Portrait of an artist: Weddings, part 2

February's cover model is Velvet's Contributing fashion editor Rohiny Belani. Rohiny has showcased this season’s biggest trends, available at Cambridge boutique, The Tailor’s Cat

Rohiny's cover girl *look* was created by Ieva Genovesi. Ieva is a hairdresser and makeup artist of 11 years, who specialises in bridal styling - and here she talks about why she loves her profession. . .

Where in the world does your work take you?

I have my studio in central Cambridge, so I get most of my enquiries from brides getting married in the colleges, hotels and venues in and around the city. However, I also travel to a venue chosen by the bride if she finds that more comfortable. I have been fortunate to do quite a few destination weddings in Greece, Italy, Lithuania and Switzerland and I am always happy to travel to be part of my bride’s special day.

What do you love about being a bridal hair and make-up artist?

I graduated with a degree in sports and tourism management, but I was always tempted to play with hair and make-up.

As a hobby, I created different hairstyles and make-up looks for my friends and as a result, 11 years ago, I finished my hairdressing training and gained qualifications as a professional make-up artist, making my passion my career, which was the best decision of my life.

Video: @synergyfilm / Facebook via Synergy Film

Waking up everyday to be part of someone’s special day and to make them feel like a princess, is what brings me the most satisfaction of being a bridal HMUA. I also enjoy styled bridal photoshoots, where the photographer (Migle Markuza) and I can be creative and deliver different looks. The added advantage of being self-employed is that I can be flexible and juggle my work with my duties as a mother.

What makes your service unique?

My style. I am and I have been for years a big fan of vintage looks. I have a lot of brides asking for that style, either for their wedding day or for pre wedding photoshoots. The uniqueness of my service remains in the fact that my brides look natural and flawless, yet glam enough for their special day.

What do you think will be key bridal trends for 2020?

To keep the look natural, fresh, with no harsh sculpting, so creating the blushing bride effect with light shimmer on the eyelids and naturally shaped brows. I also like to emphasise on freckles of a bride, if she has some.

Bold lips are a big trend too. Keeping the eye make-up understated and adding an emphasis on the lips by creating a matte or glossy lip is definitely a key trend of 2020. As for the hair, big bold padded hairbands are very trendy. Sleek ponytails and loose buns are an elegant look too. Ponytails can be decorated with a ribbon or bow. The braided look still stands strong; messier and loose braids are very trendy. Hollywood waves are my all-time favourite though and up the glam quotient a notch. If the bride’s hair is shorter in length, leaving it open or creating a wet look would be my goal.

Find out more about Ieva at ievagenovesi.com, email ievagenovesi@gmail.com, facebook @ ieva Genovesi Hair and MUA or follow @ievagenovesibridal