Wedding day make-up with Lina Cameron

Celebrity make-up artist Lina Cameron is internationally renowned and has worked with some of the biggest names in the beauty industry including Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder, Chanel, YSL and Trish McEvoy. With a career spanning more than a decade, Lina has worked with famous faces in both the music and television industries and is a regular contributor to national magazines. We sat down with Lina for a chat about wedding day make-up must haves...

What are your beauty must-haves for brides?
It's crucial that you have long lasting make-up on your big day, but make sure you don't put foundation on your eyelids - they are delicate and if you get hot your eyeshadow will crease. Make sure you use primer instead; I'd recommend Laura Mercier Eye Basics, it will keep it in place all day. You should also make sure you blend all your products really well and invest in good brushes like Trish McEvoy and MAC.

Are there any tricks you can share with us for a flawless face?
Once you've applied your foundation get a tissue and just gently blot it over your face to remove any excess moisture. Then use loose setting powder (I'd recommend translucent powder from Laura Mercier) and using a cotton wool pad wrapped around your finger gently press this into your skin. It's an old Hollywood technique and it really works. For your big day it’s good to remember three things:

1) Opt for a natural look that doesn’t stray too far from your normal make-up
2) Keep it classic, you don’t want to look back at photos and cringe
3) Make sure your make-up stays on all day, and all night! That way you can concentrate on enjoying yourself. I've worked with some brides who have worn their make-up all day, slept in it and come down for breakfast the next day still looking flawless!

With that in mind, what is the best base to use to avoid your make-up heading south during the day?
The key is to blend! It may sound silly but take an hour to really blend your primer, foundation, powder, etc. Layer, blot, and reapply. Doing your make-up before the big day is an amazing and memorable experience, so enjoy it and don't be rushed. Factor in plenty of time and relax! I run make-up lessons so rather than paying for a professional for the day some brides like to come and see me for a session to learn tips and tricks that will last them a lifetime. You can find more on my website www.linacameron.com.

Are there some products worth splashing the cash on and others we can save money on?
I'd recommend investing in good tools, so pay a bit more for brushes. I've recently discovered two great ones: Trish McEvoy eyeshadow brush (tapered blending brush no. 29) and Shu Uemera brush 78; Collinsky. They are both really good for applying your make-up. It’s also worth spending money on primer, powder and a good foundation but don't be pressured. Spend a long time trying different types and shades and take away samples so you can try them on your own. You can afford to spend less on mascara, as you should change it every two to three months, so don't spend too much on one that you will only wear once or occasionally. You can get some good high street make-up and I'd recommend Maybelline blusher too.

Great. So what’s your mascara recommendation for our brides?
As I said, don't worry too much about expensive mascaras. The best way to have great eyelashes on your wedding day, especially if you have straight lashes is to use eyelash curlers and then apply a waterproof mascara. They are oil based so protect your lashes from moisture. After that you can use any mascara you want, be it lengthening, curling, etc and just apply it to the ends. Don't overload your lashes as they will droop and you'll lose the curl.

And what's the best lipstick to use?
I am a real fan of Benefit's Benetint, coupled with Lipcote! It’s all about the application and layering. First apply a lip stain like Benetint and then use a lip pencil to go over your whole lip area. Blot, then apply your lipstick. Blot again and then apply your lipgloss. Finally apply Lipcote on top. And to make sure your lips don't dry out, apply some more lipgloss before you leave to go to the ceremony.

Many brides worry about getting their make-up right for the photos – any tips?
Use old fashioned techniques and blot and blend. Products with SPF can reflect the light so go easy with them and don't go overboard with light-reflecting products! Use powder to ensure your make up stays put.

Finally, are there any new trends to look out for this season?
For Autumn / Winter it’s all about red lips, in different shades to suit different skin tones. It’s always good to be aware of trends but for your wedding day, be natural and wear what works best for you.

Celebrity make-up artist Lina Cameron is the new life ambassador for Invisalign www.invisalign.com

LML xxx