Bridal beauty is a huge and honestly pretty overwhelming area of your planning and prep. It can be easy to get torn between trendy products, Instagram recommendations, family advice and the desire to feel and look like yourself on your special day; skip the dewy and glowy vs high glam and highlighted to the heavens debate and pick up our six wedding day must-haves!
1/ Skin So Soft
New from La Prairie is this White Caviar Essence Extraordinaire, €349. Occurring somewhere around the toner stage of a skincare regime, I generally find essences a bit confusing and unnecessary. But this release has more viscosity akin to a light gel, and it sinks into the skin to counteract the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Expensive? Absolutely! Worth it? Perhaps. But if you can’t spoil yourself on your wedding day, when can you?
2/ Lip Sense
When it comes to wedding make-up, my mantra is to keep it classic — you don’t want to look back at your wedding pictures in the future and see the year you were married all over your beautified face. If you want to make a colour splash, then look to a classic red lipstick. Rouge Dior Couture, €38.25, is not only long-wearing but smooth, creamy and hydrating. A highly wearable lippy suitable for reapplying throughout the big day.
3/ Red Relief
If like me, you are prone to a bit of redness as soon as the sun comes out, then you might want a take a peek at this new Smashbox Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Face Primer, €33.45. When worn under the foundation, the green gel counteracts redness and helps keep your make-up in place.
4/ Pale Nails
Get pretty in pink(ish) for your big day with the latest nail polish from Essie Boatloads of Love, €9.99. This is an off-white, almost pink shade with a touch of shine and pearlescence for the perfect bridal manicure. When you look back at those pictures of that new ring, you’ll be glad you kept your nails fresh, clean, classic and neutral.
5/ A Loving Foundation
I’d heard great things about the new Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Foundation, €44, but was not prepared for the flawless finish. It’s a creamy consistency that gives good buildable coverage while hydrating and even plumping the skin. It also feels very comfortable, gives good coverage and lasts all day.
6/ Holding Back The Tears
I always remember seeing my beautiful mam crying when she saw me all dressed up for my wedding, which, of course, set me off. Luckily, my make-up artist was anticipating such a response and had used waterproof mascara. Now, there is also a waterproof liner, courtesy of Benefit They’re Real Xtreme Precision Liner, €22.52, which keeps everything exactly where it should be all day long.
- Kellie Billings