Jamie Gummere, a.k.a. “The Wedding Girl” Interviews Makeup Artist Billy B
The Wedding Girl: What celebrity weddings have you done makeup for?
Billy: Mariah Carey to Tommy Mottola in New York City and Pink’s destination wedding in Mexico
The Wedding Girl: How would you describe the wedding day for the bride?
Billy: The wedding day is any woman’s biggest red carpet event. You probably will never have more professional photographs taken of you that are seen over and over in a photo album. Her goal should be to look the best she has ever looked without taking chances on new makeup ideas. The most beautiful thing is to be yourself.
The Wedding Girl: What do you mean by “taking chances on new makeup ideas”?
Billy: Now is not the time to experiment on any “new looks”. For example, if a woman has never worn false lashes or does not typically wear them, avoid wearing them on your wedding day. Keep your “look” consistent to how your friends and family typically see you and just take it up a notch. It’s you at your most beautiful.
The Wedding Girl: What advice would you give brides pre-wedding?
Billy: Plan well! Any skin work (i.e. facials, peels, microderm) should be done at least two weeks before the wedding. Likewise, eyebrow waxing and shaping should be done a few days before the wedding up to one week in advance. Pluck stray hairs the day before and let the skin rest the day of the wedding. I would also advise brides to have a trial makeup and hair consultation. It’s best for both the makeup artist/stylist as well as the brides. With a little planning and preparation, there will be no surprises.
The Wedding Girl: Ok, let’s get to the fun stuff- makeup! What are your thoughts on foundation?
Billy: Foundation is meant to even out skin. I like skin to look like skin and not covered up by heavy foundation. The ultimate goal is to create flawless skin with as little foundation as possible. I like to “spot conceal” with a little foundation and my #7 or #5 brush. These brushes give you just the right amount of brush to dab on foundation where needed.
The Wedding Girl: What about cheek color?
Billy: It’s so important to have a pretty cheek color. Shades of pink and peach are best on the apple of the cheek. Warmer shades tend to be very drab in photos. You want to look fresh and clean. Now is not the time to contour the cheek. Simply blend the color into the apple of the cheek.
The Wedding Girl: What about lips?
Billy: I think women underestimate the power of their own lip color. I often get emails about the lipcolors celebrities are wearing on the red carpet. Often times, I line the lip and fill it in with a liner that is close to the natural lip tone of the woman’s lips. This defines her lip shape and I fill it in with clear gloss. Light hits the bow of the lip and the raised area and gives lips an instant fullness. It’s the quickest lip plumper!
The Wedding Girl: Nice tip. What about the eyes?
Billy: A nice soft shadow on the top and liner to define the eyes and lots of mascara. I love to curl the lash with an eyelash curler and apply a few coats of black mascara. My favorite is Loreal Voluminous Mascara in blackest black. And always in waterproof!
The Wedding Girl: What do you suggest brides carry in their touch-up bag?
Billy: I would definitely carry a lipcolor and/or gloss with lipbrush, blush, blotting papers and maybe a touch of foundation.
The Wedding Girl: Any other thoughts on her wedding look?
Billy: oh, yes. If the bride is wearing a strapless, sleeveless, or dress with a plunging neckline, hydrate the skin on the body before the wedding with a moisturizer with a little shimmer.
Billy: Weddings are a performance where everyone needs to look their best. This includes the bridal party and mothers of the bride and groom. Consistency throughout the bridal party is the key. That doesn’t mean that everyone wears the same color lipstick but rather they keep the same “look”. The bridal party will be in many of your pictures and I recommend treating your girlfriends to having their makeup done as well. Brides typically give gifts to their attendants so build this into the budget for gifts. It’s a relaxing experience and assures that the bridal party will look their best for your pictures.
Source: Marry Me At The Beach (everything for a wedding on the emerald coast)
Interview Date: Wednesday October 15, 2008
IN THE MAKEUP 