Bridal Makeup – Working With Mature Brides
When you’re a bridal makeup artist, it is so important that you are equipped with the skills to create gorgeous bridal makeup looks for all ages and skin types.
Many bridal makeup artists have only ever had the opportunity to practice on younger models but you must remember that not everyone getting married is in their 20s! A lot of women are getting married later in life these days, and as such, knowing how to apply bridal makeup for mature brides is essential for success.
As we age, our skin and hair texture starts to change, and applying bridal makeup on mature skin very different to what you may already know.
Learn all about makeup for mature brides and MOB on our 2 day bridal makeup course,
To keep you going before you can join us there, here are some top tips on applying with wedding makeup for mature brides from award-winning makeup artist Pam Wrigley:

Bridal Makeup – Mature Skin
When starting with your base on a mature bride, remember that her skin may have a tendency to be quite a bit more dry than what you’re used to.
To combat this and ensure a flawless finish, be sure to start with a lovely hydrating primer to prepare the skin. Do not skip this step, whatever you do!!
Using a primer such as Laura Merier hydrating primer on your mature brides will help to create an even and supple base to work with. If your client has open pores you may find a matifying primer will work best, again Laura Mercier do a fabulous oil free primer, but you can also try Benefit Porefessional to help to minimise pores and fine lines.
Go light on the foundation if you can – thick makeup will only lend to deeper creases and lines on a mature bride! To better your chances of getting good coverage with as little product as possible, make sure you’re using really high quality foundation or tinted moisturiser, with high pigment content – we love cosmetics a la carte skin tints – they have a fabulously high pigment content, for smooth, even, gorgeous coverage and what’s more they come in practically any shade imaginable .

Wedding Makeup – Beautiful Eyes
Be very careful when working on the eye area on a mature bride – the skin here, both on the eye lid and under the eye, can be very delicate and sometimes very creased.
Eyelids:
As far as eye primers go – we recommend Inglot eyeshadow keeper a fabulous light primer perfect for delicate skin around the eye area.
Pam often uses MAC paintpots as an eye primer when working on younger skins – but they really are far to heavy for mature skin. If the eyes are a all hooded – the paintpots make the skin look weighed down and puffy, not a good look. And if there are any fine lines the paintpots will make them look like deep creases, definitely not the look we’re going for.
Under eye area
Pam loves By Terry touch expert under eye and of course – the old favourite YSL Touche Eclat
For lining under the eye, avoid using eye pencils as these do tend to get into the creases and smudge. Instead, opt for an angled brush and a dark eye-shadow to create the required ‘oomph’!

Wedding Day Eyeshadow & Eyeliner
Once you’ve applied a light primer on the eyes it’s time to start applying the eyeshadow. One size does not fit all! some brides may want a natural makeup an others will want full on glamour – ask lots of questions and if they’re not sure find out what wedding makeup looks they don’t like before you begin.
When working with a mature bride, always use powder eyeshadow rather than cream, as they last longer and won’t settle into the creases. Gentle shimmer and matte shadows can work well for bridal makeup, but avoid too much glitter as this will just emphasise lines.
When applying eyeliner, avoid harsh clean lines – keep them looking soft and subtle instead. By all means, use a liquid or gel liner for precision, but not too thick! Once applied, soften it by applying a smudge of a dark eyeshadow on top and blend out with a soft angled brow brush.

Beautiful Bridal Lips & Lashes
Lashes also get thinner as we age, however, using a thickening mascara to beat this will only end up looking clumpy. Use a fine mascara and build it up in layers for that gorgeous, fluttering volume.
False lashes are always a winner when it comes to adding those finishing touches, however, avoid strip lashes as they look far too fake! When you’re going for fabulous, effortless looking glamour that looks like we haven’t tried too hard(!) try using individual lashes – You can use different lengths for a really natural look but do try this out on the trial day first!

Brow Shaping for the Mature Bride

Bridal Blush & Natural Contouring
Cream blushers are lovely to use on mature skin – they look fresh, dewy and fabulous!
Pink tones on the cheekbones and apples looks stunning on most complexions. However, if your bride has a ruddy complexion, avoid pink tones and opt for nude tones on the outer edges of the cheek bones instead, avoiding the apple, as the natural redness might start peeping through after she’s had a glass of champagne!!
If you’re after some definition and want to try your hand at a bit of contouring wit your mature bride, easy does it!
It is very easy to over-do this technique, so take it slow and build up gradually.

2 Day Bridal Makeup Course
Learn all about makeup for mature brides and MOB on our 2 day bridal makeup course,
With just 2 students on each course you’ll get lots of help and 1-2-1 advice.
To keep you going before you can join us there, here are some top tips on applying with wedding makeup for mature brides from award-winning makeup artist Pam Wrigley: