By Elle Turner
Wedding makeup can be tricky to get right, but if you had to pick one moment for your makeup to play ball well and truly, your wedding day would likely be up there. You want to look like your best self but not a stranger; dewy but not shiny; natural but not naked – and it must be sweat-proof, camera-proof, and waterproof to withstand the day. It's not surprising that many brides call upon an expert makeup artist for the job. But that doesn't mean you can't decide to do it yourself.
Whether you're talented with an eyeshadow palette, prefer a non-traditional bridal look, are looking to scale back your budget, or just feel better keeping the fate of your face in your own hands, DIY wedding makeup can often be the best option.
It's just as well, because the next couple of years are booked and busy when it comes to Big Days. Makeup artists are already filling up their diaries, so if you'd rather skip the scrum, and look after your glam yourself, you can.
To help you nail it, expert bridal makeup artist, Rachelle Shakespeare and Bobbi Brown Senior PRO Artist, Zara Findlay, guides us through the dos and don'ts of how to do your own wedding make up. Having perfected the makeup of countless brides they're both absolute veterans and know every makeup trick in the book to ensure you look stunning IRL and in photos.
1. Start With Skincare
If you really want glowing, long-lasting makeup on your wedding day, start preparing well before. "Make sure you are religious with your day and night skincare routine long before your wedding day," says Zara. "Regular facials really help to prep skin," adds Rachelle, ensuring that your skin is balanced, clear and hydrated. "Especially for winter weddings. There's nothing worse than dry, patchy skin," she says. On the day, prep your skin with a hydrating mask (try the A-list approved 111Skin sheet mask), "this will help your foundation to glow," explains Rachelle.
Then follow with a moisturiser-primer hybrid to create a flawless canvas. Zara recommends Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Face Base.
"The right base for your skin type is very important to ensure longevity throughout the day," advises Zara.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
Avoid any stressful stuff-ups by practising your look plenty of times beforehand.
"The best time to practice techniques is just before you take your makeup off in the evening as you have no pressure to make it look perfect," says Zara.
To give you extra confidence, you could always head to a counter or book yourself a virtual appointment with your favourite brand to help you. Many are now offering online consultations.
"Let the makeup artist teach you on one side of your face and have a go yourself on the other so that the makeup artist can advise you on any techniques you’re unsure of," says Zara.
3. Mistakes To Avoid
If you find a spot brewing on your face in the lead up to your big day, leave it alone.
"Don't pick it," warns Rachelle. "A wet spot is harder to cover than a dry one," so back off.
And while you should be wearing SPF every single day, the only exception, is your wedding day. "Foundation that contains SPF can sometimes reflect the light off the camera, so it may appear that your skin is a lighter shade in photos," explains Rachelle. What's more, "putting a high SPF factor under makeup can oxidise your foundation and change its colour as the day goes on," she adds. "Wearing a foundation without an SPF of no more than SPF 15 will help to prevent this", agrees Zara. And "make sure your moisturiser [or anything else you put on your skin] doesn't have too much SPF too," she adds.
Another pitfall?
"Glossy lips on a windy day are a bad combo," warns Rachelle. It'll get in your hair and on the groom, "then he'll be wearing the gloss in your photos," says Rachelle. "Plus, it wears off quickly."
And, if you plan on wearing fake lashes for an extra flutter, try them on beforehand to check they're not too much.
"If they're too heavy, they can close and droop eyes," says Rachelle.
4. Timeless, fool-proof shades
Want to cover your face in glitter before heading down the aisle? You do you. Feeling a bright fuchsia lip? We're here for it.
There's nothing we like more than playful bridal looks, but if you are looking to keep it a bit more classic and timeless, Zara recommends bronze, champagne, rose gold and soft grey tones.
"All are perfect timeless shades that complement many skin tones," she says.
And, if you're worried about looking washed out (wearing white can do this), Rachelle advises sticking to warm colours, which means antique golds, pretty peaches, coppers, and burgundies.
5. Make Sure Your Mascara Is Waterproof
Even if you don't think you're going to cry, it's best to play it safe with waterproof mascara. If you have a favourite non-waterproof mascara that you can bear to part with, Zara has a trick you can use:
"What we love doing at Bobbi Brown is using our best-selling mascara, Smokey Eye Mascara, to create perfect lashes and then apply a generous coating of our No Smudge Mascara as a ‘raincoat’ to stop mascara smudging."
Likewise, Huda's Legit Lashes Waterproof Topcoat works in much the same way. You can apply it on top of your favourite mascara to lock it in place.
6. Take Care With Your Eyeliner
Eyeliner can be the Achilles heel of wedding day makeup, especially if you're dealing with a nervous, shaky hand. Zara says to keep it classy and safe by smudging with a kohl pencil.
"I love doing a classic thin wedge liner on my brides and softly smudging the liner out with a similarly toned eyeshadow to create a soft, Smokey liner."
To really enhance eyes, Rachelle swears by Estee Lauder's Double Wear eyeliner in 02 Brown. "It's warmer than black but still very dark brown," she says "and it won't budge!"
Ideal for when things get emotional.
7. Nail The Bridal 'Glow'
If you're really after that 'lit from within' glow, start your look with an illuminating primer.
"This will give you a subtle glow that makes the skin look healthy, awake and hydrated", says Zara, who recommends Bobbi Brown's Illuminating Moisture Balm. When applying blusher, "smile your biggest smile and sweep the blusher on the apples of the cheek, blending the excess towards the ears," she adds.
And for an extra healthy boost,
"add a pop of highlighter on all the high points of your face; cheekbone, tip and bridge of the nose and cupid’s bow." Just be careful if it's hot. "Too much highlighter on warmer days can look sweaty," says Rachelle. "When it's hot, you'll gain a glow anyway, so if you're naturally quite oily, chill on the highlighter."
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