Makeup Master – Bright Lip

April 19th, 2012

I recently asked the fabulous Bruce Rehbein from MakeupMaster, to come in and makeover three of our lovely brides-to-be with three different, on-trend looks.  Last week’s was the smokey eye and it totally transformed Bronwyn into a glamourous, siren with old world style and sophistication.  I am a major fan of the smokey eye – it really does make a feature of your eyes (even dark brown eyes like mine) and who doesn’t want their eyes to look ravishing on their wedding day?  However not everyone thinks their eyes are their best feature so today’s makeup is the on-trend bright lip.  I know most brides go for pale, natural coloured lipstick on their wedding day – it makes sense , I get it.  But sometimes it looks so bold and fresh to buck the trend and step out in something a little more unexpected.  It could be something you put on as you enter the reception – you know, as you move into the festive part of the day.  I don’t want to sound like a broken record but I think if you have the right shade for you and your skin tone, bright lipstick can really add a great wow-factor.  So when our lovely bride-to-be Karen arrived for her makeover, I was busting to give it a try!  And she looked totally AMAZING!  You are going to love this look!!  So, without further ado, here are the tips and tricks for a bright lip!

Bruce prepped the skin with a great primer – he is a massive fan of primers as they really do offer great staying power to your foundation (and on a day like your wedding day, you don’t want your makeup sliding off your face!).  Once again we talked about how to get the perfect shade and really you just need to test it out on your face in the sunshine to really see if the shade is right for you.  The aim of foundation is to enhance your skin rather than cover it up.  Bruce thinks makeup is all about enhancement – and I do too.  So many girls cover their faces with heavy makeup and it really isn’t necessary.  Good products that are suited to your skin and well applied should be all you need!  With a bright lip, Bruce felt it best to keep all other aspects of Karen’s makeup subtle and low key.  There is this rule that says you should only play up one feature at a time – eyes or lips or cheeks (except in the 80s when we went to TOWN on everything all at once and big big BIG!!! More, more, MORE!!!  BIG IS BEST!  Did you see our shoulder pads? Or our hair?)

One of the biggest tips I got from each of these sessions is to do your brows!  As Bruce was saying they are responsible for framing your face and with an eyebrow pencil you can really define your arch.  I have been doing it since this session and it has made a massive difference to how I look.  Get thee an eyebrow pencil – STAT!  Bruce then put on a simple neutral shadow across Karen’s lids, a little eyeliner top and bottom and applied false eyelashes.  While I have worn false eyelashes before I would probably splurge on my wedding day and go for a full set of mink lashes from Lash Me.  I have done a full post here about them – they are great – light as a feather and guaranteed not to move on your wedding day (and beyond into your honeymoon for extra bonus points!)  Bruce then curled Karen’s lashes and applied mascara by wrapping the wand around them from the roots to the tips.  Both top and bottom – to get fuller thicker lashes!!!

He also swept some bronzer over Karen’s temples nose and jawline for some colour and definition.  You want to go gently, gently with the bronzer – too much and you look dirty.  No one wants cake face!  With everything else covered Bruce started on the lips.  Bleeding and colour loss are the biggest issues with a bright lip.  You want the colour to be precise and perfect all day – through kissing and laughing and talking!  Bruce first outlined the lips with a natural colour lipliner and then  filled in the lips with the liner for more staying power.   He then dusted the lips with a tiny amount of translucent powder so the colour won’t budge.  He also reapplied a little bit of foundation round the outside of the lips with a brush to ensure no feathering or bleeding.  Then he chose this lovely classic red lipstick and applied it with a brush.

I find when I apply my lipstick with a brush my lipstick lasts longer and looks better.  The bristles of the brush seem to massage the colour more into the lip.  At least that is what I think, but who knows?  All I can say is try it – it really does work.  Bruce then did a quick clean up under Karen’s eyes with some concealer and, voila, she was done.

I love how it actually looks really natural but with a great punch of colour – and Karen has such lovely lips it really brings them to the fore.  Karen doesn’t normally wear makeup so this look did kind of freak her out at first but once she got used to it she really liked it.  Now we just have to wait and see if she will wear a bright lip on her wedding day – stay tuned…

Makeup Master – Smokey Eyes

April 12th, 2012

For a really long time (and a really long time ago) I hardly ever wore makeup.  I think my main issue was that I was never very good at applying it and it managed to get so smeared all over my face at the end of the day that I looked worse rather than better.  And isn’t that what makeup is supposed to do – make you look better!  But as I got older I realised that a little ‘help’ in the way of blush, lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, concealer, etc…went a really long way to making me look better and feel better.  So swung the pendulum and now I am a full convert.  So much so that I try to stay abreast of the new makeup trends and products and with my own editorial eye (which means base don what I think suits me) incorporate these new trends into my everyday makeup routine.  It keeps it fresh – I think nothing ages you more than doing the same old makeup routine you have been doing for the last ten years.  Shake it up, ladies!  As you will soon see – the transformations are amazing.  Keeping this in mind, I put theory into practice and invited the lovely and super-talented Bruce Rehbein from MakeupMaster over to makeover three of our brides.  While I have been so excited about bringing you the photos from this session I have also been worried about how massive this post could become.  So (knowing that I will use 5 words when only one is necessary) I have turned it into a trilogy and for the next three weeks on a Thursday I will bring you a new makeover.  Today’s post is our gorgeous bride-to-be (and usual, non-makeup wearer) Bronwyn.  Most girls in general have never had their makeup done professionally before their wedding day so I thought I would ask Bruce some questions about makeup application and give you guys some tips for your own transformation.  I should also say that I choose the three makeup different looks based on what I think the fashionable bride might be interested in…or at least what I think could look fresh and different yet classic on your wedding day!  (It’s not all about the dress guys!!)

Bruce says you should start your smokey eye prior to putting on foundation because that way you cover up any fall out from the eyeshadow.  This was totally groundbreaking for me because I am a foundation then eyes girl – now I know better!   He applied a neutral base to her eyelids to offer ‘grip’ to the darker shadow.  Apparently if you apply the darker, rich shadow on the lid directly it will slide off (and get all over you and everybody else).  A good neutral base colour will help it stay put all day and night.  On Bronwyn he used the Shade 302 Fresco which is a really great all purpose colour and base for more vibrant shades.  Working with the shape of the eye he applied the darker shade (Carbonised) in small circles – the key here is to blend, blend blend – that is where the circles and the soft brush come into their own.  The smokey eye is all about softness and depth of colour.  So layer, circle, layer, circle to build up that richness.  At the end he added kohl liner to both upper and lower inner rims of the eyes and falsh lashes a quick curl and then mascara.

The thing about the smokey eye is how it transforms your eye colour and shape – I was mesmerised by the green colour of Bronwyn’s eyes and how they popped.  Eyebrows were also a HUGE thing – Bruce used an eyebrow pencil, in small light strokes, to define and fill in Bronwyn’s arches – and it really framed her face.  This is something I have been doing myself since the session, and it totally lifts your eye – brilliant tip!  Bruce then applied primer and foundation to the rest of Bronwyn’s face.  He said to make sure your foundation is not too pink or to dark – the best colour is usually gold or yellow.  And the best way to match it to your face is (shock horror) to apply it to your face and look at it under natural sunlight.  I will smack you on the wrist if I see you trying it on your wrist!!!  He finished it off with a natural lip liner (dusted with powder for staying power) and a slick of pale pink gloss then a sweep of blush (and I really mean a sweep – as we all know, I have a serious blush problem and watching Bruce I can now safely say I am a overuser abuser!!!)

He also used a gorgeous peach lip gloss which really set off Bronwyn’s green eyes – a tiny switch but with such a big result.

One of the reasons for this session was to offer brides the idea of playing with makeup for their big day.  I can totally see this smokey eye with loose wavy hair and a beaded gown for a stylish and (ever so slightly sexy) winter, evening wedding.  If your eyes are your favourite feature I say give the smokey eye a try – it can deliver some seriously, dramatic results and your groom won’t complain about lipstick on his face either!  Thanks again to both Bruce and Bronwyn – you guys are excellent!!!  Also you can buy MakeupMaster products online at their shop – truly beautiful products – and if you want some help using them Bruce offers personal, how-to sessions as well.  You can also follow Bruce on his Facebook page here where you can get more tips on the better, more beautiful you!

welcome

Studio Sixty Photography is Brisbane wedding photographer Jason Starr, and studio manager Sally Ogilvie.

Well known for creative, natural, candid photographs of both local and international weddings, Studio Sixty Photography is capturing now and forever.


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