Expert bridal beauty with Stila

We met with Sascha Jackson, Stila's national lead artist, recently to talk bridal make-up trends and learn more about the cult brand. Here, she takes us through a step-by-step guide on creating her favourite wedding day look...

Step 1 - Primer:
To get the best from your make-up on your special day, it's so important you make sure you prep your skin with a good base first. I recommend using Stila One Step Correct. This skin loving priming serum will not only smooth the skins texture, refine pores, control oil and hydrate but it will also work to reduce redness, pigmentation and sallow tones. It harmonises the skins tone and creates a super flawless base. If you’re not concerned with redness, try Stila’s One Step Illuminate for the ultimate ‘lit from within’ glow. Take a full pump and work it into the skin like a serum, you will instantly see more refined skin, reduced pores and a healthy glow.

Step 2 - Foundation:
On your big day, it's important to feel comfortable in your own skin, so choosing the right foundation is key. You need one that will last the day through the happy tears and photographs, but that also doesn’t suffocate the skin and start to fade into the evening. I use Stila’s Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer. The formula is like magic, it has enough coverage to hide any imperfections, but it listens to the skin by controlling oil and hydrating, plus it lets the skin breathe. You get up to 24 hours wear too, so you don’t need to worry about needing to top up. I like to take a small amount, start with less and build the coverage as you go, and I work on the centre part of the face (centre part of forehead, nose, cheeks and chin) and spread an even thin layer. I tend not to apply product around the edges of the face and hairline, as this avoids any tide lines and enables it to blend into the skin. If you have any areas of concern, apply a little more product or concealer that comes in the top of the foundation.  
When concealing the undereye, just apply a small amount of product to the darkest areas, then use your ring finger to pat and blend it out.  

Step 3 - Cheeks:
I love radiant looking skin, and textures that mimic the skins natural appearance.  Using a cream blusher will give that fresh pop of colour to the complexion.  Use Stila’s Convertible Color Dual Lip & Cheek Crème, apply with fingertips and simply pat onto the apples of the cheeks.  For this look, I would choose the shade Lillium as it’s a super wearable peachy pink.  For the cheekbone, use Stila’s Heavens Hue Highlighter in Kitten, which is a gorgeous champagne pink.  Apply it to the top of the cheeks, down the centre of the nose, and even on the chest and décolletage

Step 4 - Eyes and Eyebrows:
Keep the eyebrows looking naturally full, but with shape and definition. Mimic hair strokes for a softer appearance and to keep them looking natural. I love Stila’s Stay
All Day Waterproof Brow Color, as it has a fine ‘felt pen’ style nib to enable those feathery strokes. If you need to tame unruly hair, use a clear mascara or a brow gel to keep them in place.  

For the eyeshadow I like working from a palette as it will contain complementary shades, which make it so much easier to create the look. Start by using a matte flesh tone all over the lid and up to the brow bone and this will act as a base. Then, using an earthy toned brown, start on the outer half of the eyelid and blend into the crease.  It's important to keep the shadow soft and diffused. Add the same shadow close and thin to the lower lash line and blend it to soften the liner. I like to add a pop of a nude or bronze toned shimmer finish shadow and apply it to the centre part of the eyelid,  this will make your eyes pop and add shape. I recommend Stila’s Eyes Are The Window palette, as it has beautiful neutral earthy tones and a good mix of matte and shimmer shades. Then, take the Heavens Hue Highlighter in Kitten, and apply it to the very inner corner of the eye and around the tear duct. This trick will really open the eye out and make them look bigger, brighter and more awake. To finish, take a soft brown or black eyeliner and run it very close to the top and bottom lash lines, only half the way across from the out edge. Then take a small liner brush to soften the line. Stila’s Smudge Stick in Lionfish is a gorgeous warm brow with a subtle gold fleck and works so well with this look. Finally, if you are not wearing false lashes or lash extensions, add a coat of Stila’s Huge Mascara to complete the look.

Step 5 - Lips:
Whether you like your lipstick to be matte or glossy, we can all agree you would want it to last as long as possible, and to prevent the panic that your lippy has worn off before the photos. Stila’s Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick has up to 12hour wear, and comes in three amazing finishes; matte, sheer, and shimmer for added definition. The shade Patina is my favourite for bridal, it’s a beautiful dusky pink which is super flattering for any skin tone. 

Check out www.stila.co.uk