​A winter wedding is a magical thing: twinkling lights, festive cheer and the opportunity to take advantage of those bold winter makeup looks that we all love to give a go when the weather turns icy. Subtle makeup has its place during the winter months (in fact, for a bride I personally would always go for a taupe smoky eye than the traditional black and a natural but flawless looking base), but there’s just something about grey days that calls for something a little more vibrant in the accents. A little more daring!
 

​Delicate Contouring
 
Think less Kardashian war paint and more Rosie Huntington Whitely goddess like cheekbones and perfectly defined features: this is the kind of contouring that I love to create for my winter brides.
 
Less is more with this tricky technique and it is essential to start with the perfect base shade before you attempt to start applying any light or shade. From this starting point, you’ll find achieving the look you want much easier.
 
It’s no good just winging it when you contour and highlight – you’ve really got to be applying your products with strict direction, aiming for an oval looking face. Choose a contour powder two shades darker than your skin tone 'I love Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar'. Focus on the cheekbones building up around the centre of your ear and blending out gradually until you reach mid-cheek. For a face that appears slimmer, I would blend the contour shade in around the forehead almost in the hairline and on either side of the bridge of the nose.
 
Highlighting is just as important as contouring with this method, so choose a highlighter that is two shades lighter than your skin tone, my favourite is MAC Soft & Gentle for a really natural look that brings everything out just the way you want it too, without looking too obvious. Dust along the tops of the cheekbones, the chin, the centre of the forehead, bridge of the nose, arch of the eyebrow and for extra pouty lips, the cupids bow.
 
Above all else, blend blend blend! I use Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Brush, Powder & Sculpt for a diffuse, natural looking shadow and I always take my time to achieve perfection!

​The Perfect Pout
 
Who doesn’t love a good red lipstick during the winter months?! Whatever your skin tone, there’s a red for you – you just need to find the right one. Look for hues that match the underlying tone in your skin (blue, red or neutral) for the best match.
 
I always use a lip liner with vibrant colour lipsticks as even the best quality brands will bleed a bit throughout the day and night. Charlotte Tilbury lip liner is my top pick for keeping everything just where it should be.
 
When it comes to creating the perfect pout for your wedding day, don’t be tempted by gloss as this is a real no-no for great photos. The high shine results in an unsightly glare that all photographers hate to deal with in the post edits and if they don’t get rid of it for you, you’ll end up hating it too! This doesn’t mean you have to opt for matte, you can still wear a dewy finish without a problem.

​Romantic Hair
 
The dream hair for a winter bride really comes down to your own preference, as well as your dress, the venue and the theme of your wedding. However, if I had to choose my favourite for this season it would the romantic hair look, which was a huge deal for most of the labels who had models strutting their stuff on all the catwalks during 2018.
 
There are many different ‘romantic’ styles to choose from, but really it’s the texture that remains consistent throughout. Super-soft, airy and almost wispy texture is what you should be aiming for. Keep styles loose and wavy with candy-floss lightness and a natural finish. Having strands framing the face works here too to add some extra softness.
 
I love Bee Hive by Tigi for adding gentle lift at the roots and a soft, matte texture throughout the hair for delicate styles. This product will also provide much-needed grip without being at all noticeable, which is invaluable for keeping these very loose styles in place.

​Be the Bridal Hair & Makeup Artist You Always Dreamed of...
 
As a bride-to-be you’ll no doubt be ogling gorgeous hair and makeup looks as inspiration for your big day, pretty much whenever you have a moment to spare. Up-dos, down-dos, glossy waves, smoky eyes, flawless skin...there are so many stunning styles to choose from and if you love applying makeup or styling hair yourself, you might well be feeling the stirrings of inspiration beyond your wedding.
 
It’s no mean feat, creating the most beautiful hair and makeup someone has ever had. Hair and makeup that leaves a bride looking like the very best version of herself, so that she can walk with confidence down that aisle. And although being a bridal hair and makeup artist is an absolutely wonderful job (who wouldn’t want to be a part of that incredible bridal party buzz time and again?!), there’s no denying it takes some serious skill. Fortunately, if getting married has got you thinking that creating beautiful looks for other brides is something that you would love to do in life, I can help! It’s never too late to start on the path to the career of your dreams, and my intensive five-day hair and makeup course will help you do just that, even if you’ve never tried it before!
 
Making Your Dream a Reality
As well as being an award-winning bridal hair and makeup artist, I also have another passion: to pass on what I know to others. So much joy comes from creating beautiful hair and makeup, whether that’s for a bride like you or on editorial shoots and filmsets! It’s creative, it’s satisfying, it’s fun and it can mean the world to every individual you work on.
 
My five-day course is held in the unbelievably grand setting of Nether Winchendon House in Oxfordshire, making this a luxury experience like none-other, and it is designed to suit all experience levels, from complete beginner to seasoned pro! Following the structure of the week, you’ll be given the opportunity to learn everything you need to know to go on to be a successful bridal hair and makeup artist and you’ll even be able to hone in on certain areas you really want to focus on, if that’s something you wish to do.
 
Thanks to the astounding backdrop of the grounds and buildings of Nether Winchendon House, alongside collaborations with some of the most talented wedding vendors, dress designers and photographers in the UK, one of the most exciting parts of the week is when everyone gets to showcase what they have learned in a professional, magazine-quality photoshoot. I am always blown away by the images that come back from this and I couldn’t be happier that my students go away with the most remarkable portfolio to get them started on the bridal hair and makeup artist journey.
 
Your Big Day
If you’ve got some time before you’re saying your ‘I dos’ and training to be a bridal hair and makeup artist appeals to you, it’s well worth considering jumping on to my course before your Big Day, to equip yourself with all the know-how you need to discover your own perfect look, whilst learning about what you can do for others. Working on models and seeing the innovative styles that your fellow students (and I!) come up with might just give you some ideas that you’d never have thought of otherwise.
 
But there’s no rush – although these are skills that may have a huge impact on one special day, you’re learning them to last a lifetime and it’s worth remembering that taking a step as simple as booking onto a course may just be the first step into a whole new world. A world where you leave the 9-5 you hate behind and launch into a career you adore. A career that inspires you and fills you with happiness each and every day! Why not combine your transformation from ‘Miss’ to ‘Mrs’ with an all-encompassing overhaul that encourages you to be who you want to be and do the things you love the most? What a way to celebrate your foray into married life!
 
The Course: What to Expect

• Perfect Prep & Product Knowledge
• Classic Bridal Hair & Makeup
• Plaits & Braids
• Vintage & Period Styling
• Professional Portfolio Photoshoot

​Unlike many hair and makeup courses out there, at The Hair & Makeup School you can expect five days filled with all the 1-2-1 support you need and everything tailored to your own, unique requirements. You can expect tonnes of hands on practice using the very best products and kit available in a really fun, friendly and exceptionally beautiful atmosphere!
 
The portfolio photoshoot on the last day is really something quite special – with the grounds of Nether Winchendon House as our playground we team up with Rosie Red Couture who provides amazing handmade dresses for our models to wear, Isabella Henry for bespoke award-winning hair accessories, Forever Bloom for one-of-a-kind bouquets and professional photographers for editorial quality snaps. The experience is one that you will never forget and that has the potential to change your life, forever!
 

​S/S 2018 is set to be the year of polar opposites in Bridal hair and makeup, which I love as this gives me the perfect opportunity to encourage my Hair & Makeup School students to play around with lots of gorgeous, contrasting looks!
 
Prepare to see a whirlwind of ‘wholesome’ brides embracing natural hair texture (particularly if you’re blessed with a head-full of gorgeous curls!) and makeup to match, alongside striking lips and brows paired with sleek up-dos complete with mirror shine.
 
Flower Crowns
 
Hair accessories aren’t always necessary for a great Bridal hair style – sometimes less is more. However, that’s not to say that the right accompaniment to your dream ‘do won’t really set the whole thing off. This is why I always like to play around with a variety of options during my Bridal hair and makeup trials.
 
Until recently, hair vines had been the hot accessory on the block for textured romantic hairstyles, but this year a bolder and brighter choice has taken the lead: flower crowns.
 
A flower crown is not a dainty daisy chain. I’m talking big blooms and foliage, usually atop of loose waves, so it’s not for the faint of heart as this certainly does make a statement! The thought of trying something so eye-catching might scare you a little, but give this look a chance as with the right dress and right setting it can add an air of woodland magic to a bride’s overall appearance like nothing else.
 
Touchable Texture
 
Creating matte and somewhat fluffy texture without it looking messy and accidental is more of a challenge that it looks! That natural finish with a positively fly-away edge is very easy to get wrong if it’s even slightly over or underdone and when teaching my hair and makeup courses at The Hair & Makeup School, Oxford, this is one of the favourite looks that my students love to learn how to put together. I always fall back on my trusty Wella Professionals EIMI Ocean Spritz Spray to get this texture just right.
 
Soft and deconstructed curls and waves either left loose or styled up is a particular love of mine and I really enjoy incorporating braids for even more texture. For 2018, this informal finish is often being put together with ponytails or hair up half down dos tied with a chunky ribbon, which is a great combo of pretty and edgy.
 
Lip Service
 
The lips are doing all the talking for S/S 2018 brides, whatever look you’re going for. ‘Natural’ brides are looking fresh with a bee-stung pout in sheer rose shades and coral hues, whereas the bold and beautiful are looking stunning in deep plums and vibrant orange-toned reds.
 
Often it’s eyes that take centre stage when walking down the aisle, but this year peepers are taking a back-seat, with just a sweep of lash-lengthening mascara and maybe a subtle eye-liner flick, in comparison to kissable lips.
 
Face-Framing Brows
 
Eyebrows remain fierce for 2018 – well defined and noticeable. For the chic and sleek look, I am making sure that my brides brows are shaped to perfection and thoroughly filled for a very definite face-framing effect. Anastasia Brow Pro Pallette is my go-to brow palette and one that a recommend to all of my students.
 
Rough ‘n’ ready brows are still in for those woodsy brides, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that deliberate bushiness equates to unkempt. To get this look right, eyebrows must be groomed first!
 
Hazy-Grey
 
If you’re a fan of a smoky eye, you might want to consider it’s ‘little sister’ for your wedding this year.
 
Using muted grey shades for a hazy look, ideal for day to night wear, this is a new take on a smudgy sexy eye. Before now, the alternative smoky eye was often made using neutral and taupe shadows but I am loving this stormy version.
 
A Bit of Sparkle
 
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bride who doesn’t have glitter as guilty pleasure, but you needn’t shy away from it this year as a subtle swipe of sparkle is totally in!
 
I’m not saying that it’s time to get your 13-year-old-self’s makeup kit out of the attic, but do feel free to embrace some fine glitter on your eye lids, sparkly nails or even some skin and hair shimmer with Captain Blankenship’s Sea Salt Shimmer Spray.
 

​A winter wedding is a magical thing: twinkling lights, festive cheer and the opportunity to take advantage of those bold winter makeup looks that we all love to give a go when the weather turns icy. Subtle makeup has its place during the winter months (in fact, for a bride I personally would always go for a taupe smoky eye than the traditional black and a natural but flawless looking base), but there’s just something about grey days that calls for something a little more vibrant in the accents. A little more daring!

Think less Kardashian war paint and more Rosie Huntington Whitely goddess like cheekbones and perfectly defined features: this is the kind of contouring that I love to create for my winter brides.
 
Less is more with this tricky technique and it is essential to start with the perfect base shade before you attempt to start applying any light or shade. From this starting point, you’ll find achieving the look you want much easier. ​It’s no good just winging it when you contour and highlight – you’ve really got to be applying your products with strict direction, aiming for an oval looking face. Choose a contour powder two shades darker than your skin tone (I love Charlotte Tilbury contour & highlight duo). Focus on the cheekbones building up around the centre of your ear and blending out gradually until you reach mid-cheek. For a face that appears slimmer, I would blend the contour shade in around the forehead almost in the hairline and on either side of the bridge of the nose. 

​Who doesn’t love a good red lipstick during the winter months?! Whatever your skin tone, there’s a red for you – you just need to find the right one. Look for hues that match the underlying tone in your skin (blue, red or neutral) for the best match.

​I always use a lip liner with vibrant colour lipsticks as even the best quality brands will bleed a bit throughout the day and night. Charlotte Tilbury lip liner is my top pick for keeping everything just where it should be.
 
When it comes to creating the perfect pout for your wedding day, don’t be tempted by gloss as this is a real no-no for great photos. The high shine results in an unsightly glare that all photographers hate to deal with in the post edits and if they don’t get rid of it for you, you’ll end up hating it too! This doesn’t mean you have to opt for matte, you can still wear a dewy finish without a problem.

​The dream hair for a winter bride really comes down to your own preference, as well as your dress, the venue and the theme of your wedding. However, if I had to choose my favourite for this season it would the romantic hair look, which was a huge deal for most of the labels who had models strutting their stuff on all the catwalks so far for 2018.

I am pleased to announce that I am now featured on 'The Wedding Secret'
​ The Wedding Secret is an online directory that advertises wedding venues and suppliers across the UK. Making your wedding planning that extra bit easier, the website allows you to choose your location and search for local venues and suppliers near you! They also have a fantastic magazine offering tips and ideas for your big day.

​Autumn is one of my favourite times of year as a Bridal Hair & Makeup Artist! Leaning away from the beautiful ‘I-woke-up-this-gorgeous’ looks of summer and rolling into the bolder colours, textures and styles of winter, Autumn gives us that awesome middle-ground of striking yet still with a touch of effortlessness, when it comes to wedding hair and makeup.
 
It’s All in The Eyes
 
I don’t often get much of a chance to really have fun with eye-shadows during the warmer months as sheer, natural toned peepers with fluttery lashes are almost always top of the bridal makeup wish list. So, as the weather turns and brides start wanting to embrace those gorgeous warm golden tones and smoky edges that comes hand-in-hand with the leaves starting to brown on the trees I can’t wait to bring out some of my favourite eye palettes!
 
This year, it’s all about metallic and we’re not just talking a light shimmer here – I mean gold glitter eyes, silver liners and deep coppers applied unapologetically for a truly striking finish.
If you don’t feel quite brave enough to go the whole hog and dive into a golden-goddess smoky eye, why not try just a dab of bright gold on the inner corners of your eyes? This really draws the focus in and widens and brightens the eyes in an utterly beautiful way without begin overpowering.
 
I adore my eye-shadow palette ‘By Violet Voss - Holy Grail’ for it’s stunning variety of metallic tones that are easy to wear on all skin tones.
 
Deep Berry Lips
 
It’s not just the eyes that are standing centre stage for autumn brides – lipsticks are getting deeper and bolder, with daring berry hues of burgundy, dark plum and merlot reds being all the rage.
 
Pairing vibrant lips with glittering eyes might be a bit too much together when walking down the aisle, so I advise you to go for one or the other and save the extreme combos for the catwalk! Take a look at the incredible colour selection from ‘MAC Cosmetics’ for my top picks on the higher end of the price-scale and ‘Barry M’ for those of you on a budget.
 
If you love the idea of wearing a deep lipstick on your wedding day, consider leaving the rest of your makeup barely there, with separated sky-high lashes for a contemporary 1920s feel – perfect when teamed with a beaded, drop-waist wedding dress.
 
Ride the Wave
 
I’m used to styling hairdos that are a bit more structured during the autumn months, but this year my autumn brides are loving hair that is left down and wavy.
From natural looking ‘rich-girl’ waves to the more heavily styled Hollywood sort, I’ve got my barrel tongs heated and waiting to make some waves!
Whatever the look, my autumn brides love a wave with a glossy finish, so I always smooth away frizz and fly-aways with my secret weapon ‘Wella Professional EIMI Glam Mist’
 
Punk Vs Fairy-tale
 
There are two ‘looks’ that are really standing out for autumn 2017 brides and that’s Punk & Fairy-tale.
On the catwalk, you’ll see extremes of this but for brides walking down the aisle it’s just a subtle nod: Think a deep side parting in those big waves to ‘punk-it-up’ and super-pretty Twiggy like lashes for a fairy-tale princess. Soft, wispy locks with dark, bold lips makes for a perfect pairing of the two. Combine the two for a really cutting edge look - punk-rock princess anyone?
 
Keep it Natural
 
On the other end of the scale, we’ve always got brides who would prefer to go for the natural look on their wedding day and although this is a big summer style, there are subtle differences that can make this decidedly more autumnal.
Rather than dewy skin, autumn welcomes the matte. Silky smooth, lightly powdered finish with a pop of rosy cheeks and groomed brows is definitely a look that I will always love and continues to be a big hit this year.
Complete the look with a delicate touch of sheer, light pink on the lips and a sweeping of ‘Dior - Diorshow Maximizer 3D Lash Primer & Yves Saint Laurent False Lash Effect mascara for dolly-esque lashes.

AUTUMN 2017 OX WEDDINGS magazine is out!!! & my gorgeous model @charlotte_g26 is FRONT Page! You look amazing! Hair & Makeup by me. I absolutely love this flower crown @fabulousflowers it really adds the WOW factor to the Autumnal vibes for this seasons style 🍁🌹🌺🥀🍁🌹🍂🌹🍁 It was so much fun shooting this @weddings_at_bodleian_libraries with the amazing @alexandrajaneuk & Thankyou @fabulousprx for everything 🍁🥀🌹🍂🍁🌹 #magazine #photoshoot #picoftheday #oxweddings#editorial #hairandmakeupbyme #autumnalvibes#oxfordweddinghairandmakeup #hairstyles #hairstylist #makeupartist #mua#frontpage #weddings #bodlienlibrary #oxford 🌹🍁🍂🥀🍂🍁🌹

 This bridal party just looked absolutely spectacular in their sarees after a morning of bespoke hair and makeup design by myself! Lasting all night long even when dancing to an amazing Rock Band *functioncentral.co.uk

​OX WEDDINGS SUMMER EDITION IS OUT! 
*FEATURING MY BLOG ON 'HOW TO ACHIEVE THE BEST SUMMER WEDDING MAKEUP'
My blog features amazing pictures from my students at  The Hair & Makeup School Im so proud that after 5 days of Intensive Bridal Hair & Makeup Training by me their work is at an amazing editorial standard. Ox Weddings magazine loved the images and wanted to feature the pictures along with the products that my students trained with to get this flawless inspirational bridal finish.
Check out my Bridal Hair & Makeup Courses...
www.thehairandmakeupschool.co.uk
 

Tying the knot this summer? Congratulations! I absolutely love working with summer brides, creating beautiful ethereal, Boho and classic makeup looks with a lighter, more natural finish that is comfortable to wear in the heat whilst still looking great and providing a flawless finish, with stunning hairstyles to match.

How to Achieve Summer Wedding Makeup
Achieving the ideal summer wedding makeup takes real skill and amazing products, as the ‘less is more’ approach is often trickier to get right than a noticeable full face, and fresh, natural yet utterly gorgeous is usually what my summer brides are after. Prepping the skin correctly is key to applying makeup that looks great and is long lasting – essential for your wedding day, where you’ll need to be ready to look your very best from morning until night, for all weather forecasts.
I adore the fresh-faced look that is set to be the biggest trend with brides this summer, which focuses on a lovely healthy glow, gently flushed cheeks and lips and well defined but natural eyes and brows. A touch of highlighter can go a long way in bringing out an iridescent radiance and individual lashes carefully applied are my go-to for creating photo ready peepers with a ‘I just woke up like this beautiful’ appearance.

My Must-Have Products
As one of the UK’s leading, award-winning bridal hair and makeup artists, I’ve really been through the mill over the last 11 years, trying and testing all the very best products for hair and makeup out there! Finding the perfect products to create that dream look can be a challenge (not to mention an expense!), so I always love to share my must-haves with all of my brides and my students on my 5 Day Bridal Hair & Makeup Course, to make their lives just that little bit easier.
So many people skip one of the most important steps of professional makeup application – the skin prep. Getting the base ready to start applying makeup, by keeping your skin well hydrated and using an exceptional primer to create a smooth surface with minimised pores and wrinkles, makes all the difference to the end result. I love the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer as my best ‘all rounder’ and MAC Prep & Prime Transparent to combat oily skin and beat shine in those wedding photos.
Your eyes should be primed too, to ensure long-lasting eye makeup free from unsightly creases and smudging, but you’ll need an eye primer rather than a face primer for that. I always use MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot for this on my brides in either Soft Ocre, Painterly or Groundwork for darker skin tones.
Having just come out of months of harsh winter weather only to be bombarded with skin-drying air con and damaging UV rays can really leave you with thirsty skin that makeup doesn’t sit well on. For a major hydration boost I turn to my trusty iS Clinical Hydra Serum – a fantastic product suitable for all skin types that is designed to provide an intensive injection of moisture to dry skin. Hair can become equally drab and lacklustre for the same reasons and for this, I love using Mythic oil by L'oreal to promote silky texture and mirror shine.
For those popular ‘Beachy Waves’, you need a fantastic salt spray that creates an undone texture whilst hydrating and protecting your locks. Ocean Spritz by Wella is my number 1 choice for this and works brilliantly every time.
My Personal Favourites:
Budget: Boujour Healthy Mix Foundation
Sensible: Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara ‘A Raincoat for Lashes’
Extravagant: Anastasia Beverly Hills Sun-Dipped Glow Kit (highlighting kit)
Change your look: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof – grey liner
 
DIY Brides: When to buy your makeup and start practicing
If you’re a DIY bride and you’re going it alone with your summer wedding makeup, you can’t start practicing soon enough! Practice really does make perfect, and as that’s what you’re after for your big day you’d better get to it! If you want to apply your makeup like a pro, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to take a course beforehand so you really know what you’re doing. My 5 Day Bridal Hair & Makeup is suitable for all experience levels and will take you through, step by step, how to create amazing Bridal looks.
One big tip I’d have to give is: don’t just do your usual makeup for your wedding day. Of course, you want to feel comfortable and still look like you, but remember, this makeup has got to look amazing on camera as well as in person, so that requires some extra work.
Try different looks out and take photos of each so you can see how they look and refer back to the images later. It’s great to experiment with different styles as you don’t know what you’ll fall in love with until you try it, but whatever you do, don’t experiment on the day! Give yourself plenty of time (months, ideally!) to get really comfortable and confident with creating your desired look.
​
Using a Bridal MUA - why and what to look for
Your wedding day is a pretty huge deal and it’s going to be absolutely spectacular! But there’s no denying that almost every bride feels the pressure on the morning of the main event.
Hiring a Bridal MUA helps take the stress out of needing to get things right to look your best and instead, puts that responsibility into the hands of a professional who you trust and have already trialled your chosen look with. Hiring an MUA allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy a little pampering on one of the best and most special days of your life
When searching for your dream match of wedding MUA, you must of course love their work and the look that they create for you, but it’s equally important to genuinely enjoy their company and feel comfortable around them. You wedding is an intimate day – you’ll be feeling teary, emotional and maybe even a little bit vulnerable! So you want to have someone that you feel in safe hands with.
 
 ​

Super HAPPY to have my model showcasing my hair & makeup work on the front page of Ox Weddings Magazine. This was an incredible shoot at the stunning Wedding Venue. Nether Winchendon House.