Real Brides by Niamh Martin

featuring Leanne – July 2018

In this new feature I’m hoping to keep up on the regular I aim to give you an insight to how I work with my beautiful brides from the very first time I meet them. From skincare necessities to getting used to certain products necessary for their final look ie. lipstick, eye liner to the actual morning of the big day.

Today I’m featuring featuring the beautiful

Leanne, July 2018.

Looking after Leanne in the lead up to and on her big day was an absolute dream. From the minute I met her we clicked and I just knew we’d have all the fun on the morning. The fact that her extended crew were also huge amounts of fun just added to it all. I was like a giddy child on the way down to Brook Lodge to look after Leanne on her big day, I felt like I was on the way to one of my close friends weddings!

Leanne started on the Environ AVST skincare range about a year before the wedding to get her skin wedding ready and about six months before the big day she opted for the Advanced Nutrition Programme ‘Accumax’ Programme to help clear a small bit of acne she was experiencing. Her skin was divine to say the least on the day of the wedding.

On the morning, I started the bride off with an invigorating and hydrating mask about an hour before makeup and I generally opt for the Juliette Armand ‘Vitality Masque’ for its quick working hydration properties and it just smells so fresh and uplifting. This prepared her skin for optimum glow when the look was finished. Remember 50% of glowy makeup comes from the condition of the skin so preparing the month beforehand and on the day is key.

I started Leanne off with an oil counteracting primer from Jane Iredale. Her skin wasn’t overly oily but was prone to a slight sheen and it was about 28degrees that day so I wanted to mattify the skin that extra bit to ensure it stayed put. We used Jane Iredale Glowtime foundation in bb7 and set with their pure pressed powder for a more matte finish. We contoured her temples, jawline, sides of the nose and under her cheekbones for added definition using ‘sculpt’ by Mac. We then used a peachy pink blush in ‘Orgasm by Nars’ for lift and later added a warm mineral blush on top for extra glow!

For Leanne’s eyes she wanted sultry but not overkill so we built up warm matte chocolate brown tones on her eyes and smoked up her upper and lower lashline. We didn’t go too mad on liner and let the shadow do most of the work. I find this softens gradually over the day giving a subtle sultry look that isn’t too harsh on a bride. We used Mac ‘reflects pearl’ on the inner corner of her eyes which is the softest clean shimmer which gave instant pop and really lifted her eyes. We applied individual lashes in a double flair for a full fluttered look and followed with a waterproof mascara. Her lips were Mac in ‘whirl’ liner and ‘modesty’ lipstick, a very classic bridal nude that isn’t too nude! The final touch was a spritz of Mac finish+ spray and while the skin was still tacky I used the MAC dimension powder in ‘superb’ across her cheekbones to give highlight, glow and lift to her skin. These products allow the foundation to stay matte and long wearing but still keeping the skin dewy and glowy.

All brushes used were of course Nima Brush. If I was to name all of them we’d be here all day but my top recommended brushes for this kind of look are the following:

Flat Head Kabuki (foundation)
Round head kabuki (pressed powder)
Harley (bronzer, highlight)
Andie (Contour, blush)
Danielle (brows, liner)
Becca (lashline smudge, lid)
Belle (All blending)
Ollie (inner corner pop, lid work)
Emma (concealer, eye brow carve)

All brushes can be viewed on www.nimabrush.com and in selected stockists nationwide.

Leanne’s review after her makeup experience that day:

“Niamh did my make up on 05/07/18 for my wedding. I was absolutely thrilled with my make-up, as were my 3 bridesmaids, Mam and Nana. Everybody complimented our make-up on the day. She was an absolute delight to have on the morning of the wedding. We had so many laughs together and I felt like I had a friend there with me. I cannot recommend Niamh enough, she really listens to what you want and manages to keep everything very calm on the morning. Niamh is amazing at what she does, so talented!! Thanks so much, I felt amazing on the day xxx”

So honoured to have looked after Leanne on her big day. If you have any questions on Leanne’s makeup or any of the products we used please don’t hesitate to comment below. To book Niamh for your wedding or enquire on Availability click here. Hope you enjoyed the read. Until next time,

Niamh xxx