Our final look in our red lip wedding makeup inspiration series with the gorgeous Esther of The Sisters At Engadine Florist is my favourite one on her – it’s all about fresh and natural!
This look created by the team of photographer Amy Nelson Blain, makeup artist Megan Vaughan of Makeup By Megan, hair stylist Melissa Cauchi of Melissa Cauchi Hairdressing along with gorgeous gowns from Savvy Brides and jewels from Samantha Wills is so much more relaxed than our other red lip makeup inspiration looks.
It’s all about keeping the dewy, soft, fresh complexion and soft hair style but adding that vibrant red lip for something really fun and daring.
Megan, is of course the brains behind the look, so it’s over to her on how to recreate it for yourself.
Begin with a clean, fresh canvas. I cleanse all my clients skin with Bioderma Crealine on a cotton pad. Make sure that all makeup is removed from the face including any mascara and eyeliner caught in the lash line.
This is where most girls reach for their eye creams and moisturisers. Too much product sitting on the skin under the makeup decreases the longevity and increases the chance of shine and creasing later on. Unless my client has extremely dry skin I will never moisturise AND prime. If this is a concern, purchase a primer with moisturising properties. My favourite is Make Up Store Skin Serum. It is enriched with ginko, bilboa and rosemary to give you an even and silky base.
Beauty Blender, M.A.C 130 Brush, M.A.C Face & Body Foundation, M.A.C Moisturecover Concealer, M.A.C Blotting Powder, Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Linen, Benefit Bronzer in Hoola, Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter, Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette in Naked, Model Co Fibre Lash Brush on False Lashes Extreme Lash Extension Mascara Kit , Laura Mercier Brow Definer in Fair, Benefit Benetint, Harlotte Pencil Lip Liner in Naked Pink, Clarins Rouge Prodige True-Hold Colour & Shine Lipstick: 121
Using a Beauty Blender , sponge a light coat of foundation on to the face starting from the nose and blending outwards across the cheeks and onto the ear lobes, down over the lips, under the chin, and onto the beginning of the neck, and then up over the eyebrows and forehead into the hairline. The general rule when applying foundation is to begin where you need the most product (which is the middle of the face) and blend outwards so the coverage becomes sheerer and blends into nothing when it reaches the outer parameter of your face. This will ensure you don’t get those attractive foundation lines around the ears, jaw and neck, and that cakey makeup look in your hair line. Once this is done, load your foundation brush (my favourite is MAC 130 ) with the same foundation and go back over any areas that require a little more coverage.
Using your concealer brush (or fingers if that is your preference) lightly dab foundation on the dark areas on and around your eyes, in the creases of your nose around the nostrils, and on any impurities/discolourations including blemishes, veins, pigmentation, rosacea etc. Remember less is more. Slowly build your coverage until you reach the desired level and blend the edges to ensure you can’t distinguish where you have concealed.
The secret to eye makeup longevity is to stop the natural oil secretion on your eyelids from breaking down and moving the makeup. The best way to achieve this is by applying an eye base or primer. My favourite is Laura Mercier Eye Basics. Pat this onto the lid before applying your eye shadow and eyeliner and your eye makeup will not move.
Apply a tinted moisturiser, dewy, mineral or cream foundation (dependent on your skin type) to create that barely there look, and conceal until your base is flawless.
Base the eye and lightly dust the lid with blotting powder to ease blending. Apply a light peach gold shimmer or highlighter to the lid.
Blend a soft naked shadow or bronzer into the crease.
Blend the same naked shadow or bronzer into the lower lash line.
Curl the top lashes and apply a coat of black mascara top and bottom.
Once the mascara is dry, apply a second coat and repeat until you get your desired intensity.
Brush brows upward and lightly fill any gaps using a brow pencil, gel, powder, or an eye shadow one or two shades lighter than your natural colour. Elongate them slightly towards the outer corner. This is a natural look so we don’t want the brows overdone. In some cases, combing the brows up with a touch of hair spray will be enough.
For a bronzed look, lightly sweep blotting powder along your cheekbones, temple, onto your forehead, down your jaw line, and across your chin and the tip of your nose. Now, just like the shape of a 3 sweep your bronzer from the temple, around the eye socket and onto the cheekbone, back up the cheekbone, and down the jaw line. Then lightly sweep across the chin, tip of the nose, and forehead.
ALWAYS apply a LIGHT dusting of blotting paper where you intend to place powder products to create a smooth blending surface and prevent the colour from grabbing onto the foundation. Use blotting powder sparingly so you don’t lose the glowy/dewy canvas you have just created. DO NOT use translucent powder for this look as it is too heavy. Choose a bronzer no more than two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone and blend thoroughly. Try to find a matte bronzer for a more natural and less obvious appearance. The key to bronzing accurately is to apply the product where the sun hits the face naturally.
Apply a soft peach-beige or rose pink cream blush or cheek stain to the apples of your cheeks.
Lightly dab a cream or liquid highlighter along the top of the cheekbones.
{for the gal working up to the full red lip, or wanting something less “done”}
Using your finger, dab a red-based lip stain onto your lips and top with a clear gloss.
Place your lip liner in the freezer to firm it up before sharpening it. Experiment with different shades of red lipstick on the tip of your finger to find one that suits your colouring.
{the full red lip}
Take your time drawing a perfect symmetrical lip line with a sharp lip pencil as close to your natural lip colour as possible. Fill/colour the outline in with the pencil. Use the side of a firm bristled lip brush to apply a sheer glossy red lipstick. Begin by tracing the lip liner outline at the cupids bow. Then, while smiling to elongate the lips and create firm lines, start on the inside of the mouth at the outer corners and trace the lip liner until you meet it. Do the same to the bottom lip and fill them in.
I’m loving the volume Melissa gave Esther’s hair – it’s relaxed and natural but still “Done”. It’s over to Melissa on how to nab this style for yourself!
Parlux 3200 Ionic Hairdryer (available at Ry Online) , Joico Joiwhip Firm Hold Mousse, Joico Protect + Shine Serum, Scunci Bun maker, Scunci Hair band, Scunci Bobby Pins, Joico Powerspray Finishing Spray, Babybliss Ceramic Hot Rollers (available at Ry Online), Dateline Styling Comb (available at Ry Online)
This look can be styled on clean or day old hair.
Apply a small ball of mousse to the hair and blowdry completely dry.
Set hair in hot rollers away from the face (if you have curly hair you can skip this step)
Allow to cool completely and run your fingers through to separate and smooth with some styling serum for shine. Tease hair slightly at roots for added body and lift.
Pull your hair into a pony tail then create a neat bun shape. Secure with bobby pins. For added shape and size, use a donut slipped over the ponytail and secure your hair around the donut with bobby pins. Tuck in any loose ends.
Spray with hairspray to hold.
For a quick achievable variation on this style for everyday: Spray some dry shampoo through your hair for texture. Skip the setting part and go straight to the making the ponytail.
The fatalistic team behind this shoot can’t have done a better job – from photographer Amy Nelson Blain, makeup artist Megan Vaughan of Makeup By Megan, hair stylist Melissa Cauchi of Melissa Cauchi Hairdressing to Savvy Brides and Samantha Wills.
I’d love to know what you’d like to see next from us and if you’d like to be involved? Drop us an email!
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