasts throughout the day," Conway adds. "For extra oily skin types, you can press a sponge over your skin after application to soak up any excess. I also love to pair a luminous base with pops of pinks or corals for the ultimate fresh feel. Don't be frightened to try one shade brighter than your everyday lip colour for an instant pick-me-up."

“For eyes, it's all about lashes. Whether you love lots of eye make-up or just a soft wash of colour, try adding a touch of sparkle to make you feel a little more special. And whatever you do, pair it with two-three coats of waterproof mascara.”

Get the Look

“Keeping skin fresh and radiant, I start by blending and buffing Bobbi Brown Skin Long-wear Weightless Foundation SPF15 and spot conceal with Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer for a flawless base. Focusing on your cheeks, pat in the pot rouge to help achieve a healthy and natural glow and apply a soft wash of the Golden Bronze Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick for a soft look on the eyes. Finish with the Luxe Lip Colour and seal with a sheen using the Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss.”

Amy's Picks

Adeola Gboyega

PRO Make-up Artist

Adeola Gboyega
Mask in Minutes

“It is very common for the mother of the bride to not get much sleep in the lead-up to the big day, and this can show on the skin, making it look puffy and tired. I highly recommend taking a couple extra minutes to mask in the morning.”

 

Skincare routines are essential but working product into your skin through facial stimulation or massage takes your prep that one step further. Simply “take a few minutes to massage in a cleansing balm as it can help to increase oxygen flow," Gboyega shares. "I would then follow up with a facial mask, one of my all-time favourites being the Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask – it plumps and hydrates skin and helps to minimise signs of fatigue.”

Also, “be sure to look after and prep lips while you are doing your skincare. This will ensure that the lip balm has enough time to condition and hydrate for when you come to apply any lip products. Try the Ultra Violette Sheen Screen Hydrating Lip Balm SPF 50,” she adds.

Adeola's Picks

Adeola Gboyega PRO Make-up Artist

Get the Look

“I’ll start by correcting any discolouration using Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Corrector. I prefer working with a cream-based product such as Guerlain L'Essentiel Foundation and Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for all-day radiance. Blot the Hourglass Vanish Blush Stick just above the cheekbones for a natural flush before using a powder brush to define and sculpt the face – Huda Beauty Tantour Contour and Bronzer is great for creating a natural and bronzed finish. For brows, lightly apply brush strokes with Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Kit and set in place with Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows,” Gboyega recommends.

"Keep eyes simple with a gentle wash using the Vieve Eye Wand and carve out definition using a gel-based eyeliner. I love Estee Lauder’s Double Wear 24H Waterproof Gel Eye Liner, which you can smudge out for a softer appearance (plus, it stays in place all day). On your lips, line using Vieve Modern Lip Definer for additional volume and pair with a nourishing lipstick such as Nars'. Remember to lightly dust a powder across your skin to help set everything in place; Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder is lightweight and compact enough for touch-ups during the day,” she shares.

 

Kim Brown

Make-up Artist & Beauty Director

Kim Brown Makeup Artist

A Look That Lasts All Day

“A polished but natural look works well for the mother of the bride. Keep skin glowing and youthful with creamy products that you can then complement with a little flush of colour to the lips. But stay away from anything too dark or bold as it needs to last all day,” Brown explains.

“I like to start by mixing an illuminator with a moisturiser for a glow from within. Follow this step with a primer to help keep everything in place, and that way, everything looks a little lighter.”

Kim Brown Makeup Artist

A Look That Lasts All Day

“A polished but natural look works well for the mother of the bride. Keep skin glowing and youthful with creamy products that you can then complement with a little flush of colour to the lips. But stay away from anything too dark or bold as it needs to last all day,” Brown explains.

Kim Brown
Pamper Away in the Beauty Suites

We hear that facials are a no-go before any big event, but for Kim Brown, the right facial can work wonders. “A facial can be great a couple of days before. However, avoid anything too invasive and opt for a lifting facial massage and lymphatic drainage which will sculpt and de-puff.” 

As such, booking into the Beauty Suites on the Harrods Lower Ground Floor is a pre-wedding must. Come alive after the CHANEL radiance treatment that combines facial reflexology and lymphatic drainage. Or the Chantecaille detox facial which invites the ultimate revitalisation experience, leaving skin deeply hydrated and refreshed. Keeping the pampering at home? Then Brown suggests using a hydrating sheet mask the night before for extra moisture. 

Get the Look

“Starting with the eyes, use a soft fluffy brush to blend a warm taupe colour (Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette) over the eye sockets, and then blend up and out toward the outer corners for a subtle lift. Finish by coating your eyelashes using the Lancôme Hypnose Mascara. If you want to create a flush with a subtle highlight, I like to use cream blushes or balms such as CHANEL Balm Essential. Lip liner helps the staying power of a lipstick, therefore fill in your lips with a matching lip colour to define the shape, and add some fullness underneath the lipstick – Dior Lip Glow is a firm favourite. Finally, use a fine loose powder down the T-zone and where you don’t want shine, this also helps set the make-up for all day.” 

Kim's Picks

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