You might have enough stamina to get you through the big day, but will your make-up have staying power? Expert Sue Carter has some tips on how to get – and keep – the perfect bridal look

Fresh faced and natural, or vintage glam?

How you decide to face your groom and guests on your wedding day depends on your own individual style.

The only rule is to make sure your make-up stays looking immaculate from the moment you arrive at the ceremony until the last toast is drunk and you head off with your new husband for a life of wedded bliss.

It’s a big ask – the day’s likely to be full of excitement, laughter and tears, all of which can ruin make-up. The best approach is to call on the help of an expert – someone well qualified and experienced who can help prepare your skin in the weeks before your wedding, apply your make-up on the day and give you tips on how to keep it looking good for over 12 hours.

Sue Carter, who owns Image Salon in Ipswich, has been applying make-up for almost 25 years and specialises in creating a flawless, lasting finish for brides.

Sue trained and worked for Lancôme in London and Paris before setting up her own business. She also has a lot of experience in make-up for fashion photography and catwalk shows, which made her the perfect choice for our B&G fashion spread on pages <<XX-XX>>.

Her salon provides everything you need under one roof – total skin care and preparation using Dermalogica products, which are known for taking a health-based approach to skin care, tanning applications, nail care and make-up – and the Image team is expert in looking after women of all ages and skin types, including those with skin problems such as acne.

Sue’s tip for achieving the look you want for your wedding day is to start preparing about several months before. If you have no major skin problems, three months should be long enough to get your skin into top condition, which will enable you to get the most out of your make-up and ensure you look fabulous in photographs.

If you have problems with your skin you should allow longer. It is possible to improve the look of acne, for example, with a course of oxygen treatments, while skilfully applied make-up will cover a breakout and scars.

Sue offers a free consultation to brides to establish the theme or look the bride is aiming for, which these days is less likely to be a natural finish and more likely to be a formal, classic look with well defined features, strong colours in lips or eyes and bountiful lashes.

“It’s all about the eyes at the moment,” says Sue. “Many brides are having lash extensions or a few ‘flicks’ (false lashes) to bring out the best in their eyes.

“But the most important thing for wedding make-up is to make sure it will last all day long.”

On the day Sue travels to the bride’s chosen location to do her make-up. She uses mineral cosmetics by Jane Iredale, which have great staying power and provide excellent coverage without clogging the skin.

The one-step foundation last 14 hours, while the lipstick should stay in place for up to 12 hours – even with all that smiling.

So if you’re looking for someone to create the perfect look for your big day, why not talk to Sue Carter and the Image Salon team?

3 Old Foundry Road, Ipswich, Suffolk,  01473 222188 www.imagesalon.co.uk