Makeup Tips For Your Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

There are many ways to do your makeup for a wedding, whether you're a guest, bridesmaid, or the bride yourself. The key is to choose a look that you're comfortable with and that enhances your features. If you're doing your own makeup, it's a good idea to practice the look beforehand and use products that you know work well for your skin. If you're hiring a makeup artist, be sure to book a trial session ahead of time to ensure that you're happy with the look and that you get along with the artist.

For guests and bridesmaids, a good option is to keep the makeup simple and lightweight, especially if you plan on dancing. A lightweight foundation that provides sufficient coverage without feeling heavy is a good choice. You can also use a concealer to hide any dark circles or pigmentation. To make your makeup last longer, apply a primer before your foundation and set it with a setting powder.

For the bride, the key is to choose a look that will last throughout the day and into the night. This means using long-lasting products and setting your makeup with a setting spray. It's also important to consider the type of photography that will be used, as this can affect how your makeup looks in photos. A good option is to go for a dewy, glowy look, but be careful not to overdo it, as this can make your makeup slip and slide.

Prep skin and lips with a sheet mask and hydrating lip balm

Prepping your skin and lips is an important step in achieving a flawless makeup look for your wedding day. Here are some detailed tips to help you prep your skin and lips with a sheet mask and hydrating lip balm:

For the Skin:

• Cleanse your skin: Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or impurities. If you exfoliate, choose a gentle exfoliating cleanser instead of a harsh scrub to avoid irritating your skin.
• Moisturize: Apply a lightweight, hydrating moisturizer to your face and neck. This will help to hydrate your skin and create a smooth base for your makeup.
• Prime: Use a primer to create an even canvas for your makeup application. Primer will also help your makeup last longer and look more flawless.

For the Lips:

• Exfoliate: Use a lip scrub to gently exfoliate your lips and remove any dead skin cells. This will help create a smooth base for your lip products and enhance their staying power.
• Hydrate: Apply a hydrating lip balm or lip mask to lock in moisture and soften your lips. Look for lip balms or masks that contain nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, or jojoba oil.
• Protect: If you'll be spending time in the sun, don't forget to apply a lip product with SPF to protect your lips from sun damage.

On your wedding day, you want your skin and lips to look and feel their best. By following these steps and choosing the right products, you can achieve a radiant and healthy complexion that will enhance your overall bridal look.

Apply a primer to even out skin tone

Applying primer is an essential step in your wedding makeup routine. Primer helps smooth the skin's appearance and ensures your makeup wears longer, giving you an even-looking skin tone.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before applying any primer, it is crucial to prepare your skin. Start by washing your face and using a light moisturiser. If you exfoliate, opt for a gentle exfoliating cleanser instead of a harsh scrub. Ensure your skin is clean, soft, and well-hydrated, providing a smooth canvas for your makeup.

Step 2: Apply Primer

Take a small amount of primer, about the size of a pea, and apply it to your face and eyelids. Use your fingertips to gently blend the primer into your skin. Primer will help fill in wrinkles, fine lines, and pores, creating a smooth base for the rest of your makeup.

Step 3: Allow Primer to Set

Give the primer a few minutes to dry and set. This step is crucial, as it ensures that your makeup lasts longer and blends seamlessly. If you are in a hurry, you can use a hairdryer on its coolest setting and wave it over your face to speed up the drying process.

Step 4: Colour Correct

If you have any areas of discolouration, now is the time to address them. Use a colour corrector or concealer that is opposite to the colour you want to neutralise. For example, use an orange or red colour corrector for dark circles or hyperpigmentation, and a green colour corrector for redness.

Step 5: Apply Foundation

Once the primer is set, move on to your foundation. Choose a long-lasting foundation that matches your skin tone, and apply it thinly and evenly, blending well. Remember that your wedding day will be a long one, so take the time to ensure your makeup is applied correctly and will last.

Step 6: Blend and Build

After applying your foundation, use a beauty blender or a brush to blend it into your skin, ensuring there are no harsh lines. If needed, apply another thin layer of foundation, building up coverage gradually. Pay close attention to blending your jawline and neck to avoid any visible lines.

Step 7: Conceal and Highlight

Now, address any blemishes or dark circles with a concealer that matches your skin tone. Apply the concealer only where needed and blend well. You can also use a highlighter to add a glow to specific areas of your face, such as the cheekbones, brow bone, and bridge of the nose.

Step 8: Set Your Makeup

Finally, use a light dusting of setting powder to set your makeup and ensure it lasts throughout the day. Setting powder will help prevent creasing and give your skin a natural, fresh finish.

By following these steps, you will achieve an even skin tone and a flawless base for the rest of your wedding makeup look. Remember to take your time and enjoy the process of creating a beautiful, radiant look for your special day!

Use a long-wearing foundation

A long-wearing foundation is a must for wedding makeup. You want a product that will last from the ceremony through to the after-party, so opt for a long-lasting foundation that won't slip or slide.

Prep Your Skin

Before applying foundation, it's important to prep your skin. Wash your face with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser. Choose a face wash based on your skin type—use a moisturising wash for dry skin or an oil- and alcohol-free wash for oily skin. If you have combination or sensitive skin, try an ultra-gentle cleanser like micellar water.

Exfoliate your face 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and keep your skin smooth. You can also use a gentle exfoliating cleanser on the day of the wedding.

Apply a non-drying, alcohol-free toner to remove any last impurities, then follow with a thin layer of moisturising eye cream. Choose a moisturiser suitable for your skin type—a water-based, oil-free gel for oily or acne-prone skin, and a thick moisturising cream for dry skin.

Choose the Right Foundation

When selecting a foundation, there are a few things to consider:

• Colour: Choose a shade that matches your natural skin tone. The foundation should blend seamlessly with your skin, so test it in natural lighting and let it sit for a few minutes, as some foundations can change colour once they react with the air.
• Finish: The finish you choose depends on your skin type. A matte finish is best for oily skin, while a dewy finish is more suitable for dry skin. A satin formula is ideal for combination or mature skin.
• Coverage: If you need to cover acne, discolouration, or redness, opt for a full-coverage foundation. Otherwise, a light or medium coverage foundation will suffice.

Apply the Foundation

There are different methods for applying liquid and powder foundation:

• Liquid foundation: Use a damp makeup sponge or a fluffy brush to apply liquid foundation. Squirt a small amount of foundation onto the back of your hand, then dip the sponge or brush into it. Apply the foundation to the middle of your face first, then blend outwards.
• Powder foundation: Use a large, rounded, fluffy brush to apply powder foundation. Dip the brush into the powder, then apply it to your face in circular motions, starting with the areas that need the most coverage (usually the nose, upper cheeks, and forehead).

Set Your Foundation

To ensure your foundation lasts all day, set it with a light dusting of setting powder. This will give your makeup a natural finish and prevent creasing. Finish with a setting spray to make your look last longer and avoid any caked-on effects.

Tips

• If you need to cover blemishes, wait until your foundation is set before adding concealer.
• If you're not sure how much concealer you need, apply your foundation first, then add concealer where needed.
• Always clean your makeup brushes and sponges after each use to keep them hygienic and long-lasting.
• Practise your wedding makeup look a few times before the big day to ensure you're happy with it and know how long it takes to apply.

Conceal dark spots and pigmentation

Dark spots and discolouration, known as hyperpigmentation, can be the result of sun exposure, hormones, inflammation, and genetics. It is a common issue that will affect over 90% of people at some point, especially as we age.

Skin Prep

Creating a smooth and flawless canvas is paramount. You need to find a non-oily primer that will create a great base for makeup and concealer to adhere to, keeping skin fresh and not shiny. A good primer will smooth out the texture of your face without drying it out or making it look shiny. It can also help to smooth out large pores, pitted acne scars, and wrinkles.

Colour Correcting

Colour correction can be done before or after foundation, depending on the source. Some suggest applying a colour corrector before foundation, as the base then sets everything in place. Others suggest applying it after foundation, so that you don't smear the colour corrector all over your face with a foundation brush or blender.

The best option to neutralise dark spots is a colour-correcting concealer. Use your fingertip or a concealer brush to lightly dab the product onto your dark spots, gently blending the edges.

Go for a peach or pink colour corrector or concealer. Peach and pink tones are opposite on the colour wheel from purple, green, and blue, making them an excellent pick for neutralising those dark spots.

Foundation

When it comes to concealing dark spots, a medium-weight foundation and a heavy-weight concealer are recommended. You only need to apply these to areas that really need it, in thin, light layers. Focus on keeping your skin looking luminous and fresh. A good brush can help you pinpoint the spots you want to cover precisely.

After applying foundation, you can then see which areas actually need concealer. Take a high-pigment camouflage concealer in a tone that is slightly warmer and more golden than your natural skin tone. Layer this gently and lightly on your key areas of hyperpigmentation, taking the time to really massage or buff the formula into your skin so it ‘melts’ and doesn’t just sit there – it will last much longer this way, too.

Setting

The best way to ensure that your look lasts all day is to top it off with a translucent powder or setting spray, depending on your preference and skin type.

If you have oily or combo skin, a good matte powder can help your makeup remain in place all day by absorbing oil. Use a cushion or a powder brush to evenly blend it over your face.

If you have dry skin, a makeup setting spray can help your complexion remain even without drying out your skin. Spray it on your skin after blending your makeup. You can reapply the spray throughout the day for a burst of hydration.

Set makeup with a setting powder

Setting powder is an important step in your wedding makeup routine, as it will stop your foundation from rubbing off, reduce shine, and keep you looking fabulous all day and night.

• Choose the right setting powder for your skin type. If you have dry skin, opt for a sheer, lightweight powder with moisturising ingredients. For dull skin, choose a powder with micro-shimmers for a luminous finish. Oily skin types should go for a mattifying setting powder with a velvet-matte finish.
• Decide between loose or pressed powder. Loose powder tends to be more finely milled and feels lighter on the skin, whereas pressed powder is better for touch-ups and is easier to travel with.
• Apply your setting powder with a brush or a powder puff. For a more natural finish, use a brush to sweep the powder over your face. For a more long-lasting finish, use a powder puff to press and roll the powder into your skin.
• Focus on your T-zone. Even if you are applying powder all over your face, pay particular attention to your T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), as this area is more prone to shine.
• Don't forget to blend. Make sure you blend your powder seamlessly into your neck and hairline so that there are no harsh lines.
• Keep your setting powder close by for touch-ups. You might need to reapply your setting powder during the day or evening, especially if you have oily skin or are doing a lot of dancing!

Frequently asked questions