Winter wedding beauty ideas

Winter is the perfect time to have some fun with your bridal make-up look, from wine and berry lip colours to adding sparkle to your eyes.

Make-up artist Clare Lake from Chatham says: “With the beautiful crisp days of winter and the cooler tones of frost and snow, many brides tend to go for warmer shades, such as deep burgundy and rich chocolate to add a luxurious feel to their look.”

Kent-based freelance make-up artist Nina Gregory says: “Winter wedding hair trends are often classic with a modern twist, such as up-dos, soft curls and messy ballerina buns. There are so many fantastic handmade luxury hair pins and head bands on the market, with gems, stones and metals. Accessories like this are really complemented by the low lighting, candles and glowing ambience of a luxury winter wedding, whether it is in a rustic barn or a manor house.

“Winter make-up is all about glowing skin, a soft contour and a bold lip. Lip colours can range from deep red and mulberry to soft pink for a more polished, high-end look.”

To Do List

DO: Book a make-up artist as soon as you can and have a trial at least three months before your big day.

DO: Buy a pressed powder and lipstick for top-ups.

DO: Consider realistic hairstyles that suit your hair and face type. If you have very thick hair, a lot of pins will be needed to hold it all in place and it may become uncomfortable as the day progresses.

DO: Develop a good skincare routine in the lead-up to your wedding – at least six months before start having regular facials so your skin adjusts gradually. Avoid a one-off facial in the week before the big day as new products and creams may cause unwanted breakouts.

DO: Consider lash enhancement. Experiment with strip lashes, both natural style and fuller. They are temporary so you can take them straight off. Or invest in semi-permanent individual lash extensions.

And...

DON’T: Use make-up with SPF in it as this can reflect light from the camera flash and make your skin look shiny.

DON’T: Go over the top with your make-up look otherwise you won’t look or feel like yourself. Make sure you are the best version of yourself and not so different that you look back at the pictures and barely recognise yourself.

DON’T: Dismiss the idea of hair accessories until you’ve tried them. Some brides are surprised when they try on a tiara or hairpiece they never expected to like.

DON’T: Leave it to the last minute to think about your skin; the longer you have to correct any skin issues the better.

DON’T: Forget the basics: make sure you get a good night’s sleep, stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet.