Wedding Day Makeup: Tips For A Flawless Bridal Look

Doing your own makeup for your wedding can be a great way to save money and ensure you get the look you want. However, it can also be stressful, especially if you're not confident in your makeup skills. If you're thinking of doing your own wedding makeup, here are some tips to help you achieve a beautiful, long-lasting look.

First, consider the style you want. Do you want a natural, glowy look or something more dramatic? Choose a look that you're comfortable with and that complements your features and skin tone. Practise the look several times beforehand, and time yourself to ensure you know how long it will take on the day. Choose products that will last all day, and consider using waterproof mascara and a setting spray to prevent tears from ruining your handiwork.

If you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of tutorials and inspiration online. You can also book a consultation with a makeup artist to get advice on products and colours. Don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

Prep your skin

Prepping your skin is the most important step in achieving flawless makeup. Here are some tips to ensure your skin is ready for your wedding makeup:

Cleanse and Exfoliate

Start with a clean base by cleansing your face. If you exfoliate, opt for a gentle exfoliating cleanser instead of a harsh scrub to avoid irritating your skin. It is important to exfoliate as it will help remove dead skin cells and create a smooth canvas for your makeup.

Moisturise

Moisturising your skin is crucial, especially before applying makeup. Choose a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser to give your skin a glow. If you have specific concerns, such as dark circles or puffiness, use an eye cream to address these issues. Remember to allow your skin to absorb the products before moving on to the next step.

Lip Care

Focus on your lips by applying a generous amount of lip balm in the week leading up to your wedding. This will ensure your lips are soft and hydrated, creating the perfect base for your lip colour.

Sun Protection

If you plan to spend time outdoors before your wedding, remember to practise sun safety. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to sunburns, uneven skin pigmentation, and dryness, all of which can complicate the makeup application process. Always apply sunscreen and reapply it every two hours to protect your skin.

Prime

Primer is essential for creating a smooth base and ensuring your makeup lasts throughout the day. Choose a primer suitable for your skin type. If you have oily skin, opt for an oil-controlling primer. For dry skin, avoid silicone-based primers, and instead, select a hydrating primer to nourish your skin.

Trial and Error

In the lead up to your wedding, experiment with different skincare and makeup products to find what works best for you. This will help you create a personalised skincare routine and determine the ideal products for your big day.

Professional Guidance

Consider consulting a dermatologist or licensed esthetician for a pre-wedding skincare routine tailored to your specific skin concerns. They can provide expert advice to help you achieve glowing, healthy skin, making a significant difference when it comes time to apply your wedding makeup.

Choose the right foundation

Choosing the right foundation for your wedding makeup is crucial to achieving a flawless and long-lasting look. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect foundation for your big day:

Know Your Skin Type

Understanding your skin type is essential for choosing the right foundation. If you have oily skin, opt for a matte foundation with medium-to-full coverage. Avoid using your fingers during application, as this can transfer oil from your hands to your face. For dry skin, a light-coverage, hydrating foundation will keep your skin quenched throughout the day. Use your fingers to press the product into your skin for longer-lasting coverage. If you have combination skin, you can choose between a dewy or matte finish. A velvet matte foundation will help control oiliness in the T-zone, and you can add a highlight to your cheeks for a glow.

Consider the Weather and Season

The climate and season of your wedding will impact your foundation choice. If you're getting married in a warm climate, lightweight and waterproof formulas are ideal. On the other hand, hydrating foundations are better suited for cold, wintery days to keep your skin glowing.

Opt for Long-wearing Formulas

Your wedding day will be filled with emotions and activities, so choosing a long-wearing foundation is essential. Look for formulas that are long-lasting and waterproof to ensure your makeup stays put through tears and celebrations.

Match Your Foundation to Your Skin Tone

It's crucial to select a foundation shade that closely matches your skin tone or the tone of your neck. This is especially important as you'll be photographed throughout the day, and you want your makeup to look natural and flawless in the pictures.

Prepare Your Skin

A well-prepared canvas is key to a flawless foundation application. Ensure your skin is hydrated and moisturized before applying foundation. This will create a smooth base and help the product blend seamlessly into your skin.

Trial and Error

Don't be afraid to experiment with different foundations before settling on the right one. A makeup trial will help you test the longevity of your chosen foundation and ensure it looks good in photographs.

• MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
• Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Foundation
• La Mer The Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20
• Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Foundation
• Lancôme Dual Finish Powder Foundation
• Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Youth-Boosting Perfect Foundation
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation

Apply concealer

Applying concealer is an important step in achieving a flawless bridal makeup look. Here are some detailed tips to help you apply concealer like a pro on your wedding day:

Choose the Right Shade:

Select a concealer shade that matches your skin tone. If you want to brighten your under-eye area or highlight the centre of your face, opt for a shade that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. If you're spot-concealing a blemish, choose a concealer that matches your skin tone perfectly.

Prepare Your Skin:

Before applying concealer, ensure your skin is well-prepped and hydrated. Start with a clean face and apply a moisturiser and eye cream to keep your skin smooth and hydrated. You may also want to use a primer to help your makeup last longer and create a smooth base for your concealer.

Application Technique:

When applying concealer, use a brush, sponge, or your fingers. For a seamless blend and a more natural finish, a makeup sponge is ideal. Gently bounce or tap the sponge onto your skin to blend the product with your foundation. You can also use your fingers for a sheer concealer formula.

If you prefer using a brush, opt for a dedicated concealer brush. A brush with a small, fluffy end is perfect for blending the product seamlessly, especially around the delicate under-eye area.

Concealing Under-Eye Circles:

When applying concealer under your eyes, use a light hand and apply the product in a triangle shape. This technique will help create a brightened and lifted effect. Be sure to blend well to avoid any creasing or caking.

Setting the Concealer:

To ensure your concealer lasts all day and to prevent creasing, set it with a light dusting of setting powder. Use a fluffy brush to apply the powder gently, especially in areas where you want to avoid shine, such as under the eyes and around the nose.

Colour Correcting:

If you're trying to conceal redness or blemishes, consider using a colour-correcting concealer before applying your foundation. For redness, choose a concealer with a green undertone to neutralise the red. For dark circles or purple discolouration, opt for a peach or apricot concealer to neutralise the area before applying your regular concealer.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Take the time to experiment with different techniques and products to find what works best for you and your skin type.

Contour and blush

Contouring and highlighting can be a great way to sculpt your face and make your features stand out. When done right, it can make your face look sharper and more defined, while still looking natural.

Products

The products you use for contouring and highlighting are important. You can use either cream or powder-based products, but it's best to stick to one type rather than mixing the two. The contour product should be two shades darker than your natural skin tone, and the highlighter should be two shades lighter. The contour shade should be cool-toned, without any orange or warm undertones, to mimic the appearance of natural shadows. The highlighter should be a fine, pearlescent product, without too much glitter, as this can look unnatural.

Application

When applying contour, focus on your cheekbones, forehead, hairline, jawline, and the sides and tip of your nose. Suck in your cheeks to find the hollows, and apply the contour product there, blending outwards. You can also contour the sides of your nose to make it appear slimmer.

For highlighting, focus on the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the centre of your forehead, your chin, the arch of your eyebrows, and the cupid's bow of your upper lip.

Remember to blend, blend, blend! You want to avoid any harsh lines, so take the time to blend the products into your skin. You can use a damp beauty blender or a blending brush to do this.

Blush

Blush is a great way to add a flush of colour to your cheeks and enhance your features. It can be applied in a few different ways, depending on your face shape and the look you want to achieve.

One technique is to apply blush just underneath your cheekbones, starting at the ear and blending towards the middle of your cheek. This will help to lift your cheekbones and give them definition.

Another technique is to focus the blush on the tops of your cheekbones, starting at the hairline and sweeping it downwards. This will give you a sun-kissed look.

You can also combine blush with contour and highlighter for a more dramatic look. Apply the contour first, then the blush on the apples of your cheeks, and finally, the highlighter on the upper cheekbones.

When choosing a blush colour, opt for shades of coral, rosy pink, or watermelon red. These shades will add a natural-looking flush of colour to your cheeks. You can also choose a deeper shade with a touch of peach, deep apricot, or caramel, depending on your skin tone.

Remember to blend the blush well and build up the colour gradually to avoid any harsh lines.

Set your makeup

Setting your makeup is an important step to ensure your wedding makeup stays in place. Here is a step-by-step guide to setting your wedding makeup:

• Primer: Start by applying a primer that suits your skin type. For example, if you have oily skin, opt for a mattifying primer, while those with dry skin can choose a hydrating primer. A primer will help create a smooth base for your makeup and improve its longevity.
• Foundation: Choose a long-lasting foundation that will provide good coverage without looking cakey. Apply it gradually, starting with a thin layer and building up as needed using a foundation brush or a damp beauty sponge.
• Concealer: Apply a concealer that matches your skin tone to brighten up your under-eye area and cover any blemishes or redness. Use your fingers or a brush to blend it seamlessly into your skin.
• Setting Powder: To set your base and ensure it stays in place, use a setting powder. Focus on areas that tend to get oily, such as the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), and under the eyes to prevent creasing.
• Eyes: If you plan to wear false eyelashes, practice applying them beforehand to ensure you can do it confidently on your wedding day. Choose a waterproof mascara to avoid any smudging, especially if you think you might shed a few tears.
• Lips: To make your lip colour last longer, start by outlining and filling in your lips with a lip liner that matches your natural lip colour or your chosen lipstick shade. Then, apply your chosen lipstick or lip gloss.
• Setting Spray: Finish off your makeup look with a setting spray. This will help to meld all the products together and give your makeup extra staying power.

Remember to practice your entire makeup routine a few times before your wedding day to perfect the techniques and ensure the longevity of your chosen products.

Frequently asked questions