Sensitive skin and bridal makeup: your questions answered

Brides with sensitive skin often worry that bridal makeup will leave them red, itchy or broken out on the most photographed day of their lives. We cannot promise how any skin will respond, but we can plan carefully, and most brides with sensitive skin do well with a few precautions.

Tell us when you book. Mention any products that have caused redness or itching before, any prescription creams you are using, and whether you have had a facial or peel recently. If you are under a dermatologist’s care, ask them which ingredients to avoid, and bring the list. We will build your products around it.

We patch test at least a week before your trial. We apply a small amount of the foundation, primer and setting spray behind your ear or along your jaw and ask you to leave it for 24 hours. If anything feels wrong, we change the product before the trial. At the trial itself, we keep the face on for at least four hours, so you can see how your skin feels by the afternoon.

On the day, we use the exact products from the trial, opened in front of you, and nothing new. Avoid any new facial, threading or waxing in the last week; small red marks take a few days to settle. After the wedding, remove the makeup gently with the cleansing oil we give you, rather than wipes. If your skin reacts at any point, stop and see your doctor; we are not a substitute for medical advice.