Natalie Peachy Makeup Artist

Getting Hitched? Here are 6 Tips for Doing your own Wedding Makeup

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Bride with vail blowing in the wind

Congratulations and let the wedding planning begin! Planning a wedding can be stressful (book a venue, photographer, catering, décor) and costs can add up pretty quickly. If you’re comfortable doing your own makeup, you can save some money by doing it yourself on your wedding day. Pinterest is a great source for inspirational bridal looks (how did anyone plan their wedding before Pinterest?)

Wedding day makeup is more complex than your everyday look because you need to look gorgeous in person AND in photos. You also want it to last until the last man – or woman – standing.

Here a few recommendations for doing your wedding day makeup like a pro: 

Prep and Prime

Moisturize your skin then apply a light layer of primer either with your fingers or a brush. Start at the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) and blend outwards. A good primer does two things:

  • it fills in enlarged pores and fine lines so your foundation glides on smoothly
  • it controls shine and extends the wear of your makeup

Recommended:

Nars Pore & Shine Control Primer

Benefit The Porefessional

Foundation

Use a long wear foundation that matches your skin perfectly. These are designed to be sweat and humidity resistant and will last 10-12 hrs. If you wear your hair up don’t forget to put some on your ears! They can get pretty red when we’re nervous or excited.

Recommended:

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Makeup

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

Eyes that Mesmerize

Focus the drama on your lash line and lashes. This will make your eyes really stand out in photos. I like to use a waterproof pencil or gel, and apply it as close to the base of the lashes as possible. After you’ve applied the eyeliner, take a small brush with some dark shadow and apply it on top of the line. This will give you a softer, more romantic feel. And make sure your mascara is waterproof! Bridal Makeup- Gallery Image 23

Recommended:

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

Kiss Proof Lips

To ensure your lipstick doesn’t fade after your first kiss, follow this technique.

  • hydrate lips with lip balm
  • line and fill ill in your lips with lip liner
  • apply lipstick (avoid moisturizing formulas, they fade quickly)
  • take a tissue and blot your lips (this removes moisture and turns it into a stain)
  • apply another coat of lipstick and top with gloss if you like.

If you don’t find them too drying, you can opt for a long wear lip stain. Have your maid of honour or bridesmaid carry your lipstick so you have access to it for touch ups.                                                                                            

Recommended:

MAC Lip Pencil

Estee Lauder Stay-In-Place Lip Pencil

Lock and Load

Now that you’ve created your ideal bridal look you want it to last! I always finish each bride’s makeup with 4-5 sprays of a makeup setting spay – it’s like hairspray for your face. If you tend to get oily, carry blotting sheets instead of powder. They will lift away oil for a shine free finish.

Recommended:

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets

Picture Perfect

Makeup on your wedding day must be a little heavier than what you’d normally wear. This is to compensate for the camera flash that will bounce off your face and wash out your colour by 30-40%. Practice doing your makeup and take a few selfies in daylight and at night for a true sense of how it will look on the big day.

3 Anti-Aging Tips for Looking Younger after 40

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If you’re like me, looking good after 40 doesn’t mean trying to look 25 again, but the freshest, most youthful version of yourself. It’s no secret our skin changes in our 40s and keeps changing as we age. Knowing how to deal with these changes (wrinkles and age spots and pores – oy vey) can be an exercise in frustration. It doesn’t help that the internet bombards us with beauty advice often geared towards a younger demographic. 

To help you cut through the noise, here are my top 3 tips for looking youthful.

Should you wear foundation? Yes because you’ll look younger!

An uneven skin tone makes you look old – period. A good foundation will conceal ruddiness, sun spots, and discoloration and will even out your complexion. Making your skin look its best is the first step to looking YOUNG and FRESH.

Our skin can get drier after 40, so hydrating liquid formulas are your best bet. Stay away from thick, heavy formulations which will settle into fine lines and accentuate them. Instead, opt for light to medium coverage foundations that are buildable (you can add more after the first application and it won’t look cakey). If you have oily skin, avoid ones with the words “luminous” or “radiance” on the label – you’ll just end up looking greasy.

If you find foundations too heavy, try a BB cream instead (stands for Beauty Balm). It’s basically a tinted moisturizer with added primer and spf. It’s extremely lightweight with a light amount of pigment for colour correction. 

Recommended: 

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream: Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora 

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation: Sephora 

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluid: Nordstrom, Sephora.com

 Moisturize – alot.

After age 40, skin becomes drier and loses elasticity which leads to fine lines and wrinkles. Do you find this happening to you? Between the freezing temperature outside and the dry indoor heat my face feels like a shrunken apple head doll! 

Before applying foundation, skin should be as HYDRATED and PLUMP as possible. This is an important part of any anti-aging regimen. Using a good moisturizer will create a smooth canvas for the foundation to glide over.  The more quenched your skin is, the less likely foundation will settle into fine lines and pores. After cleansing, massage a liberal amount all over your face AND neck before applying foundation. If your under eye area is dry, give it some TLC with a rich eye cream.

Your daytime moisturizer should have a minimum SPF of 25 and antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E). Antioxidants protect the skin from the sun’s UV rays and environmental damage thereby helping prevent wrinkles. Also, make sure you purchase moisturizer in a pump or tube, not a jar. Anti-aging ingredients can lose their efficacy when exposed to light and air.

Recommended: 

Olay Professional Pro x Anti-Aging Lotion SPF 30: Shoppers Drug Mart, WalMart 

Clinique City Block Sheer Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 25: The Bay, Sephora

Blush – the glow of youth!

As we age, our complexion can start to look dull and washed out. Adding a pop of colour to your cheeks is the fastest way to look INSTANTLY YOUNGER! Nothing adds life to the face like blush. Mid tone shades of soft peach and warm pink are universally flattering.

Many clients tell me they’re afraid to use blush because they don’t know how to apply it. Here’s what you do:

  • apply blush along your cheekbone – not the apple (centre) of your cheek
  • place your brush where your cheekbone begins, just below your pupil
  • move upwards toward your temple in small circular motions.
  • this gives your face an instant lift!

Using the right brush is so important! Get a blush brush with soft, full bristles. If the bristles are too hard or dense you’ll be left with a stripe along the side of your face (remember the 80’s?) instead of a youthful flush.

Recommended: MAC 129 Blush Brush; Clinique Blush Brush