Your wedding is probably one of the biggest days in your life and naturally you'll want to look your absolute best inside and out, but what if you suffer from acne? How can you prepare your skin in the lead up to your wedding?
I sat down with Simone Lee Brennan, you might remember her from Season 2 of Married at First Sight, who is not only an absolute gorgeous soul, she's also a Makeup Artist who has suffered from acne.
1. Being a makeup artist who has had acne, what is the best way to cover acne or scars from acne on your wedding day?
As a Makeup Artist who has suffered from severe cystic acne, I can understand the importance of wanting to conceal blemishes and scars effectively, particularly for special occasions where photos will be taken. The best way to cover acne is to firstly, leave the blemish alone. Although there is at times the urge to pop the pimple, it’s best to leave it, as the makeup will sit better on a blemish that isn’t weeping or on the verge of healing.
Another tip I gained from a fellow Makeup Artist, is to reduce the redness of blemishes using eye drops on a cotton pad prior to applying concealer.
Lastly, effective coverage of blemishes and scars is only achievable if the correct products are used. For instance, using a primer suited to the skin type (mattifying for oily skin, green-based for red/sensitive skin). The same goes for concealers – green based for red blemishes, blue based for peach blemishes (such as pigmentation). When used correctly, an even skin tone can be achieved!
2. How important is your skin care routine leading up to your wedding day?
As a Makeup Artist and previous acne-sufferer (with the scars to prove it!) I am somewhat obsessed with my skin. Although my skin is far from flawless, I take my time morning and night to care for my skin to keep the breakouts at bay. Over the years, and in recent months, my acne scars have minimised and faded as a result of diligent skincare routines using reputable brands suited to my skin type, as well as investing in skin treatments to reduce the appearance of my acne scars. With saying this, my biggest beauty advice for brides-to-be, who are prone to minor breakouts, acne, or have quite an oily skin type, is to start a skin cleansing regime at least three months out of the wedding day. Minimising the risk and severity of the inflammation and keeping the oily skin under control will most certainly result in more natural, long-lasting makeup application.
3. What are the steps brides should take leading up to their wedding day if they do suffer from acne? Say 6 months from their wedding day?
If you’re a bride-to-be and you do suffer from acne, I strongly recommend going to see a skin specialist, such as Dermatologist. If you’re skin is anything like mine was, (purple cystic lumps), supermarket skincare brands and ‘hair, skin and nails’ tablets just aren’t going to cut it. If you’ve got six to twelve months to go until your wedding day, book yourself in to see a skin specialist and come the wedding day, you could most definitely be acne free.
4. What are your preferred makeup products to use on brides who have an uneven skin tone?
As a Makeup Artist specialising in bridal, I love creating flawless, glowing bases for my brides. For those brides with an uneven skin tone, whether it be as a result of acne, redness, or pigmentation, I love to use the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer (Mecca Cosmetics, RRP $115) to prep their skin. This oil-free, velvety finish primer with sun protection is perfect for makeup longevity and minimising shine. I also love to use my MAC Pro Conceal and Correct Palette (MAC, RRP $65) to conceal dark circles and blemishes.
5. Fast 5 - what are your five favourite makeup products of all time?
My five favourite makeup products of all time are (so hard to narrow it down to five), but these are definitely some of my all-time favs!
- NARS, Sheer Glow Foundation (Mecca, RRP $71)
- Hourglass, Ambient Lighting Powder, (Mecca, RRP $70)
- Too Faced, Candle Light Glow Highlighter Palette (Mecca, RRP $47)
- Hourglass, Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil (Mecca, RRP $51)
- Bobbi Brown, Eye Opening Mascara (Bobbi Brown, RRP $30)
Lu Lu Makeup x