Bridal Beauty Tips from Jennifer Trotter – Lip Service Makeup

We’re ringing in the new year with bridal beauty tips and upcoming trend insights from Jennifer Trotter – Lip Service Makeup! We asked her all the beauty questions every bride wants to know, so you can be well on your way to finding the perfect look for your wedding day!

What makeup trends are you excited about for 2016?

Current trends are all over the map, and I love that! I’m so grateful that brides are asking for a variety of looks. Clean skin with a lit-from-within glow, a bold berry, burgundy or red lip, dramatic smoky eyes in toasty coffee or charcoal, hot pink lips (especially popular with spring brides!) paired with warm, bronzed shades on eyes, plus more classic and soft “like you, but better” looks – all are modern and up to date choices for the 2016 bride!

Contoured, overly matte looks are starting to fade as trends are turning to fresher color palettes, with sophisticated neutrals taking center stage. With softer shades on eyes, color on lips and a brighter flushed cheek provide the perfect balance! Look for blush in coral, poppy and rose (blended seamlessly) to stage a big comeback this year, a welcome shift from the “bronzer only” trend that’s been around for a while. Lashes will continue to be a major focal point of both natural and dramatic bridal looks, as more and more brides realize that nothing adds “pop” better than a perfect pair of fluttery lashes! Whether it’s strip lashes, individual lashes or even extensions, brides are choosing to enhance their own lashes with more than just mascara for a sweetly sexy vibe, and a lot more impact in photos!

What hair trends are you excited about for 2016?

Like makeup, 2016 is all about individuality… and variety! Boho braided styles, twisted chignons and glamorous half-up/half-down do’s have been the most requested looks from our brides this year and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Side-swept styles will continue to be hot as well, as brides love the way these styles offer the secure feel and construction similar to an up-do, but with a slightly sexier, fun vibe. I also predict you’ll see more brides bucking tradition by wearing their hair down with elegant accessories, often with a veil for the ceremony only. Right now, pretty much anything goes, but crunchy, prom-esqe styles and tightly slicked back up-dos are definitely a thing of the past. 2016 calls for looks that are polished, but still have an organic feel with creative touches!

What advice do you have for a bride trying to find the right look for her day?

Take a moment to tune out everyone else’s opinions and influence. Just close your eyes and picture your wedding day.  How do YOU imagine you’ll look walking down the aisle? Sweet, bold, glamorous, natural, romantic? Think about what truly works for you and what makes you feel amazing! If you skip this step and copy someone else’s bridal beauty choices, it won’t come together to create that magical moment you’ve been dreaming about.

“Natural” or “dramatic” can have many interpretations, so I encourage clients to start by showing me several images of bridal makeup and hair that they like. As we view and discuss them together, I can often help the bride figure out what appeals to her, even if she’s not sure how to describe it. Always book a trial run, bridal portrait session or both with your beauty team. Having at least one run through will ensure the look you envision in your head truly is what you want.

How can a bride help her hair and makeup stay put for the entire wedding day?

You know this is my answer: Hire a pro! Very few amateurs know how to apply makeup expertly AND make it last all day. This isn’t the time to do it yourself or count on a friend. Pro artists use a series of techniques and specific products to achieve flawless and long-lasting results. For me, it’s all about the perfect skin prep and primer “cocktail”, highly pigmented and top quality cosmetics applied in sheer layers, followed by a misting of setting spray to lock it all in. Just a few elements that go into a totally budge-proof look that’ll last 12 hours or more!

For hair, be sure to consider your hair type and the weather you’ll likely encounter on the wedding day when choosing your style. If your hair doesn’t hold curl well, an up-do will look much better than any kind of down ‘do, especially for an outdoor wedding in July. Realistic expectations are key and will help your stylist work with you to find a gorgeous style that will last all night. It’s also crucial to follow instructions for at home hair prep! Arriving with freshly washed damp hair, hair with too much product in it, or hair that’s been straightened when you need curl to hold (all very common mistakes) can drastically affect the outcome and longevity of your look.

What beauty product should every bride have?

Every bride needs the perfect lipstick! It’s the element that pulls your whole look together, and so many girls skip it these days! Chapstick or lip balm may be fine for daily wear, but when you’re in a fabulous white gown, you need that pop of color to give you that “finished” look. If it’s your style, feel free to go bold with a retro red, a bold fuchsia or deep wine! These are especially great choices for fall/winter, or more formal weddings. If you’re a natural girl, stick to a flattering peachy/pink or berry shade as both look soft, but still give you the polish your bridal look needs.

Pro tip: Skip sheer lipsticks and glosses because they transfer too easily (read: not kiss-proof!) and won’t last. Also skip super long-wear formulas as they can be drying and irritating. A highly-pigmented, matte lipstick is your best bet, and at Lip Service, we provide a sample jar of custom mixed lip color with an applicator for touch ups if needed, so you’re all set!

Another product every bride needs: Oil blot sheets! They are truly magical! Even brides with normal or dry skin can get oily while dancing for several hours in a full face of makeup. Simply dab at the nose, cheeks and chin to eliminate shine in seconds without caking on extra powder.

Any other helpful beauty tips for brides-to-be?

My #1 tip? Drink as much water as you possibly can! It’s the easiest route to fabulous looking skin, and it’s totally free. Start as soon as you get engaged, and keep it up! Proper hydration will ensure you look and feel your best, but it’s easy to overlook with the stress of wedding planning. Speaking of stress, brides get anxious! In the quest to look as perfect as possible, they overdo it with Botox, microdermabrasion, tanning (real or fake), and new skin care regimens. If you plan to try any of these for the first time, do it well before the wedding to avoid a last minute disaster! I’ve seen many brides with terrible sunburns, allergic reactions and breakouts that could have easily been avoided. It’s not worth the risk, especially in the last few weeks before the ceremony.

I am incredibly passionate about delivering bridal beauty in a fun, stress-free way. I absolutely love what I do, and am honored when brides choose Lip Service for their bridal beauty! Flawless hair and makeup are the first step, but it’s about more than just what shows on the outside. When you look truly amazing, you’ll feel confident and ready to enjoy every dance, kiss, photo and memory of the biggest day of your life… and that’s what it’s all about!