Q+A: MADE OVER AND ME | PASSIONATE BRIDAL MAKEUP ARTIST BRISBANE QLD

AMY HUGHES MAKEUP ARTIST GRETA ELIZABETH PHOTOGRAPHY BRISBANE BRIDAL STYLIST

Take us back to the beginning of it all for you - How and when was Made Over & Me born?
Made Over & Me came about when I left my successful business Made Over Ladies in Scotland after we moved to Australia. It was so sad to leave something I had worked so hard on but I knew I wanted to be true to myself and that really gave me the freedom to just be me. It allowed me to take the leap into natural makeup options I chose to switch my professional kit to go completely eco friendly, natural and cruelty free. Thats the way I live my life, my personal makeup bag and so I thought why wouldn't I in business...hence why I added the '& me'.

"Like everything for your wedding choosing your Bridal Makeup artist has to be true to your heart."

Amy Hughes - Madeover & Me

What can Made Over and Me offer a Bride to-be for their Wedding day?
I’m all about making a bride feel good for her wedding day. Yes, I'm there to do your makeup, I also want to treat you to some lovely pampering and a nice chilled out time to go with it. I've been doing weddings for 10 years so I just love being there and seeing it all come together. I love to do makeup that’s natural and glowing in its ingredients and its finished look but its the experience of your big day that you'll remember for ever. It's about how you feel. For me working with brides that truely love my style takes the guessing out of that for everyone and lets everyone relax and enjoy their day! You're in safe hands to feel confident to glow down the aisle.

Did you always know that you wanted to be a makeup artist?
No! I have a psychology degree and career in HR before I did my makeup qualifications. In every job I’ve ever had I’ve loved the people aspect...I love to get to know the people I’m working with and having a bit of fun. Having your makeup done is really quite an intimate thing so feeling secure is really important on any wedding morning whether its an intimate elopement or a big busy wedding party. For me - makeup allows me to exercise the creative, hopeless romantic element of my personality which I crave in my other job as a busy mum of three!

What keeps you inspired along the way?
I feel like we are saturated with inspiration especially with social media at our finger tips all the time! I am such a visual person so I find it hard to switch off from all the beautiful images so much so that I need to only allow myself short snippets of time to browse Instagram and Pinterest. Otherwise it becomes addictive to the extent we actually get numbed to when something is truely breathtaking. I also love movies and music and their ability to inspire escapism. One of my favourite things to do is put in a spritz of of my favourite organic scents they take me off into a dreamland away from the mundane...that really inspires me. When talking about weddings in particular for me it’s getting to know all about the unique person I’m working with and the wedding they are putting together. Their unique style & personality teaches me so much about them and my aim is to achieve the makeup that compliments that perfectly!

Do you have any stories that you would like to share from your experiences?
Probably from my own wedding. I just did it my way. I kept the wedding morning really low key, I really enjoyed spending some time with my photographer showing off all these gorgeous little elements I had chosen to accent my wedding memories, my friend came to do my hair then rushed off to give herself some time to get ready. By the time I'd finished mine, my mum and my sisters makeup and some more photos we were at the venue. I was just chatting to my events manager and she said hey Amy...it was time to get married. Having all this calmness around me that morning... I didn't even realise it was happening. Theres no need for nerves when you really just do you.

What advice would you offer a Bride just starting out on their search for the perfect Bridal makeup?
Oh...maybe know what you don't want? Honestly, find someone who you think will do makeup that looks like you. I got married 10 years ago and I look back on my makeup and thank goodness I didn't do anything crazy because I could have done but I kept it very true to me. I'm glad I didn't go too crazy on my brows, I'm glad I didn't go too highlighty and I'm glad I smiled through it all and I'm glad I look like me. If you can find someone who can do that for you book them in! Like everything for your wedding its got to be true to your heart. Find the experts that you want around you on your big day and let them do what they do so you can relax and enjoy it!

What is your own personal favourite style?
Hmm I love a bit of history, I do really love vintage, and I'm a true believer in that everything is inspired by what's come before. At the moment I'm loving anything bohemian, floaty, natural fibres, lots of whites, neutral colour palettes, personality, lots of flowers, layering, greenery and lushness, plump glowing skin and lips, a big smile, someone that can really trust her gut about what she loves.

What is the best part about what you do:
Seeing it all come together at the end when the bride gets changed into her dress and her family sees her for the first time its such a beautiful moment, I love it.

Words by Amy Hughes
Madeover & Me