WHETHER you get married in a church, register office, outdoors or in, one thing is guaranteed - all eyes will be on the bride.

Something magical happens to women on their big day, that gives them a glow so radiant it often brings tears to eyes.

But, great make-up plays a crucial part in achieving a flawless bridal look, too.

It's a look that should be timeless, long-lasting and so perfect you'll love gazing at the photographs in years to come.

"Bridal make-up is the ultimate balancing act between looking like yourself, but at your very best," says Arabella Preston make-up artist and Pond's Institute ambassador.

"You need to look groomed but not overdone and allow your dress to do the talking."

And Preston would know. The Duchess of Cambridge took lessons from the bridal guru ahead of her big day in April 2011, watched globally by more than two billion people.

Heed her advice and you too can walk down the aisle looking like a modern-day princess.

MAKE-UP ARTIST MANTRA

On the big day itself, a make-up artist does far more than just apply make-up. She's likely to be a temporary friend, stress therapist and bridal stylist all rolled into one, so an adaptable easy-going nature is key.

"Bear in mind that you will be spending the last two hours of your unmarried life with this person and they will be with you at a very intimate and emotional time," Preston advises.

"They should be calm, put you and your friends and family at ease and be able to blend into the background when necessary. I can't count the number of times I have been left alone with the bride before she leaves for the church and fitted countless veils, helped button-up dresses etc."

Unless you know your make-up artist and her style well, a trial is essential to consult and practice your chosen look. Book an appointment about four to six weeks prior to the wedding day.

PICTURE PERFECT

You need more than the flush of newlywed love and a spot of foundation to get that 'just married' glow. Beauty sleep and good skin prep will create the perfect base for your make-up application.

"Don't do anything to your skin you haven't tried before in the few weeks before your wedding," says Preston.

"Use a gentle facial exfoliator once or twice a week and keep skin well moisturised and hydrated. I love Pond's Institute Cold Cream as a skin prep. Use a warm flannel to remove and you get a gentle exfoliation too."

On the day itself, if your skin is dry, apply moisturiser sparingly before applying make-up to keep skin soft. Oily skin may not need any, so you can apply foundation or primer straight after cleansing.

"If you have combination skin then just put the moisturiser on the dryer areas to avoid becoming greasy," suggests Preston.

"Always apply your moisturiser a good 20 minutes before you start your make-up to allow it to sink into the skin."

CLASSIC BRIDE

The most important thing about bridal make-up is longevity and naturalness, according to Preston.

However, the look still needs to feature enough colour to compensate for the whiteness of the wedding dress and photographer's flash bulbs.

"Don't overload the skin with products," warns Preston. "Use a primer, such as Laura Mercier, and a long-wearing foundation, like Estee Lauder Double Wear.

"Emphasise eyes with a blended brown liner, smudged into the roots - I like Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink.

"Wear a soft pink blush on the apples of the cheeks and a natural lip - never gloss. A lipstick worked into the lip with a brush, then blotted, gives the most natural finish. Try NARS satin lip pencils."

If you're applying make-up yourself, allow enough time so that you don't feel rushed.

Preston says: "I always advise my brides to lock themselves in the bathroom for 40 minutes so they can relax and not get distracted by Mum and bridesmaids.

"Get decent tools such as a foundation brush - I love the Urban Decay Optical Blurring Brush - and work the product into the skin a little at a time, slowly building up to the coverage you need."

TOUCH-UP TACTICS

Unless you have an extremely talented florist, bouquets are not designed to carry make-up...

After your make-up artist has left, appoint your bridesmaids as your on-hand make-up artists who can carry essentials in a coordinated clutch.

"They should have a pressed powder and brush, blusher, lipstick and cotton buds in a bag for you and give you a swift touch-up before formal photographs," suggest Preston.

Also look for blotting papers if you have a tendency to look shiny but don't want to look caked in powder.

Like make-up application, during the day, carry out touch-ups in natural light, such as in front of a window to ensure your look is flawless and radiant rather than overdone.

If you want to spritz your signature wedding day scent, buy a small atomiser that you can decant the fragrance in to keep yourself smelling sweet until you flop on your marital bed.

NUPTIALS KNOW-HOW

Avoid make-up blunders on your big day with make-up artist Bobbi Brown's checklist:

DO:

  • ...complete a make-up trial.
  • ...get as much sleep as possible the night before the big day.
  • ...drink plenty of water before your wedding day, and properly prepare skin with moisturiser and eye cream.
  • ...make sure your foundation is right for the skin tone. Your colour may have changed since the make-up trial.
  • ...buy a new mascara for your wedding day, but test it a few days before.

DON'T:

  • ...go on a sunbed right before your wedding. If you want more colour use a self tan and test the product weeks before the date. Apply several days before the wedding in case you need to make corrections.
  • ...go overboard with eye make-up. You want the eyes to stand out, not the eye make-up.
  • ...use frosty, shiny or sparkly eye shadow, as it will reflect camera flashes.
  • ...tweeze or wax eyebrows on the day of the wedding.
  • ...wear false eyelashes if they are not 100% comfortable and you are not 200% confident that they will stay on.