Your Wedding Day: Makeup Essentials For The Diy Bride

what you need to do your own wedding makeup

Doing your own wedding makeup can be a great way to save money and ensure you get the exact look you want. However, it requires careful planning and practice to ensure your makeup stays flawless throughout the day and night. Before applying your makeup, it's essential to prep your skin with a skincare routine that includes cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating. When choosing products, opt for lightweight and hydrating options that will create a perfect base for your makeup without being too slippery. Practice your desired look several times and take photos with and without flash to see how it will look in different lighting conditions. Additionally, consider the weather and whether you need to wear SPF, as certain sunscreens can create a white cast in photos. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help from a professional makeup artist if you feel overwhelmed.

Characteristics Values
Practice Try out different products and techniques, practice the look multiple times, and take photos with flash and in different lighting to see what works best
Skin preparation Cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate skin, use a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser, and correct dark circles with eye cream
Timing Time how long it takes to do your makeup, and on the day, be the last person to finish your makeup
Setting spray Use a high-performance, oil-free setting spray to ensure makeup lasts all day and night
SPF If getting married in summer or on a beach, use SPF, but test different sunscreens to avoid a white cast in photos
Foundation Get colour-matched in-store, and take photos in different lighting to see how the foundation adapts
Blush Apply slightly more than you think you need as it tends to get washed out in photos
Lipstick Choose a shade that will bring you joy, love, and happiness
Contouring Use a contour wand with a liquid formula, and apply to the hollows of the cheeks, temples, and jawline
Powder Use a finishing powder to set and lock in your makeup
Stress Doing your own makeup can be stressful, so consider doing it solo in a calm room with one person on hand for support

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Prep your skin with a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser and eye cream

Prepping your skin is crucial when it comes to doing your own wedding makeup. It is the key to achieving a gorgeous, glowing look and creating the perfect canvas for your makeup.

Start by cleansing your skin to create a clean base. You can use your regular cleanser or a gentle, hydrating cleanser if you want to be extra gentle on your skin. Then, exfoliate your skin to get rid of any dead skin cells and create a smooth surface for your makeup. Charlotte Tilbury's dual-action acid exfoliator can help you achieve a smoother and more hydrated complexion.

Next, apply a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser. This will give your skin a healthy glow and ensure your makeup goes on smoothly. Look for a moisturiser with a matte finish, like the Embryolisse Hydra Mat Emulsion, to keep excess shine at bay and keep your skin picture-perfect all day. It's important to choose a moisturiser that is non-greasy and won't make your skin feel slippery, as this can affect the longevity of your makeup.

Finally, don't forget the eye cream! Use an eye cream to correct any dark circles and de-puff your eye area. This will ensure your eye makeup goes on smoothly and gives you a well-rested appearance. Take your time with this step, as the eye area is delicate and can benefit from the extra hydration and care.

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Use a setting spray to ensure your makeup lasts all day and night

Wedding makeup needs to be long-lasting, so it stays put for the ceremony, reception, and after-party. A setting spray is a widely used cosmetic product that can help you achieve this.

Setting spray is a liquid mist that typically lists water and alcohol as its main ingredients. It is designed to be applied after your makeup routine to set or lock your makeup in place and increase its longevity. The spray creates a protective barrier over your makeup, preventing it from smudging, fading, or melting, and keeping your look fresh and flawless.

To use a setting spray, hold the bottle about six to eight inches away from your face, close your eyes and mouth, and lightly spray it onto your skin using "X" and "T" motions. Ensure you cover all the products you've applied to your face, and you should be left with a light layer that feels slightly damp. Let the setting spray dry naturally.

For the ultimate in long-lasting makeup, pair your setting spray with a quality primer. Start by applying the primer to smooth your skin's texture and help your makeup adhere better. Once your makeup is done, finish with a setting spray to keep your look intact for hours. If you struggle with oily skin, use blotting papers to gently remove any excess oil before applying your setting spray.

While setting spray is typically used as the final step in your makeup routine, some people also swear by using it before applying makeup or between each step. If you're going to be in humid conditions, in the rain, or you simply want your makeup to stay put, the more setting spray, the better.

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Practice your desired look in advance, taking photos with and without flash

Practising your desired wedding makeup look in advance is crucial. It will give you the confidence to create your look on the day and help you identify what works and what needs to be adjusted. For example, you might find that you need a better setting spray to ensure your makeup lasts all day. Practising in advance will also allow you to test out different products and techniques to see what works best for you.

When practising your makeup look, be sure to take photos with and without flash. This is important because flash photography can affect the appearance of certain foundations, primers and setting powders, creating an unflattering white cast on your face in photos. By taking photos with flash, you can see how your makeup will look in the wedding photos and make any necessary adjustments.

It's also a good idea to practise your makeup look in different lighting conditions to see how it will appear in various settings throughout your wedding day. For example, if you're getting ready in a dimly lit room, your makeup might look different than in a bright, natural light setting. Practising in different lighting will help you perfect your look for all areas of your wedding venue.

Additionally, consider taking photos throughout the day as you wear your makeup look. This will help you see how your makeup wears throughout the day and whether any touch-ups are needed. Remember, your bridal makeup needs to stay in place for the ceremony, reception, and after-party, so it's important to choose long-lasting products and set your makeup to ensure it lasts.

Finally, don't be afraid to ask for feedback on your makeup look. Send photos to your friends or family members and ask for their honest opinions. They may be able to offer suggestions or help you identify any areas that need improvement. Practising in advance and taking photos with and without flash will ultimately help you feel more confident and ensure your makeup looks flawless on your wedding day.

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Choose a matte finish moisturiser to avoid excess shine

If you're planning to do your own wedding makeup, it's important to consider the finish of your moisturiser. While dewy finishes can provide additional hydration and a luminous appearance, they may not be suitable for those with oily skin as they can result in the makeup not staying. Instead, choosing a matte finish moisturiser can help control excess shine and oil production, refine the skin's texture, and provide optimal hydration.

Matte finish moisturisers are typically lightweight and designed to control excess oil without causing breakouts or a greasy appearance. They are often enriched with ingredients like Japanese green tea, burdock root, sodium hyaluronate, avocado and African yellow wood bark extracts, or oil-trapping microspheres that help regulate sebum production and minimise the appearance of pores. These moisturisers ensure that your skin looks and feels matte while providing the necessary hydration.

When selecting a matte moisturiser, it's important to consider your skin type and preferences. While matte finishes are ideal for individuals with oily skin, those with drier skin may find that dewy finishes feel more comfortable and moisturising. Additionally, some matte moisturisers may be too drying for certain skin types, so it's crucial to choose a product that balances hydration without compromising on excess shine control.

To ensure your wedding makeup stays in place, consider using a moisturiser with a matte finish as your base. This will help control shine and excess oil throughout the day, providing a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup application. Remember to practice your makeup look in advance and test how long it lasts to ensure it meets your expectations for your special day.

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Opt for a natural look with careful, light layers and a powder to set

Opting for a natural look with careful, light layers and a powder to set is a great choice for your wedding makeup. This look can be achieved with the right products and some practice. Here are some tips to help you create this look for your big day:

Firstly, skincare is essential. Start by prepping your skin with a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser to create a glowing base for your makeup. Use an eye cream to correct any dark circles and reduce puffiness. It is also important to take care of your skin in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Consider visiting a dermatologist or licensed esthetician for a pre-wedding skincare routine. Glowing, healthy skin will enhance your natural makeup look.

Now, let's move on to the makeup application. Begin with a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly. To achieve a natural look, opt for a cream foundation as it is lighter than liquid and less prone to caking than powder. Carefully blend the foundation into your hairline and down your neck to avoid any hard lines. Remember, natural makeup requires careful, light layers, and it is essential to blend well.

After applying your foundation, you can move on to the eyes. If you want to keep it very natural, you can skip eyeshadow and eyeliner and go straight to mascara. Use brown or black-brown mascara and apply one or two layers to volumise and lengthen your lashes, making your eyes stand out. If you want a little extra definition, you can add a subtle line of eyeliner or a hint of eyeshadow.

To complete the look, add a light dusting of setting powder to seal your makeup. This will help keep your makeup looking fresh and natural while also preventing unwanted creases. You can also use a powder to touch up throughout the day if needed.

Remember to practice your natural wedding makeup look a few times before your big day to perfect it and make any necessary adjustments. This will ensure that you feel confident and comfortable on your wedding day.

Frequently asked questions

Doing your own wedding makeup can be a great way to save money and ensure you get the exact look you want. However, it's important to consider your skill level and how much time you're willing to devote to practicing.

The products you need will depend on the look you want to achieve. However, some essential products include a lightweight moisturiser, an eye cream, a setting spray, and your choice of foundation, blush, lipstick, and contouring products.

It's important to get shade-matched in-store and to test how the foundation looks in different lighting and photography conditions. You may also want to avoid SPF in your foundation, as it can create a white cast in photos.

To ensure your makeup lasts, it's crucial to prep your skin properly. Cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate your skin before applying any makeup. Use a setting spray to lock in your look, and consider using long-lasting products or a setting powder to avoid touch-ups.

Practice your desired look several times, taking photos in different lighting conditions and with flash. Time how long it takes, and consider doing a trial run on a random day to account for interruptions and to test the longevity of your makeup.

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