What is your most memorable wedding?
Every single wedding has special moments and looking at the photographs always brings back wonderful memories from the day.
Snowy weddings do have a particular magic though. Always remembered with fondness is one beautiful winter wedding in particular, mainly for the gorgeous bride and stunning scenery, but also for the hazardous journey through deep overnight snowfall and the relief at getting through the country roads to be at the venue on time.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
The important thing to remember is that no two brides are the same and ultimately a Makeup Artist needs to understand and interpret how the bride wants to look and feel on the day.
Christiane trained classically at the world renowned "Glauca Rossi School of Fashion & Photographic Makeup" in London, but has also undertaken specialised training and is highly experienced across a wide genre of Makeup Artistry including Asian Bridal, Arabic Makeup, Mature Makeup and also in high glamour.
Whether it’s natural & classic or glamorous & dramatic, Christiane has the experience & skill to create a look that’s beautiful in a way that suits you.
What about your business are you most proud of?
Christiane Dowling Makeup Artistry was born with the aim of delivering Christiane's own personal vision of exceptional makeup artistry and outstanding customer service. The consistently excellent reviews and feedback that we have been fortunate enough to receive from our clients is one of the most rewarding parts of being a Makeup Artist and is ultimately our proudest achievement. We have been blessed to meet so many wonderful clients and the growth in Christiane Dowling Makeup Artistry is very much a result of personal recommendations, endorsement by other wedding suppliers and word of mouth, for which we are always so grateful.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Great organisation and planning will always pay dividends. Book your preferred suppliers as soon as you have your date and venue secured. It's not unusual that we receive booking requests 2 years in advance.
On the day let all of your hard work pay off, relax and enjoy your wedding. Don't get stressed about anything that doesn't run quite to plan. Take time to stop every now and then, look at all the wonderful family and friends you have around you and take it all in. It all goes far too quickly but there are memories being made that day which you will cherish for a lifetime. Get a Guest Book and give a trusted friend responsibility for ensuring that everyone adds a comment. Leave a disposable camera on each table at the Reception for your guests to capture all of those unofficial moments, you'll love looking back on them later.
Don't let unexpected events spoil the most important day of your lives. Always purchase wedding insurance from a reputable provider.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
Usually our first contact will be with the Bride, who will have seen our work or very often been recommended by previous clients.
Before we meet, we'll find out as much as we can about you, collect ideas that you have and ask for any information which we require.
Our first meeting will usually be at your Bridal trial where we really get to know you and find out more about your dream wedding. We'll work together to create the perfect look for your Wedding Day, whether this is interpreting a style which you already have in mind in a way that's beautiful for you or helping with inspiration and ideas.
What do you love most about your job?
Makeup gives a real inner confidence and is also a visual expression of how your client wants to feel on their special day.
It's wonderful to see a bride's face when she sees the finished look and when we receive beautiful happy photographs from the day....sometimes from the Reception itself!
Being a part of someone's wedding is a real honour and you can develop a really special bond with your bride as you journey with her to the Big Day.
It's the ultimate compliment to receive messages not only about your work, but also on the friendship you've formed.
What is your No. 1 beauty tip for a bride?
Seek advice from a reputable professional regarding preparing your skin well in advance of your wedding. Don't try any new beauty products or routines in the weeks immediately before the Big Day in case you suffer any adverse reaction. Don't underestimate the importance, but simplicity of eating healthily and drinking lots of water, your skin will thank you for it!
How do you keep the bride feeling calm on her wedding day?
Plan well and employ only reputable suppliers who can provide references, reviews and also insurance details. From experience, we have seen it happen all too frequently that a bride is let down by a "Makeup Artist" or other supplier at the last minute.
It's really reassuring when you know that everyone around you is an experienced professional. You can rest assured that your only responsibility on the day will be to relax and enjoy yourself.