by Laura Gillespie

Created on: August 26, 2008

Calling all goth brides: The time has come to brush the cobwebs away and revitalise your look for your big black wedding day!

Alternative dress? Check. Dreadlocks at the ready? Check. Gloomy tunes? Already playing. Make-up? Your everyday dramatic palette will be fine, won't it? WRONG.

Most of us who identify with the gothic subculture label are already self-assured and confident about our look. We have worn our black lipstick as others all around stuck to pearly pink and frightened our peers with our ghostly porcelain skin for years now. However, as much fun as we may have expressing ourselves in this way, we can get stuck in a rut as easily as the next soccor mum who can't part with her lilac eyeshadow. As much as we stand out among our friends, the look doesn't necessarily translate well to camera, and we may end up looking washed out after all! The key for wedding photography is to look like yourself, but polished up just a little to be photo-friendly. To make sure that beautiful purple velvet photo album you bought is filled with lovely wedding day keepsakes, here are my tips to update your makeup for your wedding day:

1) Firstly, we must prepare our Canvas. Everyone knows how important it is to cleanse, tone and moisturise, but for those of us who like to use powder to keep our complexions matt and classically pale, the skin must be particularly smooth and blemish-free. To combat spots and dryness, find a cleansing routine for your skin type well in advance of your wedding, and don't be lazy about following it. Make sure you remove all of your makeup every night, particularly those of us who like to wear lots and lots of it, and moisturise thoroughly, including your neck. Your skin should look bright and fresh without makeup, and ready for an even application of..

2).. the Right Foundation. To combat shine in photographs, many makeup counters now offer specific products for this purpose. Estee Lauder and Mac are just two who will help you find something to suit. If using a regular foundation, go for one that works well with your skin - foundation is the beauty product you want to go for high quality in above all others. Some brides may suit compact foundation whereas others will prefer liquid, and if in the latter camp, applying it with a foundation brush (with long, soft, flat bristles) will ensure an even application. Choose a tone that exactly matches your own skin colour - do not be tempted to go lighter or darker as the result will not be flattering.

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