Inside Tips From Top Wedding Make-Up Artist

Helen Kalli has built up a reputation for excellence in make-up artistry, both in the UK and internationally. With over 12 years at the top of the industry, she has a dedicated following of models, celebrities, magazine editors and commercial clients who turn to her for her signature look of fresh, flawless skin.

Whether she is working on A-list celebrities, collaborating with the creme de la creme of the fashion world, brides, or is busy behind the scenes at catwalk shows, Helen uses her painterly approach to perfect and enhance, bringing radiance to every face that she touches.

Her portfolio is proof that she is the “expert’s expert”, as it features an impressive array of actors, models, musicians and television presenters including; Dannii Minogue, Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Lily Cole, Antony Costa, Jasmine Guiness, Alek Wek, Claudia Schiffer, Paloma Bailey, Jade Jagger, Maggie Jagger, Jerry Hall, Sean Jean (Puff Daddy), Kim Porter, Kim Cattrall, Salma Hayek, Agynes Dean, , Sophie Dahl, Fearne Cotton, Plum Sykes (Vogue), Jennifer Ellison, Jo Whiley and Terri Seymour.And the list goes on…

  • 5 Star Weddings: How should a bride go about choosing her make-up artist?

Helen Kalli: First of all shop around – have a look at make-up artists’ portfolios and experience and pick a style you like and think will suit you. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s all about personality. You need to click with your make-up artist. Even if you don’t have a lot in common with them conversationally, you should get a good vibe from them and should be able to tell if you can trust them with something as important as providing your make-up for your wedding day.

Helen Kalli
Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings: Should a bride ever attempt to do her own make-up on her wedding day?

Helen Kalli: It’s not a no-no (Kate Middleton did it, after all), however I do feel that on your wedding day it’s nice to allow someone else to step in and make you look beautiful so you can relax and be pampered. If you do decide to attempt to do your own make-up, make sure you are equipped and take a couple of classes beforehand. You can even make it into a fun hen party activity with your best girls so you all know how to achieve your perfect look on the day.

Wedding Make Up
Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings: What look are you getting asked to create time and time again?

Helen Kalli: It really does vary, but a classic request from brides is to have flawless skin, without looking too obviously “made up”. Many brides also prefer their eyes to be more prominent and so I get a lot of requests for longer lashes. Generally brides want to look like an enhanced version of their natural selves, so it’s my job to make them look the most beautiful they’ve ever looked while still looking like them.

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Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings: What are your must-have make-up essential items?

Helen Kalli: A good foundation is absolutely essential to great make-up. If your base is wrong, your make-up will look unnatural or caked on. I tend to use Laura Mercier liquid foundation, which I absolutely love. Becca highlighter is another must-have, as it really brightens up a bride’s overall look, and a good dewy blush is often a lovely finishing touch for wedding make up!

Wedding Make up
Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings: What make-up brands do you recommend and use?

Helen Kalli: I love Laura Mercier – the bases and concealers are high in pigment which means that a thin layer is enough to give a bride great and natural-looking coverage – and it tends to really last out the emotions of a wedding day! I also love Becca as their products are truly fabulous, especially the crème blushes, which give my brides a lovely complexion.

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Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings: How can a make-up masterclass be beneficial for a bride-to-be?

Helen Kalli: It’s great if you’re planning to do your own makeup on the day, to have a masterclass as it really benefits you by giving you a one-one lesson to teach you step by step how to get your perfect look. Even if you’re not doing your own make-up, I think it’s a really valuable skill for the future and it’s also a fun evening for a pre-hen party with girlfriends as it teaches all the girls how to apply their own make-up under guidance, and is a great and really fun way to get made up before a big night out.

Celebrity Wedding Make Up
Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings: How can a bride get her skin in tip top condition before the big day?

Helen Kalli: A good facial is recommended (at least three in the months preceding the wedding) but it goes without saying that a good and regular skincare routine helps. If you’re not someone who is used to a skincare routine, make sure you try and test yours well in advance of the wedding to find the right one for you. A good make-up artist will advise you on which products are right for your skin during your trial, so don’t forget to put that on your list of questions.

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Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings:What is the one essential item a bride should carry on her on the wedding day?

Helen Kalli: A little emergency bag is essential. If you can only squeeze in a couple of items, I would most definitely carry your lip colour for touch ups (if you’re having your make-up done, make sure to jot down the colour you’re using during the trial so you can buy one for yourself for touch ups) and a translucent powder to take shine on the face away, particularly for summer weddings!

Wedding Make up
Helen Kalli
  • 5 Star Weddings: What to avoid when it comes to your wedding day make-up.

Helen Kalli: It does depend, of course, on the rest of your wedding ensemble, but my biggest piece of advice is don’t try to look like someone else. If you’re not someone who generally wears heavy make-up, it can be tempting to go for something dramatic, but ultimately most brides want to walk down the aisle feeling naturally beautiful. Keep it simple, and focus on one prominent feature like the eyes or lips, instead of both.

  • 5 Star Weddings: In your opinion what makes a 5 star wedding?

Helen Kalli: Other than looking fresh and beautiful, the people and music make it all happen. As long as you have a good mix of people to dance the night away in, you’ll be happy! And if you’re happy, you’ll be glowing anyway, regardless of your make-up, which will just make you look even lovelier!

  • Should you wish to talk about your wedding make up you can contact Helen at the bridalmakeupartist.co.uk
  • Copyright 2012 5 Star Weddings.