Diy Wedding Makeup: Achieving A Flawless Bridal Look

Doing your own wedding makeup can be a great way to save money and ensure you get the exact look you want for your big day. However, it's important to consider the time and skill required to achieve a long-lasting, photo-ready finish. If you're confident in your abilities and have the time to practice and prepare, doing your own wedding makeup can be a rewarding experience.

To achieve a professional-looking finish, there are several steps you should follow. Firstly, it's crucial to start with a well-prepped canvas. This means establishing a skincare routine in the lead-up to your wedding and choosing the right primer and foundation for your skin type. Once you've applied your base, blend, blend, blend! This will create an airbrushed finish and ensure your makeup looks seamless in photos.

Next, set your base with a light dusting of powder and add definition and colour with eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and false lashes if desired. Fill in your brows and finish off with a lip product that suits your style. To ensure your makeup lasts all day, finish with a setting spray.

By following these steps and choosing the right products for your skin, you can create a beautiful, long-lasting bridal look that will make you feel confident and radiant on your wedding day.

Skin prep

Cleanse and Moisturise:

Start by cleansing your skin thoroughly. This will create a perfect canvas for your makeup and ensure it stays on all day. After cleansing, apply a moisturiser suitable for your skin type. Some recommended options include La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Cream or Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Moisturizer, which are great for plumping and hydrating the skin.

Eye Care:

Don't forget the delicate skin around your eyes! Use an eye cream to prevent any flakiness or dryness throughout the day. A recommended option is the Eborian Ginseng Eye Cream.

Primer:

Primer will help create a smooth base for your makeup and improve its longevity. You can use a combination of primers for different effects. For example, Charlotte Tilbury's Wander Glow Primer all over the face, followed by Nars' Radiance Primer on the high points of the cheekbones, eyebrow bone, and nose. The Nars primer also contains SPF, which is an added bonus.

Correct and Perfect:

Depending on your skin concerns, you may want to use colour correctors or concealers before applying foundation. This can help neutralise any discolouration or blemishes and create an even base.

Hydrate and Protect:

Ensure your skin is well-hydrated by using a hydrating mist or facial spray before moving on to the next steps. You can also apply a sunscreen suitable for your skin type, especially if your wedding is during the day or outdoors, to protect your skin from UV damage.

Remember, the key to great skin prep is finding products that work well with your skin type and practising your routine a few times before the big day. This will help you perfect the application and ensure your skin looks its best.

Choosing the right products

• Stick to trusted products: Opt for your go-to, tried-and-true formulas that you know work well for you. Avoid experimenting with new products right before your wedding, as you want to minimise the risk of allergic reactions or breakouts. However, if you want to upgrade a product, be sure to do so well in advance and test it out thoroughly.
• Invest in quality brushes: Consider investing in high-quality makeup brushes, as they can make a significant difference in the overall application and finish of your makeup. "Makeup is a delicate art, and small differences can easily affect the result," says makeup artist Reina Kim.
• Clean your brushes: Ensure your brushes are clean before your wedding day to prevent any leftover product from transferring to your skin and to reduce the risk of breakouts.
• Primer: A good primer will help create a smooth base for your makeup and improve its longevity. Look for a primer that suits your skin type and addresses specific concerns, such as minimising pores or controlling shine.
• Foundation: Choose a long-lasting foundation that will stay put throughout the day. Opt for a formula that provides the level of coverage you desire—whether it's a natural, dewy finish or a full-coverage matte look. Test different foundations to find the one that best matches your skin tone and type.
• Concealer: Select a concealer that offers sufficient coverage and blends seamlessly into your skin. Consider using a shade slightly lighter than your foundation to brighten up certain areas, such as the under-eye area.
• Contour and bronzer: If you wish to contour, choose a product that blends effortlessly and suits your skin tone. You can use a cream or liquid contour product and set it with a bronzer or powder contour of your choice.
• Setting powder: A setting powder is essential to lock in your base makeup and ensure it lasts throughout the day. Opt for a translucent powder or one that matches your skin tone to avoid any flashback in photographs.
• Eyeshadow: Opt for eyeshadow shades that complement your skin tone and the overall aesthetic you're going for. If you're unsure where to start, look for eyeshadow palettes specifically designed for wedding looks or neutral palettes with warm tones.
• Eyeliner: If you plan to use liquid eyeliner, choose a product with a precise applicator that glides smoothly. Alternatively, you can use a pencil liner for a smokier effect.
• Mascara: Opt for a waterproof mascara to avoid any smudging, especially if you think you might shed a few tears during the day.
• False eyelashes: If you want to enhance your lashes even further, consider using false eyelashes. Practice applying them beforehand to ensure you're comfortable with the technique.
• Lip products: Choose a lip liner that matches your natural lip colour or your desired lipstick shade. Fill in your lips with the liner to create a base and improve the longevity of your lip colour. Select a lipstick or lip gloss in your preferred shade and finish, such as satin or gloss.

Practice

One way to practice is to trial your wedding-day makeup and see how it lasts throughout the day. Ask yourself: did this makeup application last all day? What did I do differently this time that makes me like this look more? This will help you narrow down the look you want and choose products that you know will last.

You can also try out different combinations of products and techniques when you go out. For example, try a new combo of products when you go to a bar, or test out a new technique when you go out to dinner. This way, you can see how your makeup looks and lasts in different environments and with different lighting.

Another way to practice is to do your bridal makeup on a random day before the wedding. Time yourself to see how long it takes you – you can even ask your partner or a friend to interrupt you a few times, to simulate the distractions of the wedding day. Take photos with and without flash to see how your makeup looks in pictures, and in different lighting.

If you're worried about the stress of doing your makeup on the day, you could also try doing your makeup completely solo, away from anyone else you're getting ready with. This will help you focus and avoid any distractions or added pressure.

Setting spray

Choosing a Setting Spray

There are many different types of setting sprays available, so it's important to choose one that suits your skin type and the desired outcome. If you have oily or combination skin, opt for a matte setting spray, which will help control shine and oiliness. If you have normal to dry skin, a dewy setting spray will add a radiant, glowing finish to your complexion. For a subtle shimmer, choose an illuminating setting spray, which contains light-reflecting pigments.

Application Tips

When applying your setting spray, hold the bottle about 8-10 inches away from your face and spritz 3-4 times in an "X" and "T" formation. Allow the spray to dry naturally, and if there are any droplets, blend them out with a damp beauty blender. You can also use a small fan to dry the product quickly.

Recommended Products

• Skindinavia Bridal Setting Spray: This spray is designed to keep your makeup in place through tears, kisses, and sweat. It provides up to 16 hours of protection, feels lightweight, and won't clog pores.
• Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray: This popular setting spray extends the wear time of your makeup and is suitable for all skin types.
• Ben Nye Final Seal: This setting spray is a favourite among makeup artists and is ideal for those who sweat profusely or are in extreme conditions.
• Mario Badescu Rose Water Facial Spray: This multi-functional spray is perfect for those with sensitive skin, as it contains soothing ingredients like aloe, rosewater, and herbs.

Remember to choose a setting spray that suits your skin type and the look you want to achieve. Practice your bridal makeup look a few times beforehand to ensure you're happy with the results and to test the longevity of the products.

False eyelashes

When choosing false eyelashes, it's important to consider the overall style you are going for. If you want a more natural look, opt for lashes that are shorter on the inner corner and longer on the outer corner, like the Ardell Demi Wispies. These lashes are also light and movable, making them a great choice for first-time lash wearers. For a more dramatic look, you can try the KISS Lash Couture Naked Drama "Lacey" or the Lilly Lashes "Miami".

To ensure that your false eyelashes look their best on your wedding day, it is recommended to practice applying them beforehand. This will help you get used to the feel of the lashes and ensure that they are applied correctly. It is also a good idea to wear them for a few hours to make sure they are comfortable and secure. If you're unsure about false eyelashes, you can always test them out during your makeup trial. This will allow you to see how they look and feel, and you can make any necessary adjustments.

On your wedding day, it's important to apply your false eyelashes correctly to ensure they are comfortable and stay in place. Be sure to use waterproof glue, especially if you think you might shed a few tears. Applying mascara over your false eyelashes can also help to blend them with your natural lashes and make them look more natural.

With the right pair of false eyelashes and a little practice, you can achieve a beautiful and glamorous look for your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions