HOW I NOW DO MAKEUP ON THE DAY OF AN EVENT
I've started doing makeup a bit differently - READ ON!
I have found that with everything going on during the morning/or afternoon of an event, such as;
Tears, happy tears:) Letters from people, and all sorts of lovely, heart-warming things happen
Breakfast, lunches, - you must eat!, coffee runs
Children drop offs
Unexpected visitors
Flowers arriving, florists like to come in and explain how to hold the bouquet and how to dry it, etc.
Photographers, videographers, and now content creators are arriving; they always have a few questions about your things, i.e., rings, invitations, etc.
There has been an essential need to do the makeup in two stages: So I now do 80% of the work (skin prep, prime, conceal, foundation base, eyes, lashes, blush, and lips), allowing you to see how your makeup will look. Then you can have a drink, eat something, maybe have a cry, run an errand, knowing it’s OK to do so, and after that, I come back to you. Once everyone else has been done to 80%, I get you back in my chair for your 'final' touches, i.e., the last 20% of your look. I find this method allows the makeup to set, the blush to sink in (which always needs more), another swoosh of setting powder is applied, lashes are re-checked, lip colour is reapplied, and a final setting spray is done. Also, you have had time to get used to the look; you may have put on your outfit(s) and have your hair done, allowing you to see the overall look come together. Sometimes people are in a T-shirt or a dressing gown, not in the colour they are wearing for the day. Good to see it all together. Sometimes it is hard to visualise the overall look when just the makeup is on.
Here in Wanka, sometimes people arrive and find they are slightly sensitive to pollen, wind, and brightness while getting makeup done, which can make their eyes water. I advise anyone with eye sensitivity or irritation to put drops in before makeup and also take a non-drowsy antihistamine; contact lenses should go in first to prevent irritation. Our landscape colours here are super bright; the grass is green, the sky is blue. The green Telfast I find has worked miracles for those with watery eyes.
These last 20% and “final checks” are crucial to the makeup look, and some feedback; “it’s a fabulous idea, and when I found that you did that, I felt so much better”.
I’ve received lots of positive feedback from brides and party guests who love this approach; it reassures the first person of the morning that, in 2-5 hours, I’ll revisit them to check everything is okay. It also gives first-up people peace of mind. It’s not the time for a complete redo, but definitely the time to make sure everything is 100% perfectly fabulous. This methodology allows the makeup to have settled naturally, for foundations to oxidise or change colour (if they are going to), and for us to have time up our sleeve to review.
The products are all of extremely high quality and do tend to last 12+ hours, but I feel it’s essential to ensure everyone is happy before I leave. Hence - “final checks”.
I have just completed some training with Charlotte Tilbury and Laura Mercier in London and Edinburgh, and have been very lucky to bring back some wonderful palettes that are not yet available in NZ.
I have an events background, so I am always very conscious of timings and what is going on around me. Please, if anyone ever has any wishes or concerns, let me know prior.
Please also see the information I have written over the years, including a lot of Clients’ feedback, that it is an excellent piece of reading and offers super helpful insights… about how to prepare for your day, what to have ready, what not to do, etc., i.e. no steaming dresses on the day of.
PRE -PREPARATION ADVICE AND HOW THE DAY GOES, ADVICE ON WHAT TO PACK ETC
CHECKING THE MAKEUP