Bridal Makeup Artists

Enjoy this exclusive LoveToKnow interview with Anastasi Lafazanidis as she provides some simple, but crucial advice in perfecting your own bridal beauty.

Interview with Anastasia, Bridal Makeup Artist

Tell us a little about your background and how you got started in wedding makeup?

Ever since my sister and I were little girls we would put make-up on each other, but my true make-up career began when I was working as an esthetician. One day I decided to play around with the make-up in the salon. One of the girls who worked there was going to get married. So, I sat her down in the make-up chair and started to work my magic. I recall using beautiful shimmery shades of light green and light yellow, which complimented her medium brown eyes. By the time I was finished everyone around me was amazed. “It looks like a sunset on her eyes”, said one of the girls. Since then people have been asking me to do their make-up for their weddings.

How important is it for wedding makeup to be consistent with the wedding’s style and colors?

I believe that wedding make-up should be somewhat consistent with the wedding style and colors. It sets the theme of the day and it provides a beautiful scenic flow. However, it is most important to find make-up colors to compliment the bride’s natural coloring such as her eyes, skin tone, and hair color. If the wedding colors do not compliment the bride when incorporated into her make-up, then it is best to use neutral tones.

Should all the bridal wedding party have matching makeup techniques, even the bride herself?

Make-up techniques vary depending on the shape of the person's face. I believe the bridal party should have the same basic make-up style. The bride, however, should have that extra something that makes her stand out from all the other girls; after all she’s the star of the show. I love adding extra shimmer or highlighter for the bride. It gives that beautiful glowing angelic look.

When selecting a bridal makeup artist for a wedding, what is important to look for?

When selecting a bridal makeup artist it is very important to have trial make-up applications. That way you get a good idea of how your make-up will look on your special day. It is also important to find a make-up artist that works well with you. You should feel comfortable with your make-up artist and have fun.

How does one ensure their photographs come out well?

One thing I always do is photograph the bride after the make-up trial. This gives me an idea of what the make-up will look like in the wedding pictures. It’s a great technique because if I do see something that doesn’t look right in the photo, I go back, fix it, and then take another picture. In order for the photographs to come out nice there are certain types of application techniques that must be used. The bridal makeup artist must know how to contour and highlight according to the face shape. The foundation of the make-up application is the most important; this is what creates the flawless palette for the make-up artist to work on. If the bride wants to be more natural, neutral colors will be used after her foundation is set.

How can a bride ensure her makeup stays put during the whole day of festivities?

We offer an all day wedding service for those brides who know they would want touch ups all day. If this is not in the budget, then we include a little mini kit to put in their purse. Included in this mini kit is translucent powder, which is one of the best ways to keep make-up from running. Maki-Yaz has long-lasting wear and should last all day, but it would be a wise idea for the bride to keep this translucent powder with her. Just in case she sees her skin becoming oily, she can quickly but gently powder up to keep her face in place. It is also important for her to keep her hands off her own face.

What is the ideal timeline to start planning your wedding day makeup?

With all the planning going on things can be pretty hectic for the bride. It is best to begin searching for a bridal makeup artist four months prior to the wedding day. Once she has made her final decision on an artist, which should be three months prior to the wedding, she should book the date immediately. Basically, she gets one month to look for a bridal makeup artist she is comfortable and happy with, and the last two to make sure the make-up artist isn’t already booked on her wedding day. A lot of brides tend to leave make-up as a last minute thing, not knowing how important it really is.

Any particular tips or products which are especially critical in your wedding makeup kit?

When it comes to wedding make-up one of the most critical is our custom blended matte foundation. This foundation is excellent for photographs and video. It gives a beautiful flawless finish and keeps unwanted shine away. The other amazing part is this foundation is mineral based and the color is customized to your skin tone. What more can you ask for as a bride to be, make-up made just for you!

Your personal kit should include lip liner, lipstick, blush/bronzer, eyeliner, a kabuki brush and your translucent powder for touch ups. The bride will need to reapply her lipstick and lip liner since she will be eating, drinking, and kissing her new hubbie. Her mascara will be water resistant so it will not need to be reapplied. Eyeliner on the other hand has a tendency of running so it is a good idea to keep one handy. Her blush or bronzer might start to fade while she greats her guests. Translucent powder is great just in case she feels that her skin is getting oily or needs a pick me up. She can gently sweep it over any shinny areas.

Tell us little more about the Maki-Yaz makeup line and mineral makeup in general. Why are these makeup products better for weddings?

Maki-Yaz make-up is a customizable mineral based make-up line. Mineral make-up is the best make-up that can be used on the skin. Mineral make-up has natural healing qualities unlike talc-based make-up, which gives a powdery look and does nothing to help promote healthy skin. Our mineral based make-up is made from micronized minerals, which gives it its silky, lightweight feel and has long lasting properties. It contains micronized Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, which are two minerals that provide natural sun protection. Our minerals are oil free, fragrance free, dye free, bismuth oxychloride free and non-comedogenic. Bismuth Oxychloride is a skin irritant which also makes the skin look heavy and shiny.

Maki –Yaz is great because not only is it healthy make-up for your skin it can also be customized just for you. A lot of women have a hard time finding face powder or foundation that matches their skin perfectly. With our custom blending system we can match a powder or liquid foundation according to your skin tone and skin type. Maki-Yaz can match your color while helping you with skin concerns such as oily, dry or combination skin. Maki-Yaz can customize the color, texture and the formula of your make-up. We can even add wonderful flavors to your lipsticks or lip-glosses. Whatever your desire, from funky to natural looking make-up, Maki-Yaz can create it for you naturally.

For More Information

To find out more about Maki-Yaz bridal services or customized mineral makeup, visit their website at:

• www.Maki-Yaz.com