Let's be honest here... if you aren't getting to grips with a good skincare routine, how can you expect good makeup?

Your skin is exactly the same. It needs to be smooth, hydrated, nourished, moisturised, well-fed, and supported by you on the run-up to your wedding day. You can't expect a makeup artist to apply makeup to skin that just isn't at its best.

I'm a bridal makeup artist in North Wales and Cheshire, and I always tell my brides that great makeup doesn't start on the morning of your wedding — it starts months before. The moment that ring goes on your finger and you've set a date, that's when to start looking after your skin. Have regular facials. Get to grips with your skincare routine.

Now, let's talk about double cleansing because it's one of the biggest game changers.

Double cleansing simply means cleansing your face twice at night. The first cleanse is to remove makeup, SPF, and the day's grime. The second cleanse is to clean your actual skin underneath all of that. Most people stop after one cleanse, which usually just moves makeup around rather than removing it. When you double cleanse, you're making sure every scrap of makeup and dirt is gone before bed, which helps stop breakouts and congestion.

It's simple but makes a massive difference. Use a cleansing balm or oil for your first cleanse, then a gentle gel or cream cleanser for the second. Your skin will thank you for it.

And please, stop using makeup wipes. They don't clean your skin properly and can actually cause more harm than good. If you're using them every night, you're likely going to bed with leftover makeup still on your face, and that's when you'll start to notice spots and dullness.

Hydration is another big one.

Don't be afraid of hydrators, even if you've got oily skin. Hydrators give your skin a drink — that's how I like to describe it. Your skin is alive. It's an organ. It needs to be fed and watered just like the rest of your body.

Hyaluronic acid and hydrating products are your best friends in the run-up to your wedding day. My personal favourite is the Hada Labo Tokyo Super Hydrator Premium. It's brilliant. It keeps the skin bouncy, plump, and ready for makeup.

And please don't forget about your eyes. The skin under your eyes gets dry and dehydrated faster than anywhere else on the face, and that's when you start to see fine lines. If you're not using an eye cream, concealer isn't going to sit smoothly. So yes, even if you're in your twenties, you still need an eye cream. Don't wait until you're older.

You've got to get to grips with your skincare routine. Use good products that deliver results. This doesn't mean spending a fortune, it just means learning what your skin needs, what concerns you have, and actually doing something about them.

That's how you get to truly fantastic makeup

Because a makeup artist can only do so much. If there's texture or bumpiness on the skin, makeup can't make it disappear. Makeup isn't magic. I know you see those filtered images online and think that's real, but it's not. If there's texture on your chin, there'll still be texture there after makeup.

So get to grips with your skin. Nurture it, feed it, hydrate it, and support it. That's where beautiful bridal makeup begins.

If you want to find out more about the services I offer in Bridal Makeup in Cheshire and North Wales then please visit my home page for more information.