Truth time: Sometimes we get these engagement sessions and straight-up envy the charmed Instagram-worthy lives the couples seem to live. And Kaitlin and Allan’s shots could do just that. But....
THE LOOK: Brides—especially those in the tradition-rich South—encounter a lot of special days leading up to their Big Day. With that in mind, we asked Charleston Fashion Week hair and makeup maven Ashley Brook Perryman to style model Alena into a look to suit a wedding shower, bridal luncheon, or even a rehearsal dinner. Ashley went for a fresh, natural style “because it’s always appropriate for wedding events,” she says. “The key,” she adds, “is to soften your formal wedding day style while still highlighting your best features.” As for the difference between winter and summer wedding makeup, Ashley says not to sweat the changing seasons too much. “Come up with a signature look and vary the hues a little so you are appropriate for the time of year,” she says. “For example, fall begs for neutral, flesh tones, while shimmering pink lip gloss works best in the summer.”
STEP-BY-STEP: Part your hair at the middle or side; set in rollers; spray with hairspray; and leave for 10 minutes. While waiting, apply a light moisturizer and let it settle in for five minutes before evening out your skin tones with foundation. Apply concealer to problem spots like blemishes or under-eye circles. Dust your face overall with a light powder (blot as needed thereafter). Next, tweeze and shape your brows with a brow kit. Afterward, dust your eyelids with a light layer of color and fill in the creases with a darker shade. Define your upper lids with eyeliner and apply mascara. Brush your cheekbones with a light-toned bronzer for contour, then apply a cream cheek stain to the apples of your cheeks. Moisturize lips with a balm, line with pencil, and then apply either lipstick or gloss. Once makeup is done, remove rollers. Gather hair into a low side ponytail. Start wrapping hair in sections around the ponytail and secure in place with bobby pins. Mist with a shining spray then set with hairspray.
PRODUCTS WE USED: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Express Palette; DiorShow mascara; Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer; NARS lip gloss in Orgasm; Rosebud Salve; and Tarte Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride, all from Sephora: North Charleston JCPenny, (843) 824-8113 or Myrtle Beach JCPenney, (843) 839-0088; sephora.com • Cetaphil moisturizer; Redken Hot Sets Thermal Setting Spray; TIGI Catwalk Hairspray; and TRESemmé Mist Shine Spray, all from drugstores • ConAir More Big Curls rollers; Lorac Greatest Hits Palette CD1; Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX foundation; Ulta Contour Lip Liner in mauve; Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying powder or Surreal Skin Mineral Makeup, all from Ulta: Mount Pleasant, (843) 856-8500, ulta.com. • Lançome eyeliner in black and MAC Tantone Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish, both from Belk: Mount Pleasant, (843) 884-2841; belk.com
Vendors
Hair & Makeup by Ashley Brook Perryman
Shot on location at the Governor Thomas Bennett House
Products Photograph by Wilson Baker
Amsale bridesmaid dress from Bella Bridesmaid
Bouquet by JW Weddings and Events
