A Touch of Glamour
Looking and feeling radiant is vital for your wedding day, and a sure way to embrace the glamourous goddess within is with the perfect makeup look. Glam makeup is a classic makeup style that has evolved over the years, from the intensity of Hollywood glam to the dreamy glow of soft glam. Here, Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Saturne Roberts sits down with Kerrie Gargano, owner and senior artist at Magical Makeovers, to discuss the different types of glam makeup and what makes this enduring style a great choice for your wedding day.
Image Courtesy of Magical Makeovers
Having owned Magical Makeovers since 2010, Ms Gargano and her team, now 50 strong, are a multi-qualified and diversely talented group with backgrounds in fashion, film, TV and theatre. As the senior artist, she has seen and done it all. Bridal makeup is a unique style of its own, requiring precise care and understanding to get that perfect glowing finish. Ms Gargano’s favourite moment is witnessing the bride’s excitement and confidence when she sees herself in the mirror. “It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of that transformative process, helping the bride feel beautiful and empowered as she prepares to walk down the aisle.” With three decades of experience in the bridal makeup industry, Ms Gargano knows her way around a glam look. Read on to learn the ins and outs of glam makeup, and how this classic style will always be on-trend for your wedding day.
The Glamour
No matter what aesthetic you’re going for, there is a glam look suited for every individual need, from the soft, more natural glam, to bold high glam. “The most important thing is to feel like you are being true to yourself,” Ms Gargano says. “If you are uncomfortable and don’t feel like yourself, your photos will reflect this discomfort.” Many wedding clients opt for a ‘natural glam’ look, aiming to appear effortlessly radiant yet enhanced. “They still want their family and friends, and most importantly, their fiancé, to recognise them and be overwhelmed with delight at how amazing they look!” Ms Gargano says.
Glam makeup styles are diverse and range in intensity. Soft ‘natural’ glam aims to enhance features subtly with blended natural shades on fresh dewy skin, naturally polished brows and often natural-looking false lashes, resulting in a beautifully photographed finish. Ms Gargano says her most popular choice is soft glam, which is “requested by approximately 80% of our clients.” Full glam takes a more intense approach, featuring bold tones, sharp contouring, strong sculpted brows and vibrant highlighting for a glamorous impact. Hollywood glam channels old Hollywood sophistication, with classic makeup elements like red lips, winged eyeliner and sculpted cheeks, evoking the timeless allure of silver screen icons.
Enhance Your Features
According to Ms Gargano, multiple factors influence which glam makeup style is recommended. “Firstly, I gauge the client’s desired look by discussing images they like and dislike, allowing me to understand their preferences,” she says. The most important aspect of bridal makeup is ensuring the client is blissfully happy with the result and their desired accentuated facial features.
Skin tone is the cornerstone for the client’s colour choices. For instance, when considering a Hollywood glam style with a bold red lip, it’s essential to account for the client’s cool undertones to ensure the lip colour complements rather than clashes with their complexion. Ms Gargano explains that “adjusting the intensity and shade of the lip colour can prevent it from overpowering or washing out their natural features.” Eye shape guides the choice of eyeshadow and eyeliner techniques; a larger eye shape will hold a bolder eye look better. Face structure also contributes to the chosen style, as enhancing and balancing the features is vital in creating a harmonious look.
A Timeless Trend
Although glam makeup has been popular for decades, the style has evolved with the eras. Beginning with the boldness of Hollywood glam, the aesthetic of deep reds and dramatic eye makeup took the world by storm. Over time, the style evolved to be less dramatic, with lip colours becoming more neutral but the eyes remaining bold. Current trends have seen ‘soft glam’ become the most frequent choice, particularly for bridal makeup. “We do over 400 weddings annually, and most clients gravitate towards images from the top six photos on Google using the ‘natural soft glam’ search,” Ms Gargano explains. A personal favourite of hers, soft glam’s timeless appeal will ensure pride when showing off the beautiful photos from your special day.
Your wedding day should be about looking your best, and makeup should enhance a bride’s natural beauty and reflect her individual style. Ms Gargano leaves us with this final piece of advice: “Take into consideration the style of your wedding; getting married in a relaxed barn or in a ballroom will both require a different look for your styling.” She says it’s best to begin exploring makeup styles and gathering inspiration well in advance. “Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to speak up at your makeup trial. We don’t bite and only want what you want – a happy client!”
When it comes to booking a makeup artist you can rely on, Magical Makeovers’ wedding booking service has a unique emergency backup system that sets them apart. “We have a robust plan in place, thanks to our large team and extensive network connections, and we have successfully covered every emergency in our 30-year history,” Ms Gargano says. “Our commitment is to ensure that your wedding day is perfect. If we need to replace the artist, we will provide the incoming artist with the deposit, notes from the trial and photos to ensure a seamless transition. So you see, you’re in good hands!”