This September I had the honour of being invited back as Creative Director of Hair & Makeup for The Wedding Show – Ireland’s largest wedding showcase at the RDS. It’s always such a privilege to be asked to headline the backstage beauty, because for me it’s not just about creating beautiful bridal makeup looks and styles for the catwalk, it’s about bringing the full Keira Smyth experience into one of the most exciting, high energy weekends in the wedding industry.
From beginning to end, here’s how it all came together.
Bridal makeup looks: Confidence first
When I began to draft the makeup concepts, I drew inspiration from past editorials and the creative directions I see evolving in bridal beauty, I then tailored each look to the individual model. To me, a bridal makeup look should never be about copying a template or just following a trend, but about bringing out the very best version of you – only the strikingly bridal version. And that’s always been my philosophy, which is exactly what I wanted to reflect in the models on stage.
From there, it became about leaning into each model’s features and personality so her look gave her a confidence you can’t fake. I wanted every model to genuinely feel good in her makeup because I knew the energy she carried with that would travel down the runway and inspire brides-to-be watching the show. More than anything, I wanted the whole presentation to feel like a showcase of bridal makeup inspiration that gave future brides enough fresh ideas for their own day.
Bridal hair inspiration: Variety & versatility
Hair is often where brides feel the most unsure, wondering whether to wear it down in Hollywood style waves, keep it sleek and modern, or go for an updo they can dance the night away in. I saw the runway as an opportunity to lean into those directions and show just how creative and versatile bridal hair can be.
Backstage, variety also means reliability, which is where our brilliant sponsors came in. Using products you can trust is everything when you’re creating multiple styles that need to last under pressure. Keune Hair Cosmetics kept every look sleek and long lasting, while the beautiful accessories from A Stor added the finishing touches that turn a great hairstyle into an unforgettable bridal look.
The Buzz of Backstage
As you can imagine, backstage at The Wedding Show has its own mix of excitement, pressure, and pure creativity. There’s concepts pinned to walls, models rushing in and out of chairs, hair tools and makeup brushes lined up with military precision, and a constant sense of “go, go, go.”
But even in that high energy environment, I wanted to bring what I call The Keira Smyth Experience backstage. That means creating a space that feels calm and enjoyable even in the middle of chaos, and taking a moment to ensure every look feels like it truly belongs to the person wearing it.
I have to say that’s where my team shines. I handpick every artist I work with not only for their incredible skill, but for the way they get to know and understand our brides. We know each other well, we trust one another completely and we play to our strengths which is why the whole experience feels seamless. While I’m holding the overall vision together, they’re not only creating flawless styles but calming nerves, sharing a laugh, and keeping the energy light.
That’s what makes our collective different: whether we’re backstage at a show or in a bridal suite on a wedding morning, it feels like being surrounded by friends who just happen to be beauty experts.
Ready to plan your dream bridal morning?
If you’re planning your wedding and looking for a bridal makeup artist in Ireland who can bring editorial level artistry while making your experience calm and unforgettable, I’d love to hear from you. You can enquire here to check if your date is available.
And if you’d like to see the magic in person, don’t miss the next Wedding Show this January – I’ll be backstage again with my team, brushes in hand, creating fresh bridal makeup looks for a brand-new season of inspiration.
Even better, let me know if you’d like to attend – I can add you to my VIP guest list!
Special Thanks:
Content Creator / Photographer: @thevisualatelierstudio
Hair Sponsor: @keunehaircosmetics
Hair Accessories: @astor.ie
My incredible team.
