Sondos Al-Qattan
Get gorgeous for your wedding with Sondos Al-Qattan, Kuwait’s make-up and beauty expert and leading regional beauty blogger. To help you on one of the most photographed days of your life, Al-Qattan shares some valuable tips, including dos and don’ts, how to prevent a make-up melt down and brides’ most common mistakes.
1. How important is a trial?
A make-up trial is as important as a wedding dress trial, as it is important for your make-up artist to try out different colours and looks to see what matches your skin tone and style. Most importantly, the bride needs to feel happy and confident on her wedding day, so she needs to feel comfortable with the way her face looks.
Shiseido
2. What’s the best way to prep skin before the big day?
Sleep and hydrate! It is essential for the bride to get plenty of rest. Lack of sleep can result in puffiness under your eyes and your complexion will not appear fresh on your big day. It is also recommended to avoid wearing any make-up the day before to allow the skin to breathe too. The bride has to drink enough water right until the wedding to hydrate the skin and to add that extra glow that every bride wants!
For a last minute boosting, you can also apply a very gentle mask (e.g. Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Pure Retinol Express Smoothing Eye Mask) and even add some hydrating serum onto your face, neck and décolleté to enhance your glow.
3. How do you take care of your skin to keep it glowing?
I always take my make-up off before sleeping no matter how tired I am. After using an oil cleanser, I also like to double cleanse with natural ingredients such as a mixture of milk and honey to ensure my skin is protected. Another really important tip is to apply moisturiser regularly, even if the skin is oily, find one that suits your skin. Never leave home without applying sunblock to protect your skin from ageing and sun damage.
Wow by Wojooh
4. Wedding parties can be long. What’s the best way to keep make-up fresh?
Don’t forget to use a primer
To keep your make-up looking fresh throughout your wedding, applying a suitable primer is an essential base for your make-up application. It is best is to apply the primer prior to the foundation for a long lasting effect. Not only does applying primer extend make-up wear, but also creates a smooth texture, which instantly improves skin surface.
Choose a long-lasting make-up setting spray
A light refreshing spray gives your make-up the right amount of staying power for your big day. It is great to keep foundation, eyeshadow, blush, and concealer in place.
Apply lip liner and choose matte lipstick
Don't forget to use lip liner before applying your lipstick, as it will make the colour of your lips stand out even more. Also, opting for a matte lipstick helps keep the colour last longer.
Apply finishing powder
Finishing powder is also an essential component of the bridal make-up routine as it allows the foundation and concealer to have a longer lasting fresh look. Not only does the finishing powder keep the make-up intact, but it also reduces the excess shine on the skin. When light is attracted to shining skin and when light shines on an area, it illuminates any flaws like deep pores, uneven skin, wrinkles and small creases.
Obaji
5. Does it matter if the make-up artist uses a brand the bride’s never tried before?
It is definitely important to try the brand a couple of times as the bride doesn’t want to risk getting any sort of allergic reaction to the products being used, especially on her big day. Also, having a make-up trial is very important as it adds to the comfort level of the bride, having used a product at least once before the big day she knows how she will look good when using it.
6. How important is it for a bride to follow trends?
Especially on your wedding, it is important to feel comfortable, so applying trends are good but only when they suit you, which is why having a make-up trial with a professional make-up artist is important.
Gucci at Paris Gallery
7. Do you believe applying make-up correctly depends on talent or taste, or does it require enrolling in classes and courses?
I believe it is important to get guidance to start off, to make sure your basic techniques are right and to ensure that you are wearing the right make-up that suits your skin. The rest is self-taught by seeing what you prefer and what works best on your face. Of course going for a make-up course will enhance your make-up techniques, as well as watching tutorials, etc.
Shiseido Ibuki Quick Fix Mist
8. What do you think of brides doing their own make-up?
Even if the bride herself is a professional make-up artist, if she is able to work with a make up artist, it is always better, as brides are always doing last minute things. Having a professional make-up artist will help the bride relax and enjoy getting ready, which are priceless moments in a women’s life.
Eva Garden
9. What are the most common make-up mistakes brides make?
Your wedding is one of the most-photographed days of your life. Looking your best and feeling your best is important! Some of the most common mistakes brides and make-up artists make include:
Trying something new
A bride’s wedding day is not the time to experiment with new make-up and products. Choose tones and products that you feel comfortable and that your skin is used to.
Choosing the wrong kind of lash enhancements
A popular trend now is to get eyelash extensions, however, this is a bit tricky so it’s always better to try the lashes at least two weeks before your wedding in case you have an allergic reaction to the adhesive and most importantly to ensure that you’re comfortable in the way you look in them.
No make-up trial
Even though this is an added cost, you shouldn’t miss it! It’s always good to have this as you can try different colours and different products to ensure you are happy with the way you look and have good chemistry with the make-up artist and she understands your beauty needs.
Rimmel x Kate Moss
Wearing lip gloss
Lip liner and matte lipstick are the best choices for lip make-up during your wedding, but avoid lip gloss as it wears off relatively quickly. Also, when your lips are too shiny, you will lose definition in your pictures and it can leave a glare.
Applying too many complexion products
such as foundation, concealer and
powder. When this happens often times it ages and pulls the features down.
Seasons change
and so does the state of the skin. During the warm summer months, we produce more oil and vice versa. So brides need to also make sure they stick to products and a colour tone that not only matches their styles and skin colours, but also the season.
