EVEN IF YOU normally have a flawless complexion, all it takes
to cause a last-minute outbreak is a little stress, poor diet or lack
of shut-eye. Make-up can help some problem skin look better but very
dehydrated, dry or flaky skin can actually look worse after applying cosmetics. Get some expert advice before you get startedCreating your canvas
Give your make-up artist as much information as you can about your skin; if you have any blemishes, scars, uneven pigment or tattoos that you wish to disguise discuss this during your initial chat before your trial. If your skin is constantly a problem, try to work on it well before your wedding as some skin problems can benefit from treatments such as skin peels, medical microdermabrasion or intense pulsed light treatments. For problem skin the key is achieving a good base that will stay in place for the whole day and cover all the problem areas without leaving you looking caked with make-up. Try out different products yourself to discover what brands work best for you. There are some very good oil and shine control products which are fabulous for oily and combination skins, as well as post make-up spritzers which work particularly well to set the make-up and help hydrate thirsty skin. Read on for more advice on how to deal with specific problems.
Oily skin
Always use a translucent powder over a foundation and top up during the day. Not only will this help your foundation stay on all day but it will also eliminate shine, which shows up in photographs. For oily skins use (you'll never guess) oil-free products and prepare the skin for a month or two by using a cleanser and toner designed for oily skin. Exfoliate once or twice a week to prevent blockages in the pores and the skin erupting. Using a primer under foundation will help oilier skins too. This means your base sits on top of the primer, not your skin. It helps to stops shine, minimise pores and avoids your make-up going patchy.
Dry skin
With dry skin the key is finding a good moisturiser for both day and night, and once you've found something that works use it religiously during the run up to the wedding. If you need help choosing a brand ask the experts behind make-up counters or talk to artists who specialise in bridal make-up. On the day moisturise an hour prior to the make-up going on.
Wrinkles
If you are concerned about wrinkles and contours there are several non-surgical beauty treatments that can help - these include Restylane and Sculptra as well as Botox. Advances in skincare are happening all the time, so don't just think you have to put up with wrinkly skin. Do some research to find out about the various methods of minimising your wrinkles in time for the wedding; most of them aren't as scary as a Botox injection. On the day, always apply powder with a puff as applying with a brush makes it sit on top of wrinkles and accentuate them.
Blemishes
For brides troubled by scarring and blemishes, the trick is to use a foundation and concealer with plenty of pigment. Laura Mercier do beautiful foundations which have lots of pigment, and their 'secret camouflage' concealer is great too. It's very dry so must only be used on the face (not the eye area). When it's on, it really stays put. For severe scarring or to cover a tattoo, Dermacolor concealers are also excellent.
Spots
Be prepared for your worst nightmare: a spot or two appearing the night before the wedding! Make sure you have a good concealer with you. Concealers with a wax consistency provide a much better coverage than a cream. With a small brush, using small dabbing motions place the concealer on gently until the redness disappears. It is best to apply the concealer after your foundation because otherwise the foundation can rub it away. Try to apply around the spot to cover the redness rather than on the actual spot itself as the dry skin can flake or 'weep'. If you have acne from time to time, you may simply need to make a change to your skincare products and make-up. But if your acne is more serious, it is worth researching which health and beauty companies specialise in treating acne and pigmentation problems.
Dark circles
For under the eyes a light consistency concealer is required. Wax will be too heavy, giving too much coverage which creases and accentuates fine lines. Try to avoid light-reflecting under eye concealers too as these can reflect the camera flash and cause a white ring effect around the eye area in your photographs. A light cream concealer a shade lighter than your foundation will do. However if you often have problems with dark circles use a colour corrector; a little pink corrector concealer mixed with some of your foundation will cover up the dark areas as pink combats grey. Don't apply thick layers of a heavy foundation as all this will do is make any fine lines more noticeable.
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