This time of year I am normally in the likes of Milan or Paris for fashion week, living my best life rushing between shows creating high end editorial looks for catwalk models. Instead thanks to Covid I am at home celebrating the latest news that we finally have a roadmap to get out of lockdown, which means wedding season is ON! I know it’s still all hopeful target dates from Boris, but I will keep all of my fingers and toes crossed that the R rate stays down, vaccine rates stay up and we finally do have an end in sight to what has been truly the most challenging time for us all.

KY / Photographer Lee Scullion / Hair Kolab Studio/ Location Lartington Hall

Anyway lets focus on staying hopeful and chat for a moment about weddings! Whether you’ve been rescheduling over and over or just starting to look into it now, I am happy to announce my books are open for wedding make-up as of the 12th of April. So let’s get into it, what my make-up is all about and what you can expect from me! My theory going forward with wedding make-up is that after all this doom and gloom in lockdowns, post pandemic it is time to brighten our lives back up and showcase your best self on your big day with gorgeous cheek and lip colours! Even if you’re more of a natural look person there are subtle ways to experiment with colour like a colour wash on the lips that we can use for a less intense but equally as gorgeous moment.

DANIELLA / Photographer Sean Elliott / Location Newton Hall / Hair Tina Elliott

I draw influences from my editorial and fashion work to use small amounts of make-up with small brushes rathen than piling on huge amounts that can start to feel and look heavy. For instance I will often use concealer as a foundation in key areas with just small amounts of foundation or tinted moisturiser. I’m a great believer in these choices and my years of practice with my magic hands is how I create the perfect skin. I will take a long time focusing on these methods for the skin base for the wedding day to ensure it will last you all day, all evening as well as looking amazing in person and on camera for those life long memories to look back on.

VICKY / Photographer Margarita Hope/ Hair Tina Elliott / Location High House Farm Brewery

The last thing you want is to be spending time on during your wedding is reapplying all day, so at most I ensure it may just be a little extra concealer after all those happy tears and a touch up of lipstick to refresh things once in a while after lots of smooches of course. That being said I do love a good spray of Soap Brows Watermelon Facial Mist to refresh the face before the evening of a wedding, the smell is like a tropical holiday for your nose! All of this applies whether you want full, medium or light coverage. Whether you’re looking for catwalk ready make-up or a natural relaxed barely there look, there’s a reason I am renowned as the Queen Of Skin!

JONELLE / Photographer Nigel John / Location Lartington Hall

I have a wide range of make-up to use on the wedding day but am always happy to shake things up and discuss certain brands with you if you have specific needs or wants! Currently some favourites in my wedding kit are Delilah Cosmetics which are an amazing vegan British brand, their primer is one of the ways I like to create a great natural glow thanks to its natural silkiness that’s perfect for combating dry patches too. I even have a 20% discount affiliate code too so if brides love it on the day they can buy some for themselves – you can too using code MAKEUPBYJO20 here. Other favourites include Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk range for natural glowy looks, Nars and Ariane Poole for great skin barely there skin bases or Shiseido for the more full coverage luxe bride. Of course every type of brow you could possibly want can be created using Soap Brow who I am a brand ambassador for, I’ve always got their kit on me to keep the frame of the face looking fresh!

CHARLOTTE / Photographer Katy Melling / Hair Tina Elliott / Location Lartington Hall

The most important part of my perfected skin style pairs things right back to the basics – Skin care. This is the true foundation of all the work we will do together to get you wedding ready. If we want you flowing and looking your best, your skins health is fundamental to this process. During your trial we will not only discuss what looks you want to achieve and how we will do it, but we can prepare a skin routine to ensure you are prepped and ready to stun all your family, friends and loving life partner. This is especially true for sensitive skin, your skin care routine can really set you up for success to combat reactiveness alongside the right primer for you to create a healthy barrier to keep things calm on the day. If you really want to take your skincare to the next level then you should check out Queensway Skin Clinic and get yourself a free consultation with the always wonderful Uzma. The ZO Skin Health range they use is truly next level and my personal favourite for keeping my own face make-up ready at all times.

HELEN / Photographer miki photography / Venue Middleton Lodge

So, that’s a quick jist of things. I could go on for hours really, make-up truly is my passion and I get so excited! I’d love to speak more so if you’re interested in booking me for your wedding make-up, or if you just want to ask any more questions feel free to pop me an email at jo@makeupbyjo.co.uk and we can chat!

If you hadn’t noticed I’ve been popping some shots of my recent brides through out this article, if you love these and want to see more of my wedding work including real brides and other wedding inspired work then go check out my instagram @makeupbyjouk for more.

I look forward to hearing from you, Jo x