BRAZIL-BRIDE PARADE

So you are flying off to get hitched at the latest and greatest resort in Bali? Bora Bora? Fiji? Niagara Falls (Canadian side of course)? A hair & makeup artist may not be in your budget to fly to Paradise Island and your options to hire locally may be limited. The cost of being a ladder wielding bride may mean that you are having to DIY your bridal beauty. Here is your makeup how-to from start to finish:

Dermalogica

Step 1 - Skin prep: hopefully you are the glowing bride radiating from within with your love but if your skin is a stress mess - blotchy and broken out calm by exfoliating with raw sugar followed by a calming masque. SPF is your last step before your makeup. To keep your oils at bay on your big day I recommend using an oil-free moisturizer which minimizes shiny skin in photos too. Try Dermalogica's Oil Control Lotion or for normal to dry skin use Skin Smoothing Cream. You can boost your spf coverage by adding in the Solar Defense Booster spf50 to any moisturizer.

Step 2 - Primer: Dermalogica SkinPerfect Primer with its active ingredients it’s the first of its kind to offer a blurred line between skincare and makeup - speaking of blurring... The pearl essence also helps to diffuse fine lines and pigmentation prepping the skin for foundation.

There are other primers on the market that I like such as Laura Mercier Foundation Primers which also come in a variety of choices from matte to radiant, and have travel sizes too to minimize packing space.

Step 3 - Flawless Base: FACEatelier Ultra Foundation is the ultimate second skin foundation. Hyper-pigmented yet breathable leaving your skin smooth and flawless. I have been using foundation virtually exclusively in my work since 2004.

Follow with your concealer as needed - most women I find overuse concealer. Make sure you are lit from the front and not from above when applying your makeup - GREAT lighting is needed for a proper makeup application. My latest concealer fave is Laura Mercier's Undercover Pot which is also great for traveling as it contains a concealer for under the eyes, a camouflage for breakouts and a little setting powder.

You won't see me recommending powders often in foundation nor for setting - powders age you. Who wants that? But for the sake of your wedding makeup after your base is complete powder minimally! I LOVE Alison Raffaele's setting powder - it's the best in the biz as far as I'm concerned - truly for all skin tones and skin types without accentuating fine lines. I've tried the Amazing Cosmetics Setting Powder - that one is ok too.

Eye brighteners are NOT to be mistaken as concealers but often are. Move over Touche Eclat! Tom Ford's Illuminating Highlight Pen is a must! Conceal as (and if) needed and then use an eye brightener to perk up tired eyes. Eye Brighteners are reflective to help diffuse fine lines and tired eyes so over-application can leave with you with white blotches under the eyes with flash photography - yes use this but sparingly.

Step 4 - Blush/Contour/Highlight

You can never go wrong with my blush faves that happen to be the cult faves of many makeup artists and celebs.
From top left: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze on it's own creates a beautiful dewy colour and contour with its prism quality, NARS Laguna or Soap & Glory Solar Powder make great contours, NARS Copacabana for that dewy highlight (replacing my soon to be bankrupt Jemma Kidd All Over Dewy Glow) and of course NARS Orgasm for that err...uh... flushed glow. 

Step 5 - Eyes:

An eye primer is a must especially for brides who need eye makeup to stay put all day. NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base which is colourless or Benefit creaseless cream shadows available in select colours for a light champagne base (Birthday Suit) up to a smoky base - they are also slightly reflective which adds depth and a little forgiveness if they aren't applied with the accuracy of a pro's hand. 

This is wear it gets tricky. Do you want a simple natural eye or a smoky eye? Whatever your choice, refrain from being too on trend with your big day beauty. The latest blue eye shadow is going to be an eye sore in 10 years - you want to display your pictures with pride not cringe at what was in style. Classic gowns, hair and makeup is the way to go.

A classic eye which is also influenced by the 40s:
*Using a shimmery neutral cream shadow applied from lash line to brow bone. Benefit's Birthday Suit is my #1.
*In the crease apply a medium shade for contour. Try MAC Wedge or Laura Mercier Coffee Ground
*Apply a gel liner at the lash line using a bent liner brush to help with precision
*Use a Red Carpet eye popping trick with MAC Shroom applied to the inner corners of the eyes.
*Curl lashes and apply your fave mascara

If you are keen to do a classic smoky eye with more of a matte texture try Tom Ford Titanium Smoke palette (pictured).

An easy Smoky Eye:
*Base your lid with a cream shadow - I like to use bronze for green or hazel eyes, earthy plum for brown eyes, amber for blue eyes.
*Smudge a dark brown shadow at your lash line top and bottom and into your crease
*Line at your lash line and into your waterline with a smudgeable liner - I prefer to use black and smudge it with your brown shadow but you could opt for dark brown. My go to eyeliners are Tom Ford Beauty or MAC Powerpoint
*Lots of mascara and fake lashes if you can master them. Only use Ardell Lashes. 

Step 6 - Lips

My two favourite lips for weddings: Red lips or nude lips; leave the frosty pink at home for your 80s themed party.

The best reds are Julie Hewett's Noirs pair with Givenchy Rouge lip liner

Nudes lippies: NARS Chelsea Girls, FACEatelier in Cameo, black|Up in #1 pair with Givenchy #12 lip liner or FACEatelier Cameo lip liner

Check back soon as I will do a DIY Bridal hair post soon.

Ms Photogenic - Kyra looked stunning in so many photos that I obviously had a hard time picking images to use.

I had a call-out on my Facebook page looking for a glam makeover volunteer [and thank you as I had many!] - Singapore-based photographer - Kyra Ann was happy to oblige.

Known for my love for Dermalogica you can bet that that was part of my first step.

Kyra's base includes:

• Oil-Free Matte, Skinperfect Primer, Sheer Tint in Light & Dark all Dermalogica

• FACEatelier Ultra Foundation #3

• Savoir Faire Concealer (that I am just trying out - review later)
• SkinFood Peach Sake powder only in the t-zone

Yes- I used those lashes too but they were applied later.

My NARS Danmari All About Cheeks palette is well-loved.

Kyra's eyes:

NARS Pro-prime Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base a primer that grips shadows from lash line to brow bone to avoid creasing and fading
NARS Nymphea on the lids [pictured above]
Urban Decay Snakebite in the crease which I applied slightly above Kyra's natural crease to create a more open shape
Bobbi Brown Gel Long-Wear Eye Pencil in Jet smudged on the upper lash line
Ben Nye Cork from the Essential Eye Shadow palette under the lower lashes
Ardell Cluster Lashes - just a few in the middle of the upper lashes
Rimmel Scandeleyes Mascara

I set Krya's hair using Remington's travel rollers from Target - they're ceramic, cheap, dual voltage and fab! The goal here is not aiming for curl but just added body, shine and a bend to the hair to work with - make sure the ends smooth around the roller avoiding fishhooks.

Barbie? Is that you??

*Tip - Set hair in rollers as you do your makeup -this gives the hair time to cool for a longer-lasting shape. If the hair has not cooled down leave the rollers in until it does.

Brush the hair straight and slightly upwards. Gather as if to put it into a ponytail - grip hair at the base with one hand and twist the tail with the other hand until it twists in your hand creating a seam - pin along the seam with 'X' to lock your pins.

*Tip - clean up all the fly-a-ways at the hairline if they bother you with a toothbrush and hair wax

Back brush the ends of the hair - I used my fabulous Mason Pearson brush. Why back brushing vs back combing? Back brushing creates a fuller build up of hair.
Gently brush the top layer of the hair back, over the lovely nest you just made and pin at the back.
[who else thinks 'If I had a photograph of you... ' here?

Kyra never wears a red lip so I wanted to show her how much a makeup can change with just an alternate lip colour.

With Givenchy #5 Rouge lip liner and NARS Jungle Red lipstick

FACEatelier's Cameo lip pencil and MAC Cosmetics classic Twig lipstick

*aside from the on-camera flash and my Glamcor Lights Kit there is nothing fancy going on here besides Kyra, hair and makeup products. I have no Photoshop - nor would I know how to use it.

Now you are set to strut your stuff down the Red Carpet, the aisle or at a fancy gala.

My latest hairspray love? O&M Original Queenie - that 'do is going nowhere in a convertible on the Autobahn

Red lips are stunning but also high maintenance - don't forget to check your teeth!

I show you more red lip tips here on Yahoo's Glam Up!

I am thrilled that Soo Kee Jewellery has invited me to share my bridal beauty tips & tricks with you for Bridal Month!

Getting married or just like the idea of looking glam? Click on over to Soo Kee's Facebook page every Tuesday and Wednesday from now until mid-November.

Image source: Soo Kee Jewellery / photography: Tommy Morris / hair & makeup: Andrea Claire (aka: Moi)

The Bridal Beauty Breakdown

Often I receive email requests for prices of my bridal packages; a fair question as some artists have packages; I don't. My rates are pretty black and white. I have rates for brides whether you want me to follow you around all day touching you up like a Princess or just hit & split - getting you dolled up once and then you kick me (and my sense of humour) out of your salle de beaute.

Before you commit to an artist and/or a trial ponder this:

Are bridal trials free? *sigh* No, they are not free. I have heard that many bridal artists don't charge for trials; this does not fall within my artist peer group; in fact, I don't know of any hair & makeup artists who do not charge for trials. But, in my opinion, generally I find trials to be a waste of time and money. Read on...

Before you embark on the cost and time of a trial, decide what is your end game.

Are you uncertain about the hairstyle? Up? Down? 1/2 up? In this case, I recommend while in your dress fitting you do a quick snap of 1/2 up, all down and all up; this gives you the idea of what looks best with you and your gown's neckline. If this doesn't help you then a trial may be in order.

Smoky eye or bare eye with a red lip or wing-tip liner? Princess for the day should still have you recognizing the face in the mirror - so think, you only a little more glamorous not: Holy crap who is this Glamazon staring back at me?! If this doesn't help you then a trial may be in order.

 Images various works of mine as seen in: You & Your Wedding (UK), Style Weddings (Singapore), Wedding & Travel (Singapore)  

Are you testing out the hair & makeup artist? Since many editorial artists have an established style and extensive portfolio you would be hiring them for a combo of their resumes and style and of course kits with high end products. But, if this doesn't help you then a trial may be in order.

Do you want to make sure you like your artist? Sure, you want to be the only Diva for the day but don't you already have a BFF? You aren't going to pillow fight with your makeup artist, so as long as she is professional, who cares if you are going to have giggle fits together or not. But, If this doesn't help you then a trial may be in order.

A pre-wedding (free) consultation may only be what you need. A quick pow-wow on what you like and don't like for your special day. Generally, most artists don't charge for a consult. Ask questions, peruse their portfolios.

Repeat after me: But, If this doesn't help you then a trial may be in order.

Apres the trial:

You're all dolled up; now what? When I do a bridal trial I like to suggest that after, you take in a little night on the town or perhaps book your trial when you have an engagement party. Adjust the hair and makeup a little so you aren't giving away the big reveal before the wedding day.

*I have heard that some artists will do half your face... I kinda don't understand this nor do I recommend it. How can you tell if you like it with only half a face? Commit to your trial. If you are booking a trial - book a trial. You will never be partially pregnant - don't be partially made up.

Beauty Checklist

Brides-to-be need to be prepared. Over time collect a file folder of hair and makeup that you love and that you don't love to bring to your trial and/or consultation. Both sides of the love/hate spectrum shows your hair & makeup artist(s) your style.

Step out of the box a little. While you don't want to look into the mirror and shriek 'Who the hell heck is that??' you need to look better than say hanging out at Sbux with your G-friends.

Ask your artist what to tote for your touchup kit. Hairpins, lipstick, purse size hairspray, tissues, blot film etc

I know I said I feel that trials are a waste of your money but that being said upfront - if you want to book a trial with me I am happy to do it and I will even snap photos and take notes for your big day.

In Singapore? Me, Andrea Claire (ps: I am Canadian)

Other beauty peeps I love:

In Canada - Check out my bridal beauty friends at the Jackie Gideon Beauty Bar

In New York - Patrick Melville Salon

In Austin - Rae Cosmetics

Nothing like a bunch of expat kids wrecking your shot! Kidding. Most of us fashionistas are far more patient than that.

Here is the shot without the uniformed teenagers walking through.

Quick pinning and clamping of the dresses....

The thought process...

The shot that made it in to print; very Aslan with the Ice Queen...  

This spread for Style Wedding, Singapore September 2011, was shot by Mark Gong who was in Singapore from New York.

Creative direction by Furqan Saini.

Hair and makeup... me... [if you follow my blog you or read the header you will know it's what I actually do]

Thanks to MAC Cosmetics for some lovely colours that I was able to use.

Thanks to Hotel Fort Canning for letting us in their space and the use of a room for home base while shooting. Such a nice hotel! [Great brunch too!]

And for keeping me 'jacked' all day. Yum. Nespresso!

This was from the same issue. Creative direction by Furqan Saini.

Photography by Kelvin Chia.

See more of these spreads and my bridal work here and here.

PS: This issue is on the stands now!