You’ve said yes to the dress and locked in the finest details, but to be officially ready to tie the knot, you’ll need the best wedding makeup look to perfect your special day. Whether you’re having a larger-than-life soirée or celebrating just you and your partner, it’s important to pick a makeup look you’ll feel good about for years to come.
“Bridal makeup should be timeless. Choose a look that accentuates all that makes you beautiful,” says celebrity makeup artist Meredith Baraf. “Generally speaking, this is not the time to try something new, avant-garde, or to stretch out of your comfort zone. Feeling and looking like the best you is super important.”
“A wedding look will live on in pictures and memories forever, so it is important to keep that in mind when choosing a makeup look for your wedding day,” says pro makeup artist Cherish Brooke Hill. She recommends opting for a look that not only complements your dress, but that’s wearable and not overly painted.
Should you be on the hunt for products suitable for any bridal beauty look, pro makeup artists walk us through everything you’ll need for the celebration.
Prep & Set
As we all know, skin prep makes all the difference for optimal makeup application, but for your wedding day, experts say prep goes beyond skin care. “Doing things like cryotherapy, face gym, light therapy, and other facials (depending on your skin’s needs) are a good way to prepare for the [wedding day],” Baraf explains. She also recommends drinking lots of water and getting plenty of sleep. Hill says, “I always suggest not eating foods that cause inflammation. Focusing on eating anti-inflammatory foods before your wedding is so helpful in making sure you internally reduce inflammation in the skin. It also helps clear acne and redness.”
If you didn’t book a pre-wedding facial, our experts recommend using devices like ReFa or the NuFace system to de-puff and contour the skin. According to pro makeup artist Mark Quirimit, “Eye masks and sheet face masks are all great ways to prep your skin the day of the wedding. Don’t forget to do a lip exfoliation also!”
And to make sure your look lasts all night, Hill says to “take the time to really blend and press foundation into the skin using a damp sponge. I love to use precision-shaped brushes to lightly press the powder to set makeup into the skin to really create a flawless long-lasting finish. Use a setting spray directly onto the face and also spray a sponge that was used to apply foundation and pressing makeup into the skin.” Additionally, opt for waterproof mascara in case of tears, and keep blotting papers close by to wipe away oiliness with ease.