Congratulations on one of the most important events of your life! It is time to be choosing that regal centerpiece of the wedding day: your gown and head dressing. Soon you'll be busy picking out invitations, florists, bridesmaids dresses, the wedding cake, photographer, honeymoon location…. OH MY! To put it in Hollywood terms, you are starring as the "Leading Lady" in your own photographed and video recorded "stage production", and that will be the start of a new life waiting for you at the altar. Starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, my dear? Relax! Chances are you have a few months

and then some to make the preparations in plenty of time but….. don't forget about the most important thing of all: YOU!

Lifestyle changes are coming your way with those two little words, "I do" on the horizon. A wedding date is one of the biggest motivations in a woman's life to make significant improvements in her beauty and fitness routines, and many of these changes become a permanent part of her daily routine. A correct makeup palette that enhances natural features should be an integral part of this permanent change. Too often, brides are simply neglectful out of ignorance or confused and intimidated by the seemingly endless amount of makeup choices on the market to feel truly confident in their selections. I see so many brides in my consultations who are still wearing the same makeup choices leftover from their teenage makeup" trial and error" days. As a result, bad makeup is happening to good brides-to be with unflattering colors and application techniques. The most common problem I find is foundation not correctly matched to the most basic element of makeup ingredients: their skin undertones. Foundation is the cornerstone item of makeup, and needs to be an exact match to skin, not change it. Many women are also using the same skin care routine from those days, and don't realize that as skin matures with age, your routine needs to change accordingly. Without a properly prepared facial "canvas", makeup cannot fully accomplish its mission of illusion and decoration.

Take heart, my dear, you have the best option available to you! This is the time to put your face in the hands of an experienced professional makeup artist who can help you gain a better understanding and knowledge of cosmetics for your specific needs. They can also take the guesswork out of product selection for you, and teach you how to properly use them. The time to start a relationship with your makeup artist is the day you start planning your wedding. Working with a professional will build your confidence and ability in your own makeup skill for everyday wear; a small investment for a lifetime benefit! A professional makeup artist is also a necessary element of the pampering process, eliminating the pressure and stress associated with producing just the right look on your wedding day.

A skilled Bridal makeup artist understands camera techniques, lighting, film stocks and exposure, and is adept at using this knowledge in makeup application for print and video. The artist should use high performance, long lasting products for these mediums, that produce a flawless natural look. Bridal Makeup is not about applying it "stronger" than everyday makeup wear, it is all about using the right professional products to produce a natural look on film and video, and are formulated with a high pigment ratio to last throughout the day. With all the time and expense you are investing into your gown and headpiece, your face (and hair) deserves the professional crowning touch that pulls your special beautiful look together, and captured forever in your photo album and video.

In choosing the bridal makeup artist, the most important consideration is the level of professional skill and a wealth of experience. Talk with other wedding professionals, especially photographers and bridal planners/consultants who are familiar with the work of some bridal makeup artists. Look at makeup artist advertisements in local bridal literature and magazines. Talk with other brides about their past and present experiences with makeup artists, and get referrals. Put together a selection of artists from these inquiries and begin interviewing each to find the one that you feel most confident with, and who understands what your needs are. The investment you make in your bridal makeup artist is minimal compared to the risk of disliking the outcome (of the photos and video) of your wedding, with no probability of retakes.

Wedding day makeup is a very specialized application that involves a number of variables most women have no prior experience with. Even if you feel comfortable doing your own makeup, consult with a professional makeup artist for a private lesson to learn some of their specialized techniques, and color theory.

In designing your own wedding day makeup, take a careful overview of your skin condition, facial anatomy, skin undertone, eye and hair color. Consider your bridal colors, flowers, theme, and all light conditions for photography. Choose makeup colors that enhance all these features, and harmonize with your theme. It is very important that your foundation and powder match your skin tones EXACTLY. And finally, use only products that are compatible with your skin type (and on properly prepped skin), and will be pigmented enough to last throughout the event.