Makeup Tricks For A Long-Lasting Wedding Glow

Ensuring that your makeup stays on throughout your wedding day is a crucial aspect of looking and feeling your best. It is essential to consider factors such as the climate, the products you use, and the application techniques to achieve long-lasting results. From priming your skin to choosing the right foundation and concealer, there are several steps you can take to make your wedding makeup stay on from the ceremony to the last dance. Additionally, doing a trial run and allowing ample time for application on the day can help ensure a flawless and durable finish.

Moisturise, prime, then apply foundation with a sponge

Moisturising is an important step in any makeup routine, but especially so for brides-to-be. Makeup artists cannot stress enough how important it is to have properly moisturised skin on the day of your wedding. If your skin is dry, it will absorb the products and the makeup will settle into your fine lines and wrinkles, making them appear worse. Use an oil-free moisturiser all over your face and a thicker cream around your eyes.

After moisturising, the next step for long-lasting makeup is to apply a primer. Primer is a must for keeping your foundation in place. Makeup artist Matin Maulawizada recommends only using primers that are silicone-free, such as the Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer, as silicone-based primers are too slick and will cause your makeup to slide off your face.

When it comes to applying your foundation, using a sponge will help you achieve a soft, non-cakey finish. The purpose of foundation is to even out your skin tone, not hide blemishes, so there's no need to load it on. Use a damp sponge, like the BeautyBlender, to thin out the product for a sheer finish. Start by applying the product in the middle of your face and blend it out around the edges so you don't have any harsh lines that make it look like you're wearing a mask. If you have blemishes or spots to camouflage, tackle them with concealer after; the foundation will work to cover some of the redness, and then you can fully cancel out any pink tones with cover-up.

Make sure to clean your sponge regularly to prevent a buildup of bacteria and to ensure a flawless application. Makeup sponges should be replaced every three to six months, depending on usage and how well you maintain them.

Avoid high-SPF foundations and HD/anti-ageing products

When it comes to your wedding day, you want your makeup to be as flawless in person as it is in photos. One way to ensure this is by avoiding high-SPF foundations and HD/anti-ageing products.

High-SPF foundations often contain an ingredient called Titanium Dioxide, which is especially prevalent in Dior foundations. This ingredient will react to the flash of a camera, leaving your face looking pale or ashy. If you're set on using a foundation with SPF, opt for one with SPF 15, as these have been found to not cause any problems.

If your wedding is outdoors, it's understandable that you'd want to protect your skin with SPF products. However, be mindful that these products can leave behind an ashy or bluish tone on your skin. It is recommended that you skip foundation with SPF altogether on your wedding day to prevent an uneven skin tone in your photos.

In addition to high-SPF foundations, you should also steer clear of HD powders and anti-ageing concealers. These products contain particles that can act as mirrors, reflecting the camera's flash and leaving you with a ghostly pale face in photos. While these products are great for everyday use, they can cause unwanted effects when used in large quantities or under the harsh lights of a camera flash.

To ensure your makeup looks perfect on your big day, it's crucial to do a trial run and take photos under different lighting conditions. This will allow you to see how your makeup will look in photos and make any necessary adjustments. Remember, when it comes to your wedding day, it's better to be safe than sorry!

Use long-wear, waterproof products

Using long-wear and waterproof products is essential for bridal makeup to ensure it lasts through the day. Long-wear products are designed to withstand sweat, tears, and hugs, so the makeup stays in place.

When choosing products, look for labels such as "long-wear," "long-lasting," and "waterproof." These products will ensure that your makeup stays put, even through the emotions and physical contact of your wedding day.

It is also important to be mindful of the ingredients in your skincare and foundation products. Some foundations with high SPFs contain Titanium Dioxide, which can react to the flash of a camera, making your skin appear paler in photos. Instead, opt for foundations with SPF 15, which have been proven to work well in photographs.

Additionally, consider using a setting spray to keep your makeup in place. A setting spray will act as a final step to ensure your makeup stays put and can be easily carried in your purse for touch-ups throughout the day and night.

By choosing long-wear and waterproof products and being mindful of certain ingredients, you can ensure your wedding makeup stays flawless and camera-ready from morning to night.

Do a makeup trial and take photos in different lighting

Doing a makeup trial is an important step in achieving your dream bridal look. It is recommended that you try out your desired wedding makeup look a few months before the wedding and then again a week before, around the same time of day as your wedding. This will give you a chance to test out the products and see how they wear throughout the day.

Taking photos during your makeup trial is crucial, especially under different lighting conditions. Fluorescent, natural, and candlelight can all impact how your makeup appears in photos, so it's important to see how your makeup photographs in each of these settings. For example, some foundations with high SPFs contain an ingredient called Titanium Dioxide, which can react to the flash of a camera and wash out your skin. Taking photos during your trial will allow you to see how your chosen products and colours show up in images and ensure that you look flawless in all your wedding photos, regardless of the lighting.

It is also important to note that you should not switch up your products for the wedding. If you have already found products that offer the perfect finish and match your skin tone, stick with those. Additionally, while it is important to do a trial, you should not try a completely new look. The goal is to look like the best version of yourself, so amp up your everyday look, but don't stray too far from what you're used to.

Apply concealer after foundation

While there are no hard and fast rules, most makeup artists recommend applying foundation before concealer. This is because foundation is meant to be the base of your makeup look, so it makes sense to apply it first. Foundation is meant to even out your skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes, so until you've applied it, it's hard to judge how much concealer you need.

Makeup artist Robin Black agrees: "Using concealer first is a waste of product and creating more work for you, as then you just have to go over the area again. Concealer is meant to conceal, while foundation is meant to be the base, or foundation, of your look."

Makeup artist Katey Denno also recommends applying a light layer of foundation first, starting in the centre of the face and blending outwards, and then following up with concealer only where it's needed. This will help you achieve a natural finish.

However, there are some instances where you might want to apply concealer first. If you're being photographed, for example, it's a good idea to use concealer before foundation because the flash can accentuate the points where concealer was applied. You might also want to apply concealer first if your concealer shade isn't the same as your foundation, or if you're colour-correcting discolouration.

If you're using a powder foundation, you can apply liquid or cream concealer on top. But if you're using a liquid foundation, you should let it dry for a moment or two before going in with a powder concealer.

Frequently asked questions