Hong Kong makeup artists share their advice for your big day
Illustration by Paulina Ortega
Even for women with a no-fuss approach to makeup, your wedding day is the one occasion when you should be more than willing to relinquish the mascara wand to a professional and concentrate on sipping champagne with your bridesmaids.
The last thing you want is to arrive at the altar to a bemused groom wondering where his fiancée has gone, so simply say “I do” to the following tips from Hong Kong makeup artists in the know.
Caroline Sze from Seasoning
Illustration by Paulina Ortega
1. Don’t be lazy about hydration masks. While I never advise my brides to experiment with new facial treatments that could cause an allergic reaction, I do ask them to boost their skin’s moisture levels with their regular products—masks in particular. This will help the skin to glow and create a long-lasting base.
2. Sleep is essential. Nights of tossing and turning can lead to bad skin and dark circles under the eyes. Get eight hours every night for at least two weeks before the big day.
Contact: +852 2526 1866; info@seasoning.hk; www.seasoning.hk
Ka Lam Chu
Illustration by Paulina Ortega
3. I think it’s important to try a variety of make-up styles. After meeting a bride, I usually try out two different looks for them, a lighter option and a heavier one, taking into account their gown, their face shape and their personality. I then arrange another trial within a month of their wedding day to finalise the choice after they’ve had time to think about it.
4. Bring one of your trusted girlfriends or your mother with you to the trial so you get a second opinion. And always wear a white or cream top so we can see which colours will work best on the big day.
Contact: +852 9757 4220; info@kalamakeup.com; kalamakeup.com
Jovi Chui and Bart Ko from Beauté
Illustration by Paulina Ortega
5. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day in the months leading up to your wedding as good hydration will make your skin glow and promote strong blood circulation. Nothing happens overnight and this needs to be a daily routine if you want to see results!
6. Be gentle to your skin. Whatever you do, don’t over-exfoliate in the weeks before your wedding as it can result in swelling, redness and puffy skin. If you have acne, avoid using products that will dry out your skin, as that sends a signal to your sebaceous glands to produce more oil. If you need to exfoliate, get a professional facial no sooner than seven days before your wedding.
7. A primer is your best friend. Ask your make-up artist to use it under your foundation for a smoother, long-lasting look, and under your eyeshadow so the colour won’t budge through dancing, drinking or crying at the speeches.
Contact: +852 8101 0423; info@beaute.com.hk; www.beaute.com.hk
Mini Chan
Illustration by Paulina Ortega
8. The eyes are the centrepiece of good bridal make-up. To create bigger eyes, ask your make-up artist to use a brown tone eyeshadow, add fake eyelashes and enhance the shape of the eyes with a good eyeliner.
9. Bring in examples of make-up you like for the trial run—pictures torn out of magazines are perfect. It’s so helpful to have a bride who can tell us what look she likes, and then we can use her facial features, skin type, hair length and wedding gown to create a beautiful, unique style for her.
Contact: +852 9121 3031; info.minichanmakeup@gmail.com; www.minichanmakeup.com
This article was originally published in the December 2016 issue of Hong Kong Weddings.