5 things I learned about bridal makeup working in four fashion capitals
After twenty years and thousands of faces — from the backstages of Milan to the studios of New York — here's what I know that most bridal guides won't tell you.
The trial is where the real work happens
Every bride I've worked with who skipped the trial has regretted it — not because the makeup went wrong, but because the day itself becomes the first time you see yourself in the look, and that's too much emotional weight. The trial is where we experiment, disagree, discover, and arrive at something that's truly yours. By the time the wedding comes, the only feeling left is joy.
Less coverage ages better
I learned this on editorial shoots where images would be scrutinised by art directors and retouchers. Heavy coverage that looks 'perfect' to the naked eye often reads as a mask under a lens. For weddings — where you'll be photographed by professionals in natural and artificial light across a ten-hour day — a lighter, skin-first approach is almost always more beautiful, more durable, and more timeless.
The eyes are where emotion lives
In New York, on film sets, you learn quickly that a director cuts to the eyes when they need the audience to feel something. The same is true on a wedding day. Invest the time and artistry there. A well-executed eye with simple skin reads as more elegant than the reverse.
Your makeup should last longer than the first dance
I've spent years testing products under studio lights, on location, through 14-hour shoot days. The formulas I use for brides aren't just chosen because they look beautiful — they're chosen because I know from professional experience that they'll still be performing during the evening.
Know yourself before you look at Pinterest
I've sat with hundreds of brides who arrive with boards full of looks they love — and almost none of those looks are right for their face, their skin, their wedding. The most useful thing you can do before any appointment is spend some time with your own face: what do you love about it? What do you want to feel on the day? That's where we start.
