I had the pleasure of assisting with the hair and makeup for a wedding reception held at the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore.

The bride is Japanese, and the groom is Malaysian, currently living in Japan.
They had already completed their legal registration and traditional Japanese pre-wedding photos in Japan.
This reception in Singapore was a way for the groom’s family and friends who grew up in Singapore to celebrate together.

As the couple preferred to keep their faces private, no photos of them are included here. Instead, I’d like to share the atmosphere of the day and somestyling highlights.

Bride’s Requests & Key Points

Makeup

• Overall bright and festive look using pink and orange tones
• Dewy, luminous eyeshadow
• Soft brown eyeliner and mascara for a gentle finish
  

Hair

• Classic chignon (kachimori-style)
• Neat finishing with nape and side hair lifted
• Veil to be removed by the bride herself during the event
• Long, layered hair (below the chest) with ample volume
  

Concerns / Requests to Avoid

• Naturally cover blemishes, neck, and décolleté
• Eyebrows to look balanced without being too bold
• Eyes to appear larger

Hair & Makeup on the Wedding Day

A trial session was held the day before to finalize all details. The bride’s personal makeup products were incorporated upon request.

For events like wedding receptions, it’s common for brides to bring their own cosmetics to ensure the look reflects their personal style.
Certain touches can also be adjusted by the bride herself if needed.

Makeup Details:

• Eyeshadow: orange-brown base with a touch of pink
• Blush: soft pink
• Lips: orange-beige base layered with rose-brown
• Eyeliner & mascara: brown tones for a gentle impression
• Added pink and rose under the eyes with a favorite crayon for extra luminosity

Hair Details:

• Applied a generous amount of oil for shine and smoothness
• Added slight movement for a unique touch
• Styled into two small buns (chignons) for individuality

The Day’s Schedule / Flow

• Hair & makeup: 7:00 AM
• Photo session: 9:30 AM
• Reception: Lunch

The hair and makeup session included getting dressed in the wedding gown.
Photographers typically enter towards the latter half of the session, and shooting often starts at that point.

Key indoor photo shots:

• Dress and accessories (rings, bouquet, etc.)
• During hair & makeup
• Groom getting ready
• After gown is worn
• Veil placement (if part of the ceremony)

Once the photography starts, movement becomes more restricted, so completing key styling beforehand ensures a smooth day.

Wedding Team

• Photography: The Curious Kind Photography
• Hair & Makeup: yukko (Aulifo)
• Wedding Planner: cloudnine
• Florist: Sweet.As.Cosmos
• Venue: Mandarin Oriental Singapore

Summary

For this reception, I focused on balancing the bride’s natural beauty with a festive, radiant look.
The style complements the event while still allowing her personality to shine through.

Singapore often hosts international weddings, and it’s common to assist with bridal hair and makeup for Japanese and Singaporean couples, like in this case.
I always feel honored to be part of such an important day.