Wedding Make-up Tips
Advice 20.01.2021
Chances are your wedding will be the most photographed event of your life. The magic of make-up will ensure you look your absolute best. And that’s the key. You need to look the best version of yourself and not like someone else. So here are our top wedding make-up tips for a flawless finish and fabulous photographs.
Choose a style based on your dress and theme
There are pretty much three main bridal make-up looks and which one you choose will depend on the theme of your wedding, the style of your dress and, quite simply, what makes you feel good.
A natural wedding make-up look consists of nude or pink lips, natural eye shadow, dewy skin, peach blush and a soft highlighter. And it's the perfect choice if you’re wearing a soft, romantic wedding gown and having an open-air wedding on a summer’s afternoon.
While a vintage style wedding needs a vintage wedding make-up look. Think winged black liquid eyeliner, nude eyes, a bold red lipstick and false eyelashes.
But if you’re wearing a slinky, glam number or you’re getting married in the evening or having a late winter wedding, a super glamorous look is called for. Opt for a smouldering, smoky eye, a full set of eyelashes and a bold lippy.
Have a practice run
A few hours before you get married is not the time to experiment with a completely new look. So have a make-up dress rehearsal at home or with your make-up artist before the big day. Most likely, your wedding dress will be white. So it's important to have enough colour in your face to compensate for the whiteness of the dress. Wear something white for the practice run and look at your test make-up in all conditions, including outside in bright sunshine and indoors in low light. And take some photographs (including some with a flash: see below) to give you a good idea as to how you’re going to look in your wedding pictures.
If you’re going on holiday between your test run and the actual wedding (or if you’re planning on getting a spray tan) make sure the make-up look you’ve chosen still works on a sun kissed face.
Choose waterproof options
Of course you’re going to shed a few tears on your big day, so waterproof mascara is an absolute given. But think about waterproof foundation too. All the big brands offer a range of waterproof foundations that will stay in place through tears, hot sunny afternoons and energetic dancing. The last thing you want are white streaks appearing on your face as you sweat your foundation off. If you already have a regular foundation you love, use a primer first then finish it off with a setting spray to lock in your look.
And when you do shed a few tears, don't be tempted to wipe them off with the back of your hand as it will ruin your make-up. Instead, carefully dab your tears with a tissue or a cotton hankie provided rather chivalrously by your new partner.
Don't go too glossy…or too matte
A lip gloss or high gloss lipstick will need a constant touch up. And no bride wants to have wisps of hair stuck to her lips during the photos. While a very matte lipstick will quickly make your lips feel cakey and dry. So when it comes to your lippy, opt for a moisturising satin finish, which will look good all day.
Start by conditioning your lips with balm or a lip primer. Next line your lips with a lip liner and then fill in the entire lip with the liner. This will give you a good base. Then apply your lipstick with a lip brush, lightly pat with a tissue and apply a second coat.
Think about flash photography
©JayStone
Some make-up techniques look great in real life but suffer badly at the hands of flash photography. Remember those pictures of A listers on the red carpet with a deathly pale pallor? That’s because they used a white finishing powder to complete their look. When the flash hits your skin, it makes the skin appear a super unflattering pale white. So avoid white finishing powder at all costs on your big day. And the same can be said for wearing SPF too. Normally, protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is a good thing. But if you’re having flash photography, the flash will bounce off your skin and you’ll look washed out.
And lastly, avoid too much sparkle. Glittery eye shadows, shiny face powders and sparkly highlighters don’t photograph well. Choose a matte finish for a beautiful all-day look.
Go pro
Hire in a make-up professional or go it alone? This often comes down to whether you want to feel a bit pampered on your big day or whether you’re confident enough to do your own make-up. After all, the Duchess of Cambridge famously applied her own make-up for the Royal Wedding back in 2011.
If you choose the professional route, make the most of your make-up artist’s expertise. During your consultation or practice run, take along an image of the look you’re trying to achieve and ask them about colours and formulas, and what they think will look good on you.
Leave yourself plenty of time
When it comes to getting ready, the last thing you want to do is rush. It’s your wedding day! Take your time. Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for your make-up application. And make sure you allocate enough time for all your bridesmaids and mum and mother-in-law to have their make-up done too.
Have a wedding touch up kit
This is a job for your bridesmaids. Make sure one of your girls is carrying a touch-up kit throughout the day. This will save you having to dash back to your room every time you need a make-up refresh.
Include a lipstick, lip pencil and eye liner as well as make-up blotting paper. If your skill is feeling oily, use the paper to blot your t-zone rather than adding more make-up.
And if there’s room, include a small can of hairspray and some hair pins too.
Switch it up for the evening
And lastly, don't be afraid to change your make-up look for the evening, especially if you’re changing out of your wedding dress and into a party frock. Even just an extra coat of mascara, some liquid black eyeliner and swapping your nude lipstick for something a little bolder will make a difference.