Alternative Bridal Makeup for Goths
Calling all goth brides: The time has come to brush the cobwebs away and revitalise your look for your big black wedding day!
Alternative dress? Check. Dreadlocks at the ready? Check. Gloomy tunes? Already playing. Make-up? Your everyday dramatic palette will be fine, won't it? WRONG.
Most of us who identify with the gothic subculture label are already self-assured and confident about our look. We have worn our black lipstick as others all around stuck to pearly pink and frightened our peers with our ghostly porcelain skin for years now. However, as much fun as we may have expressing ourselves in this way, we can get stuck in a rut as easily as the next soccor mum who can't part with her lilac eyeshadow. As much as we stand out among our friends, the look doesn't necessarily translate well to camera, and we may end up looking washed out after all! The key for wedding photography is to look like yourself, but polished up just a little to be photo-friendly. To make sure that beautiful purple velvet photo album you bought is filled with lovely wedding day keepsakes, here are my tips to update your makeup for your wedding day:
1) Firstly, we must prepare our Canvas. Everyone knows how important it is to cleanse, tone and moisturise, but for those of us who like to use powder to keep our complexions matt and classically pale, the skin must be particularly smooth and blemish-free. To combat spots and dryness, find a cleansing routine for your skin type well in advance of your wedding, and don't be lazy about following it. Make sure you remove all of your makeup every night, particularly those of us who like to wear lots and lots of it, and moisturise thoroughly, including your neck. Your skin should look bright and fresh without makeup, and ready for an even application of..
2).. the Right Foundation. To combat shine in photographs, many makeup counters now offer specific products for this purpose. Estee Lauder and Mac are just two who will help you find something to suit. If using a regular foundation, go for one that works well with your skin - foundation is the beauty product you want to go for high quality in above all others. Some brides may suit compact foundation whereas others will prefer liquid, and if in the latter camp, applying it with a foundation brush (with long, soft, flat bristles) will ensure an even application. Choose a tone that exactly matches your own skin colour - do not be tempted to go lighter or darker as the result will not be flattering. Once happy with your foundation, choose a concealer and fine, good quality powder in a matching colour to complement and finish off your look. Lightly dust the powder over your face, paying particular attention to areas that are prone to shine.
3) A blushing bride needs some colour in her cheeks, and even if you prefer to go for a classic dark and light look, some peachy pink blusher or cheek stain dotted around the apples of your cheeks will provide a very necessary contrast to the rest of the face and flatter your natural colourings. Do not be afraid to experiment with colours you would not previously have chosen - myself, a very dark natural brunette with dark eyes was offered a bright 'apricot' blusher at the Bobby Brown counter much to my horror, but when I did reluctantly try it, my porcelain skin looked glowing and fresh instead of slightly dull as it had before when I refused to budge from dusky pink shades. Whatever you decide on, apply it lightly blending in thoroughly and add more as you see fit until happy with the outcome.
4) Lips! A classic part of the goth's rebellion, my lips have been bright red, purple, and black at various stages in my life. I'd advise brutal honestly though. I loved black lipstick until I realised that with my tiny lips it just minimised them more and looked unattractively out of place on my face. Bright red may be your seductive shade of choice, but is the tone right for you? Cool toned brides will suit dark reds with shades of blue in them, wheras warm toned belles should look for warmer colours. Application is simple, but can't just be slicked on as you may usually do. Brush your lips with powder, apply lipliner just inside the liplines, then follow with lipstick. Blot this with a tissue, then, most importantly, seal the lipstick with a specifically designed product to prevent colourful kisses appearing on all your guests' cheeks! For your photographs, consider toning it down just a little. When I know I am to be photographed, instead of lipstick, occasionally I go with a red lip tint such as Benetint from Benefit, which is long lasting, can be built up into a dramatic colour, but sits much more naturally on the lips than lipstick can. Another alternative is to experiment with a slightly lighter colour than usual - you can retain your classic, Dita Von Teese look with a sheer lipstick instead of your usual matte, and it will contrast nicely with your powdered skin, but not drain the colour from the rest of your face. Lastly, do not apply lots of gloss as it will reflect the flash badly - instead, dot some lipbalm in the middle of your lips and pat outwards for a subtle sheen.
5) Finally, we come to eyes. If you're like me and like to wear lots of dark eyeshadow and liner, remember that occasionally in photographs this can come across as more messy than the sulty look we were aiming for. I sometimes like to build up a base of creamy white then using a tapered brush, brush in some colour at the sides and blend in the middle. Whatever your palette, this works - dark purples, browns or even blacks can be adapted to this technique. Do not be tempted to overdo it - it will show up well in your photographs but look tidy and professional if kept to just above the crease of the eyelid. Do not go any higher, and do not be tempted to draw it out too far to the sides - the darkness at the corners of your eyes will be just enough for a goth edge to your makeup. Liquid eyeliner is advisable for those who want beautiful big cat eyes, but again, less is more. Draw it from tip to tip of your upper eyelids, elongating it just a very small amount at the outer corners, and lightly brush just under your bottom lashes with a hint of the dark powder you used above. This will make the colours of your eyes pop for the camera and this is much more dramatic than a black smudge around them! Follow with mascara on curled lashes, and don't forget to go for waterproof if there is a chance saying your vows may make you tear up a little!
Overall, this look will retain your edgy image but tidy it up just enough to allow it to photograph well. The aim of bridal makeup is to make you feel comfortable and glamourous, and these small changes should revitalise your look and perfect your image, however you choose to spend your beautiful day!
