Bella Swan Wedding Makeup Tutorial – “Breaking Dawn Part 1″ The Twilight Saga
by Kevin James Bennett
Makeup artist Kevin James Bennet shares how to get the Bella Swan Wedding makeup look:
“Breaking Dawn – Part 1″ of The Twilight Saga hits theaters on Friday. This movie is probably going to have the largest opening day in movie history (the number of pre-sold tickets is mind boggling). I have to admit, I’m a bit of a Twi-Hard. I’ve read all the books and watched all the films. I also teach Bridal and Special Event makeup, so what could be a better tribute to the franchise than a step by step guide to recreating the heroine’s signature bridal look
Do you want to look like Bella Swan on your wedding day (or anytime?)
Well, here ya go …
The first thing to do is neutralize any discoloration on the eyelid. I normally use a little foundation, concealer or a flesh-toned eye pencil (Three Custom Color Clarifier Pencil) all over the eye area up to the brow, then set with translucent powder. This eliminates the need to use a flesh-toned eyeshadow as a “base” color and creates a more stable/long-lasting canvas for the eye makeup application.
Bella’s eyelid is washed with shimmering eyeshadow that reflects light without sparkling (let’s leave that effect to Edward’s skin in the sun). Start with a shimmering Champagne color like OCC’s Loose Color in Clove. Apply to the very inner corner of the eye (by the tear-duct) and blend this color outward towards the center of the eyelid. Next, we need a honey brown color and Inglot Pearl Eyeshadow #421 has a beautiful warm tone and subtle glow. Apply the eyeshadow starting at the outside corner of the eyelid, blending inward and also up into the crease. If applied correctly, these two colors should create a soft gradient effect of light to dark on the lid (check the image above if you’re unsure of placement).
Bella’s eye is then softly defined and smudged. I suggest a powder kohl pencil for this and the MAC Eye Kohl Liner in Phone Number is the right texture and charcoal color. Holding the pencil tip parallel to the lash line (not point in), begin drawing the line from where the inner lashes start and graduate from thin to a thicker line as you reach the outer corner of the eyelid. This gives the eye a slight upward tilt and keeps it looking fresh and open. Take a small eyeshadow brush and diffuse the line by blending and smudging the liner into the lashes and blurring the hard edge. Now set the liner (using the same brush) with a matte taupe eyeshadow. Nars Matte Eyeshadow in Bali is a good choice. Use the same eyeshadow to line the lower lashes 3/4 of the way in from the outside corner. Don’t go all the way to the inside corner, we want to keep the eye open.
Brows must be groomed and filled in softly. I usually use an eyeshadow that matches the hair color and mix it with a little hard hair wax so I can color and groom eyebrows in one step. If you don’t feel like being a home chemist, try Benefit Brow Zings or Smashbox Brow Tech.
Apply two coats of black mascara to the upper lashes, combing through to remove clumps and separate lashes between coats. I don’t suggest mascara on the lower lashes unless you have light or blond lashes. If that’s the case, wipe the mascara wand off with a tissue and use what’s left on the bristles to “dye” your light lashes without adding volume.
Bella’s skin looks beautifully smooth and even toned. This begins with the correct complexion products. Always start with well moisturized and primed skin. I’m a creature of habit and won’t begin a makeup until I’ve prepped with Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentrate (normal/dry) or Emulsion Hydra-Mat (combo/oily). I can’t stress how important moisturizer is to a finished makeup …even on oily skin. I feel the same way about primers. Foundation needs a correctly primed surface (like a painter’s canvas) to apply evenly and stay put. CoverFX Skin Prep (normal/dry) or DermaDoctor Tease Zone (combo/oily) are two of my faves, but there are many other amazing primers out there. So experiment and see which formulas work best with the foundation you use. I prefer to use silicone based foundations because they don’t sink into or clog pores. They’re also naturally water resistant …so tears, perspiration, etc. have no effect on them. I understand that foundation is a personal thing, so I’d rather show options and let you make your own decisions (these are some of the brands my fellow makeup artists use). The only thing I’m absolutely adament about is color matching. When you swatch a foundation on the jawline, it MUST match the skin on the neck directly below it. If it doesn’t – you got the wrong color and need to keep looking. I carry full coverage foundations in my kit so I can control how much coverage I use (sheer, moderate, full). Having full coverage products also eliminates the need to carry separate concealers. But if you insist on having both, these are concealers I guarantee will work brilliantly.
Cheeks MUST look naturally flushed. The only way to get this effect is with a mauve/rose toned blush. It has to look like blood (which is a deep violet colored before exposed to oxygen) has flooded the area and is seen through flesh tone. I like using a cream/gel blush and then blending it into the skin with a foundation brush that still has a slight residue of foundation on it. It tempers the color and makes it look very realistic. One of my all time bridal blush faves is Tarte Cheek Stain in Blushing Bride (the name says it all, right?).
Finally lips …which in this case are very natural looking but with a lovely innocent shimmer. One of three lip liners that are always in my makeup kit is Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip #3L. It’s the perfect rosey nude and WATERPROOF! Define and fill in the lips entirely with this pencil, let it set for few minutes and then top it off with Armour Beauty Shimmering Gloss in Gypsy (a soft peach with gold shimmer).
There it is, beautiful Bella’s perfect bridal makeup – now go enjoy the wedding!
With over 2 decades of experience in professional makeup artistry, multiple Emmy Award winner Kevin James (KJ) Bennett has secured his place as a leading industry expert. His diverse skills have garnered him accolades from boardroom to backstage and have impressed the viewers of his work across all media formats.
As a beauty expert, KJ has appeared on national entertainment shows including Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, “E” Entertainment Network and HSN (Home Shopping Network). His advise has also been featured in the pages of Vogue, Glamour, Elle, InStyle, Town & Country and Self as well as trade publications WWD, Makeup Artist Magazine and American Salon.
To read more about Kevin James Bennett, click here.
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