Wednesday 27 April 2011

Kate Middleton - a makeup junkie like us?

I have to say that I have a love/hate relationship on the Royal Wedding. It's everywhere : ) I know it's a historic moment. But I for one will be taking advantage of the fact that hopefully the shops will be quite quiet on Friday and then I will pop home early to make dinner for friends (who will have camped out on Pall Mall the night before) who are coming over to analyse the day's events.

The title of this post however is about makeup. How would you do your makeup on your wedding day? Do it yourself, get a friend or family member to do it or get a professional?

I've wondered this myself (ahem, big hint dropped to the boyfriend) and having done makeup for friends and family at weddings, I was interested to read Amy Lawrenson's (ELLE UK) report on the future Queen of England's Kate Middleton's decision to do her own makeup:

Kate Middleton took make-up lessons for big day
'It has been widely covered that Kate has shunned the help of a make-up artist on her wedding day to do her own instead. However, we can now reveal that she took make-up lessons from bridal artist Arabella Preston in preparation.

What caused her aversion to professionals? According to sources Kate used a make-up artist at the Mario Testino shoot for the official engagement pictures, but was unhappy with the result so removed it and reapplied herself. Since then she has embarked on a few make-up lessons with Arabella held at Clarence House and her home in Chelsea.

Arabella is a London-based make-up artist, married to author Alex Preston and a mum of two; on her website she says, 'I am an experienced bridal make-up artist and love helping brides make the most of their beauty. I am particularly adept at natural bridal make-up'. Kate is famous for her girl-next-door look, favouring a clear complexion, nude lips and putting emphasis on her eyes switching between a liquid liner or smoky look, which is probably why she trusted Arabella with her lessons.

It's interesting that Kate has chosen to do her own make-up on a day when around 2 billion eyes will be scrutinising everything from her hair and make-up to choice of dress. We can't wait to see the results.'

Could Kate be wondering the same thing as simple old makeup junkie me? I would love a professional to do it, so that I don't need to worry about it, but I love makeup and feel quite satisfied putting it on myself. It's a ritual. It's mine. That's one of the reasons why I think Kate Middleton might want to do it herself. The need to be a control freak aside - as well as being the wedding for the British public (and international public) it is her wedding afterall - it's probably the one thing that she can take from the wedding and the one ritual that might give her some calmness in all the madness, pomp and circumstance that is beyond her control. I certainly have felt something like that when at family weddings. Putting on my makeup (for which I didn't need help) and just sitting on the floor in front of a mirror gave me such satisfaction and peace!

Kate's makeup style is relatively simple, she plays up her eyes quite a bit with dark eyeliner, minimal shadow, with some bronzer and simple moist lipstick. My own opinion is that though her makeup style is relatively simple, she tends to look a bit older than she actually is - I would love to see her use more highlighter/dewy products to make her look younger with glowy skin. Would love to see her with bronzed or smoky eyes. Or even winged out eyeliner with red lips. Doesn't have to be too outrageous. I know she is the future Queen of England and conservatism is the preferred order of the day but some of the younger royals now branch out (badly or not) in the fashion stakes. Think Lady Gabriella Windsor.

What Kate does have, which makes any woman beautiful, is a great smile. A smile that shows through the eyes and face. And that is something she shares with her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.

Original ELLE UK post can be found here:
http://www.elleuk.com/news/beauty-news/kate-middleton-took-make-up-lessons-for-big-day/(gid)/761395

What would you/or did you do for your wedding?

And last but not least, wishing the couple much happiness.

1 comment:

  1. Hello all,

    Kate Middleton has attended many high-profile royal events. She has been admired for her fashion sense and has been placed on numerous best dressed lists. Thanks a lot....

    Bridal Make Up

    ReplyDelete