I am a very lucky girl. No, seriously I literally have the best job in the world. FACT!
I have the nicest clients who trust me with their face on the biggest day of their lives and occasionally I get taken across the ocean to beautify them in the sun.
I have just returned from a fantastic wedding in the Algarve, Portugal where I was on hand for hair and makeup. I was initially contacted by the lovely Kehinde as far back as September 2012.
NB Brides-to-be take notes, the early bird catches the worm as I get booked up quite far in advance :-)
During our trial we decided on a simple, natural up do with minimal, fresh makeup as the style of her wedding was unfussy and elegant. Kehinde is one of the nicest people you could meet.
She was very laid back and open to ideas which made creating her look easy as pie.
Tickets were booked, the time flew and before I knew it I was on the plane heading towards the sun. The wedding took place at the Vila Vita Parc an incredible 5 star Hotel and Spa with its own private beach. My jaw dropped when I saw the lush green cliff tops, azure sea and golden sandy beach.
In tow on this gig was my all time favourite photographer/partner in crime Bandele Zuberi.
Bandele and I have worked on a fair few weddings together and in my humble opinion, he is the only person you should trust to shoot a destination wedding!
Keep an eye out on his blog for the official images. I can assure you, you will be blown away!
Friday was spent scouting locations for the pictures. The Vila Vita Parc offers a plethora of dramatic scenery so choosing was quite hard!!
On the big day I kept Kehinde's makeup soft and fresh, using only Groundwork Paint Pot on her eyes to create a soft satin finish that looked like skin and not eyeshadow. Paint Pots are water and crease resistant, perfect for weddings as they last up to 12 hours. They work brilliantly as a base or are fantastic on their own and they come in a multitude of shades to suit all skin tones.
I framed the eyes with Teddy Eye Kohl Liner which is a soft metallic brown and topped the look off with Ardell Lashes in 109, super light, natural and fluttery lashes that wont weigh your eyes down.
Her skin was perfected with Matchmaster Spf15 Foundation. A matte, medium coverage foundation that has clear colour pigments which allow the formula to blend individually to the wearers skin.
I set the skin with Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark and warmed the cheeks up with Mineralize blush in Love Joy which gives a subtle rosy golden glow that catches the light beautifully.
We finished the look off with Touch Lipstick and a tiny slick of Love Nectar Lustreglass.
Kehinde's hair was weaved to perfection by UK based stylist Abike Abu (my sister from another mother) who normally accompanies me with my Bridal clients but on this occasion it was left to me to style Kehinde on the big day. We went for a Grecian inspired low bun, with face framing tendrils and in the end, we decided to make the hair a little more intricate as the dress was so clean and minimal.
We added a jewelled hair accessory to compliment the style.
All that was left to do was clip in her cathedral length veil and then she was off to get married!!
The ceremony took place in the Igreja Matriz de Porches, a white washed traditional Portuguese church up in the hills, complete with rustic cobbled stone steps. After a beautiful ceremony, colourful confetti was thrown over the happy Bride and Groom and they posed for their formal group shots.
I have the nicest clients who trust me with their face on the biggest day of their lives and occasionally I get taken across the ocean to beautify them in the sun.
I have just returned from a fantastic wedding in the Algarve, Portugal where I was on hand for hair and makeup. I was initially contacted by the lovely Kehinde as far back as September 2012.
NB Brides-to-be take notes, the early bird catches the worm as I get booked up quite far in advance :-)
During our trial we decided on a simple, natural up do with minimal, fresh makeup as the style of her wedding was unfussy and elegant. Kehinde is one of the nicest people you could meet.
She was very laid back and open to ideas which made creating her look easy as pie.
Tickets were booked, the time flew and before I knew it I was on the plane heading towards the sun. The wedding took place at the Vila Vita Parc an incredible 5 star Hotel and Spa with its own private beach. My jaw dropped when I saw the lush green cliff tops, azure sea and golden sandy beach.
Private Beach at Vila Vita Parc
In tow on this gig was my all time favourite photographer/partner in crime Bandele Zuberi.
Bandele and I have worked on a fair few weddings together and in my humble opinion, he is the only person you should trust to shoot a destination wedding!
Keep an eye out on his blog for the official images. I can assure you, you will be blown away!
Chilling like a villain with photographer Bandele Zuberi
One of the many restaurants
Steps leading down beach
The sun was shining on the big day and the temperature topped 25C WOO!
On the big day I kept Kehinde's makeup soft and fresh, using only Groundwork Paint Pot on her eyes to create a soft satin finish that looked like skin and not eyeshadow. Paint Pots are water and crease resistant, perfect for weddings as they last up to 12 hours. They work brilliantly as a base or are fantastic on their own and they come in a multitude of shades to suit all skin tones.
I framed the eyes with Teddy Eye Kohl Liner which is a soft metallic brown and topped the look off with Ardell Lashes in 109, super light, natural and fluttery lashes that wont weigh your eyes down.
Her skin was perfected with Matchmaster Spf15 Foundation. A matte, medium coverage foundation that has clear colour pigments which allow the formula to blend individually to the wearers skin.
I set the skin with Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark and warmed the cheeks up with Mineralize blush in Love Joy which gives a subtle rosy golden glow that catches the light beautifully.
We finished the look off with Touch Lipstick and a tiny slick of Love Nectar Lustreglass.
Kehinde's hair was weaved to perfection by UK based stylist Abike Abu (my sister from another mother) who normally accompanies me with my Bridal clients but on this occasion it was left to me to style Kehinde on the big day. We went for a Grecian inspired low bun, with face framing tendrils and in the end, we decided to make the hair a little more intricate as the dress was so clean and minimal.
We added a jewelled hair accessory to compliment the style.
Grecian inspired hair
Stunning!!
The ceremony took place in the Igreja Matriz de Porches, a white washed traditional Portuguese church up in the hills, complete with rustic cobbled stone steps. After a beautiful ceremony, colourful confetti was thrown over the happy Bride and Groom and they posed for their formal group shots.
Kehinde and her Groom Wole
Colourful confetti
The Bride and Groom then hopped into a vintage Mercedes and made their way back to the hotel where there was a Champagne reception waiting for them on the cliff tops overlooking the sea.
The grass was so green and the sky was so blue it looked like it had been photoshopped!
The sun was blazing and the guests were most certainly enjoying the festivities.
Me posing by the vintage Mercedes
Shameless selfie :-) how blue is the sky?!
The Vila Vita is set into the cliffs and is so vast, they actually have golf carts to transport guests around the property. Guess who got to ride in one? Yup you guessed it! Kehinde, Wole, Bandele and myself all hopped on a cart and got down to the serious business of capturing the love, romance and awesomeness of the occasion! We visited various locations around the hotel before heading down to the private beach.
Our preferred mode of transport
12 Bridesmaids!!
Bandele capturing the ubquitous jump shot
After much merriment and sandy feet, it was time to eat and dance the night away.
After dinner, the first dance, the cake cutting and the hilarious but touching speeches it was time to cut some shapes on the dance floor.
Kehinde changed into a show stopping floor length black and silver evening gown.
I took the pins out of her hair and let it hang loosely in tumbling waves around her shoulders.
We took her makeup down the glamourous route with Brave Red Lipstick on the lips and darkened her eyes using Graphblack Technakohl Liner, smudging the edges for a softly smokey look.
Then she was ready to party like it was 1999!! I think it was safe to say a fantastic time was had by all.
Wishing Kehinde and Wole all the happiness in the world and thank you for trusting me on your big day!!
