This is the wedding blog post - my final blog post - I’ve been most looking forward to. ALL about the wedding HAIR AND MAKEUP.
As you know I really enjoy the ins and outs of skincare and beauty (see my Beauty category of blog posts if you’re in any doubt). It is something that has the capacity to be so creative and wedding days are no exception. What mattered to me most on my wedding day was surrounding myself with people who I could guarantee would make me feel fabulous, and bring good energy. I was blessed with knowing David Playle and Natalee Fisher, two Wellingtonians that really believe in me and have done for years (made into a beauty trio by Margaret Hema and her brilliant facials). Having them with me to get ready was a privilege and I knew that we would instinctually co-create the exact right look for the day.
Many years ago I asked Natalee Fisher to be on this blog. I’d always admired Natalee and just thought she was just the funniest, most ‘grown-up’ creative person I knew. Back then when I met her I was only sixteen, getting a haircut at Buoy Hairdressing. Ten years later when I started a blog, I asked Natalee to do an interview with me. We had such a fun time and I loved talking with her. Deep down, I always knew I wanted Natalee to do my makeup if one day I got married. So when I organise my wedding day, I immediately booked Natalee.
Natalee and I had a consultation back in December 2019 so that Natalee could test-drive a ‘mock-up’ of my makeup. Natalee likes to keep wedding makeup classic with timeless makeup and neutral shades: “I think on the wedding day you just want to look like yourself but the tzushed up version” she explains. “It’s not the day to try out a purple eyeshadow for the first time.”
During the consultation, I spent 40 minutes telling Natalee all about the beauty and makeup products I had recently discovered that she just 'HAD’ to know about. We then discussed my skin regime and agreed on a mix of Kate Sommerville Retinol and Vitamin C serum and moisturizer with Margaret Hema products to soothe and nourish the skin in the lead up to the big day. Natalee trialed the makeup on me and we agreed on the final look, including me using my own Charlotte Tilbury Pillo Talk lipstick. The only change I asked for was longer brows (I like a strong brow).
On the day, Natalee started with applying Weleda Skin Food Light moisturiser as a base for my makeup to go on, followed by MAC Face and Body Foundation and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer. “I’m a big fan of keeping skin glowing and natural for weddings which MAC Face and Body is perfect for,” Natalee says. “You did your part by being amazing at prepping your skin in the lead up to wedding day which always makes my job easy when my bride’s skin is in a beautiful hydrated glowing state.”
Next up - accenting the face: Natalee used Tom Ford Bronze and Highlight, Bobbi Brown ‘Pot Rouge’ Cream Blush and Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. She then moved on to the eyes, inspired by our mutual love of Global Creative Director of Estee Lauder, Violette_FR. “We made your eyes the focus with lots of soft smokey warmth with my fav Violette_FR palette, and a nod to a 60’s flick on the eye (and always waterproof mascara as emotions are inescapable on the wedding day)” Natalee says. Natalee blended warm browns which she exaggerated the cat eye (Bobbi Brown Black Gel Liner) with some individual lash flares that added a little volume and length. “I’m in love with your Charlotte Tilbury lipstick,” says Natalee. “The perfect shade for a natural but polished looking lipstick! Natalee used Ardell Individual Lash Flares (I reviewed strip lashes by Ardell in December 2019 here and rate them highly - the ones that Natalee used stayed on all day). Natalee and I finished with my own Hourglass Arch Brow pencil, keeping those brows nice and tapered.
My hair was done by my hair guru and one of my best friends, David Playle from Matt Forsman. David has had my back since I first met him at Luca Hairdressing in 2016 and I followed him to Matt Forsman. David has provided huge amounts of emotional love and care for me over the years, as well as getting my hair naturally beautiful and allowing it to grow naturally.
From the moment Matt and I were engaged, I began talking to David, who I call my ‘Hair Therapist’, to try and gather my thoughts about what the day - and my hair - should be. David takes into account all aspects of the wedding day to help find the right hairstyle for the occasion: “I started with a consultation on your vibe off the whole day - the kind of fantasy made real-life. What will the day be like? The smell? How will the day be enjoyed? That way, the hair can slot into its role” he says. David and I then consulted on the practical aspects of my hair. Did I want it up or down? What’s the condition? Would my hair be long enough?
Quickly, David and I realised that as I’d already started growing out my blonde, I needed to decide whether I would re-dye it, or keep it natural. I actually ran an Instagram poll and the majority of you agreed natural was the way to go.
David and I turned our attention to focus on natural hair colours, with “a clinical amount of regular snips to dust away the ends”. David personalised my regular haircuts for me to even up the amount of thickness from my roots to my tips. This maintenance meant that by the time the day came, my hair had quietly been in the business of growing long for almost a year.
“Lucy and I went into a steady, modest hair dream, envisioning that the hair would hold a very certain place on the wedding day, without a doubt,” David says. “Your mind does not need to be hampered with thoughts about your up-do on the day, clouding your head with worry. A wedding day, and the wedding hair, should be enjoyed.”
On the night before, David recommended giving my hair 2 -3 cleansers and a light moisturiser through the ends. He suggested that I dried it the night before and the next day. He also suggested that I use an O&M Detox Cleanser shampoo and Fine Intellect Conditioner. “O&M Shine Shot is an absolute must. I would recommend the volume booster - to give the day an everlasting feel” says David.
David took extra care while prepping my hair for styling while we got ready for the wedding service: “Always start with the highest peat protection - O&M Know Knot is a great primer. Apply a very light application in prep for the other products” says David. David then used an O&M hair booster Rootalicious, a spray-on moose. “Comb through the whole hair in rotating the direction of where you're brushing,” he says.
David then did a directional blow wave, from roots to ends. After each row, he did a light spray with O&M Dry Queen to set the style, and give the hair a powdered finish (which added a slightly nostalgic look to the bridal hairstyle).
Once my whole head was finished and curled, all of the top and sides were pinned up and set with O&M Queenie Strong Hold Hairspray.
The finishing was easy: out came the pin curls and the hair was backcombed in few sections to create the right amount of balance. Spray and finish!
David also has a few hair-styling tools he rates: “My go-to tool of the day is a solid round brush plus the Y.S.P Wood Air Vent Cushion Hair Gloss Flat Eco Styler. It really promotes shine when you brush out the blow wave!” The end result was romantic, timeless hair that had a wild, pre-Raphellite feel whilst being fresh and contemporary at the same time.
David finished off my fixing my veil in place and giving everything one last spray.
I can’t imagine having gotten ready for my wedding day with anyone except David and Nat. They really did see me off, feeling my absolute best, ready to walk down the aisle to Matt.
