Bridal makeup should be special. On her wedding day, every bride should look like herself at her most beautiful. It is not a time to try a look that is very trendy or radically different from her usual style. Wedding makeup must be long lasting, look amazing in photographs, and be timeless. Every bride should love how she looks in the pictures ten years from now.
If possible, do a consultation and run-through of the makeup before the wedding day. Reserve an appointment for about four to six weeks prior to the wedding day to design and practice the look. The wedding day is also special for family and friends, so consider booking makeup appointments for the whole bridal party.
Bridal makeup needs to have enough color to compensate for the whiteness of the dress. Remember, there’s a big difference between everyday clothes and a wedding dress, so there should be a difference in the makeup, too. Start by making sure the skin looks even and smooth, and then add color to give cheeks and lips a glow. Finish with eyes that are defined but not overdone. To avoid feeling rushed, allow forty-five minutes to an hour for makeup application on the wedding day.
Natural light is best for makeup application. If possible, set up your makeup station near a window, or use a superbright lamp.
Use a moisturizer that will prepare the skin for makeup. Avoid sunblocks and sunscreens that can give a “flash off” to makeup. They reflect too much light under flash photography, resulting in an overexposed shot.
Emphasize the eyes by brightening any darkness under them with corrector and concealer.
Flash photography emphasizes pink tones, so be sure to even out the skin with a yellow-toned foundation. Start around the nose and mouth, where there’s redness, and then blend out to the rest of the face.
Blend well, especially at the corners of the eyes, since cameras pick up visible makeup lines.
Set concealer and foundation with a sheer loose powder. Powder applied with a powder puff assures amazing wearability and reduces unwanted shine— a must-have look for pictures.
If the wedding gown has an open neckline, warm up the neck and chest with a dusting of bronzing powder. It will ensure that the face and body have a balanced tone.
For a pretty flush that lasts, use two shades of blush. Start with a neutral shade, and apply it on the apples of the cheeks, blending up into the hairline, then downward to soften. Finish with a pop of brighter blush just on the apples of the cheeks. Balm or shimmer can be layered for a highlighting effect.
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Neutral, brown, and pale lip colors look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one or two shades brighter than what you normally wear. For those who normally wear a neutral hue, it should be worn as a base, with a pink or rose color on top. For those who normally wear dark lipstick, use that as the base, and apply a brighter pink on top to give the color a lift. Pinks, roses, and plums are great choices for brides.
To make lip color last longer, line and fill in lips with lip pencil before applying the lipstick.
Define brows with a soft matte shadow that matches the hair color.
Use a flat white shadow as a highlighter on the brow bone for those with light skin. A vanilla shade better suits deeper complexions. Use matte eye shadows, as they won’t reflect light or look too shiny in photographs.
Define the eyes with a crease color, but avoid using a color that’s too dense or dark, as it can detract from the eyes themselves.
Use a water-resistant liner that can withstand tears. If you prefer to line with shadow, make it last longer by applying it with a slightly damp eyeliner brush.
Use an eyelash curler before applying the first coat of mascara.
Choose mascara that’s waterproof. It lasts longer and withstands tears.
After applying all the eye makeup, finish with a highlighter shade on the brow bone to make the eyes pop. Rub your finger in a light matte shade, and pat lightly on the outer corner of the brow bone.