Q & A ~ Wedding Day Makeup Advice

Candice Mac Nicol from playplay creations, a make-up expert with extensive local and international experience in fashion and film work is hosting another Q&A to answer questions on beauty and make-up advice from our visitors. This week she gives wedding day makeup advice and her recommendations on how to find the make-up brands that are right for you!

If you have a question or need advice, please ask Candice and check back weekly for her expert answers!

See below for this weeks Q&A:

“Hi Candice.

This might be a bit of an unfair question, but here goes. I really love the Lisa Eldrige videos that you post. However I find that she uses so many products and many of them are not available in SA. Or should I rather say i feel overwhelmed by all the different products out there.

They are expensive so itâ€™s hard to test and see what works. So my question is, do you have a no-fail make-up brand/s that you can recommend?

I really enjoy your posts, they have been very helpful. Susan”

Hi Susan,

Thanks for contacting me and I understand where you’re coming from! We’re promised amazing results and flawless makeup from products that just don’t deliver; it’s tough (and expensive) to go out there and find the perfect makeup for our individual needs.

It’s difficult, no impossible, for me to tell you which products are “no-fail” because everyones’ skin is unique and reacts differently….we all expect various things from our products too. Personally, I prefer a dewy, sheer finish to my foundation but someone else might like a matte finish.

The one thing I can say is….Ask for samples! Especially from the more expensive brands. Don’t let the “makeup consultant” apply it for you and then send you home. Test it yourself, feel the product, experience the application. You will also need a few days to test it to see how your skin reacts to the product. Also ask for a sample and if they don’t have, ask them to decant some of the tester into a container for you. Brands that do this include: MAC, Chanel, Inglot and many others!

Know what you expect from a product before you go looking for it. For example; do you want your concealer to be sheer, matte, thick, with a yellow undertone etc? Then when you get into the store, you know exactly what to ask for.

Either way, it does take time and a lot of trial and error to find something perfect. I do a lot of research online, I take home tons of samples and I’m constantly talking to friends, makeup artists and the “makeup consultants” to find out what works for them.

Also remember that your makeup needs might change according to seasons, age, stress etc.

I’m sorry I couldn’t give you specific products Susan, but if there’s anything in particular you’re interested in buying, mail me first and I’ll let you know if I’ve used it and what I think.

Oh PS: Please don’t buy anything based purely on the advert. Cosmetic companies walk a very, very fine line between fantasy and reality in their advertising!

{editor’s note: I’ll post one Q & A each week. If you have a question or need advice, please use this form and I’ll be sure to answer as soon as possible!}

About the Author:

Candice Mac Nicol, playplay creations

I’ve been in the industry for 2 years but in that short time I have accumulated extensive local and international experience in fashion and film work. I believe that make up knowledge should be shared and I love learning and researching new products and techniques. So send me a question and each week I will answer one question on my blog! http://playplaycreations.blogspot.com.