Why You Should Leave Skincare to Me on the Wedding Morning

I am Cathryn Kerwin-Rawlinson and I am a specialist of 18 years in Bridal Makeup in Cheshire and North Wales, and when it comes to skincare and caring for your skin on the run up to the big day, I am a huge advocate but on the day of the wedding I would prefer it if you and your bridal party, leave the skin prep to me.

It's the morning of your wedding. You've got your playlist on, your slippers on, you've woken up with butterflies and your skin feels great. You've done the legwork — your skincare routine has been solid in the run-up to the big day, and now you're tempted. Just a little serum? Maybe your favourite moisturiser? That glowy primer you always use?

I get it. It's tempting to reach for your usual seven-step Korean skincare routine that gives you that juicy, glass-skin glow. But here's the thing: on this particular morning, I'm asking you to take a step back and trust me to handle it.

Here's why.

More Product Doesn't Mean Better Makeup

Layering your skincare can feel luxurious and familiar, and on a normal day, it probably does give you that plump, glowy finish. But when it comes to makeup — especially professional, long-wearing bridal makeup — all those layers can cause problems.

When you mix lots of products underneath makeup, you're often mixing oil-based and water-based ingredients. That can mess with how your foundation sits and wears throughout the day. Even if your skin looks great when you first apply it all, what happens after a couple of hours might not be quite so pretty.

Let's Talk About Pilling

One of the biggest issues I see when skincare is overloaded on the wedding morning is pilling. So what is pilling?

Pilling happens when products don't play well together — usually when oil-based and water-based formulas are layered in quick succession. Instead of absorbing into the skin, they start to form little balls or flakes on the surface. It literally looks like your makeup is peeling off as I'm trying to apply it.

You might notice your foundation won't blend properly, or it starts slipping and separating. The more I try to fix it, the worse it can get. It's not a reflection of your skin or your skincare — it's just that the cocktail of ingredients has built up in a way that resists makeup. And once that starts, there's no quick fix.

My Skin Prep Is Designed to Work with My Makeup

Every product in my kit has been carefully chosen and tested over years of working with brides. When I prep your skin, I'm not just slapping on moisturiser and hoping for the best. I'm using specific products that sit beautifully under both traditional and airbrush foundation. I know they won't cause pilling, won't interfere with the coverage, and will keep your makeup looking flawless from the first photo to the last dance.

So, on your wedding morning, all I ask is this:

Sit in my chair with clean, freshly cleansed skin — no makeup from the night before, no heavy moisturiser, no last-minute serum. Just clean, calm skin, and I'll do the rest.

I'll Prep Everyone — Not Just the Bride

And it's not just you — I prep everyone before makeup. Your bridesmaids, your mum, your flower girl (if she's having a bit of glam!) — every single person gets prepped properly with skincare that I know works well under my products.

This keeps things consistent and stress-free. You won't have one person's makeup sitting perfectly and another's sliding off halfway through the group shots. It just works better when the prep is left in my hands.

Final Thoughts

I know how much effort you've put into looking after your skin in the run-up to your wedding. And honestly, it shows. You've done all the right things — drinking water, keeping your skincare consistent, maybe even having a facial or two. You've created the perfect canvas.

Now, on the day itself, the best thing you can do is hand it over to me. I'll take that canvas and turn it into something truly beautiful — no flaking, no peeling, no surprises. Just makeup that looks incredible and lasts all day.