Forget the red carpet, all eyes will be on redhead brides and bridesmaids this season. Eager to discover ‘Redhead Friendly’ cosmetics that would have even Hollywood icon Rita Hayworth green with envy?
To prep for my wedding day, I did a makeup trial. My before look is above!
I documented the day to make you all feel like you were with me. I am aspiring to achieve a 1930s-inspired look to complement the architecture of my wedding venue, a French Art Deco style historic hotel.
We explored products that highlighted the coloring and natural beauty of redheads, whilst adding a healthy dose of glamour.
MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow X 9: Amber Times Nine, $40
Starting with the window to the soul, use an extra-fine precision eyeliner brush to work one to two of the darker hues in the amber-colored palette along your top eyelid, creating aptly stated eyeliner. A variation of textures make up this amber palette, from matte to satin to frost. My makeup artist used Pepper Please and Aromatic to frame my blonde upper eyelashes. Palette includes: Cozy Grey (coolgrey matte), Kitties (pale bronze frost), Georgia Peach (dirty rose pink matte), Ricepaper (peachy gold with shimmer frost), Creative Copper (light beige lustre), Cork (muted golden brown satin), Don’t Tell (sparkly brown lustre), Aromatic (brown matte) and Pepper Please (sparkly bronze copper brown velvet).
Shop Here: MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow X 9: Amber Times Nine
EYESHADOW: Urban Decay Natural Basics, $29
The essential eyeshadow palette every redhead needs in her cosmetic cache (as I learned from my wedding makeup artist). This versatile matte palette is made up of six neutral hues, in which you can build on or wear alone. Colors glide on with ease and are never chalky or powdery. We played with several colors, including Venus, a soft off-white demi-matte, perfect for highlighting. Palette includes: Venus (soft, off-white demi-matte), Foxy (cream bisque matte), Walk of Shame (very light nude matte), Naked2 (taupe matte), Faint (warm, dusty brown matte) and Crave (deepest, darkest brown/black matte).
Shop Here: Urban Decay Natural Basic
FOUNDATION: Temptu Airbrush Makeup (professional use)
Trusted by professional makeup artists, airbrush makeup, in my humble opinion, is one of the most amazing advancements in the cosmetics industry since mascara. My trusty makeup artist used Porcelain 001, for fair skin with pink undertones and Ivory 002, for porcelain to light skin with neutral/yellow undertones to achieve the pictured look. I truly felt as if I had skin as smooth as porcelain. My complexion was near flawless, whilst not heavy and weighed down by product. Use the online Shade Finder to select from twelve skin tone choices, from Porcelain to Espresso.
Shop Here: Temptu Airbrush Makeup
FALSE EYELASHES: Urban Decay Perversion False Lashes, $15
Nothing says glamorous quite like a fine pair of false lashes to bat. For dramatic lashes, first apply your everyday redhead friendly mascara. Trim the false eyelashes down to fit your eye shape, if needed. Next, use the precision-tip applicator and easy-to-see iridescent adhesive (have no fear, the adhesive dries clear), included with the Perversion set to apply the false lashes. The Perversion False Lashes are a fantastic pick for redheads with sensitive skin, as the lash adhesive is latex-free.
Shop Here: Urban Decay Perversion False Lashes
BLUSH: NARS Cosmetics Super Orgasm, $30
“The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” of blushes-experts in the makeup industry rave about Super Orgasm. Iconic for its ability to complement virtually any skin tone, this rouge packs a powerful punch. To achieve a healthy-glow, blend the micronized powder onto your cheekbones in an upward motion with a dual ended cheek and contour brush. The matte peachy pink powder features gold glitter for a chic shimmer effect.
Shop Here: NARS Cosmetics Super Orgasm
MAKEUP SETTING POWDER: Ben Nye Classic Translucent Face Powder, Neutral Set, $6
The finishing touch-my makeup artist used a flared dome-shaped brush to apply Ben Nye’s Classic Translucent Face Powder. This magic fairy dust of the makeup world sets creme makeup, leaving a soft matte finish. Deterring perspiration, the formula is perfect for special events, like dancing the night away at wedding receptions. The face powder is available in a variety of skin tone options-neutral set is a great choice for redheads, as it is colorless and blends with any skin tone. In Neutral Set, Super White, Fair, Pretty Pink, Topaz, Sienna, Chestnut and Ebony.
Shop Here: Ben Nye Classic Translucent Face Powder
FINAL RESULT! Ended the look with NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Red Velvet, $5
Red is synonymous with glamour, as we all know. Finish this easy-to-achieve look with Red Velvet Butter Gloss. With a delicious sugar cookie scent, you’ll want to wear this creamy sheer lip-gloss everyday. Apply lipstick beneath the butter gloss for even more drama.
Whether you’re kissing your groom (as I will be on June, 6th 2015 — any day now!) or puckering up for a selfie with the girls, your best accessory is your fiery locks.
Rock it like a Redhead!
A special thanks goes out to the dream team at Black Cat Salon, including Owner & Hair Challenge Expert, Heather Gibson and Begetter of Beauty, Missi Hibbs.