Makeup is surprisingly often an overlooked item when planning your dream shaadi. Brides always focus on planning their outfits, jewellery, hair and mehndi but don't realise that, to look amazingly stunning on their wedding day they really need to have good makeup applied by a professional. Bridal make up by its very nature is a unique requirement and your make up regime for the big day needs careful thought and consideration. Our bridal beauty consultant, Lubna Rafiq, of Art Of Beauty shares some of bridal beauty insights with you…

My personal approach to make-up for brides is one of corrective, subtle make-up that enhances the bride's best features and makes her look naturally radiant and beautiful on her big day. The first thing people notice when they look at a bride - is how stunning and radiant she looks, not her makeup itself. In fact make - up that is too obvious can look overdone and artificial so understated and sophisticated elegance is the name of the game!

When it comes to applying bridal makeup, there is a correct sequence and technique to follow as well as a preparatory stage to ensure that you will be looking your absolute best. Selection and advice on the best and most appropriate products, colours and styles is also imperative. What works for you in your day to day use or for other special occasions will not necessarily make you look your best on your big day! This kind of in depth knowledge can only come from a beautician experienced in the nuances of bridal makeup.

Skin & Eyebrows
The first thing to get right is your skin and eyebrowsI would recommend a series of facials in the run up to your wedding (that is if you don't already have regular facials) Start a few months before the wedding as it is common for your skin to break out and get worse before it gets better after a facial if you haven't had one for a long time. (Something to do with getting all the impurities out) Treat yourself to one a month for four months before the big dayyour last one should be at least a few days before your wedding, to give your skin time to settle down. Eyebrows should be kept in shape regularly and shaped the day before the d-day if possible.

On the morning of your wedding, make sure your skin is well moisturised about ten minutes before applying your make-up. I always recommend that you have your hair done after your Make-up. The next stage is to have your foundation applies. Remember that for the photographs you must take extra care when using light reflective foundation and concealer.

A lot of brides pile on layers of foundation underneath the eye, in the misunderstanding that it is a concealer, when actually, it's job is to "put light" in to dark areasDon't do it! You may look good to the naked eye, but it will show up too white in your photos and you could look like you have puffy eye bags!

I'm not saying to steer clear of subtle light reflecting foundations; in fact they are great for giving the appearance of dewy, youthful skin. Steer very clear of shimmery bronzers and blushers though…If you want to use a bronzer, use a matt one and use it very subtly, softly over your cheeks, bridge of your nose, top on your forehead, where you would naturally catch the sun…bear in mind that your neck should not be too different in colour to your face. (Don't be tempted to try putting bronzer all over your neck…you'll just end up staining your lengha!)

Eyes
For your eyes, you can't go wrong with matt makeup with slight shimmering shadows. I usually use a combination of colours to compliment the Brides outfit. A soft black eyeliner, (No browns) use black mascara for your wedding day, even if you're very fair and usually go for brown - it'll show up better in your photographs, smudged close to the base of you lashes on your upper lid will make your eyelashes appear thicker and, in conjunction with a little grey or dark brown eye-shadow applied with a thin brush at the base of your lower lashes, will subtly define your eyes perfectly for the photos. I use black WATERPROOF mascara on just about every bride that comes to me, and make sure I curl the lashes before applying it. On some occasions I even consider using false eyelashes as this gives more definition over the eyes and looks quite stunning in photographs.

Lips
For the bride's lips, I like to use a colour that will not clash with the bride's eyes and dress and of course her BouquetBearing in mind you have already primed your lips when you applied your foundation and powder by putting a suitable balm or moisturiser on them after you have done your base. By the time you are ready for lipstick to be applied, your lips will be in perfect condition-Always leave this to the very last.

I use a "Nude" lip pencil over the entire lip before applying the lip colour as it gives extra staying power, apply lip-colour then blot with a tissue and reapply lipstick with a touch of gloss or a more shimmering colour to enhance the shadow of your bottom lip and a slight touch over the top lip.

And Finally...
The most important tip is to allow yourself a good three hours to get ready as this gives your beautician plenty of time to work her magic and make you look stunning. More importantly it will give you some all-important chill out time away from your interfering aunties. Before you make an entrance, a quick check and powder before you leave for the ceremony, and your Dulha will be totally bowled over PLUS you will look fantastic in the photos of your dream shaadi!