Wedding Makeup: A Step-By-Step Guide For Beginners

Planning your wedding makeup can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Whether you're hiring a makeup artist or doing it yourself, there are many steps you can take to ensure you're happy with the final look. Firstly, it's important to prep your skin. Wash your face and use a light moisturiser, and if you exfoliate, opt for a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Next, you'll want to choose your desired wedding look. Collect images of looks you like, and decide whether you want to emphasise your eyes or lips. If you're doing your own makeup, be sure to practice the look a few times before the big day. On the day itself, be sure to allow plenty of time to do your makeup, and remember to blend, blend, blend!

Prepping your skin

On your wedding day, you want your skin to be a perfect canvas for your makeup. Here are some tips to ensure your skin is ready for your wedding makeup:

• Cleanse and moisturise: Start with a clean face and use a light moisturiser. If you usually exfoliate, opt for a gentle exfoliating cleanser instead of a harsh scrub.
• Primer: Use a primer to help your makeup last through the ceremony, dancing, tears and toasts. Apply a small amount after moisturising, and before putting on foundation.
• Toning: Toning dissolves dead cells and helps to prep your skin.
• Lip balm: Apply lip balm throughout the week before your wedding to ensure your lips are hydrated and smooth.
• SPF: If your wedding is outdoors, it's a good idea to use products with SPF. However, be careful that it doesn't leave an ashy or bluish tone on your skin.
• Skincare routine: In the months leading up to your wedding, establish a consistent skincare routine. Avoid making any changes close to your wedding day.
• Masks: While the occasional mask is fine, your makeup will be most consistent when applied to a well-balanced canvas.
• Moisturiser: On your wedding day, use a moisturiser that will help keep excess shine at bay.
• Blush: Apply slightly more blush than you think you need, as it tends to get washed out in photos.
• Photographs: Take photos during your makeup trial and on the day of your wedding to see how your makeup looks in different lighting and with and without flash.
• Eyes: Neutralise any uneven colour on your eyelids with a colour corrector or concealer. Use a white shade for pale skin, a bone hue for medium skin, and a banana or taupe shade for dark skin.
• Lips: Avoid shiny or creamy lipsticks as these will transfer easily. Instead, use a red lipstick and tap and buff the colour onto your lips with your finger for a longer-wearing stain.

Choosing the right products

Choosing the right makeup products for your wedding day is a very personal experience. It is important to select products that will make you feel comfortable and confident. Here are some tips to help you choose the right products for your wedding day:

• Start with your skin type and tone: It is important to choose products that are suitable for your skin type and tone. If you have oily skin, look for oil-free and mattifying products. If you have dry skin, opt for hydrating and illuminating products. Select products that will enhance your natural complexion.
• Consider the coverage: Decide how much coverage you want for your wedding day look. Do you prefer a natural, sheer coverage, or would you like more full coverage? This will help you choose the right foundation, concealer, and powder.
• Think about the finish: Do you want a dewy, glowing finish or a more matte look? This will guide your choice of foundation, setting powder, and highlighter.
• Select long-lasting and waterproof products: Your wedding day will be an emotional and long day, so choose products that will last. Look for long-wearing and waterproof formulas to ensure your makeup stays put through tears and celebrations.
• Complement your outfit and theme: Consider your wedding outfit, theme, and colour scheme when choosing makeup products. For example, if you are wearing a glamorous gown, you may want to pair it with a bold lip and a classic cat eye. If you are going for a more relaxed, beach vibe, opt for natural and breezy makeup.
• Don't be afraid to try different looks: Experiment with different looks during your trials. Try a bold lip or a smokey eye to see what suits you best. You can also ask your makeup artist for recommendations based on your skin tone, eye colour, and hair colour.
• Prioritize skincare: Great makeup starts with a great canvas. Invest in a good skincare routine in the months leading up to your wedding. This will ensure your skin is at its best and will create a flawless base for your makeup.
• Book a trial with a professional: A professional makeup artist will be able to guide you in choosing the right products and creating a customized look for your special day. They will consider your skin type, the wedding theme, and your personal style to curate a look that suits you.

Applying foundation

Step 1: Start with Clean Skin

It is important to begin with a clean canvas. Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove any dirt and makeup residue. This will ensure your skin is ready for the application of products.

Step 2: Moisturise

Moisturising is a crucial step, even for those with oily skin. Choose a heavier moisturiser for dry skin and a lightweight moisturiser for oily skin. This step will ensure your skin is hydrated and ready for makeup.

Step 3: Primer

Primer is an essential step to create a smooth base for your foundation. It will help your makeup last longer and look smoother. Use a dime-sized amount of primer and blend it evenly outwards, adding more as needed. If you have oily or combination skin, opt for a mattifying primer. For dry skin, choose a hydrating or dewy formula.

Step 4: Foundation Application

The method of application will depend on the type of foundation you choose. For liquid foundation, dot the product around your face to ensure you don't apply too much. You can use a fluffy brush for light and even coverage. Alternatively, a slightly damp beauty sponge will give you a sheer, natural finish.

Start by dabbing a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand. Then, lightly dip your brush or sponge into the foundation and begin applying it to your face. Dot the product around your face and gently blend it, moving from the centre outwards. Pay close attention to blending beneath your jaw and on your neck to avoid any visible lines.

Apply foundation in thin layers to avoid caking. Choose a foundation shade that matches your skin tone and undertone. To test if the shade is correct, dip a Q-tip into the foundation and apply it to your jawline. If it disappears, it's the right shade!

Step 5: Concealer

Whereas foundation evens out your skin tone, concealer is designed to hide blemishes and dark circles. Apply concealer after your foundation to avoid rubbing it off during the blending process. Use a concealer brush to dot a liquid concealer that matches your skin tone over any areas you want to conceal. Then, gently pat the brush against your skin to spread the product. If more blending is needed, dampen a makeup sponge and work the concealer outwards.

Step 6: Setting Your Makeup

Once you have finished applying your foundation and concealer, it's time to set your makeup. Use a loose translucent setting powder and a fluffy brush for a light finish. For a more matte finish, opt for a powder puff. This step will ensure your makeup stays in place and looks flawless throughout the day.

Tips for Wedding Day Makeup:

• Allow yourself plenty of time to do your makeup on your big day. This will help you feel relaxed and ensure you don't rush any steps.
• If you have a cool undertone, choose a foundation with a rosier, redder, or bluer base. For warm undertones, select a foundation with a yellow or golden base.
• Avoid caking on too much foundation. Stick to thin layers and build coverage gradually.
• Remember to blend your foundation past your jawline and down onto your neck and chest to avoid any harsh lines.
• Set your makeup with a setting spray to ensure it lasts all day.

Adding colour to your face

Blush

Whether you're using a cream blush or a powder blush, it's important to go gently with the application. You can always add more, so start with a light touch. Apply the blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend it upwards and outwards towards your hairline. You don't want a pink nose, so be careful to avoid this area. Finish by making a small checkmark at your cheekbones.

If you have fair skin with cool undertones, try soft rose or baby pink with hints of mocha or beige. For fair skin with warm undertones, opt for golden apricot or light peach with a hint of pink. Cranberry, light raspberry or rosy pink will suit medium skin with cool undertones. If you have medium skin with warm undertones, go for soft coral with hints of brown or sunkissed apricot. For deep skin with cool undertones, try shades of plum, grape and raspberry. Keep it rich with brown suede or a deep coral with a hint of bronze if you have deep skin with warm undertones.

Eyeshadow and Eyeliner

Wedding experts generally advise against a darkly dramatic eye. Instead, they recommend using eyeliners in colours other than black, such as brown, grey, and green. Apply eyeliner on both your top and bottom eyelids to draw attention to your eyes. Using a cream eyeshadow will give you longer-lasting results and is best used on the lids of your eyes, while a powder is best in the crease of your eye.

Try bronze shades if you have green eyes, mocha if your eyes are hazel, navy and dark brown for blue eyes, and purples and greys for brown eyes.

Mascara

As there will likely be tears, it's important to opt for waterproof mascara. Curl your lashes before applying two types of mascara: a volumising mascara and a lengthening mascara. Start at the root of your eyelashes and wiggle the brush upwards to the tips.

Brows

Brows frame your face, so it's important to fill them in. Go a little darker than your natural colour to ensure they show up in photos. Follow the natural line of your brow and fill it in with a brow powder, working outwards to the tail. The tail should be as long as the eye to enhance the arch.

Lips

Use a lip hydrator and let it absorb for a couple of minutes before applying colour. Choose a colour that complements your blush. A lip stain is a good option for long-lasting colour.

If you have fair skin with cool undertones, go with nude, light mocha or light mauve. If you have warm undertones, try sand, nude peach or shell, avoiding bright pinks, dark bronzes and dark mochas.

For medium skin with cool undertones, choose a rosy pink, pomegranate or cranberry. If you have warm undertones, bronze, copper and cinnamon are good options, but avoid nudes.

If you have deep skin with cool undertones, try raisin, wine or ruby red. For deep skin with warm undertones, honey, ginger or a coppery bronze are good options, but avoid anything close to orange.

Final Steps

To finish your look, set your makeup with a setting spray. Spritz your face with a product such as Japonesque Color Makeup Setting Spray.

Setting your makeup

Primer

Using a primer will help your makeup stay in place and give you a smooth base to work with. Choose a silicone-free primer and apply it evenly to your face and eyelids after moisturising. If you're using eyeshadow, use an eye primer as well to help it stay put.

Setting Powder

After applying your base products like foundation, concealer, and bronzer, set your makeup with a light dusting of setting powder. This will give you a natural and fresh look while also preventing creases.

Setting Spray

Finish off your look with a setting spray to ensure your makeup stays in place and to avoid any caked-on effect. This will also prevent your makeup from transferring onto your wedding outfit or your partner's.

Touch-Ups

Keep some pressed powder and setting spray with you throughout the day to touch up any shiny areas or creases.

Practice

Finally, remember to practice your wedding makeup look a few times before the big day. This will help you perfect the look and identify any areas that need improvement.

Frequently asked questions