Bridal Makeup Trial with Rosacea and a Cold Sore
Ciara, 29, is getting married in three weeks and books a bridal makeup trial. She wants full-coverage matte foundation to hide redness on her cheeks and nose, and long-wear lipstick. On assessment, her central face is flushed with visible telangiectasia and a few papules; she says it 'flares with wine and heat' and she has never seen a doctor. She also has a tingling, itchy patch on her upper lip that appeared this morning; she thinks it is a 'dry patch' and wants lip liner over it. She has sensitive skin and reacted to a scented foundation years ago. The salon uses a shared lip brush and tester products, and Ciara has not had a patch test. She wants the trial today and the wedding makeup to last 12 hours.
1. Identify the skin presentation and the infection risk; decide whether the trial should proceed today.
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The facial redness with telangiectasia, papules and triggers of wine and heat suggests rosacea, which I cannot diagnose but should refer to a GP. The tingling, itchy patch on the upper lip is more concerning: it sounds like an active cold sore (herpes simplex), which is contagious and a contraindication for lip makeup. I would not proceed with the trial as booked. I would avoid the lip area entirely, use disposable applicators, and not share lip brushes or testers. I would explain the infection risk and offer to postpone the trial until the lesion has completely healed, or to do a skin-only trial today with no lip product if she prefers. I would also recommend she sees a pharmacist or GP about the cold sore and the rosacea.
2. What makeup products and techniques would you choose for the wedding, and what would you avoid?
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For the wedding I would choose fragrance-free, sensitive-skin formulas and avoid anything she has reacted to. I would use a green colour corrector only on the redness, then a light, buildable liquid or mineral foundation rather than a heavy matte one, because matte products can accentuate dryness and rosacea. I would avoid alcohol-based toners, fragranced setting sprays and shared tester products. I would use disposable sponges and clean brushes, and I would keep lip products separate and apply them with a disposable applicator. I would set lightly with a fine powder and use a long-wear but non-drying lip colour. I would patch test the chosen products 48 hours before the wedding and document the products used.
3. What aftercare and referral advice and documentation are needed?
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I would advise Ciara to see her GP about the rosacea and the cold sore, and to ask about antiviral treatment if the cold sore is active near the wedding. I would give aftercare advice: gentle fragrance-free cleanser, moisturiser and SPF 30-50, and avoid alcohol, spicy food and heat if those trigger her. I would document the skin assessment, the suspected cold sore, the refusal to apply lip makeup, the patch test, the products chosen and her consent. I would also record that she was referred to her GP and that she understood the infection risk. If she returns for the wedding with an active cold sore, I would not apply lip makeup over it and would advise her to seek medical advice.