7 Wedding Day Makeup Tips All Brides Should Consider
Wedding days are a marathon, where you’re generally nonstop from 6 a.m. until midnight or later, and you’re being photographed through it all. As a bride, you’ll want to be wearing makeup that can stay fresh and photo-ready through those long hours, which can be a hard feat. Just like the rest of your wedding, your bridal makeup requires a fair amount of planning and research. If you’re planning on hiring a makeup artist to do your makeup, be sure to schedule a trial run where you can try a few different looks and figure out the way you want your makeup applied. On the other hand, no one knows what works for your face better than you, so if you’re planning on doing your makeup yourself, still make sure to test out a few looks beforehand. Whether you decide to DIY it or hire someone, we’ve put together a list of seven essential makeup tips you should consider for your big day!
Consider the Weather/Season
It’s always a good idea to tailor your foundation to the weather or season you’ll be in for your wedding. For dryer seasons like winter, consider a full coverage foundation that will even out your skin tone without making it appear too dry. For warmer weather, you’ll want to opt for a lighter foundation or tinted moisturizer, that is oil-free, to ensure you don’t have shiny skin as the day progresses. Keep oil blotting papers in your makeup bag on your wedding day, so if you do start to notice any shine you can blot it away without smudging your foundation.
Photography by Thompson Photography Group, Ria Mackenzie
Photography by Alia Roz Photography
Use Waterproof Products
This tip is especially important for the tear-prone bride! If you know you’ll be crying at multiple points throughout the day, make sure to use as many waterproof products as you can, especially mascara. But even if you’re not a crier, waterproof makeup products can prolong the longevity of your makeup, keeping it in place and smudge-free for the majority of the day. Have a beauty blender on hand, so if you notice any smudges you can press the product back into your skin without any streaks.
Layer, Layer, Layer
Layering various makeup products is the key to long-lasting makeup. You want to apply multiple versions of a product, powder, cream, gel, etc., for a makeup look that won’t budge. If you’re opting for a smokey eye for your wedding, before you apply gel or liquid eyeliner, trace the lid with black eyeshadow. For more vibrant cheeks or eyelids, layer cream and powder products to amp up the color and set it in place. Even for more toned-down looks, layering highlighters or neutral eyeshadows will give your makeup some dimension that shows up well in photos.
Photography by All The Little Stories Photography
Photography by In Our Image Photos
Use A Lip Stain
Lip stains are going to be your best friend on your big day! Not every bride wants to go for a bold lip on their wedding day with a candy apple red or bright pink hue, but lip stains are also great for more subtle shades. They will last all day, with little to no reapplication, and are the secret to preventing any color transfer to your partner during your first kiss as a married couple. If you want to amp up the glamour, you can layer your lip stain with a gloss for a shinier pout.
Primer and Setting Spray Are Essential
No bride wants to have their makeup fade or crease extensively throughout their wedding day. That’s why it’s important to apply primer before you start putting products on your skin and a setting spray after you have completed the look. Primer will prep your skin for makeup, smoothing out the skin on your face and eyes to prevent any major creasing. The setting spray will lock in your look for the day and is important to keep on hand in case your skin needs a moisture refresher or to lock in any touch-ups.
Photography by Elizabeth LaDuca Photography
Photography by Ria Mackenzie Photography
Balance Your Look
Less really is more when it comes to balancing out your wedding day makeup. You don’t want to overload your makeup with a heavy foundation, smokey eyes, and a bold lip. If you’re going for a smokey eye, keep the rest of your makeup pretty natural with lighter skin makeup and a neutral lip. With a bold lip, go for a more neutral eye look that will compliment a pop of color on your lips. Use your best judgment and ask the advice of your makeup artist on how to balance out your makeup choices. Consider a few places like your eyes or lips that you want to accentuate and then plan your makeup look around those features.
Pack A Touch Up Kit
No matter how many smudge-proof products you apply it is likely that you will need one or two touch-ups throughout the day. So, it’s a good idea to pack a small bag that carries the essentials: lip stain/gloss, powder, blotting papers, mascara, and setting spray. You’ll thank yourself later if you don’t have to go hunting for touch-up products or worse, end up with wedding photos you hate. Even if you’ve hired a makeup artist, you’ll want to have products of your own on hand to keep with you for the wedding reception.
Photography by Emily Boudreau
Share this with a bride who is planning to do her wedding makeup herself. Still in the process of searching for a wedding dress? Browse our collection of made-to-measure wedding dresses that are curated for the modern bride.
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