Bridal Beauty With Estée Lauder

You've decided on the dress, the flowers, and the font for the place names. It's now time to think about the beauty for the big day, and that's where this guide comes in.

We sat down with Estée Lauder Professional Makeup Artists, Emma Tillman and Kaitlyn Turlin, to discover their secrets for that coveted wedding glow. To achieve picture-perfect looks, read on.

In the lead-up to the main event, how would you recommend prepping your skin?

Emma: Skin prep is key to a long lasting, flawless looking base! I always recommend trialling skincare prior to your wedding (for at least a couple of months) to figure out if it suits your skin. Light layers of products work best to avoid any build up. Foundation will sit smoother if the skin has a hydrated base to begin with. I would always start by cleansing the skin to remove dirt, oils and residue, then apply a treatment lotion to add an instant light layer of hydration. I then love to use the Advanced Night Repair Serum for all day hydration and then lock this in with the preferred moisturiser. And don’t forget a silky hydrating eye cream to ensure your concealer sits smoothly!

Kaitlyn: The best way to prep the skin is with a good cleanser and serum that is hydrating and soothing to the skin - this is great to bear in mind if the bride hasn’t had a good night sleep the day before. This will help to hydrate the skin, whilst calming it. I would recommend our Advanced Night Cleansing Gelée, which includes 15 amino acids that are naturally found in the skin's protective layers.

What is the most important thing to consider when applying wedding makeup?

Kaitlyn: Skincare prep is always a must - this plays a massive part of the makeup setting, lasting and looking its best. Even a simple skincare routine makes a massive difference to how the makeup will last throughout the day. Another important thing to bear in mind, is choosing the right products that are best for your skin-type. For example, if the skin is more oily, use skincare that is ideally oil-free, paired with oil-free and mattifying makeup to help control any shine. Our Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation is ideal as it’s oil-free, oil-controlling and has a cashmere matte finish.

Emma: Makeup sometimes needs to be a little bolder than your everyday makeup to ensure it shows up well in your photographs. Adding simple definition such as eyeliner and a bolder blush will make the face pop! Light layers of good quality products will ensure the makeup lasts all day. For most brides, they wish to look like the best version of themselves on their wedding day, so this isn’t the time to try anything too dramatically different to their normal routine.

What would your hero Estée Lauder product be for a wedding?

Emma: I LOVE Advanced Night Repair for adding a gentle glow, softening the skin and ensuring it stays hydrated all day (this helps the foundation to stay looking fresh, too). I also love the Double Wear Mascara and Double Wear Eye Pencils for all-day wear to avoid panda eyes in pics!

Kaitlyn: One product I always use on bridal clients is our Set & Refresh Perfecting Mist. This can be used as a primer as well as a makeup finisher, sometimes I even use this in between makeup steps to keep the skin looking fresh. I also love to use it if I apply foundation with a beauty sponge. My Pro Artist tip is to spray the sponge with the mist to help give the skin a flawless and soft finish after the makeup is completed. This helps to prevent any powder-based products looking too heavy and powdery.

What is your best-kept secret when it comes to wedding makeup?

Kaitlyn: One thing I always like to do first is skin prep, then I go straight in with eye makeup. I do this so that the skincare products have time to settle in and this helps the skin to breathe so that it’s ready for foundation and other products on top. The other reason why I like to do eyes first, is so it’s easier to correct any fallout from the shadows or if you’ve made any errors where amendments may be needed. For long-wearing makeup I like to use the Set & Refresh Perfecting Mist, which is great to use as a primer and makeup setter.

Emma: Applying both your skincare and complexion products in light layers, and building as needed. This ensures the skin looks natural and fresh but also helps with the longevity. It also important to pay attention to those areas that can sometimes be forgotten, such as the décolletage, neck, ears and back (for those backless dresses). Ensure your foundation is a perfect match to your body and add colour on top using bronzers and blushers to ensure you have an even blend.