Are you completely confident that you possess all the skills and special products for doing camera makeup? Do you avoid doing weddings, or do brides shy away from you, because your makeup does not photograph as well as it looks in person? Unfortunately, wedding makeup often looks boring, gaudy or dated. There are several reasons why these problems occur.

Most wedding makeup is done by salon or spa personnel who lack extensive training and experience in camera makeup. What looks good in person may not photograph well. In order to be successful at doing makeup for weddings, you need to know how to make the bride and her attendants appear as lovely in photographs as in person. Much depends on the type and color bias of the film the photographer uses. How grainy the film is and whether colored or textured filters are used, also effects the way the make-up photographs. Daylight photographs differently throughout the day, and that changes the skin tone. Only makeup artists with in-depth training in camera makeup know how it will photograph, given all these variables. That is why savvy brides are hiring media makeup artists who are trained in camera work.

However, if you work in a salon or spa, don’t despair. This is a wake-up call to let you know that you need to increase your knowledge and learn these camera makeup techniques. For convenience the bride would rather get her hair and makeup done at the same place, as long as the makeup artist is proficient with photographic makeup. Some establishments will even pay for part of your training, because your knowledge also benefits their business.

If you want to be a cut above the competition and corner the market in your area, you need to take the best course you can and build a portfolio of your work to show your clients. You can’t just tell them you know what you are doing. You need to show them professional photographs of your makeup work. The bride knows that she is going to have her wedding photographs forever. She must be sure that her makeup is going to look beautiful not only in person, but in the photographs as well. Makeup artists who show clients a portfolio of their makeup work charge higher prices, because they have shown they are worth it.

Brides today want the flawless finish of airbrush makeup and makeup artists charge more for this service. And lets face it, wedding photographers are shooting with digital cameras because there are no film costs. But the quality of digital is not the best and it magnifies every imperfection on the face. Airbrushing gives a smooth, natural finish that looks good in real life and in photographs. It is referred to as the invisible makeup. If you plan to do wedding makeup you must do airbrushing if you want your business to grow.

Here are a few tips. Unlike film and television work, where the makeup must be completely matte and in neutral tones, brides usually prefer a little color. Pastels look soft and pretty, but avoid glitter, shimmer and frosted eyeshadows, as they look too shiny in photographs. The most flattering type of eyeshadow for weddings is the ‘sheer matte’ variety. This silky, sheer formula glides on smoothly and isn’t too shiny or too flat. Regular mattes look great in neutral tones, but ordinary matte pastels can look chalky. The ‘sheer matte’ pastel shadows are far superior for weddings.

Avoid dark colors like wine and brown, as they are not appropriate for weddings. Use an oil-free foundation and plenty of translucent powder so that the bride doesn’t look greasy in the photographs. Shine is enemy #1 on camera. And be sure to use waterproof mascara, as brides have been known to cry.

Lipstick is always a problem for the bride because it fades and smears. Informal photos are snapped throughout the reception by friends and family. The last thing the bride should be worrying about is her lipstick. I recommend a new semi-permanent lip color called ‘Lipfinity’, which is being launched in autumn 2000. Once applied, the color stays on until it is removed with a petroleum based product. It remains in place all day and doesn’t come off during kissing or eating.

To excel in the 21st century you need to stay ahead of the competition. Those who learn and grow rise to the top. Your potential in the wedding industry is massive, but without airbrushing skills success will pass you by.

Airbrush Makeup info

© Amy Ward

Lipfinity is available from Max Factor.

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