
Doing your own wedding makeup can be a great way to save money and ensure you get the look you want. However, it requires careful planning and practice to achieve a long-lasting, camera-ready finish. The first step is to establish a skincare routine that will provide a smooth base for your makeup. Next, you'll need to choose the right products, from primer and foundation to contour and lipstick, ensuring they are suitable for flash photography and will last all day. Practising your desired look in advance and timing yourself is crucial, as is seeking inspiration from tutorials and bridal makeup artists. Finally, don't forget to set your makeup with a finishing powder or setting spray to ensure it stays put through the ceremony, reception, and after-party!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primer | Charlotte Tilbury Wander Glow Primer and Nars’ radiance primer |
| Foundation | Armani Luminous Silk foundation |
| Contour | Charlotte Tilbury contour wand |
| Lipstick | La Bouche Rouge's 'Nude Pink' |
| Lip gloss | Iconic London's lip oil |
| Moisturizer | La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Cream or Bobbi Brown’s Hydrating Moisturizer |
| Eye cream | Eborian ginseng eye cream |
| Setting spray | Laura Mercier Translucent Powder |
| Longevity | Avoid frequent touch-ups, use long-wearing foundation, and opt for waterproof mascara |
| Photography | Avoid flashback with flash photography, test in advance, and go heavier than usual for better visibility in photos |
| Practice | Try different products and techniques, and inform your bridesmaids about the desired look and products |
| Skin care | Cleanse and moisturize the skin to create a good base for makeup |
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What You'll Learn

Skin preparation
Once you've cleansed and moisturised, it's time to apply a primer. Primers create a smooth base for your makeup and can help to fill in pores and fine lines. Charlotte Tilbury's Wander Glow Primer and Nars' Radiance Primer work well together—apply the Wander Glow Primer all over your face, then apply the Nars Radiance Primer to the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, eyebrow bone, and nose. The Nars primer also contains SPF, which is an added bonus.
After priming, you can begin with your base makeup. If you want a natural, glowing look, opt for a foundation like Armani Luminous Silk, which gives a subtle matte finish that looks amazing on camera. Remember, you'll likely need to apply a little more makeup than usual to ensure it shows up in photos. However, be careful not to go overboard with the foundation, as this can look cakey. Instead, focus on adding more blush and contour for definition.
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Primer and foundation
When it comes to wedding makeup, skincare is key. Start by cleansing your skin, then apply a moisturiser to create a smooth base for your makeup. Once you've done that, you can move on to primer and foundation.
For primer, a combination of Charlotte Tilbury's Wander Glow Primer and Nars' Radiance Primer will give you a glowing base. Apply the Wander Glow Primer all over your face, then add the Nars Radiance Primer to the high points of your face – your cheekbones, eyebrow bone (just above the arch of your brows), and nose. The Nars primer also contains SPF, which is an added bonus. Use your hands to apply the primers for a plump, streak-free finish.
After priming, it's time for foundation. For a natural, glowing look, try Armani's Luminous Silk foundation. It gives a subtle matte finish that looks amazing in photos. When applying foundation for your wedding day, you might want to go a little heavier than your usual everyday look, so the makeup shows up better in photographs. Opt for a long-wearing foundation to ensure it lasts through the ceremony, reception, and after-party with minimal touch-ups.
Remember to test out your makeup look well in advance of your wedding day. This will help you perfect the look and ensure you're happy with the products you've chosen. It's also a good idea to do a trial run of your bridal makeup, timing yourself to get an accurate idea of how long it will take on the big day.
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Contouring and blush
Contouring is a great way to define your face and make your bone structure look more chiselled. The best contour makeup will naturally define your bone structure and enhance your facial features. Contour makeup mimics natural shadows by applying matte and cool-toned products to the face for snatched definition.
If you're doing your own makeup, it's important to consider the time and skill required to achieve a professional-looking finish. You'll need to practice your desired look and decide whether you want a glowy or matte finish. If you're going for a dewy look, be aware that this can result in your makeup not staying in place.
When it comes to contouring, a little goes a long way. Start by applying the product to the back of your hand to gauge how much you need, then use a large blending brush to apply it to the hollows of your cheeks, as well as your temples and jawline.
As for blush, it's a great way to add a youthful flush to your cheeks and aid in contouring the face. To find the right blush for you, consider your skin type and choose a formula that will last all day without melting off or flaking. If you have mature skin, a cream or liquid blush with hydrating ingredients, such as EM Cosmetics Color Drops Serum Blush, will give you a healthy glow. For oily skin, powder blushes like the Milani Baked Blush can help to soak up excess oil. If you want a bold pop of colour, try Rare Beauty's Soft Pinch Liquid Blush.
To ensure your makeup stays in place, set it with a powder, which will prevent shine and keep your blush in place.
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Setting spray and powder
There are a variety of setting sprays available, with some popular options including the Urban Decay "All Nighter" spray and the Urban Decay De-Slick spray. These sprays are designed to keep your makeup looking fresh for up to 12 hours, preventing any need for touch-ups. When choosing a setting spray, it is important to opt for one that will not cause flashback in photographs.
Setting powders are another option to lock in your makeup. However, some people may be hesitant to use powders, as they can sometimes mix with the makeup and cause a white cast in pictures, especially if you have oily skin. One powder that has been recommended is the Laura Mercier Translucent powder, which is known for its reliability.
To achieve the best results, some people choose to use both a setting spray and a finishing powder. This combination can provide extra assurance that your makeup will stay in place, especially if you are doing your own makeup and want to avoid any last-minute touch-ups.
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Lipstick and lip gloss
When it comes to lipstick and lip gloss, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to choose a shade that complements your overall makeup look and your skin tone. For a subtle and natural look, opt for a nude or pink shade. If you want something bolder, you can try a red or berry shade. It's important to remember that flash photography can sometimes wash out colour, so consider choosing a shade slightly darker than you would normally go for.
To ensure your lipstick or lip gloss lasts through the ceremony, reception, and after-party, it's a good idea to use a long-wearing formula. You can also try using a lip liner to outline and fill in your lips before applying lipstick, which can help extend the wear time. If you're worried about your lipstick fading or smudging, you can carry a small tube of lipstick or lip gloss with you for touch-ups throughout the day and night.
To add a bit of shine and dimension to your lips, you can apply a lip gloss over your lipstick. This can also help to create the illusion of fuller lips. If you prefer a more matte look, simply blot your lips with a tissue after applying lipstick to remove any excess product and create a soft, natural finish.
It's important to test out your chosen lipstick or lip gloss in advance of your wedding day. This will allow you to see how it wears, how it looks in photos, and whether it suits your skin tone and overall bridal look. Practising applying your lipstick or lip gloss as part of your full makeup look will also give you an idea of how long it takes to apply and whether any adjustments are needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Doing your own wedding makeup gives you full control over your look and ensures there's no room for disappointment on your wedding day. It will also save you money and time, as you won't have to pay for a makeup artist, coordinate with an additional vendor, or attend trials.
First, make sure you have the right products. You can watch tutorials and practice different looks to find what works for you. It's important to test out new products in advance to ensure they don't irritate your skin and to figure out how long your makeup routine will take. You should also consider factors like your photographer and the lighting at your venue, which may affect how your makeup photographs.
It's important to use long-wearing products that will last through the ceremony, reception, and after-party with minimal touch-ups. Some recommended products include a good setting spray, waterproof mascara, and a long-wearing foundation. For a dewy look, try Armani Luminous Silk foundation, and to contour, the Charlotte Tilbury contour wand is a good option.











































