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	The perfect makeup for your perfect day.
How should your makeup look on your wedding day? How do you make your skin ready to look perfect for this important occasion? How do you choose “your own” makeup artist? We asked Kate Iniakina-Romanoff, a makeup artist working with “VITALPHOTO” (www.VITALPHOTO.com) studio. Kate has been working with our magazine for a long time - her makeup designs appear on the front page as well as on the other pages of “Russian Bride” magazine. Kate says, “The first thing that I would like to say about bridal makeup is it has to be classy, effortless and natural. It doesn't have to match the contemporary fashion style. Yesterday's fashion can look bizarre later and your wedding pictures will become a family history someday, so your grandchildren are going to look at them. Think about your feelings about doll-like eyes and pouting lips on the pictures from the 1930s-40s. Today's shots from “Elle” are going to be as funny someday.   No matter how much you enjoy looking extravagant, it is best left for some other occasion. I would be more than happy to create a radical makeup for your bachelorette party: eyeliner across the temple and dark purple lips or maybe even a little flower on your cheek - anything you'd like! The wedding, however, is an entirely different matter. You don't want the grandmothers to whisper, “Look at her dressed up as a scarecrow at her own wedding”, and you definitely don't want your daughter to ask you, “Was that Halloween?” 10 years later, as happened to one young lady.” It is a known fact that a natural makeup (professionals also call it “makeup without a makeup”) is the most difficult one to do. It has to preserve your individuality while emphasizing your virtues and hiding minor blemishes. A slight (“slight” is the key word here) correction of the face or lip line without changing the overall look is much harder than making “super” eye shadows for a “vintage” party. You have to make an appointment with your makeup artist in advance, spend some time together, bring some photos of yourself and discuss the ones that you like and the ones that you don't. It is a good idea to show the wedding gown and talk about your hairstyle. Your skin has to be prepared way in advance. Please don't apply deep cleansing masks or visit tanning salons shortly before the wedding. Irritated skin might have a reaction even with the most hypoallergenic makeup that you used so well up until now. “Extreme” procedures have to be finished at least 2 weeks before the wedding. It is better to get your skin ready 3-4 months in advance, choosing a complex approach. If you clean your face daily, use a moisturizing lotion and have a delicate peeling mask twice a week, the effect will be more significant than just visiting a cosmetologist once. Your acne is going to disappear, and blackheads and flaky “winter” skin are going to go away. Skin care is a separate subject altogether. Few people know that in order to look good on an important day you have to follow certain rules, starting 3 days in advance. Kate is a biologist and studied biochemistry of the skin. She knows for a fact that if your skin is not taken care of beforehand, no makeup artist is going to be able to “cover” your problems. This is the advice that Kate gives to both bride and groom so that their faces are perfect for the wedding, and the same goes for the “photo shoot” day. To avoid oily gloss, puffiness and to have a healthy look in general, 72 hours prior to the event you have to: avoid eating red meat (beef); avoid alcohol and caffeinated products (not just tea or coffee but also some carbonated drinks - read the nutrition information on the bottle or can); reduce salt intake; use moisturizing cream (note that male skin needs moisturizing too); drink a lot of water - you might be used to the feeling of being slightly thirsty, but remember that it negatively affects your health, including the skin; moisturize your lips with some balm or at least Vaseline, especially in the morning before the event (this applies to both bride and groom as well!); have a good night's sleep and do some light exercises in the morning. Kate says, “I enjoy creating bridal makeup - it is a fun, festive job. I am happy to arrive early in the morning at the bride's house. I feel happy that my art brings joy to people. Even though makeup is a piece of art that only lasts for one day, creating it requires as much inspiration as painting on canvas. That is why I keep saying to all the brides: don't cut the time you plan spending with your makeup artist. Any professional artist needs to do a lot of groundwork, and they have to know you well, “feel” your face, and understand your personality. Then the artist will be able to create a “perfect” you. It is much harder to do than to create a “front-page beauty” image using a standard approach, but an experienced makeup artist can do just that. You will be beautiful and at the same time unique in your own special way!”   Products: See all products...