Shaadi Bridal Makeup

Indian Bridal Makeup Tips & Advice

A wedding day is an auspicious and important day in the life of every bride and it is natural for each one to want to look their fabulous best, yet retain some of their inherent everyday charm.

Use a professional makeup artist if possible. Have a pre-wedding consultation so your makeup artist already knows what you want.

Working with The Indian Bridal Makeup Artist (Hopefully Khush ;) can save you quite a bit of time but make sure you collect pictures from magazines to show the makeup artist so he or she can get an idea of the look you're going for. Keep in mind that your wedding is not the time to start experimenting -- stick to an enhanced version of your everyday self.

Schedule trial runs before your prewedding parties or other special events (friends' weddings, class reunions, etc.). Some makeup artists do charge you for these practice sessions -- so find a crowd to wow!

Take a close look at yourself a few hours after a trial makeover to check how the makeup wears on your skin. Does it last or fade away? Note any color changes or allergic reactions.

Have a facial two weeks prior to your wedding. If you’ve not had facials in the past we would recommend you start this process 3-4 months prior to your wedding.

 However the below is a makeup tutorial for those who would like to do it on your own - here are the tips:

The makeup should be classy, yet not so overdone as to draw attention away from the rest of you.  Splash cold water on your face in the morning to help reduce morning puffiness.

 Moisturize:

The first of these Indian bridal makeup tips involves moisturizing. Once the face is clean and free of any excess oil or dirt, apply a sheer layer of moisturizer. This will help to hold the makeup better, and make sure that it lasts longer. You should also apply a layer of oil-based concealer under the eyes, in preparation for any tears that may arrive during or after the ceremony. Allow the makeup and concealer to set for about 20 minutes

Foundation:

Make certain your foundation is an exact match to your skin tone.  Use heavy-pigmented cream foundation and layer it with powder foundation to make the skin look smoother.  Using your fingertips or a sponge, apply a sheer but even layer of foundation. Check for any lines around your jaw bone. 

(Makeup Artists will combine 2 or 3 different foundation colors to match the bride's skin tone perfectly and also possibly combine 2 or 3 different coloured concealers to conceal things like dark circles.)

Apply a matte powder all over your face; using a powder based product, this will ensure skin looks perfect in the photographs. The shine free oil control loose powder, will help control the oil that usually develops around the 'T zone'. This will last long & give it a matte look. Add a little blush; pick a peachy pink color that will look natural on you.

When you’ve applied it, dust on some loose powder to seal it all in.

If your dress has an open neckline, be sure to warm up your neck and chest with a dusting of Bronzing Powder.

 Blush:

For a pretty flush that lasts, use two shades of Blush. First, apply a neutral shade on the apples of cheeks, blending up into the hairline, then downwards to soften. Then apply a brighter shade just on the apples of cheeks.

Eyes:

If you have dark brown eyes and want to have a smokey eye effect, then focus on using deeper colors, as these complement the natural color of your eyes. For a more dramatic effect you can use colors that shimmer, but in general deep, rich, matte colors work best for dark brown eyes. Some excellent colors are purple, gray and brown.

For a perfect eye shape, use a small brush to blend a medium tone color from just below the brow arch downwards in a semi-circle motion.

Basic smokeyeye makeup uses two shades of eye shadow, one light and one dark, in order to achieve the dramatic effect. However, using three colors can really enhance the make upon brown eyes, since brown eyes are less dramatic than, say, blue eyes. Do make sure, however, that the shades you select are complementary and do not clash.

Begin by cleaning your eyelids and applying a primer. If you don’t have a primer, you can dab on a light layer of concealer or moisturizer for around the eyes. This will ensure that the makeup is absorbed better and continues to look fresh for much longer. Once you have primed your lids, line both the top and bottom lids with brown or black eye liner. Smudge the line on the bottom lid to make the effect more dramatic.

Once you begin shadowing, you will immediately see the effects of smokey eye makeup for dark eyes. Brush the lighter shadow over the entire lid, up to the brow ridge. Next, gradually blend in the darker shade, starting at the outer corner of the lid.

As you get closer to the eye crease, switch to the other, slightly lighter dark eye shadow. Blend continuously. To finish your makeup, apply a few layers of black mascara to you lashes.

The foremost tip that you must remember before applying Smokey eye makeup for dark brown eyes is to select the right colors. Choose deep, rich tones to complement and enhance the color of your eyes.

End with lining the eyes with kohl, to accentuate the look.

Lash Extensions:

Every Bride wants her eyes to pop on her wedding day. It’s all about the lashes.

The extensions are single strands of synthetic eyelashes that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. They provide length and thickness to your own lashes and are available in varying lengths and thickness. They are applied to your individual eyelashes, one lash at a time. There is no need for mascara even though a water based mascara is fine to use. The result is thicker, longer, eye opening eyelashes that are safe in the shower, while swimming, sleeping or exercising.

Lipstick:

Use a light to medium lipstick that is long wearing. Choose a lip liner that blends easily with lipstick for that soft glossy look that looks good in photographs too. Start with a pencil lip liner. Apply from the centre and line outward; make sure you have completely outlined your lips. Lip liners help lip color stay longer and also avoid bleeding. Now fill in your lips with a moisturizing lip color, helps keep lips soft and supple and the pick a color that is most striking. 

Thin and small lips look more sensuous with light lip colors while fuller lips can use deep shades. Keep the Lipstick handy to freshen up your pout after the kiss.  Add some gloss to your lips for a great impact.

Nails:

Go get yourself a manicure & pedicure! It will ensure the hands & feet look duly moisturized. Well polished and shaped nails add spark to the looks of a bride. The color of nail polish should ideally match the wedding dress of the bride. Apply it to your nails in single sweeps. Apply a base coat on the nails because it gives strength to your nails.

Remember:

Place the focus on the face either on eyes or on lip and underplay the other with neutral pink or brown shades. 

Neutral and pale lip colors look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one to two shades brighter than what you normally wear. Pinks, roses and plums are great choices for brides.

When applying your makeup wear a button shirt that can be easily removed when its time to dress.

Get plenty of sleep, please!

Don't try anything new on your skin 7-10 days before your wedding. You don't know how your skin will react.

Well-shaped brows can open up your whole face, get them done ten days before the wedding, then two days before get them touched up or pluck the few strays yourself.

Choose a hairstyle that will suit your face shape. Round faces will look good on high ‘up dos’ and sleek long styles while long faces suit styles that have width and volume.

If your wearing sandals then about a month before your wedding start your foot treatment so your feet look as good as the rest of you.

Do not do your own makeup. Have a professional makeup artist do it. Chances are you’ve got a bit of the jitters with all the excitement which could result in you having difficulties doing your own makeu

 Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist ...Born with a Brush in her hand...

Six months - Increase your intake of vitamin A by eating lots of fruit and vegetables. Drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.

Four to six months - Visit a beauty therapist and arrange a series of facials to start working on any existing skin conditions.

Three months - Have some trials with a make-up artist; book someone for the big day. Try applying and wearing various products, so you won't feel odd or uncomfortable on the big day. Don't risk sunburn and peeling red skin - moisturise daily with an product containing sunscreen.

One month - If you go a little overboard on your hen's night, detox by loading up on fruit and water. Have a final make-up trial and discuss your ideal look.

One week - Make it a priority to eat properly, sleep properly, relax and drink those eight daily glasses of water everyone has been telling you about. Don't even think about smoking, drinking or dehydrating!

24 Hours - Get an early night and have a good night's sleep.

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity &amp; Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Look around at the myriad of lash products on the market. Go on, you can’t deny it; blinking back at you is the proof: we take our eyelashes very seriously, very seriously indeed. Once upon a time a lady would not have left the house without applying her lipstick; these days it’s a curl of her lash, followed by the lick of a mascara wand. For some reason, dark, anything but short, spindly, pin straight lashes make a modern woman feel ready to face the world.

Eyelash treatments can be traced back to around 4000B.C when the Ancient Egyptians tinted theirs using bone or ivory applicators dipped in pigment made from kohl, burnt almonds or lead mixed with honey and crocodile droppings. Both men and women favoured in the practice, believing it helped conceal their eyes, rather than enhance them, in effect drawing the shutters on the windows to their souls as protection. Later mascara was endeared for its beautifying properties as well. However it’s popularity remained somewhat subdued between Ancient Egyptian times and the Victorian era (circa 1830’s). Still, in Europe around 900 B.C women were taught the finer points of making mascara using soot. Then, around 100 BC, at a time when the Roman’s were convinced their lashes fell out after sex, women used the remains of burnt rose petals and date pits, as well as the more ‘traditional’ ashes, kohl and soot to define their lashes, thus hiding their prohibited behaviour. In 1500 A.D, mascara was again used, though this time made from crushed walnut shells. Come the Victoria era women were known for their indulgent beauty habits and rituals, routinely spending all day pampering themselves and secretly preparing homemade cosmetics. During this time, women turned to artists from the Renaissance period, who had depicted women with delicate long lashes, for inspiration. Mascara was made usinglampblack (the soot from oil lamps) or ashes mixed with elderberry.

Prior to 1917, mascara was made in the home. However, thanks to the ingenuity of Maybelline Cosmetics founder, Eugene Rimmel, the first mass-market mascara was released. A cake-like formula, it was tinted using black coat dust and featured the key ingredient, the secret to the success of recent mascara formulas, petroleum jelly (patented some years earlier in 1872). Also created around that time (1916) were the first false eyelashes. Ordered by the American film director D.W. Griffith for his leading lady at the time, the lashes were made with the aid of a wig maker who wove human hair onto fine gauze, which was then “gummed” to the lids. Though other Hollywood stars eager to define their features on the silver screen saw their potential, the general public did not find f
alse lashes appealing.   

From the early 30’s onwards lash products have seen a fast and furious rise in demand and supply. In 1933 a product called Lash Lure hit the market. Sadly it killed one woman and blinded a handful of others. Then, in 1938, the first waterproof mascara was developed. Though with it consisting predominantly of turpentine, users complained of its unpleasant smell and ill side effects. Next, in 1948, the first lash growth product was released; followed by the revolutionary tube (“automatic”) mascara in 1960. The formula proved safe and gentle, and also waterproof, which, when coupled with the social, political and economic changes at the time, urging women to decorate their eyes and not their mouths - as had been the case for decades - a lash craze was spurned. As a result, women also demanded high volumes of false eyelashes. Thus they were pulled out of the archives and plopped on every pharmacy shelf. Women  designed themselves on pop culture idols, such as Twiggy and Veruschka, proving the bigger, the faker the better. “Back then I was layering three pairs of false eyelashes over my own… I would [even] paint extra lashes,” said Twiggy of her impossibly long, impossibly thick lashes at the time. In 1971, false eyelashes were given icon status themselves when they appeared encircling the right eye of Alex, the “charismatic delinquent” in Stanley Kubrick’s sinister cult film A Clockwork Orange.

In the 80’s, excessive make-up was in fashion. In order to fortify the heavy shadow and deep socket lines favoured at the time, lashes had to be equally as big and bold. Therefore mascara was a must-have, with coloured formulas also proving popular. While Princess Diana was the finest example of how to wear mascara during this period (she always wore blue), Tammy Faye Bakker, the then wife of a prominent American evangelist, with her clumpy, splotchy lashes, best illustrated how not to wear it. In 1988, perhaps in reaction to the over use of mascara in the earlier part of the decade, Max Factor launched the first ever clear mascara. Called No Colour, it was the ideal product for women wishing to achieve a more natural look. .
Since the 1980’s lash developments have also represented the semi-permanent market. In the late 1990’s, for example, eyelash extensions were created. First in Asia, they 
soon went worldwide. W omen of all ages have since lined up to have these individual lashes made from materials such as synthetic fibers, mink, silk, and even human hair, attached to their own natural lashes and adhered in place. The appeal of course being, aside from the fact they remain intact for up to a month, is these lashes arrive in various shades, lengths, density and amount of curl, giving women a made-to-measure look. The 90’s saw the release of many additional developments, such as the launch of tubular mascara and vibrating mascara, as well as an array of mascaras that promise to lengthen, thicken, add volume, lift and separate. Sophisticated eyelash curlers have also become popular, with heated models, models that create various shapes and degrees of bend, and those that apply your eyeliner simultaneously becoming widely available.

Lashes are now a multi-million dollar business; reason enough for cosmetics companies to make every effort to appeal to consumers. With numerous competitors releasing an abundant array of lash products, the lengths some cosmetics companies go to to garner our attention are questionable at best. Hence why regulations were put in place earlier this decade, ruling that if mascara advertisements featured models wearing false lashes it had to be clearly stated. Despite this, in 2007, it was revealed some companies were not doing so, thus misleading the public and creating widespread skepticism about claims made by the beauty industry as a whole. Naturally when Latissetm was released in the 2008, the first and only science-based eyelash enhancement treatment approved by the FDA (the U.S Food and Drug Administration), the medical endorsement helped amass the product much attention and many celebrity devotees. Also in 2008, the highly regarded Japanese cosmetics company, Shu Uemura, rolled out their Tokyo Lash Bars around the world. With each bar featuring an array of delectable lashes in various colours and shapes, made from materials, such as feathers and fur, the fact they offered expert lash fitting and tutorials helped make the venture a success.

Fashion certainly seems to have been at the helm with regards to the lash. Coupled with technology, or lack there of at times, it has steered the eyelash’s nearly every rise and fall - unlike lipstick, which has been constantly affected by politics and other dramas. Thought what we see on the runway isn’t always suitable for everyday. At Chanel’s Fall RTW 2009 collection, for example, the house’s cosmetics creative director Peter Philips had the same ateliers that work on Karl Lagerfeld’s intricate designs craft lace and bejeweled lashes for each girl in the show. Applied to the lower lash line only, the effect was romantic with an edge. Not wearable certainly, but still, it sent shivers down the spin of every lash loving girl and beauty editor at the time. Even more thankful we are when given the occasional attainable look, however. Such was the case at recent Fall RTW 2011 collections. There they were not nearly combed, polished lashes. No. Rather sexy,  clumpy lashes:  60’s inspired yet modern. Ordered at both Gucci and Chloe by Charlotte Tilbury, and at Lanvin by Pat McGrath, it's not hard to imagine us  arching over our bathroom sinks in the coming months in an effort to achieve them for ourselves.  

<a href="http://khushsingh.com/">Khush Singh - Celebrity & Indian Bridal Makeup Artist</a>

Thank to S Corey.