Makeup Tips For Brides: Enhancing Natural Beauty On Wedding Day

Doing your own bridal makeup can be a daunting task, but with the right products and techniques, you can achieve a beautiful and flawless look for your wedding day. Here are some tips to help you create a gorgeous bridal makeup look:

- Start with a good skincare routine: Cleanse, moisturize, and prime your skin to create a smooth canvas for your makeup. Exfoliate gently and use a hydrating moisturizer to ensure your skin is plump and glowing.

- Choose the right foundation: Opt for a foundation that matches your skin tone and provides the desired coverage. Apply it gradually, starting with a thin layer and building up as needed.

- Conceal and contour: Use a concealer to hide any blemishes or dark circles. Contouring can help define your facial features and give you a more chiselled look.

- Enhance your eyes: Use eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara to make your eyes pop. Choose colours that complement your eye colour, such as bronze for green eyes or navy for blue eyes.

- Add a pop of colour to your cheeks: Apply a blush that flatters your skin tone. Go for soft pinks or peaches for fair skin, corals or cinnamon shades for medium skin, and plums or raspberries for deep skin.

- Finish with lipstick: Choose a lip colour that complements your blush and overall look. Go for nude or light mauve shades for fair skin, bronze or copper for medium skin, and wine or ruby red for deep skin.

- Practice and prepare: Experiment with different looks and practice applying your chosen makeup style. Do a trial run to ensure you are comfortable with the products and techniques.

- Seek inspiration: Look at bridal magazines, red carpet looks, and online tutorials for inspiration. Collect images of looks you like and identify what you love about each one.

- Consider your hair and dress: Ensure your makeup complements your hair and wedding dress. If your dress is romantic and billowy, opt for softer, more natural makeup.

- Don't forget the details: Use waterproof mascara, and define your brows to frame your face. Set your makeup with a setting powder or spray to ensure it lasts all day.

Skin prep: Cleanse, moisturise and prime for a smooth base

Skin prep is an important step in achieving a flawless makeup look for your wedding day. Here are some detailed tips for cleansing, moisturising, and priming your skin to create a smooth base:

Cleanse: Start by cleansing your skin thoroughly. This step ensures you have a great canvas to work on and helps the makeup stay on all day. Opt for a gentle cleanser that suits your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, a hydrating cleanser will help nourish your skin.

Moisturise: After cleansing, apply a moisturiser to plump up your skin and create a dewy base. Look for moisturisers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. For the eye area, use an eye cream to prevent any flakiness or dryness throughout the day. You can also opt for an eye cream with ginseng, which has skin-boosting properties.

Prime: Using a primer will help smooth out your skin and create an even base for your makeup. It also helps your makeup last longer. Choose a primer that suits your skin type. For a radiant look, you can use a combination of illuminating primers like Charlotte Tilbury's Wander Glow Primer and Nars' Radiance Primer. Apply the illuminating primer all over your face and the radiance primer on the high points of your face, such as cheekbones, eyebrow bones, and nose. Don't forget to apply sunscreen, especially if your wedding is outdoors, to protect your skin.

Exfoliate: In the weeks leading up to your wedding, incorporate exfoliation into your skincare routine once a week. You can use a physical exfoliator, like a gentle scrub, or a chemical exfoliator with ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs). Exfoliation will help remove dead skin cells and create a smoother canvas for your makeup.

Facials: For an extra boost, consider getting professional facials done a few months before your wedding. Microcurrent facials, for example, can help lift the facial muscles and reduce puffiness, giving your skin a healthy glow.

Remember, the key to great wedding makeup is healthy, well-prepped skin. Start your skincare routine early, and don't be afraid to consult a dermatologist or esthetician for a personalised pre-wedding skincare routine.

Foundation and concealer: Opt for a natural, glowing look with a thin layer of foundation and blend concealer outwards

When it comes to foundation and concealer, the goal is to achieve a natural, glowing look. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Skincare: Start by cleansing your skin thoroughly to create a perfect canvas for your makeup. Follow this with a moisturiser to plump and hydrate your skin. An eye cream can also help prevent any flakiness or dryness under the eyes.
• Primer: Use a primer to create an even base and enhance the glow. You can try a combination of Charlotte Tilbury Wander Glow Primer and Nars' Radiance Primer, applying the former all over your face and the latter on the high points, such as cheekbones, eyebrow bone, and nose.
• Foundation: Opt for a thin layer of foundation and gradually build it up. A gradual application ensures a natural, glowing finish. Armani Luminous Silk foundation is a popular choice for brides, as it gives a subtle matte finish that photographs beautifully. Alternatively, Glow Wish by Huda Beauty offers full coverage with a radiant look.
• Concealer: Apply concealer to the inner and outer corners of your eyes, blending it into the middle and then upwards towards your hairline. You can also use a small amount of concealer on any areas of concern, such as spots or red areas around the nose and mouth. Nars' Creamy Radiance is a recommended product for concealing.
• Setting Powder: To ensure your makeup lasts all day, set it with a finishing powder. Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Finish is a popular choice, as it helps eliminate shine and prevents a shiny forehead in photos.

Remember, the key to achieving a natural, glowing look with foundation and concealer is to build up gradually, blend well, and choose products that enhance your natural features.

Blush: Go gently and choose a shade to complement your skin tone

When it comes to bridal makeup, the general consensus is that less is more. Whether you're going for a natural or glam look, you'll want to choose a blush that complements your skin tone.

If you have fair skin, it's best to stick to lighter shades of pink and pastel, as these won't overpower your colouring. Those with cool undertones should opt for baby pink or carnation blush, while those with warm undertones should choose a light peach shade. If you have neutral undertones, a soft rose blush will create a classic makeup look.

For medium skin tones, the best blush shades are pinks, peaches, and bronzes. If you have cool undertones, try a mauve or berry shade for a fresh pop of colour. If your undertones are warm, an apricot hue will give you a natural-looking glow. For neutral undertones, a mix of both warm and cool tones like peach is ideal.

Olive skin tends to have yellow and green undertones, so orangey-peach or golden-toned blushes will give you a natural flush. If your undertones are cool, a vibrant pink shade will look beautiful. For warm undertones, a medium-toned peachy-pink hue will illuminate your face. If you have neutral undertones, a deep rosy hue will bold without being overpowering.

If you have deep skin with cool undertones, try a purple or berry shade with blue undertones. For warm undertones, a soft wine shade will give you a flattering minimalist look. If your undertones are neutral, a healthy flush can be achieved with a buildable formula that has a hint of shimmer.

No matter your skin tone, a peach shade is a universally flattering blush colour.

Eyes: Use neutral eyeshadows, a thin line of eyeliner and waterproof mascara

When it comes to the eyes, it's best to stick to neutral eyeshadows, a thin line of eyeliner, and waterproof mascara. This will give the bride a natural, enhanced look, making their eyes stand out without being too over the top.

For the eyeshadow, opt for nude or warm colours that complement the bride's skin tone. A soft glam or natural look is always a good choice for a wedding, and you can add a bit of shimmer or glow for some extra sparkle. Start by applying a neutral base colour all over the eyelid, and then use a slightly darker shade in the crease to create a subtle smokey effect. You can also add a darker shade to the outermost corners of the eye and blend it inward to create more depth. To brighten the eyes, apply a light shade to the inner corners. Finish by blending everything together with a large eyeshadow brush.

When it comes to eyeliner, a thin line is best, especially if you're going for a soft or natural look. You can use a pencil eyeliner or a brown eyeliner for a softer look. If you want something more defined, try a liquid eyeliner and create a thin wing for a bit of drama.

Waterproof mascara is a must for the bride to avoid any smudging or running, especially if there are going to be tears of joy. Go for a lengthening and volumizing mascara to make the lashes pop, and don't forget to curl the lashes before applying mascara for an extra lift.

Remember to practice the eye makeup look a few times before the wedding day to ensure you get the desired result and to make any necessary adjustments.

Lips: Moisturise, then add a lip stain for a long-lasting finish

When it comes to bridal makeup, the lips are an important feature. You want to ensure that the lips are moisturised and hydrated before applying any colour, as this will help the product go on smoothly and last longer. Start by exfoliating your lips to get rid of any dry skin, then apply a lip balm or moisturiser to lock in moisture. Allow this to sink in for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.

Now it's time to choose your lip stain colour. For a natural look, opt for a shade that is similar to your natural lip colour or a tinted lip balm. If you want something bolder, choose a shade that complements your skin tone. You can also use a lip liner to overline your lips slightly, giving them a fuller appearance.

When applying the lip stain, use a brush or sponge-tip applicator for precision. Start by outlining your lips, then fill them in. If you make a mistake, don't worry! Lip stains can be easily blended and corrected. Remember to work quickly, as some stains dry fast.

Once the lip stain is dry, you can add a layer of lip gloss or a clear plumping gloss for a shiny finish. This will also help to lock in moisture and keep your lips looking plump and hydrated.

To ensure your lip colour lasts all day, you may want to invest in a long-wearing formula or a lip stain that is known for its staying power. You can also bring the product with you for touch-ups throughout the day, so you can reapply as needed.

And there you have it! A long-lasting lip look that will keep the bride looking and feeling their best on their special day.

Frequently asked questions