Put Your Best Face Forward

Smoldering, hot and steamy: These are words we hope you use to describe your romance. But they are also accurate descriptors of the weather in New Orleans during the summer, and even the daintiest Southern belle can’t fully avoid breaking a sweat during the muggier months.

Despite the heat and humidity, summers are enchanting, so it’s no surprise that many still opt to tie the knot during warmer months.

The elevated temperatures, of course, can pose some special challenges; fortunately, myriad makeup brands are designed to withstand hot and humid weather, and a bevy of local makeup artists, including Ashley Sievert of her eponymous makeup studio, and Candice Kennedy of Glam Nola, who ensure that your face won’t be melting as you say, “I do.”

Kennedy has been a makeup artist for eight years. She and her business partner, Ashley Love, work with a dedicated team which goes on-site to help brides and members of the wedding party look their best.  Kennedy strongly recommends starting a moisturizing regimen long before the wedding.

“You want your face to be nice and hydrated,” she says. “Drink lots of water and definitely moisturize in the morning before your wedding. It will make a world of difference and make for a nice glow and smooth texture. You don’t want any of your skin to be cracked or dry.”

This is especially important if the wedding is outside, where, depending on the time of day, the lighting might be less forgiving.

“We like to use an airbrush foundation,” she says, good for natural or heavier looks. “It’s almost like it’s waterproof. Also, we recommend patting it – not wiping it.”

On top of that, Kennedy uses a special blotting powder to soak up shine. She and Love favor the Japanese luxury brand Ko Gen Do’s primers, concealers, foundation, powder, color and makeup remover.

“It’s all made of plant botanicals,” says Kennedy. It’s favored on film sets (actress Christina Applegate is a fan).

Makeup artist Ashley Sievert is so attuned to the special considerations needed for hot and humid climates she created her own brand.

“My style and the amount of makeup I use doesn’t typically change depending on the seasons,” she says. “I strive for my signature natural [look] with a glamorous twist.”

Her makeup line, Ashley Sievert Beauty, is designed to suit all ages, skin tones and skin types.

“It gives the appearance of naturally flawless skin,” she says.
 
Sievert recommends her powder for touchups throughout the day.

Kennedy says that when she and her team show up for a wedding, they first apply makeup to the members of the party, because “we want the bride’s makeup to be the freshest.” She says typically, the makeup should be done about two hours before the ceremony begins, to allow for plenty of time for pre-wedding photography and touchups.

Rest assured, with the right products and experienced makeup artists by your side, your lasting summertime wedding makeup will get you to the altar and beyond – despite the heat index.

 

 

 

 

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