BRIDAL PHOTO SHOOT AT CHIRK CASTLE - PART 2

This is part two of my blog on a bridal photo shoot I did the hair and make-up for at Chirk Castle this year.  For this shoot the photographer Caroline White and wedding planner Andrea Swift wanted a complete contract from the first shoot so they came up with the theme of 'Arabian Nights'.

Photography - Caroline White

By using pearls, diamontes, dramatic false lashes with the make-up and hair peices and fresh flowers in model Fallons hair,  I was able to create a avant garde look for this bridal shoot.

Photography - Caroline White

For the make-up I used Laura Mercier silk cream foundation, I use this a lot on photo shoots as it creates a flawless look for the skin.  I then applied Make-up Forever camouflage cream where needed on the skin and underneath the eyes.  For the eyes I started with Nars eye primer and used a number of MAC eye shadows in carbon, white frost, vanilla and electra.  Black liner was essential for this look, so I used Shu Uemura gel liner in black.  Fallon had two sets of false lashes on having the more dramatic lashes on the bottom with black diamantes from the outer corner to the eye brow.  The eye brows were strongly defined with pearls applied to the top of the eye brow.  I used MAC raizin powder blush on the cheeks, this is a very strong cheek colour.  For the lips I used Lipstick Queen lip liner in red and then applied a beautiful red lip colour by By Terry number 302.

Photography - Caroline White

The hair needed to be dramatic for this shoot, but not so dramatic that it took away from the make-up, so I decided that I would take Fallons hair completely off her face.   I created a high texturised bun with added hair extensions for lots of volume.  I also used the hair extensions to create some plats to weave into the bun.  I needed a strong hair spray for this so went for Tresemme Firm Hold, Frederick Fekkai advanced brilliand glossing mist was sprayed all over for super shine and then fresh flowers were place into the bun.

Photography - Caroline White

I changed the hair slightly for a different look by taking the flowers out and adding a beautiful hair accessoy from Rocks for Frocks

Photography - Caroline White

Finally here is the behind the scenes video from the shoot by Marry Me Films



Hair & Make-up by Lizzie Griffiths

With Thanks to Fabulous Day, Caroline White Photography, Marry Me Films, Boda Bridal, Pink Sherbet Designs, Cupcake Revolution, Flying the Knot, Rocks for Frocks, Frog Flowers, Raj Tent and Chirk Castle

BRIDAL PHOTO SHOOT AT CHIRK CASTLE - PART 1

In April this year I did the hair and make for a bridal photo shoot at the stunning Chirk Castle, which sits in the heart of the North Wales countryside.  This ancient castle is available as a wedding venue throughout the year.

Photography - Caroline White

Andrea Swift of Fabulous Day who organised the shoot and photographer Caroline White and decided on the theme of the shoot to be a modern day princess getting married in her castle.  Andrea and Caroline wanted a natural, girly and glamorous look for the hair and make-up.

Photography - Caroline White

I curled the hair and then put it in velcro rollers creating bouncy curls with lots of volume.  A little bit of backcombing on the crown too for volume.

Photography - Caroline White

For the make-up I went for pinks and browns on the eye for a natural fresh look.  I wanted the skin the look dewy so I used a lovely soft highlighter on the cheekbones and a dusky pink blush on the apples of the cheeks.  For the lips I also kept it soft with a pinky lip gloss.  For glamour I added long natural looking false lashes to the top and to the bottom lash line added lash clusters

Photography - Caroline White

Here is a the behind the scenes video of the shoot by the talented Sara and Tony from Marry Me Films.



Everyone worked so hard to get these beautiful images on the day and made a great team!

With Thanks to Fabulous Day, Caroline White Photography, Marry Me Films, Boda Bridal, Pink Sherbet Designs, Cupcake Revolution, Flying the Knot, Rocks for Frocks, Frog Flowers, The Fine Dining Company and Chirk Castle

BODA BRIDAL TRUNK SHOW

Bodal Bridal is a beautiful wedding boutique in the centre of Chester, where you get outstanding professional service with no pressure.  I have worked with Wendy on many bridal catwalk shows and photo shoots, so I was really thrilled when she asked me to do the hair and make-up up for the models at her trunk show a couple of weeks ago.  This event was great for brides to be to see what was out there in brides and bridesmaid dresses and a really fun evening too.

The lovely models in their first dresses of the evening downstairs at Bodal Bridal.  The boutique in on three levels, the ground floor has everything from stationary and favour ideas to menswear.  Now to the second floor which is very spacious containing all the stunning dresses and accessories with a changing room.  There is also a changing room on the top floor so that it is only one bride for each changing room making it a very personal and enjoyable experience.

For Lucy's hair I did a classic bridal hair up which looks lovely with a tiara and veil.  For the make-up I kept the base natural with a tinted moisturiser and blush on the apples of the cheeks for a lovely glow.  The lips had a nude pink gloss and soft smoky eyes with natural false lashes.

Lisa had a lovely tan so I used a light foundation as the base with bronzer and a cream blush.  I also used a cream highlighter on the cheekbones.  For the eyes I did a bronze smoky eye with dramatic false lashes and a peach lip gloss.  I did a loose hair up, which I think is a really romantic wedding style and would look stunning with hair accessories pinned in the back of the style.

Fabulous nail technician Alica Coletta did the models nails on for the show.  I can personally recommend Alicia as she has done my nails before and I was so pleased with the result, she is a real perfectionist with her work.  Here she is doing a french manicure on Penny's nails, Lucy had acrylic and Lisa had gel nails done.

A close up of Lucy's nails.  French nails are perfect for a bride as they are classic, timeless and will look lovely on wedding pictures.

The Catwalk Show

Two lovely brides to be my cousin Emma and her friend Lynsey enjoying the show and the bubbly

The hair, make-up and nail team with the models

Boda Bridal owner Wendy Groves with the models

Boda Bridal is located on 29 Watergate Row in Chester.  Wendy and her staff Lesley, Sara and Louise make it a lovely experience for you choosing your wedding dress in this stunning boutique.

Hair & Make-up - Lizzie Griffiths

Nails - Alicia Coletta

MAKE-UP FOR TOP DESIGNER BRIDAL WEAR PHOTO SHOOT

For this post I thought I would tell you what make-up I used on the the recent designer wear photo shoot I did on location at Iscoyd Park in Shropshire.  I have worked with Mary Ashford and Greg Daly of Ashford Daly Photography many times before, so was very excited to work again with them.  The make-up was all planned out on charts before the shoot so that the look that Mary and Greg wanted was spot on.  The theme for the make-up was old style glamour.

The Flawless Base
On both models Penny and Laura I prepped the skin before the make-up using Emma Hardie Skincare to keep the skin plump and hydrated.  I then applied a primer, on both girls I used Dr Brant pore refiner which minimies open pores, seales in the moisturiser and makes the base longer lasting.  Laura Mercier silk creme foundation was used for all looks, it is a creamy texture, that glides onto the skin leaving it looking flawless and looks great on camera.  I also love this foundation as it is a good coverage, but doesn't look or feel heavy.  I then added Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer, finishing the skin off with translucent powder to set the make-up and take away any shine. For the eyes I used Laura Mercier eye basis from the lid to the eyebrow, this is a eye primer that stops the shadow from creasing, then for eye concealer I used secret concealer with a dusting of secret brightening powder over the top.  As you can see from this I am a bit of a fan of Laura Mercier products for the base. 

This a classic smoky eye and pale lip look.  I used MAC eye shadows to create the smoky with in shades, soba, expresso, carbon and scene, with the lovely highlighting shad of phloof! on the brow bone and inner corner.  The eyebrows were defined with a MAC eyeshadow in brun.  Laura Mercier full blown mascara in black was used on the lashes with Eylure naturalites lenghtening false lashes.  I used MAC phoof! eyeshade again to highlight the cheekbone and bridge of the nose Laura Mercier mocha spice quad on the cheeks.  The lips were lined with Nars lip liner in fantasia, then Laura Mercier lipstick in tea rose and finally Laura Mercier lip glaze in Champagne on the top.

For Lauras second look added more MAC carbon and brun eye shadows to the outer corner for more depth and replace the false lashes with Ileza H120 lashes, which were thicker for a more dramatic look.  For the lips I used Lipstick Queen lip liner in red with By Terry lipstick in 203 and Nars Afghan Red mixed together to get a lovely rich shade of red.  I added a little bit of MAC plum foolery blush to the cheeks to complement the lips

For Penny's first look I used Laura Mercier morning dew eye shade all over the eye from the top lash line to the eye brow and underneath the eye.  I then ran MAC cork eye shade just above the crease and underneath the eye, then blended MAC brun eye shadow into the outer crease and underneath.  I kept the eye shadows very neutral and soft as I wanted the main focus of the eye to be the black liner, for this I used Shu Uemura gel liner in black.  Eyebrows were defined with Laura Mercier pencil in blonde.  I finshed the eyes off with By Terry terribly mascara in black on the top and bltton lashes and Eylure SATC Charlotte false lashes on the top.  I contoured underneath the cheekbones and temples with Laura Mercier golden bronze and orange blossom cheek colour.  I also added a little of Laura Mercier baked eye shadow in ballet pink to the top of the cheek bones.  The lips were lined with MAC dervish lipliner and Tom Ford lipstick was applied over the lips in blush nude.

I wanted the crease of the eye to look much stronnger for the second look so I ran MAC burn eye shadow right across the crease and also took it underneath the eye.  I also added MAC carbon eye shadow underneath and to the outer crease.  For full glamerous eyes I added Red Cherry 104 lower lashes.  I made the liner and brows stonger and then applied MAC 34 fales lashes to the top.  I contored the cheeks more underneath the cheek bone using Laura Mercier Matte bronzer then added a MAC peachykeen blush to the cheeks.  The lips were lined with Lipstick Queen rust lip liner and filled in with Nars trans europe express lipstick.

Make-up applied by profesionally trained and experienced make-up artist Lizzie Griffiths

With Thanks to

Photographers - Ashford Daly

Dress supplied by Silk Brides

Wedding Planner & Co-ordinator - Julie Dawson, The Wedding Genie

Hair & Hair Accessoires - Sarah Roberts

Venue - Iscoyd Park

Models - Laura & Penny

DESIGNER BRIDAL WEAR PHOTO SHOOT BY ASHFORD DALY PHOTOGRAPHY

I was recently the make-up artist for Ashford Daly's designer wedding dress photo shoot at a private estate.  Iscoyd Park is a privately owned family home and county house wedding venue on the border of North Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire.  The venue is absolutely stunning and would highly recommend any brides to be to have a look at it for a possible venue for their wedding.

Mary and Greg of award winning Ashford Daly Photography gave me a brief for the make-up of Art Deco, Oscars, very gorgeous, old style glamour, elegant and stylish.  I did lots of research and make-up charts before hand to get the make-up looks perfect.

To make sure that the shoot ran smoothly and to time we have the fabulous Julie Dawson there, also know as the Wedding Genie!  Sarah Roberts did the gorgeous hair for the shoot and also supplied the hand made vintage styled designer accessories.  The beautiful dresses were supplied by Silk Brides of Lichfield Staffordshire.

Here is Penny in a Manuel Mota designer dress for Pronovias, who are famous for their romantic couture and flawless tailoring.  This was photographed in the ballroom

Laura is modelling the Dalia beaded wedding dress by Jenny Packham, which was also photographed in the ballroom

Another beautiful Jenny Packman dress modelled by Penny.  Jenny Packham is known for her glamerous bridal gowns, which are of the highest quality, detail and style

This dress is from one of the world's most creative bridal and evening wear designers David Fielden.  Modelled by Laura

Make-up by profesionally trained and experienced make-up artist Lizzie Griffiths

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty

Last week marked the tenth anniversay of the untimily death of one of the worlds most influential make-up artists Kevyn Aucoin.  I first discovered the magic of Kevyn Aucoin when I was bought his best selling book Face Forward as a present, still my favourite make-up book.   He had the most amazing career in make-up and was a favourite amongst the a listers which included Madonna, Whitney Houston, Julia Roberts to name but a few.    He even had a cameo on the fabulous Sex and the City -  the episode where Carrie falls down the catwalk!  If your as big of a fan of SATC as me you will know which episode I mean.

Before Kevyn passed away he had started working on his own brand - Kevyn Aucoin Beauty.  This amazing make-up brand is now available in the UK at Space NK.  I managed to get my hands on it last year while I was in New York, think I nearly fell into the counter in Bergdorf Goodman when I spotted it.

Here are what I think are the must have products from his range!

The Precision Brow
This is my favourite brow product at the moment, it comes in the form of a retractable pen-like applicator and is made from the thinest lead available.  Its great for filling in, shaping and defining brows to create a natural looking brows or a more dramatic brow.

The Sensual Skin Enhancer

This is a multi tasking product that was created to mimic the appearance of health radiant skin.  Basically this product will work for anyone, it can be used all over the skin to give a medium to full coverage foundation or just around eyes and blemishes as a concealer.  For a more natural look you can mix it with a moisturiser, which will give you the look of a tinted moisturiser.

The Mascara - Volume

If you are after ultra dramatic lashes this is the mascara for you.  It works quite differently from other mascaras, the volumizing formula wraps each lash hair in a blanket of pitch black liqid for lashes.  It has a tiny brush that allows you to get right to the roots of the lashes.

The Celestial Powder - Candlelight

This is another multi purpose product, that provides subtle ultra-light shimmer.  It looks stunning applied to the forehead, tops of cheeks, temples, eyes and decollete.  

There are lots more gorgeous products in the range, for the full range take a look at the Space NK website!

LONDON WEDDING DRESS DESIGNER SABINA MOTASEM WITH ASHFORD DALY PHOTOGRAPHY

Sabina Motasem is one of London's best kept bridal secrets, she offers luxuriously, simple and elegant wedding and cocktail dresses.  The dresses are made exclusively in the UK and have optional detail making the dress very personal and special to the bride.

We had a fabulous team on the this location shoot at Iscoyd Park in Shropshire.  The venue was perfect for these sophisticated and glamorous dresses, which were photographed by the amazing Ashford Daly Photography.  Sarah Roberts did the hair and I did the make-up, which were both very classic and polished looks.  We also had Julie Dawson, also know as the Wedding Genie to co-ordinated the shoot making sure everything ran smoothly and on time.

Claire in the Josephine dress, a draped cowl neck backless dress made from a luxurious heavy crepe.

For the make-up I did a soft grey smoky eye with lovely natural false lashes.  The cheeks were a soft pink with a pinky glossy lip

The beautiful hair accessory was hand made by Sarah Roberts, who also did all the hair on the shoot

I did a natural make-up on Sophie for her first look with rosy cheeks to give that fresh look that went really well with the Yvette dress.  The dress is a strapless full skirt, that was worn with a full peticote to give that 1950's feel and french lace bodice

Sophies second dress was the colette dress, which is strapless with fishtail skirt and train.  This is a very glamerous dress so for the make-up I did a classic flick on the eyes with false lashes and a beautiful red on the lips.

Make-up by Professional Freelance Make-up Artist Lizzie Griffiths

With Thanks to

Photographers - Ashford Daly

Designer - Sabina Motasem

Wedding Planner & Co-ordinator - Julie Dawson, The Wedding Genie

Hair & Hair Accessoires - Sarah Roberts

Venue - Iscoyd Park

Models - Sophie & Claire