By Deanna Gabelein
Professional Makeup Artist
Austin, TX
Applying makeup for your wedding day can often require a little more work than your everyday repertoire. A couple of things to consider are 1) how your makeup will photograph and 2) whether you have appropriate products that will look good from morning brunch until after the reception.
Have no fear, armed with a few industry secrets, you’ll be able to do it yourself, no problem!
It’s a great idea to do a trial-run of your wedding makeup a week or two before the big event. Have someone take a picture of you to see how your makeup will appear in photos.
Also, don’t start any new skin care routines or products a month before the wedding. You’re going for “wow” reactions, not allergic ones. Of course, to get your teeth picture perfect, you may want to use over-the-counter bleaching strips prior to your Big Day.
Allot an hour to apply your wedding makeup. Likely, it’ll take less time than that but best not to be rushed. For best results, apply your makeup in natural light.
Okay, on to step number one:
1. Prep
Wash your face, apply moisturizer and/or sunscreen, then apply a foundation primer. Foundation primers are fantastic. They extend the wear of your foundation, reduce the appearance of large pores and small wrinkles, and decrease oiliness. Yay!
2. Foundation
Apply foundation to your entire face except your under eye area. I recommend using a high quality foundation with staying power for your wedding day. (I use Rae Cosmetics, www.raecosmetics.com, on my bridal clients. It looks great, is awesome for your skin, AND is humidity and sweat resistant. Major bonus for those outdoor summer celebrations.)
Be aware that foundations high in SPF, especially natural ones like zinc and titanium, can reflect light back at the camera and make your face appear lighter than the rest of your body.
3. Eye Makeup
Okay. Your eyes are going to need extra definition to show up in photos. That means contouring with eye shadow, darker liner, and false eye lashes… are strongly recommended.
4. Eyebrows
Brush eyebrows upright and fill in any gaps to define the shape using a brow pencil or powder. Remember, if you need your brows waxed, do it about 7 – 10 days before your wedding. The same goes for facials.
5. Concealer
Use a concealer brush to apply flesh-colored concealer only to the under eye circles. None should be placed past the point where the circle ends. This prevents the dreaded reverse raccoon look in photos.
Most women benefit from a little concealer at the sides of the nose, too. Sometimes I’ll put a little at the bow (top) of the lips and underneath the middle of the lower lip to make the lips look fuller.
If you have blemishes on your face or chest, use a clean, fine-tipped eyeliner brush and apply flesh-toned concealer only to the blemish – not any of the surrounding area. This is the trick to making them disappear. Easy as pie! I mean, wedding cake.
6. Face Powder
Brush face powder over your entire face including a light sweep under eyes to set concealer.
7. Blush
Use a natural-looking blush color with minimal or no shimmer. Smile – then softly dust the blush from the apples of your cheeks all the way up the cheekbone.
8. Lips –
Use lip liner. You’ll need the definition in photos… and it helps your lip color stay put. I prefer lipstick over gloss at weddings since it lasts longer, isn’t as transferrable or smudgy when you’re doing all that smooching, and usually looks better in photos. If you love your gloss, though, just don’t forget to use lip liner with it.
For touch-ups, don’t forget to carry oil blotting sheets, lipstick, and a small mirror in your purse. Have your Maid/Matron of Honor monitor your makeup throughout the day – telling you when you’re shiny or need some lipstick.
Happy Wedding Day, Gorgeous!
