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Whether you are a bride to be or wanting to start a skincare routine for 2026, here’s a simple, effective skincare guide for a bride-to-be, whether your wedding is months away or just weeks. 6–12 Months Before the Wedding (Best time to start) Focus: Healthy skin, not quick fixes
 3–6 Months Before Focus: Glow + even skin tone
1 Month Before Focus: Calm, hydrated skin
 1 Week Before
Focus: Maintain & protect
Night Before Wedding
Big NOs for Brides
Bonus Bridal Glow Tips
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 Choosing the perfect bridal lipstick can be a challenge, but finding the right shade to match your style and last all day is crucial for your special moment. The most popular choices are classic nudes and soft pinks, with bold reds being a statement option for brides who typically wear colour. The Best Bridal Lipstick Shades Nudes Nude lipsticks are the top choice for brides aiming for a natural, elegant look that highlights their dress and eyes. The key is finding a shade that complements your skin's undertones.
 Pinks For a romantic and fresh feel, soft or rose-hued pinks are beautiful and create a "just-been-kissed" look.
A red lip is a bold, glamorous statement that never goes out of style, especially for evening or winter weddings. Finding the right undertone is key: blue-based reds work well on fairer, cooler skin tones, while orange or brick reds complement olive or warmer complexions.
 Pro Tips for All-Day Wear
photography @mastersofphotography I cannot quiet believe I am in the priviledged postition to be typing this... On Monday 9th June in the Tullamore Court Hotel, I was announced as Makeup Artist of the Year for the Midlands 103 Awards for the second year running!  I’m finding it hard to put into words my gratitude and appreciation of winning the Midlands 103 Customer Service Awards for Makeup Artist of the Year 2025. Never in a million years would I have thought I would have won this once, let alone win back to back the last two years! To say I was shocked is an understatement but I’m beyond grateful for this amazing achievement. Thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to vote for me and who messaged me with such kind words of congratulations. It never goes unnoticed the support of everyone who likes, comments, votes and sits in my makeup chair throughout the year and I’m never going to be able to show how much it means to me. I’m so lucky to get to make a career out of something I genuinely love to do and I thank you for your continued support always. A congratulations to all the fantastic local businesses who were nominated last night, it’s no mean feat to get to the final and you should be very proud to be up there with the best in the midlands! A very special mention to Lorraine (Lorraine Wynne Travel Counsellors) who was also nominated for Travel Agent of the Year and while she didn’t take home the prize this year, I’m beyond proud as her sister! From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you! Katie x
 How much should you budget for your hair and makeup for your wedding day? The age old question of what is good value, over the top too much to pay and that sweet spot in the middle where you get a good deal, while still having top quality hair and makeup for your special day. The Cost of Bridal Makeup: What to Expect and How to Budget for Your Big Day When it comes to planning a wedding, there are numerous details to consider, from the venue to the catering and, of course, your attire. One detail that often gets overlooked in the early stages of wedding planning is bridal makeup. Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and looking and feeling your best is essential. However, the cost of bridal makeup can vary widely, depending on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how to budget for this important aspect of your big day. 1. Factors That Influence Bridal Makeup Costs Bridal makeup costs can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on a variety of factors. Understanding these can help you plan your budget accordingly. a. Location Where you are getting married plays a significant role in the price of bridal makeup. Cities like Dublin, Cork or Galway tend to have higher costs due to the demand and higher cost of living. If you're having a wedding in a smaller town or rural area, makeup artists may charge less, but it’s still important to research local rates. b. Experience and Reputation of the Makeup Artist A highly sought-after, experienced makeup artist will naturally cost more. These professionals bring years of experience, a portfolio of successful weddings, and a range of high-quality products. Some makeup artists even offer a pre-wedding consultation or trials to ensure they understand your vision for the day. If you’re hiring a celebrity makeup artist or someone with a large social media following, expect to pay a premium. c. Services Included Most makeup artists offer a package that includes a range of services, such as a trial run, day-of makeup application, and touch-ups during the event. Some may also provide hair styling, while others specialise in makeup alone. Be sure to clarify exactly what is included in the quote, as some artists charge extra for things like airbrush makeup, lashes, or additional bridal party members. d. Travel and Accommodation If your makeup artist needs to travel a significant distance to reach you, you may be responsible for covering their travel expenses. This could include transportation costs, hotel accommodations if they need to stay overnight, and meal costs. These additional fees can add up quickly, especially for destination weddings or weddings held in remote locations.  2. Bridal Makeup Pricing Breakdown Here’s a general idea of what to expect when it comes to pricing: a. Basic Bridal Makeup:
3. Additional Costs to Consider In addition to the base cost of bridal makeup, there are some additional costs you should be aware of:
 4. How to Budget for Bridal Makeup With so many variables in play, it’s important to set a budget for your bridal makeup early on. Here are some tips to help: a. Do Your Research: Start by researching local makeup artists in your area. Look at their portfolios, reviews, and social media presence to get a sense of their style and expertise. Once you have a list of potential artists, contact them for quotes based on your specific needs. b. Factor in Additional Costs: In addition to the makeup artist’s fee, don’t forget to account for other expenses like travel fees, tips, or any products you may need to purchase in advance (such as your own lipstick or foundation). c. Prioritise Your Needs: If you’re on a tight budget, consider scaling back some of the more luxurious add-ons like airbrush makeup or the inclusion of all your bridesmaids. It’s okay to focus on your look alone and opt for a less extravagant look for your bridal party. d. Book Early: The earlier you book your makeup artist, the more likely you are to get a great price and avoid rush fees. Popular artists often book up months in advance, especially during peak wedding season. 5. Is Bridal Makeup Worth the Investment? While bridal makeup can be a significant expense, it’s also an important part of your overall wedding day experience. Professional makeup artists bring skill and expertise that ensures you look your best, and their work lasts throughout the day—no need for constant touch-ups. Plus, having your makeup professionally done can boost your confidence and make you feel even more beautiful on one of the most important days of your life. In the end, the cost of bridal makeup is a personal decision based on your budget and your priorities. Whether you’re spending a few hundred dollars or splurging on a celebrity artist, what matters most is feeling fabulous when you walk down the aisle. Final Thoughts The cost of bridal makeup can vary greatly depending on the artist’s experience, your location, and the specific services you need. By understanding what’s included in your makeup package and factoring in any extra costs, you can make a more informed decision about how much to spend on this aspect of your wedding day. Most importantly, remember that your wedding day is about celebrating love and creating memories—so make sure you feel absolutely radiant, inside and out.  *Makeup Artist of the Year 2024*You've read that right! On Monday night I attended the Midlands 103 Customer Service Awards in the Tullamore Court Hotel. I was nominated in the Beauty Industry Category for Makeup Artist of the Year and incredible, I WON!  The evening itself was truly incredible with a drinks reception from Fore Distillery in Mullingar in which they served the most delish cocktails using their rum and poitin. Right up my alley! Joe Wynne provided some lovely background music while I got to meet some friends and fellow business people all their to celebrate our great achievements of getting to the actually awards ceremony.  We had a lovely meal with some top quality entertainment through including Manila Strings and the super enjoyable Singing Chef, Dickie Donnelly before the awards commenced. And then... my name was called! I would have loved to replay the moment to see the look of disbelief on my face that I actually crossed the finish line in 1st place and cannot describe the feeling of pure joy I felt walking up onto that stage. A word of thanks to every single one of you who have liked, commented, called, text and showed support in any way over the last number of days. I'm still in genuine disbelief here that I actually won and will never be able to express how grateful I am to have such amazing clients and supporters who nominated me for this award. A word of thanks to Midlands 103 and the judging panel for choosing me for your Makeup Artist of the Year 2024 and for an absolutely fantastic night from start to finish! Running a small business at times can be very challenging but there is truly nothing I would rather be doing then being a Makeup Artist and I'm thankful everyday I wake up and get to do this job! Not to be too cliche here, but a big thank you has to be said to my family and partner Dan who are a constant support and push me to be the best I can be at what I love doing. I've made some wonderful friendships over the last number of years and can't wait to see where the next few take me! So once again, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Katie x  Today's post is going to be all things bridal! Planning a wedding can be stressful enough so this is a quick guide of some of the tips and to dos when organising you bridal makeup trial...  PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIAL...DECIDE There are so many great makeup artists out there that it can be quite daunting trying to decide who you want for your big day. If you find someone you like, check out there social media for reviews and client feedback. Email them with and enquire to see if your date is available and if so, book a trial with them. BOOK I recommend you book your trial approximately 3 months prior to you wedding day. This allows time to create the look you want and think about anything you want added or taken away. TAN If you plan on wearing tan on your wedding day, use your makeup trials as an opportunity to test out you tan. You will get a better picture of how the makeup will look on the actually wedding day and you will also be able to see how the tan wears, so you get a great view of the makeup and a tan trial too! ;) (Is also makes the Makeup Artist job easier as they will know the exact colour foundation to match to).  DRESS One of my most invaluable tips for a Bridal trial is to wear white. Why? Because this will let you see how the makeup will look against your wedding dress. It will also show how the makeup will photograph against the contrast of the white. I highly recommend doing this. A t-shirt is perfect to get a generally idea. BRAINSTORM Before going to your trial have an idea of what kind of look you want for your big day. Stick with the theme of the wedding (example: Vintage wedding - Vintage makeup) and don't try a new adventurous look. Look up a few pictures on Pinterest and bring them with you, You want your makeup to enhance your features and make you the best version of yourself. You shouldn't look like a different person and unrecognisable. BE TIMELESS While we may want to look like Kim Kardashian or have Kylie's lips stick to timeless makeup. Try not to go with a trend as that's all it is - a trend. You don't want to look back in 50 years and think 'My God, what was with my makeup!'. Natural beauty is always best. If you always wear black smokey eyes, do it! You'll look different without them. If you love red lips, do it! Timeless doesn't necessarily mean you don't be yourself, just don't follow the current trends.  BE HONEST The most important thing to do for your trial is be honest with your Makeup Artist. They are there to do a look that you want and should not be offended if you want something changed. Of course, be polite when explaining. You want your makeup to look flawless and last all day. Don't be afraid to ask questions and request more or less. LIPSTICK My last tip and probably the most helpful for your wedding day is to purchase the lipstick you are going to use. You will be doing a lot of kissing and hugging and eating and drinking so the lipstick will inevitably wear off. Your Makeup Artist will tell you what shade to get and your bridesmaid can keep it at the ready You'll also have a lipstick to wear that reminds you of your special day!  Katie xoTo request a bridal trial please fill out the contact form linked here. |
