Face it, bride: You can triple check every detail on your wedding day to-do list, but one thing that is sure to be different each time is how you’re going to do your makeup on the big day. One day, you might be battling a blemish; the next, your tired eyes.
Celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk, whose line of beauty products is featured exclusively at Target, recommends that brides have their makeup professionally done.
“It gives you time to sit and meditate while it is being done,” Kashuk says.
Meredith Boyd, founder of Atlanta-based Mere Cosmetics, agrees that brides with the budget should choose a professional. However, it’s not as easy as picking someone out of the phone book and showing up on the morning of your ceremony.
“Schedule consultations with makeup artists to see which artist you feel most comfortable with,” Boyd says. “Collaboration is key with your makeup artist: Tell them everything you want to the very last detail.” Boyd recommends bringing pictures from magazines to help guide your makeup artist.
Even brides who want to do their own makeup can at least take a lesson from the pros.
“Your pro makeup artist can help you determine colors and shades that match your skin tone,” she says.
Whether you do your own makeup or have someone do it for you, Kashuk recommends one or two test runs. While your face is not going to look exactly the same each time, trial runs will help make sure you are comfortable with your makeup palette, so there are no surprises on the big day.
Fresh face
“The natural nude trend is always good for wedding day makeup,” Kashuk says. Having enough color in your palette is important. “You never want to look too neutral, just natural,” she says.
Kashuk recommends a brighter cheek, or some other makeup that gives your face a little “pop.”
Be careful not to overdo the color, though: Kashuk says you don’t want to take the focus off the bride and focus it specifically to her makeup.
“Eye liners or a red mouth are such a strong makeup statement,” she says.
Boyd agrees.
“Do not define the lips or over draw the lips,” she says. “Sheer, berry-colored lip glosses are the most beautiful on brides. They should always be translucent and beautiful.”
Bright colors aren’t recommended to highlight your eyes, either.
“It is better to stay away from bright-colored eye shadows,” Kashuk says.
Boyd recommends using a little shimmer on the eyes, but cautions against using shimmer everywhere.
“A light shimmer on the eyes can beautifully highlight the eyes,” she says.
Too much sparkly makeup, like glitter lip gloss or frosted lipsticks, do not look as good in pictures as matte shades, Boyd says.
The eyes have it
False eye lashes are another good way to draw attention to the eyes without adding too much color.
“False eye lashes can add so much drama in a subtle way,” Boyd says.
As with other makeup techniques, false eye lash application requires practice, and a light hand.
“Apply individual lashes at the ends of eyes to open them up or a single strip of lashes, adhered together for easier application, for a beautiful dramatic look,” Boyd says.
“Only buy the small, fine lashes, not the big ones that look like caterpillars otherwise you’ll look like you are wearing caterpillars on your eyes,” she adds. For a more natural look, blondes and redheads should buy light brown false eye lashes, while brunettes and brides with darker hair should use black eye lashes.
Boyd recommends using eyeliner after applying false eye lashes.
Playing up eyes with mascara is a much more common technique that still raises a lot of concern.
Kashuk and Boyd recommend waterproof mascara in case of tears. Boyd also says lashes curl better with waterproof mascara.
“It’s like hairspray for your lashes — it holds the curl after using an eyelash curler,” Boyd says.
Make it last
Like your eye lashes, the rest of your wedding day makeup should hold its shape.
Airbrush makeup, where makeup is sprayed on with an airbrush “gun,” has gained some popularity for its staying power. Kashuk, however isn’t a fan of the trend.
“Sometimes you can take away too much of the character of the face with this,” she says.
Kashuk and Boyd both recommend a more traditional approach to keeping your face “on” throughout the day: powder.
But before the powder, a very light touch with foundation is recommended.
“Foundation should never be heavy on the face ever,” Kashuk says. “That would be the product that would give you the most problems.”
Foundation is most likely to run and be noticed if the bride cries or it gets too warm.
Boyd recommends using a light moisturizer for dry skin or a gel primer for oily skin before applying foundation, to help it stay.
After perfecting the skin with a bit of foundation, “powder is your friend,” Kashuk says.
As with foundation, though, powder should not be abused.
“Do not use too heavy of a powder,” Kashuk says. “You should never be able to see powder on the surface of the skin.”
Boyd recommends always using loose powder instead of compressed. She also urges caution when using a bronzing powder.
Time for a touch up?
Once your perfect face is set, it’s time to put on the dress. This is why brides have maids — it might take a bit of help! How is all that boning and tulle going to slide over you without ruining your makeup?
“Tie a silk scarf or makeup net loosely over your face to keep it from going all over your dress,” Kashuk says, for dresses that must go on over your head.
It’s possible that your makeup will need a touch-up after putting on the dress — or at some other point during the day.
“Most likely you will need a touch up,” Kashuk says. “Once you are through with the ceremony and the crying has stopped you should touch up.”
Boyd recommends just reapplying powder and lipstick. If the makeup was done right to begin with, this is all that would be necessary.
Blemishes and under-eye circles are always a concern for the big day. To combat these woes, Kashuk says, “Concealer, concealer, concealer!” A neutralizer in a green shad will reduce redness.
“Always use a thin veil of powder to keep it in place,” she says. “If not, it will move, and you will have no longevity.”
