The Lip Lab Perth

More Than Beautiful

They say your wedding day should be the best day of your life. You might look stunning in your gown or radiant beside your bridesmaids, but true beauty shines when you feel happy and in love with your own skin. To explore how makeup can add a layer of emotional confidence – not just on your big day, but every day – Western Australia’s Wedding & Bride’s Josephine Day speaks to Tara Clark, director and lead artist at Black Lash Makeup and The Lip Lab Perth.

Images Courtesy of The Lip Lab Perth.

The Lip Lab Perth began its journey nine years ago as the retail extension of one of Perth’s longest-standing beauty therapy clinics. In 2023, Clark took over the brand, bringing a fresh vision to what had become a struggling business. A year later, The Lip Lab Perth joined forces with Black Lash Makeup, relocating to a sleek, modern concept store in Raine Square – the heart of Perth’s luxury retail precinct.

Specialising in custom makeup, The Lip Lab Perth offers a wide array of products, from foundation to creamy blush, along with advanced skin services such as peels, needling and aesthetic treatments to help every bride achieve a smooth, radiant glow for their special day. “Our aim is to provide our clients with one touch point whether they are having an intimate ceremony without a bridal party or require a team of stylists for several bridesmaids and extended family,” says Clark. “Our makeup style is natural and feature enhancing with a strong focus on skin, leaving our brides feeling like the best version of themselves.

Combined with the bridal services under the Black Lash brand, the team covers everything from hens to honeymoon. Clark works to ensure that “clients have the tips and products that they need to look and feel great not only on their wedding day, but every day!”

Confidence In Every Colour 

Clark has been a bridal makeup artist for more than eight years, and early in her career, she quickly identified one of the biggest challenges brides face – juggling multiple vendors, invoices, and timelines. “What they want is someone to assist with streamlining their services and having one key person to discuss things with, so I started to build a team,” she explains. What Clark finds most fulfilling in her role isn’t just about creating beautiful looks – it’s easing the stress and anxiety that often comes with the big day. “My team are great at providing a high vibe, but caring and professional environment for every client,” she says. “Whether they need a pep talk, a reminder to eat, or a challenging relative dealt with, or even a sing along, we are there for it!”

While makeup is a staple in many women’s lives, Clark believes its true power lies in how it builds confidence. “Makeup should make you feel confident any time you wear it. If not, you aren’t wearing the right makeup,” she says. 

At The Lip Lab Perth, Clark’s approach starts well before the wedding. Her team offers inclusive consultations to identify skin goals and provide the right treatments so that brides have glowing, hydrated skin. “Knowing that your skin is plump and hydrated so that your makeup will not only sit beautifully, but last all day,” she adds. Witnessing brides see their final look is often a heartwarming moment for Clark. The results on the big day often come out even better than the trial, as “we have usually worked together to ensure any skin complaints or inconsistencies have been corrected in the lead up.”

More Than Just A Look 

Now that we’ve explored how to find the perfect makeup look and products for your big day, the real question remains – how exactly does makeup help brides feel like the best version of themselves? According to Clark, it’s not just about aesthetics, but rather empowerment. “Makeup should always be used to enhance the best features of our face,” she explains. “Using peachy, bronzy tones to make blue eyes pop or highlighting gorgeous, glowing skin just reinforces that you are already beautiful and makeup gives them the confidence to believe that.”

With a signature focus on natural styles, Black Lash Makeup is especially loved by brides who don’t usually feel comfortable wearing much makeup. But it’s not about the look – it’s the experience and emotional support that leave a lasting impression. Clark shares a memorable story of a bride who underwent major surgery months before her wedding. With hair loss and shaken confidence, she wanted to look like herself – only more radiant. “She wasn’t a big makeup wearer and just wanted to look and feel like herself on her wedding day. I really took the time to listen to this bride’s concerns as I think it was causing her more anxiety than she realised,” Clark recalls. “Talking through all the options, assured her we could change whatever she wasn’t happy with, and that she could feel beautiful and confident on her wedding day.” The trial gave the bride the assurance she needed, and on the big day, she felt confident and comfortable. “After the wedding, I received a beautiful card thanking me for caring for her and letting me know that what we provided was far greater than some makeup and hairstyling for her. That to me, is what our service is about,” Clark states.

From Miss To Mrs

 As you prepare to walk down the aisle, the getting ready process becomes a sacred part of your wedding day – a rare moment to pause, breathe, and relax. Clark understands the importance of this time and intentionally structures her bridal appointments to honour it. “I always complete my bride’s makeup second last,” she says. “This means that they are usually out of my chair by the time the photographer arrives and everything starts kicking off, so they can still have their zen moment.” She emphasises that this may be the last quiet time the bride has before the whirlwind begins. “It’s time for them to zone out, try to relax and be pampered,” she explains.

When it comes to choosing a bridal look, Clark advises starting with what feels authentic. “Think about the makeup you currently wear. If this is next to nothing, think about the makeup that you would feel comfortable wearing if you did put some on,” she adds. To help make the right choice, Clark always asks her brides – Do you want to love how your makeup looks in photos, or how you appear to others in person? “Our job is to find that balance for our brides and ensure they feel gorgeous but still feel like themselves.”