Even the most natural “no makeup” gal finds herself thinking about makeup as her wedding day approaches. At the very least, she wants her makeup to look fresh, smooth, and classic. Most women want to look ravishing, glowing, stunning, flawless, etc, but aren’t sure how to achieve the right look for the big day. Hiring a makeup artist is a great option for brides who love to be fussed over and don’t want to worry about applying their own makeup or touching up throughout the day. However, if you are a “Do It Yourselfer”, transforming your everyday self into a bridal goddess is easy with the right products and techniques.
The key to looking radiant on your wedding day is beginning with exfoliated moisturized skin and a foundation that covers beautifully, photographs well, and still looks natural. Prescriptives Flawless Skin Foundation and Makeup Forever HD Foundation are two tried and true wedding day foundations. Concealer is also a must, but don’t follow the old rule of using one that is lighter than your skin, try to find one as close to your skin tone as possible. Apply foundation first using a foundation brush, and then apply concealer sparingly to the inside corners of the eye area and wherever extra coverage is needed. Set everything with Prescriptives Magic Liquid Powder.
Bronzer is the best way to bring life to your skin in photographs and on your trip down the aisle. Benefit Hula is a beautiful non-orangey matte bronzer that looks great on most skins. Using a bronzer brush, lightly sweep bronzer along the back of the cheekbone, above the brow, and below the jaw-line (think of creating a 3 shape on each side of your face). Then pop a little bit of a peach or pink blush right on the apples of your cheeks. Tarte Cheek Stain in Flush is a wonderful berry stain and NARS Orgasm is the perfect peachy pink.
For eyes, neutral colors are best and shimmery shadows are fine on the lid, but too much shimmer under the brow tends to look dated. A great eyeshadow quad is Chanel Spices. Begin by using a concealer or eyeshadow primer on the lid and apply your shadows in a pressing motion to keep them from creasing and making a mess under your eyes. Apply a light fleshy shade under the brow and then a medium toned shade from the lashline to the crease. This is the best area to apply a pop of color like gold, rose, peach, or copper. Next, using a tapered crease brush, deposit your darkest shade into the outer corner of your crease and blend in a small sideways V shape. Then without picking up more shadow, blend what is left on the brush into your crease in a “windshield wiper” motion. Last, with a small smudge brush, smudge the crease shade under the lower lashes. Finish off with liner at the roots of your lashes and two coats of mascara.
For lips, it is best to stay in the same color family that you normally wear. If you don’t wear red everyday like Gwen Stefani, then your wedding day might not be the best time to try this look. Apply a neutral pearlescent lipstick first (Ulta Brand Sheer Mocha is one of my favorites), and then line with a slightly darker flesh tone pencil. Lining after lipstick is much easier and prevents the dreaded outlined lip look. Then dab a small amount of rosy gloss like Chanel Glossimer 128 to the center of lips.
If you aren’t sure which colors will work best for you or how to apply them, tear your favorite looks out of magazines and take them to a makeup artist or a department store cosmetic counter and let someone help you pick the right colors. Whatever you do, experiment, experiment, experiment! There is nothing better than walking down the aisle loving the way you look!
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