Just a quick note to advise that I have put a HTML site online. Basically this is a stripped down version of my main website and better suited to those with dial up connections or poor performing broadband (despite what our ISP’s tell us, you don’t always get what’s on the tin!). It can be reached via my splash page at www.niallmcgann.com

I’m starting a new “series” of little snippets on local and national wedding suppliers. If you are planning your wedding, you will hopefully gain some useful tips and insights from these popular and successful trade insiders.

First up is Kerry based make up artist, Kathryn O’ Neill. I’ve worked with her on a number of occasions and everybody always seems to be very pleased with the results.

Quickly establishing a great reputation, Kathryn is one of only three Irish artists chosen to be part of the prestigious Daniel Sandler make up team. Daniel Sandler is one of the UK’s leading make up artists. His work appears regularly in glossies such as Marie Claire, Vogue, Grazia and Elle. He has a long list of celebrity clients and an award winning make up range which was voted “must have” for 2008 by American Vogue.

Here is an article prepared by Kathryn which you will hopefully find useful:

Make up for your Big Day

The key to perfect bridal make up is to look like yourself , just better!
Beautiful, fresh and glowing is how every bride wants to look on her wedding day. Whether you do it yourself or enlist the services of a make up artist, preparation is the key to looking fabulous.
The first step is to prepare the skin. Start having regular facials at least six months before the big day. This will ensure that your skin is in great condition and is a wonderfully relaxing treat at a potentially stressful time.
At home, cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and evening, and exfoliate and use a mask once a week. Drink two litres of water daily, and eat a balanced diet. Follow this routine in the months coming up to the wedding, and the reward will be glowing radiant skin.

FLAWLESS BASE

Begin with clean moisturised skin. Prepare the skin using a primer such as Daniel Sandler retexturising primer to mattify the skin, ease out any fine lines and fill in any open pores. This creates a smooth surface for the foundation.Use a long lasting sheer foundation, such as Daniel Sandler Perfect Canvas to even out the skin tone. Foundation should match the skin tone exactly. Apply with a foundation brush for a flawless finish, starting in the centre of the face and working outwards. Use concealer where necessary to cover blemishes. A lighter shade is needed under the eyes to cover dark circles, and finish with a fine loose powder to set your foundation ensuring it lasts all day.

PERFECT EYES

Before the big day have your eyebrows shaped professionally. Before you apply eyeshadow dust the lids with a loose powder to prevent the shadow from creasing. Taupes, browns and shades of peach look great on most brides , giving definition without being too dramatic.. Define the lash line with brown eyeliner or matte brown shadow applied with an eyeliner brush. Brush the brows into place and use an angled brow brush to fill in any gaps with brow powder .
Eyelash curlers are an invaluable tool. I am never without mine! Curl the lashes then Apply three coats of glossy waterproof mascara, in case there are a few tears on the day.

BLUSHING BRIDE

Blusher really brings the look together.A liquid blush such as Daniel Sandler watercolour in cherub brings radiance to the face. Just smile and apply to the apples of the cheeks. To finish the look use a highlighter along the brow bone extending it down towards the temples and cheekbones. Blend well.
Prep the lips with lip balm, then line the lips filling in the entire lip to ensure long lasting colour. Finish with lipgloss or lipstick, whichever you prefer. Try Daniel Sandler Line n’Laquer an ingenious little product – lipgloss with matching lipliner in the lid.

CLASSES

I also give individual or group make up lessons in the comfort of your own home, passing on the secrets of make up artists and teaching you simple techniques for natural daytime looks or glamming it up for those special occasions!

Kathryn can be contacted on 087 7625800
email Kathryn.oneill@danielsandler.com
www.danielsandler.com

Summer is finally on the way! Well at least the bright evenings anyway. I love studying the work of photojournalists and photographers from the last century. I have a great book of images by Elliott Erwitt. He did his best work before I was born with a fantastic eye for the unusual as well as the humorous side of life. What often seemed to be simple images had hidden meaning often missed at first glance. I’d like to think if he was around Ballyseede Castle on this day that he would not have missed this image (my personal favourite of the month)!

Here are some other favourites from my April weddings: