ELLE HITCHENS | SOUTH WEST MAKE-UP ARTIST

I was blessed to have my paths crossed with this fabulous lady very early on in my career as a wedding photographer and have been recommending her as one of my “Go To” make-up artists of choice ever since.

Warm, friendly, quirky, beautiful (inside and out) and HIGHLY talented, this incredible woman is amazing to work with whether at a wedding, styled shoot or to help my client look fabulous for their branding shoot. Able to get up and party with the best of them, calm the nerves of a jittery bride or rock the fun with the bridesmaids, this lady is one you’ll want to book. But do it soon…she gets booked up fast!

TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS?

I am freelance makeup artist based in Bristol specialising in a laid back luxury service.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE WORLD OF WEDDINGS?

I started off doing photo shoots and one client was getting married and asked if I would do her makeup. I was a bit sceptical having not worked in that field before but agreed. She had 12 bridesmaids! I haven't looked back since!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SIGNATURE STYLE?

Glowy, polished and natural. Effortless beauty.

WHAT AREA OF THE COUNTRY DO YOU COVER?

The South West

DO YOU COVER DESTINATION WEDDINGS?

Yes.

WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL REQUEST YOU’VE HAD?

After over 1000 weddings across 13 years there's too many to list really! On the morning of the wedding it's not unusual to have moments as a stand in florist, photographer, hairdresser, taxi, venue stylist, cleaner and maker of tea!! I've had my fair share of emotional moments and I'm pretty good at hugs and having tissues ready!

MOMENTS THAT STAND OUT INCLUDE:

Practically walking down the aisle underneath a brides dress and pulling it out as she walked off ahead. Her bridesmaids had gone first and she realised someone needed to be behind to pull out all the layers! Making up a brides father after he had a large bruise due to falling off a trampoline the night before! Strange makeup requests include yellow, turquoise and glitter for a woodland wedding in West Wales. Doing makeup in a field in a valley in Dorset - literally a field. Great views though! A huge wedding where the couple bought a house to have their wedding in as they couldn't find the perfect venue!

WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2020/2021?

I think more people are looking less at tradition and more at what THEY really want as a couple. People are feeling more confident to do weddings their way and not conform to the norm.. Makeup wise - I think the natural look will always be strong as most people want to look and feel like themselves on the wedding day. But I think we'll see a boost in colour, with the current trends in makeup people are experimenting much more and I think that will translate into wedding day makeup eventually - even if it's just a flash of coloured liner or a pop of bright on the eye or lip.

IF YOU COULD WORK ON ANYONE’S WEDDING WHO WOULD IT BE?

Janelle Monae - It would be really fun and colourful - i'd love to hang out with her for a morning!

THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION YOU GET ASKED…AND THE ANSWER?

Will the makeup stay? Yes - if applied correctly with the right products then your makeup will last until you take it off!

A BRIDE HAS NEVER HAD HER MAKE-UP DONE PROFESSIONALLY BEFORE AND IS WORRIED SHE WON’T LOOK HERSELF - IS THIS TRUE?

Yes I get this a lot - brides can be super nervous if they have never had their makeup done before. Most people think you need to look like you're wearing a lot of makeup or that if you put a lot on that it will look too much. Again, if applied correctly and using the right products in the right places you can look like the best version of yourself rather than looking like someone else. I use makeup to enhance not to change peoples faces. (Unless they want me to of course!)

SHOULD THE BRIDE / BRIDESMAIDS HAVE A FAKE TAN DONE BEFORE THE WEDDING?

A fake tan can sometimes really enhance the skin against the dress. However I would always take a recommendation from someone who's had a successful tan that they have been happy with - to avoid patchiness, bad colour, transfer issues etc.

WILL PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP LAST ALL DAY, OR WILL IT NEED TO BE TOPPED UP?

Yes! Your makeup will last all day - there may be some things you want to top up on:

Lipstick - no matter what is used on your lips, at some point during the day/evening you will need to top this up. Especially after food.
If you suffer from oily skin you may want to touch up with a blot powder to reduce any excess shine that has come through. If you know you have a certain skin issue that you are aware of such as dry patches/eczema etc then perhaps a concealer in case you have any flare ups.

IS IT TRUE THAT A BRIDE NEEDS TO HAVE PROFESSIONAL MAKE-UP DONE JUST FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHS?

It certainly helps in a photograph to have your makeup done otherwise you can look a little washed out. I think it's actually more important to have it done for the day to boost your confidence when faced with seeing all those people in your life and knowing that you look incredible and it will last and you don't have to think about it!

SHOULD THE BRIDE / BRIDESMAIDS HAVE A MAKE-UP TRIAL BEFOREHAND?

It's always preferable to have a trial beforehand so you can see if the look you think will work - will actually work. Sometimes it can be a process of elimination, for example you may try a smokey eye and after wearing figure out you actual want a natural eye etc. It's good to give it a test run and check how the makeup lasts and how it looks going from daylight to evening. Also it's a nice opportunity for us to meet - so I'm not a stranger on your wedding day. Some brides don't want a trial and that's also fine I'm pretty laid back, so I can work with that it doesn't stress me out not knowing as I bring my entire kit anyway. I find the brides that don't want trials have a clear idea of what they want or are so relaxed about it they are happy to work it out on the day. Bridesmaids don't need trials - I usually work with them individually on the day (unless given a specific brief) but of course they are welcome to have them and sometimes it's a nice pamper session for the bridal party to come and do trials together.

A MEMBER OF THE BRIDAL PARTY HAS SENSITIVE SKIN - HOW DO YOU MANAGE THAT?

It would depend on the type of sensitivity as how to work best with the skin. I always ask my clients to let me know prior to the day if anyone has allergies or sensitivities that I need to be aware of. Before makeup is applied I will ask each of my clients about their skin and it's current condition as this can change literally hour to hour and then we can choose the appropriate products to prep the skin and which makeup to use based on the particular sensitivity and final look we are achieving.

IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO HAVE A STRONG LOOK ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?

Absolutely! I am a firm believer in doing what you want on your wedding day. There are no rules! If you want a strong look and that makes you feel fabulous then you go for it!

MORE IS MORE…

More can sometimes be more - it depends on the look and the facial features and the dress, accessories etc. Again my main thing is if it feels good - go for it!