Sunshine at a Scottish wedding is never a certainty – but flawless skin, hair and makeup can be. Prepare for warmer weather with the help of our beauty specialists
Green grass and blue skies in Scotland! Makeup artist Laura Mitchell crafted summer makeup to match the sunny day for her bride Patrizia's big day (Photo: Redzepovic Weddings)
With open-air ceremonies on the rise, both at home and abroad, brides are increasingly looking for beauty advice that holds up under sun, sweat and hours in front of the camera.
We asked three Scottish pros – an aesthetic practitioner, a hairstylist and a makeup artist – to share their tips for glowing skin, weather-proof hairstyles and heat-resistant makeup. May your bridal beauty be as long-lasting as the marriage itself!
How do I prep my skin for a summer wedding?
If sun, sweat and a skin-baring dress are on the cards, prep that begins well in advance of your wedding day is nothing short of essential. Wondering where to start?
Dr Claire Narrie of Infinity Skin Clinic in Edinburgh swears by ultra-cold treatments to restore radiance and tone to your skin.
“Low-temperature or cryotherapy treatments stimulate lymphatics and circulation, with immediate and long-lasting results,” she explains.
“These treatments can lift and tone the skin, improve hydration and reduce redness and inflammation. They are also effective on acne and psoriasis.
"Many brides come in for a course of cryotherapy facials ahead of their wedding, after which their skin looks fresher and more sculpted.”
Dr Claire uses a Gelida Cryo 21 machine to treat not only the face, but also the back, arms and tummy.
“The results are instant and can make a real difference to your confidence,” she adds. “I’ve even had a bride who couldn’t fit into her dress until we ‘shed’ a few inches.”
Remember, don’t try anything new just before the big day – she recommends starting around nine to 12 months in advance and always having a full consultation. For even more details, have a look at our bridal beauty countdown to get that wedding day glow.
“The Gelida Cryo 21 machine is painless and doesn’t come with the same posttreatment side effects as you get with, for example, a suctionbased treatment,” says Dr Claire. This Infinity Skin Clinic patient experienced an instant improvement in tone and texture
Is it possible to prevent sweating on my wedding day?
Brides (and grooms) worried about overheating or sweatiness can explore hyperhidrosis treatment.
“For this, we use small amounts of botulinum toxin (aka Botox) in sweat-prone areas like the underarms, hands, feet and forehead. Results last up to a year – just be sure to have it booked in at least a month before,” says Dr Claire.
Her must-have product is less high-tech: an SPF powder compact. “It lets you touch up makeup and protect your skin at the same time.”
What hairstyles work best for hot weather or windy wedding days?
Heat, wind, humidity: Scottish summer weddings (and those further afield) bring a mixed bag.
That’s why hairstylist Lee Hanna of The Blushed Bride always builds hidden structure into her styles – even the relaxed ones.
“A soft updo might look effortless, but underneath there’s likely to be discreet braids, invisible pinning or a bit of mesh support holding it together,” she explains.
“Your hair has to be in it for the long haul – think windy photo walks, plenty of hugs and, of course, an evening of dancing.”
One of Lee’s most popular summer styles is a textured half-up, half-down look. “It’s romantic and breezy but with secure foundations,” she says. She also uses hidden braids at the crown to anchor veils: “It stops them flying out if it’s windy.”
To fight frizz and weather-proof the finish, Lee swears by Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, a humidity-blocker that protects sleek styles. She then finishes with Goldwell StyleSign Dry Spray Wax for hold, shine and taming flyaways.
Her golden rule?
“Be realistic. If your hair doesn’t hold a curl, extensions or an updo might be a better bet. Work with your hair type – not against it.”
Whatever style you're planning, establishing a solid bridal hair routine in the months before the big day will help ensure your hair is able to look its best when it really matters.
“My bride wanted a style which suited her long, heavy, fine hair – a type of hair that typically doesn’t hold a curl very well. To give her something that felt romantic and relaxed, we went for a soft but well-structured, updo,” says Lee at The Blushed Bride
How do I ensure my bridal makeup lasts all day?
Makeup that looks flawless in the heat, lasts all day and photographs beautifully sounds impossible, but the secret is all in the prep, says the bridal makeup artist behind Laura Mitchell Makeup & Brows.
“Start with a lightweight, oil-free moisturiser – I love Embryolisse – and pair it with a flashback-free SPF like Fenty Hydra Vizor SPF 30,” says Laura.
“Layer your products lightly – it’s the key to all-day wear”
She believes the key to staying shine-free is strategic powdering: “Just apply to the T-zone, nose and upper lip. Leave cheekbones satin-finished for a dimensional glow in photos.”
Laura’s favourite powders include Huda Beauty Easy Bake and Vieve pressed powders.
To lock everything in place, she recommends a waterproof setting spray – One/Size On ’Til Dawn is her pick for long-lasting staying power.
Finally, to bring that summer bridal glow to the body, Laura suggests Sol de Janeiro Glow Oil. “It smells like summer and gives the most gorgeous shimmer to collarbones and shoulders.”
Bride Patrizia had a beautiful glow at her Springkell House wedding, thanks to makeup artist Laura Mitchell (Photo: Redzepovic Weddings)
What summer beauty products do makeup artists and hairstylists recommend?
Looking for long-lasting makeup and frizz-fighting hair products that stand up to the summer heat?
The pros we spoke to know what works – and they’ve shared their favourite bridal beauty products to help you glow all day long. From humidity-proof sprays to SPF-packed moisturisers, here are the must-haves for a hot-weather wedding:
The best makeup products for summer:
1. Fenty Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturiser Broad Spectrum SPF 30, £35
A lightweight, flashback-free SPF that hydrates and protects without disrupting your base.
2. Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Multi-Purpose Moisturiser, £22
A cult classic that primes and hydrates skin without adding excess oil or weight.
3. One/Size On ’Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, £30
Locks makeup in place with a shine-free, budge-proof finish that lasts all day.
4. Sol de Janeiro GlowMotions Glow Body Oil, £35
Gives collarbones, shoulders and legs a radiant, photo-ready shimmer.
5. Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder, £34
A finely milled powder that sets makeup and reduces shine without dulling the skin.
6. Vieve Modern Powder Perfector, £32
Perfect for touch-ups – this pressed powder mattifies only where you need it.
The best hair products for summer styles:
1. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray, £27
This anti-humidity hero seals hair for a sleek, frizz-free finish – even in the hottest weather.
2. Goldwell StyleSign Dry Spray Wax, £17.50
The secret to flexible hold and smooth flyaways for soft, secure styles.
Wondering what other fabulous products Scottish bridal beauty experts have in their makeup bags? From high street to high end, a selection of hair and beauty pros share their top product picks.
