Makeup for your wedding day
Wedding season is almost upon us and even though lots of brides like to get their makeup done by a professional, some will choose to do their own. Here’s how to create a great wedding-day look; not only for brides but for guests too!
The best look for a bride is a variation on a natural makeup look. First, consult my article on the subject. However, to your shopping list, add a pink or peach blush with a pearly or satin finish and change your mascara for a black lengthening and curling mascara. Make sure it’s WATERPROOF (it’s an emotional occasion!).
Obviously, we’re going for a classic look but you can allow yourself an infinite variety of styles for a wedding. It all depends on your personality and the type of wedding. I once made up a bride with beautiful green eyes in plum tones and I’ve even done a smoky eye on a bride who wanted a more dramatic look. You should do a test first. And if you’re interested, take a look at my own wedding makeup video by clicking here. It’s fairly intense because people are used to seeing me with makeup. But if you’re after a more natural look, follow these tips. You’ll look wonderful!
Complexion
This should be impeccable, so start preparing a month in advance. Your skin should be flawless, with no pimples, blackheads, flaky skin, roughness, and sunburn and as little redness as possible. Make an appointment with a beautician to get a drastic treatment plan. Have a few facials (full treatment for the face) and get a more intense one a few days before the event.
If you don’t want to get professional help, the following advice will help you. Once or twice a week, depending on your skin’s sensitivity, exfoliate and then follow with a moisturizing mask, designed for your skin type.
Choose an exfoliating product with spherical particles. If you get one with nutshells for example or other irregularly-shaped ingredients, it could irritate your skin.
You can cheat a little bit with the mask. We’re in shock treatment mode so you can vary the application time. At night, before going to bed, exfoliate, then rinse and apply a GENEROUS layer of moisturizing mask and wait for 10 to 20 minutes. Pat lightly the traces of mask that haven’t been absorbed by your skin. Go to bed without rinsing. The next morning, go through your usual routine. Don’t forget to apply eye contour cream twice a day so that your eye makeup will go on easily and stay there.
On the morning of the wedding, as well as your usual routine, use a “lifting ampoule” like the “Coup d’éclat” ones, “Eye Patches” and anti-redness eye drops. This will give you a healthy glow as if you’d slept 12 hours (which is probably not the case).
You should use a primer which will help your makeup to last all day. Use an eye primer for the same reason. I have a few suggestions in another article. (Click here) Now apply your foundation. Go for a long-lasting foundation (like those that last 12-14 hours) but one that looks natural, light and luminous. Choose a light-reflecting powder that’s not too pearly. Light-reflecting powders give a nice natural look but a pearly one will make you look shiny on photos (the photographer won’t thank you for it.) You could also sweep a bronzing powder lightly over forehead, nose, chin, cheekbones, temples and cleavage (watch out when applying to the cleavage if your dress is white.).
Eyes, lips and cheeks
Follow steps 1 and 2 of the natural makeup look (click here).
Then apply a pink or peach eyeshadow on the mobile lid (from the root of the lashes to the brow bone). Go for a pearly or satin finish. You can obviously choose a softer or lighter shade.
Continue with steps 3 and 4 of the natural makeup look.
You can now add a touch of shine to your eyes. This look is suitable for a wedding and if you apply it at the root of the lashes and a little bit under the eye at the outer corner as an eyeliner, the effect will be subtly luminous. It’s completely optional of course. My suggestion: Glitterama by ‘Annabelle.
Now apply your mascara. Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler to open up the eye. See a good mascara technique in step 5 of the natural makeup look.
I also highly recommend natural-looking false lashes. They’re perfect for a wedding. Try the ones in sections, they’re easier to apply than the whole fringe and they look more natural. Use 2 or 3 longer ones at the outer corner of the eye. To see an article on how to apply false lashes, click here.
Don’t forget your eyebrows. They frame the face. Use a brown or taupe brow product (according to your hair colour) and fill in the brow.
Finish with step 6, but watch out for gloss (think about that kiss!). Your future husband won’t want to go down the aisle with his lips full of gloopy gloss! Use a long-lasting lipstick. Suggestion: Superstay 24H by Maybelline. It’ll last all evening!
Finish with a fixing spray to set your makeup and some perfume on your neck, wrists and the back of your knees. Now you’re ready to say « I do »!
P.S. Even if it’s 4 o’clock in the morning, you should take off your makeup. If you haven’t time, or you’re not in a fit state, pre-moistened wipes are the perfect solution. There are many varieties on the market. You can even do it in bed and your skin will thank you!