Bridal Makeup at Buxted Park

Bridal Makeup at Buxted park

A staged shoot at Buxted Park hotel

With less weddings during the summer of 2020 a lot of us suppliers have had to find creative ways to spend our time and keep our skills fresh and relevant.

In September 202 I joined a really talented bunch of creatives at the beautiful Buxted Park Hotel for what is known as a ‘staged shoot’. A showcase of skills from selected wedding suppliers where we get to do what we do best! With everything from Flowers to dresses, stationary to cake, all captured by the wonderful Charlene Webb in the most beautiful setting.

Buxted Park is available for a variety of events and functions and with it’s stunning grounds and a very impressive interior it’s a great choice for any wedding day. Built back in 1722 and having played host to people such as William Wandsworth and Winston Churchill, it’s the perfect mix of elegance and grandeur – and it’s even dog friendly too! Home to 44 bedrooms and 7 suites , and set in 312 acres of East Sussex parkland, ithas everything you could possibly need for the weekend retreat or wedding day of dreams!

For this particular shoot I provided the wedding make up services. Using airbrush makeup I created a flawless base, essential for any bride and perfect for photos. Airbrush make up is a great option for brides that want a perfect, high definition finish to create that bridal glow. It’s also a great option for brides that want any type of coverage as it can be layered where necessary, meaning that you can achieve flawless skin despite any last minute breakouts!

I used Charlotte Tilbury pink tones on the eyes, keeping everything soft and natural in order to produce a classic bridal look. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk range is an essential to my bridal kit. It’s colours are complimentary to almost any skin tone or eye colour combination, meaning that its one of the palettes I reach for the most when creating the perfect bridal look. I added glamour with sweepings of mascara and defined my models cheek bones with bronze and highlight, giving a subtle definition to the contours of her face.

Our real life couple that kindly modelled for us on the day were ‘The Robinsons’. It always makes such a difference having a real couple in front of the camera, their body language and connection throughout was amazing and as you can see we all ended up with some gorgeous shots!

To see more of the images from this shoot, and more of Charlenes work then visit her website.

I’ve listed the other suppliers that featured below too so be sure to take a look at their socials too. ( I can personally recommend the bridal cake/biscuits- very yummy! !! )

Venue- @buxtedparkhotel
Photographer- @charlenewebbphotography
Models- @the_robinsons_couple
Cake- @daisycrumbsncreamcakes
Hair- @sophistic_hair
Makeup- @prettypleasebykatie
Florist- @poppiesfloristkeston
Macarons- @annalewiscakedesign
Bridal Gown- @helenafortley
Stationary- @amyverse
Veil- @silversixpenceinhershoe
Tableware- @vintagegemschinaandprophire
Table linen- @theembroiderednapkincompany
Chair sashes- @theprettyeventsco

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Charlene Webb Photographer

Charlene Webb Photogrpaher

A staged shoot at Buxted Park hotel

With less weddings during the summer of 2020 a lot of us suppliers have had to find creative ways to spend our time and keep our skills fresh and relevant.

In September 202 I joined a really talented bunch of creatives at the beautiful Buxted Park Hotel for what is known as a ‘staged shoot’. A showcase of skills from selected wedding suppliers where we get to do what we do best!

Everything from Flowers to dresses, stationary to cake, all captured by the wonderful Charlene Webb in the most beautiful setting. Buxted Park is available for a variety of events and functions and with it’s stunning grounds and a very impressive interior it’s a great choice for any wedding day. Built back in 1722 and having played host to people such as William Wandsworth and Winston Churchill, it’s the perfect mix of elegance and grandeur – and it’s even dog friendly too! Home to 44 bedrooms and 7 suites , and set in 312 acres of East Sussex parkland, ithas everything you could possibly need for the weekend retreat or wedding day of dreams!

For this particular shoot I provided the wedding make up services. Using airbrush makeup I created a flawless base, essential for any bride and perfect for photos. Airbrush make up is a great option for brides that want a perfect, high definition finish to create that bridal glow. It’s also a great option for brides that want any type of coverage as it can be layered where necessary, meaning that you can achieve flawless skin despite any last minute breakouts!

I used Charlotte Tilbury pink tones on the eyes, keeping everything soft and natural in order to produce a classic bridal look. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk range is an essential to my bridal kit. It’s colours are complimentary to almost any skin tone or eye colour combination, meaning that its one of the palettes I reach for the most when creating the perfect bridal look. I added glamour with sweepings of mascara and defined my models cheek bones with bronze and highlight, giving a subtle definition to the contours of her face.

Our real life couple that kindly modelled for us on the day were ‘The Robinsons’. It always makes such a difference having a real couple in front of the camera, their body language and connection throughout was amazing and as you can see we all ended up with some gorgeous shots!

To see more of the images from this shoot, and more of Charlenes work then visit her website

I’ve listed the other suppliers that featured below too so be sure to take a look at their socials too. ( I can personally recommend the bridal cake/biscuits- very yummy! !! )

Venue- @buxtedparkhotel

Photographer- @charlenewebbphotography

Models- @the_robinsons_couple

Cake- @daisycrumbsncreamcakes

Hair- @sophistic_hair

Makeup- @prettypleasebykatie

Florist- @poppiesfloristkeston

Macarons- @annalewiscakedesign

Bridal Gown- @helenafortley

Stationary- @amyverse

Veil- @silversixpenceinhershoe

Tableware- @vintagegemschinaandprophire

Table linen- @theembroiderednapkincompany

Chair sashes- @theprettyeventsco

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Wedding Hair for Emma at Howfield Manor

wedding hair for Emma at Howfield Manor

Bridal hair at Howfield Manor

2020 has been a strange year for brides, with lots of ups and downs, date changes, postponements and general anxiety and worry around what would ordinarily be one of the most exciting days of a girls life!

For some brides though, not even a worldwide pandemic was about to stop them marrying the love of their lives and having their dream wedding – and Emma was one of them!

Emma and David got married in August 2020 at Howfield Manor in Kent. It was a beautiful sunny day and the thought of going to an actual wedding , after a summer without hardly any, was very exciting for me!

Emma had the most beautiful blonde hair that sat around her shoulders. She had decided that she would like to wear a half up hairstyle for her wedding day with soft waves and some added detail.

Half up wedding hair has always been a popular choice. It’s classic and romantic, and having hair down and around the face can make a style look soft and natural. We created Emma’s waves using a 24mm tong and brushing them out once cooled to allow them to sit loosely around her shoulders. Her fringe, parted in the centre, framed her face and the little bit of height at the crown area gave her volume and the perfect base for her veil to be added.

I added two braids, swept around from the sides, and joined together at the back of the head. It’s so important when creating a bridal hair style to really think about the style from all angles. Often I’ll remind my brides that you’ll be getting pictures from all aspects so ensuring a style is well balanced and in proportion for an entire 360 view really is necessary – especially at an occasion such as a wedding day when you know there’s a photographer about!

Emma’s beautiful pictures were taken by Emma Midgen, a Kent based photographer. To see more of Emmas work head over to her website www.emmamigdenphotography.com

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The perfect bridesmaid gift

If you’re looking for something to gift to your bridesmaids on your wedding morning then I’ve put together a few suggestions to help you. Lots of brides want to give their bridesmaids something special, something to keep and cherish long after the wedding day has passed. If you’re wondering what you can buy your bridesmaids then take a look at the list below…

Gift them their wedding hair and make up.

This is often overlooked but many brides foot the bill when it comes to wedding hair and make up for their bridal party. If you want me to provide a ‘Gift Voucher’ then I’m more than happy to do so. This is an ideal way to let your bridesmaids know that on the wedding morning they’ll be given the chance to have their hair and make up done too!

Hair accessories

With so many bridesmaids opting to wear hair accessories to compliment their styles, the idea of gifting them a beautiful slide or a delicate hair vine for them to wear on the big day is a special one! Not only does it mean they have something special to wear on the wedding day itself, but also something that they can keep and treasure, and something they can reuse for special occasions afterwards too! Check out and use code PRETTY10 for a 10% discount on any of her stunning accessories!

Flowers

Pre arrange with your wedding florist for your bridesmaids bouquets to be personalised. You could add a meaningful charm or message to their flowers which they can then keep. You could even arrange for their flowers to be preserved after the wedding. These could be dried, or even framed as a keepsake of your special day and their special role.

Personalised robes

When we’re getting ready on a wedding morning I’ll often ask the ladies to change into something that won’t disrupt their hair or make up when they take it off to get into their dress. A dressing robe is the perfect solution. It can be removed without going over the head and it’s really comfortable to lounge around in whilst you all get ready. Some brides order patterned or detailed robes so that everyone matches for the photographs, others will order personalised robes with names or wedding ‘duties’ on the back. This is something that your bridesmaids can then keep to remind them of the day and something that they’re more than likely to use again!

A card

Gifts are lovely but there’s something really special about a handwritten card. Maybe write your favorite memory or add a personal message. Don’t underestimate the power of your kind words on a wedding morning – A little thought can go a long way!

Hope this has given you a little bit of inspiration and If you have any other bridesmaid gift suggestions then I’d love to hear them!

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Skincare Saviours

Often brides ask me what they can do at home to help look after their skin in the run up to the wedding day. As well as following a regular and consistent cleanse, tone and moisturise skincare routine, these added extras are perfect if you feel like your skin needs a little pick me up. It’s important that you use a product that best suits your skin needs. Take a minute to think about what it is you need. Do you get a lot of dry skin? Then maybe you need to help by adding some moisture. Maybe you have a really oily T-zone? Or are prone to breakouts? Whatever your concern, take a look at some of my product suggestions below:

Luxury

Charlotte Tilbury Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask

This product is as magic as it says on the tin! The burst release effect of the mask can last for up to 8 hours. It’s not the cheapest option at around £18 but it’s clinically proven ‘5 skin solution’ that will feed the skin exactly what it needs is more than worth the investment! It reduced wrinkles, brightens, tightens, lifts, and hydrates – what more could you want!?

Glow

GLAMGLOW Youthmud Glow Stimulating Treatment

If you’re after than envious ‘Instagram worthy’ glow then make sure you check out this one. Dubbed the ‘facial in a jar’ it exfoliates gently, leaving you with brighter, smoother skin. The same brand offers a variety of alternative options too including their best selling ‘supermud clearing’ treatment for acne-prone skin.

Oily

The Body Shop Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask

At just £6 for 15ml, this 100% vegan mask is infused with green tea leaves and tea tree oil. It draws out impurities and refines the appearance of pores, absorbing excess oil and revealing a healthy, youthful glow

I’m always looking for new suggestions so if you have a favorite of your own then be sure to let me know! Good skincare is the key to a good makeup application, so if you want any more advice as to how best look after your skin in preparation for your wedding make up then don’t hesitate to ask!

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Choosing the perfect bridal lipstick

One of the most popular questions brides ask me is what lipstick they should be wearing for their wedding day. At the preview session, we have the chance to try out a few different colours and I can offer guidance as to what looks best with your skin tone and makeup colours. Lipstick really is a personal preference, some people like to go bold whilst others want a hint of shine but nothing much when it comes to colour.

I always advise brides to wear some type of colour on their lips for the wedding day as it’s important for the photographs. A good lip colour can really complete the entire makeup look and bring everything together. It doesn’t always have to be a lipstick though, especially if you’re not used to wearing one.

Lip product alternatives

Gloss – Many people have a bit of a love/ hate relationship when it comes to gloss. It can add the most amazing shine but if you’re wearing your hair down and it’s a windy day then you might find that you spend more time trying to remove your hair from being stuck to your lips!

Stain – Not as heavy as a full-on lipstick and perfect for the bride wanting a totally natural ‘no product’ look. A stain does just that, stains the lip with a tone and gives that ‘just bitten’ type of colour.

Tinted lip balm – Brides that don’t like the feel of a lip product might be better with a tinted balm. This helps keeps the lips moisturised which is really important too. There’s nothing worse that cracked, flaky lips on the wedding pictures! You can check out one of my previous posts with a recipe for a DIY lip scrub here.

How to choose

There are a million different lipsticks and a billion different brand and tones so often it simply comes down to personal preference. I advise my brides if they have a favourite lip product to bring it with them to their preview session. If they’re not sure we can try a few and photograph them so they can look back at the pictures and this can help make a decision. I also advise my brides to buy a lipstick they can keep in their handbag to top up later in the wedding day. After hours eating, drinking and kissing, it’s good to have it on hand to top up before the evening guests arrive!

A few of the most popular

If you’re just starting the hunt for your bridal lipstick then here’s a few of the most popular shades that you might want to start by taking a look at…

Charlotte Tilbury

Pillow Talk – In that last few years this lipstick has become an iconic bridal staple. Check out the ‘superstar lips’ version if you’re not a far of the ‘matt’ finish – it has a beautiful shine and definitely makes it into my top 3 for the wedding day!

Mac Cosmetics

Fast Play – A soft natural pink this is a popular choice for those not wanting a true nude shade. It adds a rose tone and looks amazing on most skin types.

Budget Buy

If you’re looking for something really cost effective then take a look at Rimmels Kate Moss collection. These lipsticks have a great texture and last well. The colour range is fab too and you can often find them on special offer – the perfect excuse to buy an extra one as an alternative too!

Lip stain

Benetint – This popular product by Benefit brand is perfect for a really natural look. They have a few colour options and you can even use the product on your cheeks too.

A bold statement

A classic Red Lip is my all-time fave. If you’re brave enough to rock the red on your wedding day then my favourites include Charlotte Tilbury – So Marilyn and MAC – Ruby Woo

Lip Gloss

If you want to shine but not ‘sticky’ then check out NYX Butter Gloss. It’s a steal at around £10 and feels soft without feeling gloopy.

Anastasia Beverley Hills gloss has the most amazing colour payoff. The pigment in this gloss is enough to add the perfect shine and shade to your lips, leaving you with lips that look plump and totally kissable!

Hope this gives you a good starting point for when it comes to making your own bridal lip choices! If you’re still not sure where to start then don’t panic! Contact me to book in your preview session and I’ll help guide you through the options and choices that work for you

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