As Kate Middleton prepares to wed Prince William on April 29, all of Britain has an opinion on how she should look. International make-up artists dish out advice to the bride-to-be for a perfect look on her wedding day -- from going easy on light foundation to abandoning her favourite dark kohl in favour of softer hues. There's enough dope in here for every woman to steal a few look-gorgeous tips from the best in the business
As Kate Middleton prepares to wed Prince William on April 29, all of Britain has an opinion on how she should look. International make-up artists dish out advice to the bride-to-be for a perfect look on her wedding dayu00a0-- from going easy on light foundation to abandoning her favourite dark kohl in favour of softer hues. There's enough dope in here for every woman to steal a few look-gorgeous tips from the best in the business
Kate Middleton's flawless complexion and kohl-rimmed eyesu00a0-- as seen in her engagement announcement interviewu00a0-- saw her being crowned 'Celebrity with the Best Make-up' in a recent survey. She'd applied it herself, which makes the accolade even more commendable. But now she's being criticised by stylists for wearing too much make-upu00a0-- particularly her beloved eyelineru00a0-- and has been urged to tone it down on her wedding day.
Kate Middleton at a naming ceremony for the new Royal National Lifeboat
Institution's Atlantic 85 lifeboat in Anglesey on February 24, 2011.
Pics/ AFPu00a0 Photo
So how do you perfect wedding make-up? Is it a case of less is moreu00a0-- or should a bride make full use of the panstick? It's true that since her engagement, Kate has started wearing more make-up. But wouldn't you, if you had the world's press following your every move?
Berry not black
According to Jeni Dodson, a bridal make-up expert, it's a mistake to use too much eyeliner. "Kate obviously loves defining her eyes and she's doing everything rightu00a0-- but I'd soften the eyeliner to brown or berry colour," she says. "Harsh lines around the eyes and a white dress don't look great on camera."
Diana, Princess of Wales was also keen on kohl. Her bridal make-up artist, Barbara Daly, tried to wean her off blue eyeliner before her wedding. "I wanted to get her into wearing softer coloursu00a0-- golds and brownsu00a0-- because they brought out her amazing eyes," she says.
Dodson would like to see Kate go for a fresh-faced, peaches-and-cream looku00a0-- natural-looking make-up is all the rage on the catwalks. "You want to look like a dewier version of your usual self on your wedding day," she says. "You'll have more fun if you feel like yourself."
Go au naturel
The palette used on Kate's face will depend on her dress. "The more intricate it is, the more you want to play down the face," says Dodson. "You don't want people's eyes to be drawn in too many directions." But even if she goes for a natural look, Kate will still be wearing a considerable amount of make-up.
Bobbi Brown creates a "natural" even complexion by first using concealer and then foundation (not too light or you will look ghostly in your white dress). "For natural warmth, choose a yellow-toned foundation and face powder that complements your skin tone," Brown says. "And avoid using frosted make-up as it creases easily and is too reflective, so it can make you look shiny in photographs."
In the pink of health
Kate will be all too aware of the fact that cameras drain colour out of your face. To enhance her cheekbones, bridal stylist Lucia Silver suggests that she goes for a healthy flush of pink on the apples of her cheeks. It could be a stain, or a cream or a powder, such as Bobbi Brown's Rose Shimmer Brick. But she must make sure it's applied high, says Dodson, to draw the cheeks up rather than down. She also warns against using foundations and powders that contain an SPF, because these can look pale in photographs.
Kate would be wise to wear waterproof eye make-up. Brown recommends a water-resistant liner finished with water-resistant mascara. For lips, a pinkish or plum stain would be better than lipgloss, says make-up artist Kelly Lindley. "Gloss makes lips disappear in photographs," she says. Brown suggests dabbing lipstick on the lips with fingertips before locking in the colour with a powder blush.
Hand the powder to William
To prolong the life of the make-up, Brown suggests Sheer Loose Powder ( ufffd23). Dodson, however, avoids powder ("everyone has a slight down on their skin which makes it visible") and would combat shine with a mattifying primer under the foundation, which she would then touch up with powder-free blotting paper.
Good preparation is vital, she says.
"You need to have several trials and make sure you are using the right skin care routine." She wishes that more grooms would think about their complexions. "So often the bride looks perfect in the pictures and the groom looks sweaty and blotchy." But if Prince William is anything like his father, this will not be the case. Daly remembers powdering the Prince of Wales's nose when he married Diana in 1981.
Anna Tyzack / The Daily Telegraph / The Interview People
The princess with wind in her hair
As you can see in these pictures, Kate tends to fight two traditions: the propah British way to be, and a habit of royal women sticking to slick bobs, curls hair-sprayed into place. We love the fact that Kate's hair behaves like a mere mortal's. And she lets it.
Tips at a glance
>> Go for brown instead of black eyeliner to soften the look.
>> Avoid frosted make-up. It's reflective and makes your face look shiny in photos.
>> Always apply blush in upward strokes to highlight the cheekbones.
>> Opt only for waterproof eyeliner and mascara. In case you sweat, or someone splashes you with champagne, you don't want a disaster at hand.
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