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Indian Bridal Make-Up Inspiration Board

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Indian Bridal Make-Up Inspirational Ideas and Tips

An Indian bride typically adorns her hands and feet with henna (mehendi) a day before her wedding. She has her bridal make-up done on the day of the wedding itself.

I have heard of brides choosing their make-up artist by recommendations of relatives and friends, based on word of mouth. That is a very dangerous way of picking a make-up artist. Just because a relative or a friend had a good experience with that particular make-up artist, it does not mean you would also similarly have a positive experience. Too often, brides end up with make-up that is not at all suited for them. But since it is done on the day itself, there is no option to change make-up artists or have them try something new - what if the something "new" was worse?!

Therefore, it is always a good idea to have a make-up session with your make-up artistbefore the wedding day. This allows you to observe the make-up artist at work, point out what you like and what you don't. The last thing you want is for your face to look overdone, like poor Mindy Kaling earlier this year(January 2009). The make-up artist who did her up should be ashamed of destroying her pretty face!

Top 10 Wedding Makeup Mistakes

When getting ready for weddings, many women think the bigger the event, the bigger the makeup. Well not so. Below is a list of the most common mishaps innocently played out at the hands of excited event-goers. Too much makeup — Yes, the wedding is a big celebration but try not to make your face as grand as the excitement. Less is more. Stuck on trends — Okay, unless you’ve been asleep for the past few years, you know that glitter is big. But 5 years from now you want to look at photos that have a timeless, classic and neutral face. Don’t date your photos with super shine! Go with matte, neutrals. Makeup that isn’t you — If you never wear a stitch of makeup, don’t walk down the aisle or show up at a party looking like you lost a fight with a Drag Queen. Look like you, only fresher.
Look-a-likes — Gone are the days when bridesmaids all resemble big matching rosettes atop a cake. Let your wedding party keep their individuality and wear looks that suit them. Don’t give everyone bright purple eye-paint to match the purple dresses. Work with a range of harmonizing colour families. Forcing the unwilling — Classic are the Moms of brides and grooms who go “under the brush” to please the bride, only to be upset that lipstick feels funny on their usually bare lips. Don’t force anyone to be made up for your event; you’ll create needless stress for yourself also. Changing routines — Too many brides rush out and get facials, tans and teeth whitening a week before the wedding. Skin erupts, gums flare up, and tans can peel off like wallpaper the morning of the nuptials. Stick with your regular skincare, eat well, exercise, have lots of water and sleep, and less caffeine. Forgetting supplies — Any makeup artist who tells you your face will last the whole day of your big party with NO touch-ups is selling a dream. You will need blotting papers or powder to control face shine before photos, lipstick to reapply and maybe sealer to prep for all those celebration kisses, a little liner or eye shadow to refresh after tears, and always waterproof mascara. Wrong look — Many people take pictures out of magazines and request a look that doesn’t suit them or is too sultry for their Victorian theme (the smokey eye and the pale JLo lip are common requests.) Match your look to the feel of the event and to suit your face. Over-dew! — I haven’t met a bride who didn’t want a “dewey” shining cheek. The challenge is that it can look greasy in photos. Stick with a little highlighting on cheekbones or eyes, but not whole face. Gloss crazy — Leave the gloss for calmer events. Big events mean you kiss a lot and dance like mad. You end up with your flying hair stuck to you, and your mouth stuck to everyone else. Keep lips creamy or matte.

Indian bridal make-up guide IV

Base: Because of the intricate detail on the outfit and the jewellery, it's important to keep the make-up understated. To smooth out the skin to give a flawless complexion, you can't go wrong with a blend Krvolan Foundation FS36 and 38.

Eyes: Antique green and golds, with just a hint of lilac to contrast with colours in the outfit has been applied underneath the eyes. The brow has been highlighted, with a soft gold applied to the corner of the eye.

Lips: A nude warm pink Mac makes a perfect compliment to the colours of the outfit.

Hair: Backcombed from the front to give height and volume, then pulled into the low bun preferred by the faishionista of the Mughal Empire, allowing the regal tikka to work its magic.

Indian bridal make-up guide

Traditional Bridal: For a matt look use Mac foundation in a color very close to the bride’s skin tone, then set with powder. Mac shimmer helps to illuminate the cheekbones while crating contours in the face.

For Eyes: Use metallic red in the inner corners, blending towards the outside of the eyes with a deep green for a smooth finish. A forest green has been used underneath the eyes to emphasize shape and color for this enchanting bridal look.

Lips: Create neutral lips by lining with a Mac tawny brown lip liner then filled with a creamy neutral lipstick. A dense lip-gloss over the top adds volume and sophistication.
Hair: To emphasize the eyes and makeup, simply part on the side and clip off the face – perfect fro the day or night. – AWI