Joy Terri
Joy Terri began her career as a professional make-up artist, specialising in fashion make-up for magazines. Read more
Recent Questions
QUESTION
Hi Terri
I'm getting married end of April. I'm 42 years old, it is my second wedding. My dress is a soft gold. I have dark brown hair, green eyes and a medium fair skintone. I would like to look stunning and love to do my own make-up, but not overdone. The wedding is in the day 11:00 and the reception is outside in a garden. What colour make-up would you advise for my eyes and lips?
Regards
Marietjie
ANSWER
I think it’s wonderful to do your own make-up for your big day! Considering your wedding is taking place in the brightest of light sources and that you are a mature woman, make-up will need to be applied more to the natural side. I am pleased to hear that this is what you are aiming for. Make-up is easily noticeable in broad daylight, so bright colours are best kept to the lip area.
Eyeshadows should be as matte as possible because pearlised or shimmery eyeshadows illuminate fine lines around the eyes.
As your dress is soft gold, you need eyeshadows that compliment, so avoid plum, grape or grey colours and rather choose soft to medium shades of golden or bronze brown. Avoid flat, bland browns, as well as very rust or terracotta coloured eyeshadows - these can look too obvious in natural light. Use dark chocolate brown eyeliner, smudging to soften any hard lines around the eyes and avoid black eyeliner. However, black mascara is most suitable!
Now with natural eyes and natural lips, you can look ‘washed out’, so definitely go with brighter colours on the lips...
You can wear red, coral, bronze or soft copper lipstick with the gold dress. I don’t often suggest bright red for brunettes, so if you like red, it needs to lean towards the bronze side for this occasion. I love coral lipstick on mature skin tones - not too bright and not too soft, but it definitely adds a boost to the overall look. If you feel more comfortable with bronze, this would work well too.
I wish you a very special day!