How stunning did Nada look on her big day! It was such a pleasure to be part of Nada and Macarios’s wedding day and to organise the makeup and hair team.

Nada contacted me to do her wedding makeup as I had done her family members wedding 5 years ago. She said she had always wanted me to do the makeup for her wedding even before she had met Macarios so was such an honour to make her up for their wedding day. Nada booked me about a year in advance, so I got to do her engagement makeup as well. This was a more relaxed event than the wedding, but Nada still wanted to look like herself but a more glamorous version.

We went with a smoky eye lashes and perfect skin. This was more glam and more makeup than Nada had ever worn but I knew her bone structure could take it and why not it was her engagement party, and it was a glamourous evening affair with sparkle, think vintage 1920’s with a 2021 edge.

Fast forward 10 months to Nada and Macarios actual wedding which was held at the stunning Syon Park in West London. For an October day it was surprisingly warm with bright sunshine and clear blue skies. I arrived to get the wedding party ready at Syon Park house which is a manor house in the Syon Park grounds. I had never got the bride ready at the actual house so was looking forward to seeing inside this stately manor. As you could imagine it was opulent steeped in History and the light was amazing. (Makeup artists always look for the light). Some venues where the bride gets ready there is no natural light, so this was such a pleasure to be able to makeup Nada and her bridal party right in front of two big floor length windows in the study of the house. Every room has its own style with antique furniture and paintings we had to be so careful. The view from the window was like you were in the middle of the country.

 It’s an actual castle but in west London!

I set up in the study and started making up the mother of the bride, Nada’s Mum wanted a natural foundation with a clean eye and a winged eyeliner and a muted red lip I tried to persuade her to go for the bright red lip Ruby Woo by Mac but as she normally doesn’t wear a red or much lipstick it was a bit out of her comfort zone. So, we went for the muted red I used brick lip liner from MAC and Dare you from MAC which is a red but more of a brown, red, I then blotted down the lips and added another layer and did the same again so was more of a muted stain. This look was sophisticated and complimented her navy sparkly floor length dress perfectly. I rarely do a trial for anyone other than the bride unless they specifically ask, I normally ask the bride if there is anything specific that the mother of the bride wants before the day just in case, I need to add any products to my kit. But overall, I normally discuss on the day what kind of look they would like to go for or more often than not they will leave it up to me.

 Nada and Macarios wedding were the height of sophistication but with a glamorous and vibrant edge. Nada’s bridesmaid’s dresses were in bright oranges and yellows drawing inspiration from Nada’s bouquet. Which was also bright fresh with wildflowers. Bringing the outdoors in the floral arrangements really added a pop of colour to the day. It made a change from neutrals and baby pinks which has been popular this year.

For the bridesmaids and maid of honour’s makeup it had to be glam but sophisticated. I added a pop of red on the maid of honour which really complimented her yellow satin dress. I did go for the MAC Ruby Woo this time and the cherry lipliner which looked amazing on her. Don’t be afraid to go for colour and complimentary colours they can really add and edge to the overall look.

Nada’s dress was so sophisticated with clean lines and fitted her so well. It had the glamour and sophistication of Grace Kelly’s dress but with a fun edge. Nada had a large part to play in the designing of her dress and you could tell. It fitted her like a glove and was a simple silhouette with clean lines but was also detailed on the skirt. It had pockets which I love and gives it that relaxed feel. Designed by Emma Beaumont Atelier.

The makeup look I created as you can imagine needed to have a wow factor and embody the elements of the wedding. It needed to stand out and be glamorous but not to over the top where it distracted from Nada’s features and dress. I remember when Nada had the fitting for the dress she sent me a pic and was said I think we can go a bit heavier on the makeup. I agreed the make up needed to be elevated but not overpowering.  I had already done a makeup trial at this point but as I knew Nada’s face, I didn’t think we needed to book in for another trial it would just be what I had done already but more!

Nada let me use my artistic talents and almost gave me free reign on her look. I knew she wanted her eyes to be the focus. And I knew Nada’s hair was up also but with pieces coming down framing her face so I really wanted the makeup to look like Nada but a red carpet version if you will.

Here is my breakdown of the look. And with I would say 90% of my brides she wanted to go more glam on the day. It’s very different having a glam look in your wedding dress to wearing jeans and a t-shirt on your trial.

‘Verity is a magician. I actually never thought I was the type of girl to get my makeup done- because I wear very little in real life and I didn't want to feel caked or not feel like myself. But then I met Verity- and I never looked back. I've never felt prettier. My makeup felt so natural, but  photographed impeccably well, and above all looked like me...just FLAWLESS! She's also great fun to have around and puts you right at ease.’ Nada.

Bridal Makeup Look Breakdown.

I started with the eyes and Nada has brown eyes and dark brows and lashes so she really can take a beautiful blended out smoky eye. I wanted it to look almost nineties supermodel vibes with a chocolate brown tones and a matte finish. This has a more dramatic effect without being overpowering. I topped off the eyes with false lashes and a winged gel liner in black but not to thick just enough to define her eyes. I used a brown kohl in the water line.

Products

Eyes:

MAC paint pot in Laying Low as a base all over the eye.

MAC Costa Riche eye pencil

MAC Swiss Chocolate Eyeshadow all over the lid applied with MAC 239 brush.

MAC Embark Eyeshadow in the outer corner and the crease to give more definition

I then moved onto her skin and Nada has amazing skin but slightly dehydrated, so I prepped the skin well and used a primer first to smooth out any texture. I love the milk makeup hydra grip primer it literally holds the makeup onto your face which is what a primer is meant to do.

I applied the NARS natural Radiance foundation in Barcelona which is a staple in my kit. I just love the texture of this foundation and how it has a blurring affect on the skin and is demi matte so doesn’t look dry but doesn’t look shiny either. I’ve seen the reception photos from way into the night and Nada’s make up still on looking flawless maybe a bit worn in and a bit more glowy but I quite like that look for the evening.

I then used the Tarte shape Tape Concealer in Tan fo under eyes and any blemishes and blended this in with a beauty blender. And then set everything with the Laura Mercier translucent setting powder.

Anyone who has followed my work knows that I love a blush and I tend to mix in a few colours from my palettes. I use MAC harmony blusher as a contour as I love the fact you can blend it well, it does have a cool undertone and is perfect for golden and deeper skin tones as a contour.  I used the Charlotte Tilbury flawless powder in light as a bit of a highlight on her cheekbones and above the eye and down the nose and then added the Hourglass ambient light palette.

For Nada’s lipstick I mixed a couple of colours I used MAC Oak Lipliner and the Mocha and Velvet Teddy Lipsticks to create the perfect pout. These are a matte and satin texture so don’t feel uncomfortable on the lips but have longevity.

After a Coptic Ceremony in the grooms Church the reception was held in the orangey at Syon House. And omg wow! It felt like you were inside but outside and such a stunning venue to be in London but not feel as though  you are in London.

Nada and Macario’s wedding has been featured on Rock my Wedding UK, Junebug Weddings and Wedding Chicks.

Suppliers:

Makeup Designer: Makeup By Verity

Hair: hair By Kara Thomas and makeupbyanna_Lumsden

Photography: allaluna.phtography

Venue: Syon park events

Cake: Little London Bakery

Dress: Emma Beaumont Atelier

Flowers: shilpareddy flowers