Even the fussiest make-up applier, who would never trust her face in anyone’s hands, turns to professional assistance on her wedding day... But although make-up artist Shasha can work miracles, she insists it is fundamental for the bride to look herself!

Vintage is very in – and it is very much Beverly’s personal style. Today’s brides can be inspired by a vintage feel from head to toe, and even guests sometimes opt for the look. I collaborated closely with the hairstylist, Thomas, for this 1950s look, which includes strong lips, in coral for example, and false eye lashes. Nonetheless, the whole feel is quite natural and even the shading inside the eye is done using blusher to avoid looking hard and to be sure it all blends in.

When it comes to wedding make-up, according to Shasha, there are simply no rules! She is often asked how the make-up for a wedding should be, but she insists it depends on the bride’s personality and that the individual has to “come out” on the day.

“If the bride is used to heavy make-up every day, for example, we cannot expect that she tones this down on her wedding day; she simply won’t feel good! She has to look herself.

“The only thing is that her make-up would be professionally applied and well blended. But it is important that she remains who she is, how she knows herself and how people know her,” Shasha says. She has to feel comfortable and recognise herself.

“There is no such thing as a bridal look anymore. It’s the personality that counts,” Shasha insists.

As a result, her most important role is actually getting to know the bride well. “Many come for their trial with their hair done and they show me the dress so I can understand the look from head to toe. I ask loads of questions and then I do professionally what the bride envisages.”

Regarding the latest wedding trends and techniques, Shasha is a firm believer in the use of high-definition make-up for a flawless base. HD make-up, used normally for HD TV, means very little of the product is applied, but the coverage is massive!

It’s literally a matter of redesigning the face with it, from creating the cheeks to even minimising the nose

Singing its praises, she says it is waterproof, so much so that you can swim with it – brides ending up in pools or skinny dipping after the big day need not fear their make-up will end up streaming down their face.

Moreover, it is ideal for Malta’s humid climate and it is also guaranteed to hold for a long time – a must at today’s weddings, which start in the morning and finish late at night. You don’t want to move on to the after-party stage looking like a rag.

So if you’re digging for the downside, Shasha insists the “miracle worker”, despite the fact that it covers everything, is by no means cakey, especially because only a drop of the product is required.

The professional touch comes in the application of three different shades of HD make-up on one face: under the cheek bones; on top of the nose; and beneath the eye down to the cheeks.

It’s literally a matter of redesigning the face with it: creating the cheeks and even minimising the nose.

The foundations, as they say, must be strong. Once the important base is done and dusted – literally, thanks to the powder used to seal it – Shasha moves on to achieve the look each individual bride is after.

Katrina has a super sophisticated look, specifically for those who like the natural feel. However, the eyes have still been enhanced with evening make-up, which is midway between smokey and natural. Right: Victoria went for a very classical and natural look. This is evening make-up, based on bronze and shiny eyeshadow all over the eyelid. Photos: Noella Agius