Interview with Make Up Artist - Melina Strachan

My history/training… 
I was born and grew up in Sweden to Serbian parents. When I was 19 I got a job in Greece to work for the summer and ended up staying for 5 years! I returned back home to start my makeup artistry course at Stockholm University where I benefited from expert tuition in fashion, film, stage and photographic makeup and prosthetics. After the course I decided to move to London as it would be perfect for me and my career as a makeup artist. I started off in retail where I worked my way up very quickly and looked after brands such as Giorgio Armani Cosmetics, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown and By Terry. Finally, after years in retail, I got the courage to go freelance and pursue my dream. I haven’t looked back! I have worked on editorials, commercials, fashion & beauty and in TV.I have now worked as a professional makeup artist for 15 years.

I was first inspired to become a make up artist when…
I have always loved makeup. I used to do makeup on my friends at home from an early age and preform for our parents. When I came across Serge Lutens book Editions Assouline I was blown away by his creations and decided I wanted to become a makeup artist.

I am now inspired by…
I get inspiration from  creative people I work with, film, music, from traveling but mainly from catwalks and magazines where you get to see the latest trends. I always look forward seeing what Pat McGrath comes up with.

The majority of my work is for… 
It’s actually pretty mixed and that’s what I love about it, no week is the same. Weekends are mostly weddings but during the week it could be anything which is what makes it so exciting.

My best ideas have come from… 
Working in a friendly team where we can bounce ideas of each other which I find really inspiring and gets creativity flowing.

Make-up sessions start from…
£100 for the trial and £200 on the day for the bride. Prices may wary depending on the size of bridal party and larger groups receive a discount.

My office/studio is…
I come to you, where ever you are!

My favourite designer is…
The queen Pat McGrath!

Every bride should… 
Prep her skin, exfoliate and hydrate! And NEVER pluck her own eyebrows before the wedding!

See more of Melina's work here: http://www.londonmakeupartist.net

Wedding Shows

Feeling like you need some Wedding inspiration? Need some more ideas to pull it all together? Or just fancy a fun day out with your bridesmaids?  Your luck is in! The Wedding fair season is fast approaching (how on earth is it August already?!). There are so many fairs to choose from – just take a look online for ones near you.  I thought I would share with you some of the fairs that we are hoping to attend this year, and perhaps we will see some of you there... 

The National Wedding Show

Running in both London (28^th to 30^thSeptember 2012) and Birmingham (5^th to 7^th October 2012) The National Wedding Show houses over 250 exhibitors offering thousands of inspirational ideas for your big day whatever you’re looking for. From wedding gowns to wedding cars, venues to menus, gifts to grooms wear, you’re guaranteed to find exactly what you’re looking for whatever your budget and style! The beauty of it is that you can see, touch, taste and try on before you buy making the planning of your big day simple. Tickets are available herefrom £13.50.

The Designer Wedding Show

 Set in Battersea Park on 12-14^th October 2012 The Designer Wedding Show promises to bring together both high-profile designers and less well-known names. Presenting a collection of 130 companies offering everything for stylish weddings.  Including bridal fashion, stationery, millinery, menswear, bridesmaidsfashion, shoes, jewellery, fashion for the mother of the bride, photography, cakes,  venues, gift lists and flowers. Tickets are available herefrom £16.

The In Wedding Show

 The In Wedding Show on Sunday 9^th September is designed to help any bride (and groom) plan and prepare for their big day. The whole purpose of the show is to bring together a selection of companies, services and products for your special day all under one roof.  You can try cake samples, look at venue options, source wedding invitations, organise your wedding gift list, find the perfect floral arrangements speak to professional photographers. There is even a ‘grooms wear’ area to keep the leading man in your life happy! Tickets are a real bargain for this event, available herefrom £3.50.

The Luxury Wedding Show

 Taking place at Somerset House from 20^th to 21^st October 2012 the Luxury Wedding Show London promises to bring the UK’s most influential names in the wedding industry together.  From accessories, bridal wear, cakes, caterers, cosmetics, favours, flowers, gift list, honeymoon destinations, jewellery, lingerie, menswear, music and entertainment, occasion wear, photographers, shoes, stationery, tiaras, venues, venue stylists, videographers and wedding planners. Tickets are a tad expensive for this event, available here from £50, however they do offer an ‘early bird' discount offer if you get in quick!

Our First ‘Real life wedding’ – PART 1:

Fleur and I thought that in the midst of our Wedding planning blog marathon, whilst full of ideas and inspiration, we should add a weekly ‘Real life wedding’ feature to really get your wedding juices flowing. Something to brighten up your Monday!  We all love a good wedding;  the dress, the venue, the shoes, the flowers, the cake and personal touches to the day... so I thought what better way to start than a bit of self-gratification. My own wedding.  I got married four years ago last week, and it feels like yesterday!

The dress...

My dress was a creation by the wonderful Martin Charles. When I got engaged I looked through a couple of Bridal magazines and realised very quickly that I wanted a very simple, classic dress. I also liked the idea of having a black waist band (especially as I wanted my bridesmaids to wear black).  So, after visiting one of the main bridal boutiques in London and being totally scared away with the HARD sell that I received my Mum recommended Martin Charles. Martin was everything that I could have wished for. His studio at the time was in his home, a beautiful house in the countryside, so extremely relaxed. There was no hard sell and he listened to exactly what I wanted and designed an absolute masterpiece. My dress and the whole experience was exactly what I had hoped and dreamed it would be.  Martin also came up with the fantastic idea to have a separate underskirt to give a really full effect to the dress for the daytime that could be removed for the evening – making the evening dress more easy to dance in and with a more ‘evening’ feel! However as I did insist on a 10 foot train on the dress it was still a little tricky – but worth it!

Spot Fleur De Force here doing her bridesmaid duties!

I also had an extreemely long veil made, extending past the train of my dress. Spot the nerves in this shot! I have never been so scared in my life... the walk down the aisle was so daunting, but once I was at the altar with my husband-to-be I was much more relaxed.  

 

 ... I do! 

Although it all looks very traditional I walked down the aisle, much to the shock of the congregation, to Mendelssohn's Wedding March accompanied by an amazing rock guitarist, who then played Metalica whilst we signed our vows!

The Venue...

My husband and I went to school together so it was really special for us to get married in the school chapel, where we first met (aged just 13!).

 

The reception was held in a marquee in my parent’s garden. The flowers for the ceremony were based on a black and white theme but I wanted to add some colour to the reception so went for vibrant, clashing reds and pinks. I also bought candelabras for alternate tables and lots of tea lights so that the marquee was a sea of candle light in the evening.

My shoes were Marc Jacobs. My top tip is to make sure you ‘wear them in’ before the big day to make sure you can dance the night away without painful feet!  

Fleur De Force was my make up artist for the day!

I borrowed a stunning antique diamond tiara from my oldest best friend’s grandma.