.

This morning its all about the power of pretty as we talk to Brides Up North Featured Supplier Helen Guy Hair & Make Up Artist about the secrets of the slap! 

.

Beauty school dropout?  Time to listen up – this lady is full of tips. 

.

You can meet Helen at The Brides Up North Wedding Exclusive at Rise Hall, East Yorkshire on Sunday 22nd April 2012.  Register for your VIP Bride To Be Goody Bag by clicking here.   

.

.

.

.

How did you become a make up artist?

.
I left school and started working at a hairdressing salon as an apprentice. I went to college day on release and loved it. I found I had a flair for it and when I started doing my second year (it was a three year course) I wanted to qualify as soon as I could so I did my 3rd year day release on my day off.  I also took a year’s cosmetic make- up course too.  I qualified a year early on my hairdressing course and won student of the year and immediately set up my own business which I loved. I’d trained with a salon that did a lot of ‘up’ do’s so learnt the skills to put hair up as part of my training. I started doing weddings and built my skills and kit up to include make up as part of my service.  I then went on to own my own salon for a time but preferred to be freelance. I’ve done other things in between but have always come back to hair and make up… its my passion.

.

.
What services do you offer?

.
I offer bridal and special occasion make up and hair styling for the bride and any member of the wedding party. I also do photo shoots, commercial and editorial shoots for magazines. I’m also a freelance hairdresser and Reiki master teacher.

.

.

.

.
What product lines do you use and why?

.
Airbase airbrush make up – This was created for TV & Films and gives a beautiful waterproof lightweight foundation base with is perfect for brides.

.
Bobbi Brown – They do heavily pigmented shadows that have little drop down and amazing Gel Liner.

.
Smashbox – a professional range and I use their primer which gives an amazing velvet like finish under your foundation.

.
Lancôme – Juicy Tubes lip glosses are fab. They are long lasting and yummy.

.
Nars – do amazing blushers, perfect for a pop of colour.

.
The above is just a small selection.

.

.

.

.
Why should a bride to be have her make up professionally applied?

.
The morning of a wedding is a time for a bride to relax and be pampered.  It also a time when nerves can take hold and with the best will in the world you don’t want a shaky brush when applying your make up.
A professional make up artist will know tricks and techniques to make you look amazing on your photographs, after all once the big day is over all you have left is your memories and your photos.
.

.

.

.

Do you recommend a make up/ hair trial?  Why?

.
Yes. This gives the bride a chance to see how she will look on her big day and your stylist a chance to plan how to achieve the desired look by taking notes and photographs so the look can be recreated on the big day. The wedding morning is not the time to want to make too many changes or to try a new look. It also gives the bride chance to check she has no allergies to anything used .

.

.

.

.
What sets your business apart from your competitors?

.
I am a qualified hairdresser as well as a qualified make up artist with a lot of experience in the wedding industry and am truly excited and thrilled to be involved with a bride on their big day. Its such a thrill and a privilege.

.
I do think people like the personal touch and I like to think I go the extra mile to make the bride feel special on her big day.

.

.

.

.
What are your all time favourite wedding make up looks?

.
My aim is to help the bride look like themselves but on a really good day. To enhance their natural features so that their guests will say ‘wow, hasn’t she got beautiful eyes’ and not ‘wow, hasn’t she got beautiful eye shadow’.  I love the elegant bridal look with a great base, bridal smoky eyes, gel liner and peachy/natural lip colour. Perfect for a spring wedding.

.

.

.

.
What are your all time favourite wedding hair looks?

.
I love both up do’s and down styles. I love curly side buns which are very pretty and can be enhanced with flowers or decorated pins. I also like French pleats too, very elegant.

.

.
What current styles do you like?

.
I’m loving the high ponytail, fishtail plaits and big beehive up dos that are very on trend at the moment as well as smooth chignons and smooth top buns a la Audrey Hepburn.

.

.
What are your top 5 wedding make up tips for a bride to be?

.
Use a great long lasting foundation. You will be hugging and kissing lots of people and don’t want transfer.
.

Use blusher. Even if you’re not used to wearing it. Try using a bronzer for a healthy glow on your cheeks so you don’t look washed out. The photographs drain colour from you so its an essential.

.
False lashes applied to the outer third of the eye will open them up and add and instant glamour to your look.

.
Make a note of the lipstick used at your trial and buy one for top ups throughout the day.

.
Book a professional make up artist early to avoid disappointment.   

.

.

.

.
What are your top 5 wedding hair tips for a bride to be?

.
Ask your ‘hair & make up artist’ about their qualifications. Are they a fully qualified hairdresser or just a hair stylist. There is massive difference between someone who is fully trained in the art of ‘hair dressing’ and someone who has had a couple of hours training to do a couple of ‘bridal up dos’.

.
If you are having your hair put up don’t wash it the wedding morning. Wash it the evening before.

.
Use a strong hair spray. Even if you don’t like hairspray, your hair has to look great for a long time.

.
Think carefully about what you want to wear in your hair and discuss your ideas with your hairdresser before buying anything.

.
Have a good hair routine prior to the wedding day. Use a conditioning treatment weekly and if you have your hair coloured have it done the week before to give your hair time to settle and any skin staining to go.

.

.

.

.
What are your wedding make up no nos?

.
Orange bronzer

.
Glitter

.
Thick mascara

.

Using a too dark foundation

.
Lip gloss if you are wearing a veil over your face

.

.
What are your wedding hair no nos?

.
Wearing your hair up just because you think its a ‘bridal’ thing to do.
.

Thinking that just because your hair is short you don’t have to do anything with it.
.

Don’t buy a tiara that is too heavy, tight or uncomfortable. Its going to be on a long time and you don’t want a headache on your wedding day!

.
Don’t go for a look that’s so far removed from ‘you’.

.
Don’t go for a radical colour change just before your wedding day. Hair colour can change the look of everything from make up to your dress and colour scheme and what looked amazing with blonde hair may look washed out if you go brunette.

.

.

.

.
Where are you located and will you travel?

.
I’m located on the border of North and East Yorkshire and travel throughout the Yorkshire region.

.

.
Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price?

.
All my current rates are on my website www.helenguy.co.uk.  I currently offer fab package prices anyway for bookings for three or more members of the wedding party (see my website for details). 

.

.

.

.
How can Brides Up North see more examples of your work/ find out more?

.
Look at my website www.helenguy.co.uk and my facebook page. 

.

.

Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 supplied by Helen Guy/ Lissa Alexandra Photography/ Jim Poyner Photography/ Atken Photography Studio/ Chris Chambers Photography/ York Place Studios as tagged

Helen Guy Hair & Make Up Artist is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

.

.