I was reading my PPA magazine today and ran across a great article by Lorna Gentry regarding makeup for brides. It talks about what to do if you are not hiring a professional make-up artist (which it reiterates is a must investment for brides) and you are doing your own makeup. It stresses many of the things that I run across in photographing women even in the studio for their headshots. So here is a recap, per the permission in the article.
1. Blend, Blend, Blend. You can use your everyday makeup, but use more than you normally use every day.
2. Sometimes less is more. Use less makeup for a day wedding and more for evenings. You can get dramatic with eye makeup.
3. Don’t skimp on concealer. Use a moisurized concealer on the thin, sensitive skin under the eyes. If your concealer isn’t moisturizing, blend it with a skin cream. For belemishes, first treat them with a natural or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, then cover with concealer.
4. Do a makeup trial run. It’s the only sure-fire, stress-free way to make certain your makeup will look beautiful.
5. Not all mineral makeup is created equal. Titanium dioxide, a chemical used as sun block, can reflect flash, giving the bride a ghostly appearance. In 2009 makeup artist Annie May launced a line of mineral makeup especially formulated for photography call Advanced Mineral Makeup. May promises it won’t white-out the bride under a flash.
6. Use waterproof makeup with staying power. You don’t want to spend your reception in the bathroom reapplying your makeup. Foundation, eyeliner and mascara all should be waterproof. And in case your cry (and you probably will), have a tissue or handkerchief handy to gently blot your tears right at the eye.
7. Keep your lips moisturized and colored. Dry lips look dreadful in photos. Have someone carry your lipstick for you and touch up often. Matte and gloss lipstick both photograph well, and be sure to use a blended lip liner for enhanced definition. It is here that I will personally say, you need to seek out Lora Smith’s Senegence at My Miracle Makeup. Her color stays on ALL day. You may need to occasionally reapply gloss to keep it shiny, but you won’t worry about losing your color 
8. Don’t forget the groom. If the groom is red faced due to too much sun (or drinking?), a little powder can help. That goes for shiny heads, too. And it’s a good idea to slip a tube of Chapstick in the groom’s pocket for his dry lips, as well as a handkerchief to dab well-wishers’ makeup smudges off his suit.
9. Don’t sprinkle on glitter. In photographs, it tends to look like litle white spots, as if there’s something wrong with the camera.
10. Remember to apply foundation and powder to your neck, shoulders and decolletage — you want your head to look like it belongs to your body.
Makeup is very important to women when they are being photographed. Many times I’ve heard that I never wear much makeup and I want to look natural. A “natural” look can be achieved with the right makeup, but no makeup leaves you washed out and generally leaves an undesired look.
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