When you need to plan every little detail and also look good on the ‘best day of your life,’ why not ease the stress and use a professional?

THE MAKE-UP ARTIST

Kent Wedding Award make-up artist Finalist, Kelli Waldock gives her top tips on getting your make-up looking perfect for your big day.

1. Get lots of beauty sleep. The fresher your skin is without make-up, the fresher it will be with make-up.

2. The Champagne will be flowing, so keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water, using a light moisturiser and keeping your bedroom ventilated at night.

3. Exfoliate twice weekly to remove all dead skin and dirt, and splash your face with cold water so that the pores of your skin close up.

4. If you are having a facial or any other cosmetic or beauty treatments do try them out in good time before the wedding, just in case you have a reaction such as redness or puffiness.

5. Have a trial for your wedding make-up a good few weeks prior to your big day, and test out the make-up to see how long it stays looking fresh.

6. Waterproof mascara is a must, as there may be perspiration from nerves and tears of joy. Carry a soft tissue and avoid touching your face with your hands too much as the make-up can wipe away with the moisture of your fingers.

7. Use a long-lasting lip colour, with lip-liner to stop the colour from bleeding and to provide a guide for re-application. Have your lipstick or gloss and a mirror tucked into your purse or garter.

8. Use a primer for your lips, and eyes. Gel and powders will stay on better than creams.

9. If you’re getting married in a hot climate, keep the make-up light and use minerals or powders as opposed to creams, as the heat will melt thicker make-up.

10. Your look can be built up smoothly and look super glam if you have a great base. I swear by Airbase, a long-lasting silicone-based airbrush foundation that requires no touch-ups, whatever the weather conditions, gives a flawless finish and a light, weightless feel without compromising on durability.

Reader competition

As Airbase foundation is a favourite for brides, Kelli is offering one Kent bride-to-be the chance to win a full bridal make-up with Airbase foundation, plus a bridal make-up trial.

To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question:

Airbase Foundation has a base of:

A Air

B Silicone

C Sugar

Then write your answer on a postcard and send it to: Airbase bridal competition, Kent Life, Archant Kent, 81 Station Road, Ashford TN23 1PP. Don’t forget to include your name, address and a daytime telephone number on your entry – and your wedding date. Alternatively, email your answer to: editor@kent-life.co.uk, with Airbase bridal competition in the subject line, including your name, address and a daytime telephone number – and that all-important wedding date!

Closing date: 30 October 2015

Any entries received after the closing date will not be eligible. Travel to and from the Kent-based salon for the bridal trial, plus any other expenses incurred are not included in the prize. Usual Archant competition rules apply.

The winner must be a UK resident living in Kent, over 18 and a bride-to-be, happy to have their bridal trial at Pinkies Salon in Whitstable and to use their prize within 12 months of the closing date.

Get in touch

Contact Kelli Waldock via her website is: kelliwaldock.co.uk.

THE WEDDING PLANNER

Tell us about you

My name is Laura Chatterway and I live near Bexleyheath Marriott Hotel, where I am a wedding coordinator. I have a degree in Event Management from the University of Greenwich, which led to my career in wedding planning. I love my job because each couple is unique and I love making people happy on their special day.

What do you do?

From the initial enquiry to the day before the wedding, I am there to help couples every step of the way. First of all I show them the hotel’s facilities and explain the outline of the day. I take them through the different wedding packages and catering options and show them the accommodation and reception areas.

Once a couple decides they want to get married at the hotel, I then assist with everything from menus, timings and layout to decorations, guest bedrooms and supplier information.

Why use a coordinator?

A wedding coordinator will alleviate a lot of stress and guide the couple through unknown areas so they feel confident that everything that has been covered for the day.

Any unusual weddings?

I’ve coordinated weddings as small as 20 people and as large as 200, but the most unusual wedding I’ve organised was a wonderful English and Asian wedding where the bride and groom wanted to have the two cultures combined throughout the day.

Get in touch

Call Laura on 0208 298 2423 or email her at: laura.chatterway@marriotthotels.com