Weddings: The Bride's Make-up Trends

With the winter wedding season coming up around the corner, here are some make-up trends that make sure you look great if you're the bride, and want to look different, yet traditional and gorgeous.

Engagement

The first to kickstart a series of dramatic events, this is the right time for the bride to present the perfect image. This could well be the first time she meets most of the groom’s family and friends and hence the need to make a striking first impression.

A delicate lehnga is what designer Jyoti Khaitan recommends for this occasion, “though it needn’t be extremely traditional and ornate”. Leaving the zardosi for the later functions, it is best to play around with crystal and interesting embellishments.

The color story on this day, should be casual-chic, and may be non-bridal as well. Choose from lavenders, powder blues or pretty yellows. Drape the dupatta stylishly. “Since it is not compulsory to cover the head, you can be innovative with the draping, showcasing the embellishments to greatest effect.

The jewelery also need not be over the top at the engagement and the make-up is best kept subtle. “Keep the foundation light and highlight your eyes with hues that complement your outfit,” advises make-up expert Aniruddha Chakladar. (Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat)

The hair, he says, should either be straightened or curled lightly with a curling iron. “Basically, the look is extremely soft and casual,” adds Aniruddha.

Sangeet

Whatever community the couple might belong to, the sangeet soiree has become a must in almost all weddings today. A function less and a rocking party more, the bash sometimes carries on all night long. A good idea is to give the lehngas a break and opt for a sari instead. “This is the day when the bride can go unconventional with her looks. The creation she opts for should lend a festive and vibrant feel to complement the liveliness of the evening,” feels Jyoti.

Non-traditional, happy hues make an exciting color palette for this evening. “Introduce brooches and pendants in the drape of the sari itself to make for eye-catching details,” says Jyoti.

The make-up for this function also takes a dramatic turn. Keep the base light since lots of dancing and long hours under the camera flash can make it run, but attract attention by shifting focus to your eyes. (M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid)“Add color to your face by playing up your eyes. You can also try the smokey look and introduce some shimmer to it,” explains Aniruddha. (M.A.C Smokey Eye Palette). A glossy mouth (M.A.C 3D Glass in Backlit) and accentuated cheekbones (M.A.C Powder Blush in Harmony) complete the pretty picture.

According to Aniruddha, hair set in rollers and tied partially looks great. “You can also tie a colourful paranda in your hair.”

Wedding

“The look for this day is nothing but classic and traditional,” says Jyoti, who feels that short-lived trends and fads are best kept out of the D-day attire. “The bridal outfit should spell timeless appeal that never goes out of fashion. And the colours should be essentially the Pakistani/Indian bridal hues? Shades of red and orange,” adds Jyoti.

The embellishments are very intricate and ethnic, be it a wide jaal of zardosi or semi-precious rubies and sapphires crafted into the silver and gold work of the ensemble.

“Since there is already so much color on the lehnga and jewellery, it is best to give the face a balanced look,” feels Aniruddha. His advice is to highlight the features with the help of golden or bronze shades only (M.A.C Eyeshadows in: Goldmine, Gorgeous Gold, Woodwinded, Soba, Patina, Bronze, Omega, Nylon; M.A.C Powder Blush in Trace Gold; M.A.C Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust and Commitment)

“Neutral make-up looks best on this day, but make it bright because a dull-looking face will ruin the entire effect of the day.”

The hair on the day of the marriage should always be tied up.

“A low jooda is the best bet because it facilitates the fall of the dupatta,” adds the make-up artist.