1950s get the look - Marilyn Monroe bridal beauty

Have you had a chance to have a read of our Beauty Q&A feature this issue? If you have you'll have seen some expert advice on creating the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn 1960s look for your wedding. So, we thought we'd delve into the vault for more retro inspiration from the 1950s to the 1980s. Over the next three Tuesdays we'll be hopping into our beauty time machine to bring you a new decade, including the aforementioned 1960s, just in case you missed it!

1950s get the look - Marilyn Monroe bridal beauty...

One of the most popular vintage bridal looks is Hollywood glamour; now iconic largely thanks to the actress Marilyn Monroe. Do you want those black-liner flicks that accentuate the shape of your eyes? Full lashes adding flirtatious fun to your wedding day? Not forgetting those statement scarlet lips?

Kent bridal make-up artist Kelli Waldock shares how you can achieve a 1950’s-inspired Marilyn bridal look for your special day:

MAKE-UP

• Stay hydrated on the lead up to your big day, and use a light moisturiser on your face and neck.
• Add a good quality primer all over your face as a base for the foundation.
• Achieve flawless, porcelain skin with airbrushing foundation – build it up gradually to get a medium to full coverage that will have staying power.
• Use a primer on the eyelids to conceal blemishes and veins, then apply the eye shadow in a pearl shimmer – choose a neutral shade of beige as an option.
• The eyeliner flick needs to be black and neatly applied. Create a diagonal line from the outer corner of the eye about half way up towards the end of the eyebrow, then make the diagonal line thicker, creating a point for that iconic flick. TIP: Be patient and use the tip of the brow and your eye shape as guides to create the perfect flick for you.
• Curl the lashes; then add black mascara on the top and bottom lashes – waterproof is a great option for a wedding day – Apply full false lashes for added drama. You may wish to re-touch your flick with liquid liner after your lashes dry.
• Apply plenty of blusher to the apples of the cheeks, and blend well up to the cheekbone; apply the colour strong enough to balance out the bright poppy-red lip colour.
• Apply a lip balm, then apply a red lip-liner - this is a must for staying power - then add red lipstick.
• The brows need to be defined to frame this strong retro bridal look. Choose one shade darker than your actual eyebrow colour.
• Complete the look with red nails.

HAIR

A sleek and glamorous style suits this era, such as the show-stopping s-wave. This is achieved by either curling the hair with a wand and positioning the wave, or setting with curls and allowing them to drop with the help of brushing, before bringing a section up to create the quiff. The hair falls sexily onto bare shoulders as many dresses from this era are strapless or sweat heart necklines.

Make-up: Kelli Waldock - www.kelliwaldock.co.uk  
Hair: V-Team - www.vickilordhair.com
Photographer: Samantha Jones Photography - www.samanthajonesphotography.co.uk
Model: Stefani