Summer and Winter Wedding Hair and Makeup in Cape Town: What to Plan For
Summer weddings in Cape Town need makeup that handles heat, sun and wind. Winter weddings need well-hydrated skin and a plan for rain and cold. Your look can stay the same. The prep, and what you carry for touch-ups, changes with the season.
Cape Town has dry, warm summers and wet, cool winters, so here is what I think about for each.
Summer and winter wedding makeup at a glance
| Summer | Winter | |
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Heat, sun and shine | Dryness, so hydration matters |
| Hair | Wind, and hair that goes flat in heat | Damp air that can bring frizz or drop curls |
| Makeup | Thin layers, powder only where needed | Moisturised skin before makeup starts |
| On the day | Shade, water and blotting papers | A warm room and a plan for rain |
Summer wedding hair and makeup in Cape Town
Sun and skin
Wear sunscreen in the days before your wedding and keep your skin comfortable. The Cancer Association of South Africa has sun safety advice. On the day, arrive with a clean face and no products on your skin, so we can start from scratch. If you use sunscreen, tell me what you use at your trial.
Heat and shine
I build makeup in thin layers and add powder only where it's needed, such as the forehead, nose and chin. A combination of the Smink Setting Spray and the Revlon Setting Spray finishes the look. Stay in the shade between photos, and keep water close by. My post on making wedding makeup last all day has more.
Winter wedding hair and makeup in Cape Town
Dry skin
Cold weather dries skin out, and dry skin does not hold makeup well. Start a simple skincare routine a few months ahead. 4 Beauty Tips For Brides shows where to start.
Damp air and rain
Damp air can bring frizz and soften curls. A trial shows us how your hair behaves, and which style holds best for you. Plan the walk from the car to the venue, and keep an umbrella ready so your hair and makeup stay dry.
Ask for a warm room on the morning. It is easier to sit still for hair and makeup when you are not cold.
The touch-up kit for every season
Give a bridesmaid a small touch-up kit. Mine has a lipstick, a lipstick applicator and a powder puff with a bit of powder on it. In summer, add blotting papers. In winter, a lip balm under your lipstick is a good idea.
Questions brides ask
Is bridal makeup different in summer and winter?
The look can be the same. I adjust skin prep and what stays on top of your skin, depending on the weather and your skin type.
Does my wedding month change my trial?
Tell me your wedding date and venue when you book your trial. Then we can talk through the weather you are likely to have. If you'd like to plan for wind, see windy wedding hair and makeup in Cape Town.
Let's plan your look
If you'd like to plan your hair and makeup for the season, get in touch with your date and venue, and I'll let you know about availability.
Before you book, you can read my Booking Terms.