When looking for your perfect hair or make-up artist, make sure you narrow your selection to a minimum of two freelance make-up artists. I know it’s tempting to go straight ahead and finalise your decision, but this will make sure you get the perfect look. Taking the time now to go through a few trials with separate make up artists will save you a tremendous amount of hassle and ensure you get the desired look.

A professional make-up artist should always be able to achieve your desired look with the help of your skin type, colourings and face shape.  If you’re not happy with the result or your trial, always say and never be frightened to be completely honest. Again a good hair and make-up artist will remain patient and will do everything you need (with the co-operation of yourself of course!)

It is always a good idea to have as least amount of people present at your trial as possible, (unless you’ve got a fairly large bridal party, in which case I would recommend two separate trials).  Too many opinions can create confusion for the bride - the most important person in all of the wedding plans! Of course, if it’s a bridal make-up and hair lesson, then the more people the better!

Always have a clean face for the make-up artist - make sure traces of make-up are gone. Also try and refrain from washing your hair on the day of the trial or wedding to make sure your hair style stays exactly the same state as when it is finished.  Too many brides can get disappointed on the day of their trial if their curl doesn’t stay in for as long as they’d hoped, so it is vital you follow this rule.

Depending on what type of look you desire for your wedding day, I would always advise where possible to have a spray tan, either by myself or a local beauty salon.  Make sure you get the correct strength for your skin tone as just like sun beds you don’t want too obvious.  It will make you feel so much better about your skin if you have thread veins, scarring you may want to cover up or a strapless dress and you want  even coverage.  If you are on a very tight budget, Johnsons and Dove tinted creams are en excellent choice. I also recommend Sienna X, which has a low % of the spray tan solution mixed in with the ingredients to  provide an even glow all day long.  Nothing can beat a spray tan however in my book but the choice is yours.

In the months running up to your wedding day, it’s important to look after your skin (and most importantly facial skin) by regularly exfoliating and moisturising after bathing or showering. Purchase a decent cleanser, toner and moisturiser and try to avoid the wipes that do this in one go. All skins are different and you may require one especially for dry skin. Cleanse, tone and moisturise daily or even twice daily for the more problem prone skin.  Exfoliate once every one to two weeks concentrating around the nose and forehead area.  This will then leave, after moisturising, silky smooth skin.

If your lips appear to be chapped or dry in the run up to the wedding, there is a really good lip scuff that you can buy from Body Shop.  I have had this problem and used this product and have found that it has helped the condition immensely. 

Eyebrows are always an important feature to the face.  I would suggest if you haven’t already visiting a salon or even booking in an appointment with to have these regularly shaped, about four to six weeks.  Having these waxed or plucked or even threaded can completely transform your face and is really a finishing touch.  Having the upper lip waxed if you have excess hair in that area is also a must.  This just makes you feel more comfortable about your face and yourself and always makes the make-up sit better around the upper lip and mouth area.

I would always suggest having such waxing at least 24 hours before your wedding day, 48 to be on the safe side to avoid redness in any area of the body which people are going to see and prior to a spray tan to avoid skin irritation.

About Lauren
Based in Bexleyheath, Kent, Lauren is willing to travel to most South Eastern counties, including Essex, Sussex, Surrey and some surrounding areas of London.  (Please note that the first 15 miles from her base is free and there onwards is priced at £1.50 per mile)

Please visit her website to view just a small handful of her work and other services she has to offer such as clip in hair extensions which you can purchase direct from her, eyelash extensions or even tiaras for the bridal party.  Packages are available by request. This can be found at www.bridestobemake-upbylauren.com quite the wedding directory already!
Please note that for an extensive range of tiaras, please visit: www.headinguptheaisle.co.uk  

Lauren, will stay with you right up until you get into your wedding dress and will act as your own very personal assistant for the morning or afternoon. As well as this Lauren can be requested to stay with you all day if you require your make-up to be adjusted to a different look you desire for the evening or to continue to make you look fresh faced and not a hair out of place if necessary – however all make-up and hair should stay in place the entire day.  After much experience with various brides and clients, she appreciates that is a very stressful time and this is where she steps in to take the stress out of a morning that can get a little overwhelming at times.

Lauren has appeared in national and county magazines illustrating her services, most recently appearing in Planning your Wedding and Essex Bride and Groom.  As well as the above appearing in various local magazines including: The  Kingshill Directory and County Magazine.  Just a couple of months ago, Lauren branched out in the other various areas of make-up and featured in the  well known  -in ‘Dance World’ Dancing in Kent Magazine, January’s edition, where her skills were put to the test in dance make-up.  Please contact her direct for the many pictures taken at this event held at the Sittingbourne College for Performing Arts.