CLARINS BRIDAL BEAUTY GUIDE
From Aisle to Island: Clarins Canada’s National Makeup Artist Vanessa Ortiz Guide to Bridal Beauty and Destination Wedding Glam
As Canada’s traditional wedding season winds down, many couples are embracing the magic of destination weddings. While the fundamentals of bridal beauty remain the same—radiant skin, long-wearing makeup, and that coveted effortless glow—destination weddings bring their own unique challenges. From climate changes to sun exposure, every detail matters to ensure a bride looks flawless from aisle to island.
We invited Clarins Canada’s National Makeup Artist, Vanessa Ortiz, to create two stunning bridal beauty looks and share her expert tips on achieving a flawless complexion using her Must-Have Clarins products. She also reveals her top recommendations for what to pack for a destination wedding and honeymoon. Trust us – you will want to save this post, share it, and refer back as your bridal beauty guide!
The Pre-Wedding Glow-Up: Skin Prep Essentials
Start Early
The secret to a picture-perfect bridal look lies in skin preparation. Ideally, the skincare journey begins at least a month before the big day.
The month leading up to the wedding:
Exfoliation: Use a gentle peel, like Beauty Flash Peel from Clarins, 1–2 times per week to refine skin texture and boost radiance.
Serums: Alternate between Double Serum at night for nourishment and Multi-Active Glow Serum during the day for hydration and glow.
Moisturizer & Mask: Apply a moisturizer morning and night and add the Cryo-flash Cream-Mask once a week to firm, refresh, and revitalize.
Destination Wedding Skincare: Travel-Proof Tips
Tropical climates, jet lag, and outdoor ceremonies demand a tailored routine.
Pro tips to keep skin wedding-ready abroad:
Hydrate inside and out: Drink plenty of water and layer hydrating skincare.
Sun protection is non-negotiable: Apply Clarins UV 50 and reapply throughout the day, then use after-sun care following sun exposure to prevent any sunburn before your big day
Avoid tan lines: Pack a strapless top for daytime sun exposure and use a self-tanner if you need to even out your tan. The Self Tanning Instant Gel from Clarins is amazing. It has a very fresh, non-oily gel texture that naturally and evenly tans the skin and is easy to apply. it instantly melts into your skin, meaning you can get dressed after applying it!
Bridal Makeup Musts: Long-Lasting, Photo-Ready Perfection
A destination bridal look must balance natural beauty with durability against heat, humidity, and happy tears.
Base & Essentials
Skin prep
Skin preparation is one of the most important steps in creating a flawless makeup look. Before a wedding look, I start with the Cryo-Flash Cream-Mask to cool, de-puff, and deeply hydrate the skin, followed by Double Serum to nourish and add a healthy glow. I then apply Total Eye Lift for an instantly lifted eye contour, brightening and rejuvenating the eyes. Finally, I finish with Beauty Flash Balm to achieve a radiant, glowing complexion with an immediate smoothing and tightening effect.
Once the skincare products have been fully absorbed, I follow with these makeup wedding essentials.
Primer: Start with SOS Primer in white on the high points for subtle illumination.
Foundation: Choosing the right base is everything. I rely on Skin Illusion Full Coverage Foundation for its adaptable finish, buildable coverage, and impressive staying power on all skin types.
Concealer & Powder: Use Instant Concealer and Ever Matte Compact Powder for a perfected, mattified finish.
Eyes & Lashes: Waterproof mascara and liners are non-negotiable—especially with emotional moments and tropical weather. My secret weapon? The Lash & Brow Double Fix, which waterproofs any mascara or brow product.
Setting Spray: Set everything in place with a generous spritz of Fix’ Make-Up Spray to ensure longevity and a fresh finish.
TWO BRIDAL EYE LOOKS
Look 1: Classic Bride
Eyes: Apply Ombre Skin in shade Ivory all over the lid to prime. Use the Waterproof Eye Pencil in shade Chestnut along the lash line and blend. Then, apply Ombre Skin in shade Pearly Raisin over the pencil to slightly smoke out the look. Finish with Ombre Skin in shade Rosewood in the crease and add a touch of Ombre Skin in shade Pearly Rose Gold to the center of the lid.
Lips: For all-day, kiss-proof wear, layer Water Lip Stain in shade Soft Pink Water with Joli Rouge Camelia Pink (787). For added volume and a glossy finish, add a touch of Lip Perfector 01.
Look 2: Destination Wedding (sultry)
Eyes: Use Ombre Skin Eyeshadow in shade Pearly Raisin all over the lid and blend up into the crease with the shade Rosewood. Add light to the center of the lid using the shade Pearly Copper.
Liner: Define the eyes with Waterproof Eye Pencil in shade Black Tulip 01.
Lips: Start with Water Lip Stain in shade Nude Water, then layer Joli Rouge in shade Beige Nude (786), and finish with Lip Perfector 21 for a glossy, dimensional look.
Watch the tutorial to achieve this look in this link.
Honeymoon Beauty: Effortless Vacation Glam
With the ceremony behind you, it’s time to shift into honeymoon mode, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your glow.
Here’s what I never travel without:
SOS Radiance Primer: Just a few drops mixed with your SPF turns it into the ultimate tinted glow cream. I often blend a tiny bit of foundation into it for an “I woke up like this” finish.
Waterproof Brown Pencil: Perfect for quick definition on brows or eyes.
Pearly Rose Gold Single Shadow: This multitasker gives a beautiful golden lid by day and, paired with a chestnut pencil, becomes a sultry night look. Bonus—it doubles as a stunning highlighter.
Lash & Brow Double Fix: Keeps lashes and brows polished and in place, even poolside.
Lip Oil Balm + Hydra Mist: A must for beach bag hydration and refreshment throughout the day.
ABOUT VANESSA ORTIZ
Vanessa Ortiz arrival to Clarins Canada as the leading National Makeup artist, reaffirms Clarinet’s commitment to strengthening its position in the world of makeup, guided by an expert, human, and deeply respectful vision of individual beauty.
An Exceptional Journey into the World of Beauty
A highly accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience, Vanessa Ortiz has built a strong reputation in the industry thanks to her refined artistic approach and innate talent for enhancing beauty. She has collaborated with leading international brands such as Dior, MAC, Estée Lauder, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Milk Makeup, and has taken part in prestigious projects with global impact.
In 2017, she was invited to do makeup at New York Fashion Week, collaborating with Valeria Orlando, Donatella Versace’s official makeup artist. Since then, her talent has been showcased in a multitude of creative spheres: editorials for Vogue Italy, commercial shoots, television productions including the popular Quebec show Occupation Double South Africa, as well as immersive projects like Bridgerton: The Live Experience.
She also spent eight years as part of the Cirque du Soleil makeup team, a role that took her around the world and challenged her to adapt her expertise to the artistic and technical demands of the international scene.
A Modern, Accessible and Caring Vision of Makeup
Specializing in fresh, radiant, and bold looks, Vanessa sees makeup as a true art of self-expression, free from dogma and rigidity. She places particular importance on listening, teaching, and knowledge transfer. Each session is an opportunity for her to share practical advice, accessible techniques, and, most importantly, to restore confidence in those she works with.
“At an international fashion show, I did the makeup of a nervous young model. I gently explained each step to her, taking the time to reassure her. At the end, she looked at herself in the mirror and said, ‘I feel beautiful, but above all, I feel ready.’ That day, I understood that my role went far beyond appearances.” – Vanessa Ortiz, National Make-up Artist, Clarins Canada
See more bridal beauty inspiring content in this link.
