3 Top Tips for #Bronzer to keep your summer glow

I love a bit of bronzer in the summer – it just makes you feel like you’re s till on holiday! It looks amazing for a natural glow if it’s applied the right way. Here are my top three bronzer tips to help you and your clients feel that summer sun long into autumn:

Less is more so don’t go over the top!

It’s easier to add more bronzer and build up the glow than it is to take it off once you’ve already applied it! So, add a dab to your bronzing brush and dust off any excess before you get started. It’s also a good idea to wear a cream or peach coloured dressing gown when you are applying bronzer – not only will you protect your clothes from getting covered in bronzer but you are less likely to put too much on because you think you look pale!

Three is the magic number…

It definitely is when it comes to bronzing your face! Imagine drawing a big number three starting from the hairline on your forehead, then to your cheekbone, finishing under your jawline. These are the places where the sun naturally tans you, so it will give you a more naturally bronzed look. Repeat on the other side of your face. Try this with an unloaded brush to get a feel for the right sweeping motion.

Don’t forget your sun-kissed shoulders…

For a more natural bronzed look you’ll want to add a dusting of bronzer along the collar bone and shoulders – basically anywhere you are likely to catch the sun! Be careful to blend with a clean brush if you have to so you don’t get any bronzer collecting in big brown dots on your shoulders! And remember to extend your skin cleansing routine to include your shoulders and collar bone if you extended your bronzing!

This photo is a different type of bronzing – focusing on the eyelids and cheek bones… it looks really stunning for a summer wedding.

Let me know how you get on with your bronzing!

Brides to be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Mum’s #make-up for the school run

Before we get started you probably look fabulous without any make-up and can get away with a beanie hat and a pair of sunglasses! But for those days when you feel a little pale or just want to just look a little more polished without getting up at 4 am; here are my five winning tips for early-morning make-up:

1. Wash your face, tone and moisturise, then once you’ve let your moisturiser settle, take a look in the mirror to see if you even need a base or foundation…
2. If you’re skin is looking bright, then even out your complexion with some well-matched concealer or a CC or BB cream.
3. Conceal any under-eye shadows with a light-reflecting concealer that is easy to blend and has a slightly yellow tone.
4. Brush your brows and add a lick of mascara to your top lash line only
5. Finish up with a dab of blusher and a lip balm or gloss.

Top Tip:

Check your face in a full mirror in daylight before you leave the house – sometimes early starts can mean we forget to blend in properly along the jawline or cheekbones!

Perfect and ready to go!

Brides to be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Back to School #Hair for Kids

I hear it all the time – kids wanting French plaits and frills and mum’s in the middle of making lunch boxes and breakfast and barely has time to put on her face before doing the school run! Here are some easy morning time-savers for stylish back-to-school hair…

Fight with the hairbrush

Get madam to brush her own hair before you get styling! Try a ‘tangle-teezer’-style hair brush to make it easier to get started and then you’ll have knot-free hair to work with.

Wash and condition

Using a detangling conditioner and then combing hair is a great help, so you don’t fight with brushing in the morning.

The night before

Long hair easily gets tangled overnight, so do the centre parting and two Pippi Longstocking- style plaits for bed and hair will be tangle-free in the morning.

French plaits made easy

There’s no way round a French plait – you just have to practice a few times to get it right! Start right at the top as bringing in the three sections of the plait from where the fringe would be and weave in hair from the sides, as you continue to plait down the length of the hair. It will take a while so you might want to opt for a pony tail or a topknot if you’re strapped for time!

Accessories…

Ribbons, JoJo bows, Alice bands, clips (depending on the school rules, of course) – make the simplest hairstyle into something special! It’s definitely best to choose the night before so you have more time to get your make-up done in the morning😉

If you’re feeling more adventurous and you are all early risers in your household you can try your hand at this windy-hair-day braids:

https://kelliwaldock.co.uk/2017/08/08/best-hair-for-kids-on-a-windy-day-out/

Let me know how it goes!

What tips and tricks do you have for easy back to school hair?

Brides to be visit my bridal make-up packages.

One Minute Make-up with Airbrushing

Airbrushed Perfection: As you’ll know by now, I am a huge fan of airbase primer! I had the pleasure of doing Michelle’s make-up and got this natural look in next to no time at all. Airbrushing is suitable for all skin types and skin tones and really easy and gentle to apply. I could hardly believe it myself until I tried it…

On YouTube: 

Check out this short youtube video and you’ll see how easy it is to get an even and natural coverage – in just under one minute! Check out the picture to see the results of the airbrushing and a super-fast and easy natural make up look that you can also do at home or on a shoot in under five minutes.

Let me know what you think!

Brides-to-be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Golden Eyes #makeup

Gold base for party eyes: When I finished this look, I absolutely had to show you all! It’s just the perfect eye make-up look for any occasion – be it a wedding, a party or a prom. I’ve used a shimmery white and pale golden shadow across the entire eyelid then shaded ever so slightly darker with gold at the outer edges and blending gently into the sockets. It almost looks like I’ve just used one colour.

Precision liner: Then I’ve applied a thick line of precision liner along the top lash line and smudged kohl along the lower lash line, leaving the inside of the lash line free to widen the eyes even further. And left the inside corner of the eyes completely free. A coat of mascara to the lower lashes and some extra thick lashes along the top and you get this amazing look. I’ve kept the complexion soft and flawless with light peachy pink blush and pink lips.

Brides to be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Pink Lady hair and make-up look

It’s on a shoot like this that I remember more than ever why I love my job!

Bright pink eyeshadow to match the wallpaper…

Retro Big Hair…

Black liner and bold lashes…

Pink blush and pink lips…

Fabulous – check out the picture and see for yourself!

See more images on my portfolio.

Brides-to-be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Bridal Summer Glamour

Soft contouring: I love this inspirational bridal look. It just makes me think of a mid-to late summer wedding! I’ve gone for really subtle contouring to give some retro Hollywood glamour and used brown tones to create a warm smoky eye with a hint of gold and a long, yet natural lash effect.

Did you notice I matched the lip colour to the flower corsage?

If you do decide to go for a flower adornment double check with your client which flowers she will be carrying in her bridal bouquet to get a perfect match. Check out my post on tips for trial bridal make-up consultations here: https://kelliwaldock.co.uk/2017/10/10/what-is-a-bridal-makeup-trial/

Side-wept: Get handy with the curling tongs, clips and fixing spray to get this glamourous side-swept bun. Remember to section hair off at the front before you start for tousled curls to frame the face! Hair by Vicki Lord and photo by Lorraine Lucas.

Brides-to-be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Beach Babe Bridal Hair and Bold Black Lashes

This soft and effortlessly gorgeous bridal hairstyle really draws attention to the eyes and keeps long hair tamed during a summer wedding. Teamed with a flawless complexion and soft pink blush, these beach babe curls look amazing.

Creating the curls

To get the look, section the hair off from ear-to ear and tie the top into a knot ready for later. Take the lower section and tie it into a bun at the back of the head, securing it with pins.

Then take the top section of the hair and create some beach waves with a curling tong. Twist and fix it with spray to set the curl. Take the curls and secure them around the bun at the back, making sure to leave a loose curl to frame the face and that the bun is concealed.

Fix with spray and keep the curls relaxed and slightly tousled for an effortless look! You can add flowers and gems for more sparkle! Check out my short-hair-rescue tips for some more ideas: https://kelliwaldock.co.uk/2018/05/22/short-hair-rescue-three-styles-for-any-occasion/

Try it…  How does it look?

*I did the makeup on this bride, and a bridal hairstylist did the hair.

Brides-to-be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Help! What products should I pack for my summer holidays?

If I was off on my hols and the airline lost my case, how would I cope with just that little plastic bag of liquids you’re allowed to take on board? I think I would honestly have a meltdown before I realised I could probably pick up my beauty essentials on arrival. Phew! Here’s my top 10 list of summer holiday need-to-pack beauty items (most of them would fit in that little plastic bag, thankfully!):

Sun cream…

This is top of my list of course! Now I know there are lots on the market and it’s tempting to get a lower SPF but stick to at least SPF 30 for the first few days, until your skin has adapted to the sun. Your make-up will probably have SPF built-in but you’re unlikely to reapply your foundation during the course of a day, so it’s best to get a face cream with SPF and to wear a stylish wide-brim sun hat and large glasses for city tours or those days at the beach or by the pool.

BB Cream…

If you’re not ready to brave the beach completely bare-faced then a tinted moisturizer is a great summer solution. There are some great BB and CC creamson the market that give you an even skin tone and contain SPF – like No. 7 at Boots, or Rituals or similar. Be sure to choose something with pigment technology that adjusts to your skin tone, even when you have a bit of a tan!

Highlights…

A highlighter / shimmer stick– this will bring out your sun-kissed glow if you apply a tiny bit and blend on your cheek bones and the bridge of your nose.

Conceal…

Concealer palette– I say palette because you might need a slightly darker shade if you’ve caught the sun…

Waterproofing…

Waterproof mascara and kohl linerare a must! Black or dark brown – don’t leave without them!

Remover…

And where there’s waterproof mascara you need a great eye make-up remover, so you don’t wake up with dreaded panda eyes. If you get stuck here you can always pick up some baby wipes to begin with or use a dab of olive oil!

Balms…

Lip balm with SPF and lippy! Red and pink gloss – go bold! You’re on holiday!

Conditioning…

Leave-in conditioner for a daytime wet-look, and a normal one for when you wash and style your hair. See if you can pick up one with UV protection as it will stop any highlights getting too light and help protect your hair from sun damage.

Nail it…

I normally get my nails ready before my holiday but it’s good to be prepared so I pack a red nail varnish, a clear nail varnish with a hint of pink and gold nail varnish. Those colours just match any outfit and any occasion – classic, stylish and glamourous.

Butter…

Moisturiser (think Body butter) – a thick creamy one to pamper your skin after a day in the sun. Aloe Vera gel is also great and really soothing if you want to nourish your skin first.

Sunburn…

Oh, and I always pack a little tub of ‘Sudocreme’ or a similar zinc-based cream which is a great for a sunburnt nose, blisters or skin irritation (although you’ll find it in the nappy-rash section of the super market!).

Check out my tips for gorgeous honeymoon make-up that works just as well on holiday: https://kelliwaldock.co.uk/2017/12/11/ten-tips-for-glowing-honeymoon-makeup-for-yourkentwedding/

I’d love to hear your thoughts on summer holiday beauty essentials! What goes into your holiday make-up kit?

Brides-to-be visit my bridal make-up packages.

Bridal Inspiration

This timeless bridal look is all about bewitching eyes, light blush, soft lips and a gently sweeping up-do –  ideal for spring and summer weddings.

I especially love this bridal hairstyle. It creates an elegant profile that works gorgeously with a veil or a tiara or both!

And even matches a change of outfit for the reception. It’s also the ideal style for a prom, although it does take a bit of practice with curling tongs and clips to get the look.

As for the make-up I’ve gone for an air-brushed complexion and dreamy, neutral eyes in warm smoky tones and a soft blush combined with totally kissable rose, pink and nude lips!

Brides-to-be visit my bridal make-up packages.