Four Steps to Flawless Wedding Make Up

The wedding make up mantra for the modern bride? Fresh and radiant. Step away from the heavy foundation, please. "Often brides believe that a thick, heavy foundation will cover all imperfections and create 'perfect skin'," explains bridal make up artist Sarah Brock. "The truth is, it appears very heavy, looks greasy after a few hours and come the evening will almost be sliding off your face."

Instead, layer your make-up. After moisturising, use a make up primer, such as Chanel Base Lumiere. "This will give your foundation better staying power and if you use a silicone based product, it will help disguise fine lines and open pores too," says Sarah. Then, choose a foundation with a light texture, "and apply with a foundation brush for an airbrush finish," says Sarah.

Consider concealer your secret wedding make up weapon; the flaw fixer you can't do without. It will help hide dark circles under your eyes, and will help camouflage any blemishes. "Choose a concealer designed specially for under the eyes if you plan to use it there, and opt for a slightly thicker concealer for redness and blemishes," says Sarah. And if you suddenly wake up with a monstrous spot? Don't panic. "First, apply a light moisturiser so your concealer goes on smoothly. Use a thick concealer with a dry consistency that's not too greasy. After foundation, apply the concealer using a concealer brush and pat the product gently into the skin," says Sarah. "Repeat the process until you have the desired coverage and gently apply loose powder on top to set."

Yes, really! Put aside your preconceptions and cakey-faced images. Formulations have improved – and so have application techniques! "Powder is essential to set your wedding make up base," says Sarah. "Some brides worry it will make their make up look heavy, but the trick is to apply a light dusting where you need it; the t-zone to stop any shine, and on the eyelids to provide the perfect base for your eyeshadow."

In 'real life', highlighters and luminisers are great skin allies, adding gleam to lacklustre skin, but if you're planning flash photography for your wedding, leave them at home. "It's best to avoid using highlighters and sparkly products; flash photography will highlight them and you don't want them to be the main thing you notice in your wedding photos!" warns Sarah. Her advice: "Rather than applying highlighters to the face, I've found that the best way to give a bride a radiant look to her skin is by giving her pretty, dewy cheeks."