The City Chic Bride by The Hair & Makeup Atelier

So you may have spotted that this week is dedicated to our recent Tropics in the City styled shoot which took place at the incredible Wimbourne House.

We talked you through the inspiration behind the shoot on Monday, the full shebang was shown on Wednesday (including a fab piece by stationery legends Cutture showing the design process behind creating our tropical suite) and today we’re chatting beauty with Jo from The Hair & Makeup Atelier!

We simply love working with Jo, not only is she so much fun to be around (great for the wedding morning ladies!) but she also translates our shoot briefs to perfection.

We really loved pulling together the looks for this shoot, so we wanted to share with you how to recreate this city bridal vibe. If luxe skin and voluminous hair are what you’re after for your big day then you’re going to want to make some notes.

I’ve also included some behind-the-scenes snaps by Rebbeca Goddard Photography from the shoot – enjoy!

Notes from the hair & makeup atelier

Jo:

Editorial Skin

The cool brides must-have-accessory on her wedding day is luxe editorial skin à la Kate Moss. Skin can be hyper-real looking with the clever use of key products to achieve an effortless youthful glow ‘from within’.

To begin, prep the skin with a great moisturiser like Embryolisse (it’s in every artist’s kit) mixed with a little MAC Strobe Cream. The tinted moisturiser by Nars has a light natural coverage and can be built up in areas needing more coverage using a beauty blender. For those of you that have not met the beauty blender, it’s a must have addition to any make up bag for flawless skin (use damp and press/bounce on your foundation). Apply your powder to set your base with a satin ‘non powdered’ finish.

I love to use Hourglass Ambient Lighting powders to create a candle lit glow to the high places on the face along with the décolletage and shoulders.

Artist Tip: Pat a little of your lipstick onto the apples of your cheeks for a barely there flush.

THE HALF UP SECRET

Have you ever wondered how your favourite celeb hair crushes have the most lustrous, voluminous hair on the red carpet..? Even when it’s half up..? Are you worried that your half up do is going to look a little sad on your big day..?

Well worry no more, even the stars don’t have that hair, they fake it to make it!

I use pieces on almost every red carpet client and bride on her big day, but you would never, ever be able to tell. Pieces now come in such a great range of colours and selection of lengths/ thickness that you can easily find your perfect match. Your stylist will be able to apply them in such a way that they will be undetectable, your secret will stay in the salon!

Adding pieces is a great way to keep your length if you are having wavy hair for your ceremony and are worried about your hair looking shorter. Pieces can also be used to add thickness and to ensure that your hair looks full and flashbulb ready from 360 degrees – which is good news if you dress has a gorgeous back you are dying to show off in your photos.

My favourite places for hair pieces are Hair Rehab London and Dirty Looks.

Stylist Tip: If your hair struggles to hold a style or a wave, adding a few pieces acts like scaffolding, keeping your style fresher and bouncier throughout your whole big day.

Lots of love…