Doing Your Own Wedding Makeup
Should I Do My Own Wedding Makeup?
If you are looking for some guidance on where to start and want to pick up some great makeup tips, then you are in the right place!
Before you dive straight into buying makeup for doing your own wedding makeup, you want to think about your skincare routine. Your makeup will only look great when you have a lovely base to apply on top of. Once you get your skin in good condition, it will make everything else so much easier.
Skincare is a crucial step when doing your wedding makeup. If you are unsure where to start, grab a copy of The Ultimate Bridal Beauty Guide to help point you in the right direction.
When you are doing DIY bridal makeup, it is crucial to note at this point that wedding makeup is not the same as your everyday look. When doing your wedding makeup, take the time to apply the makeup in layers and consider how you are blending. Take your time with the application, ensuring seamless blending for a lasting look that photographs well and lasts the day.
There is a reason makeup artists can take up to an hour to apply bridal makeup; it is a skill, and there are factors you need to consider, especially when selecting which products to use.
What To Consider When Applying Your Wedding Makeup
1. Research the style of makeup you are looking for.
2. Try not to pick the “trend” of the moment; you want to look back at yourself in years to come and feel like you look like you.
3. Invest in a great skincare routine if you are not already doing so.
4. Carefully select products that are long-wearing.
5. Invest in some good makeup brushes; making do with old brushes will affect the performance of the products you apply.
6. Practice your look at least two times ahead of the wedding day.
7. Ask for some honest feedback from those closest to you.
8. Apply more makeup than you think to take into account photos that need strong makeup.
9. Make note of how long it has taken you to do your makeup, then add extra time.
10. Create a replica of the space you will be working in with how you lay out your products.
11. Be mindful that you need to layer the products for longevity.
12. Create a timetable for yourself for the morning of the wedding. Will you be doing makeup before or after your hair?
13. If you are not feeling too confident, book a makeup lesson with a professional who can show you the steps.
Now that you have had time to absorb the things you need to consider, let’s move on to my top tips for the application.
13 Wedding Makeup Application Tips
1. Select a long-wear foundation suitable for your skin type and ensure it correctly matches your skin tone.
Match the colour to your chest so you have a seamless match and finish between the face and chest once applied. Be sure to bring the product down your throat.
2. Only use a primer if you have oily or combination skin.
Using a primer for other skin types will be irrelevant and will just add an unnecessary layer of product that is not required. Good skin preparation will ensure your makeup lasts the duration.
3. Invest in an eyeshadow base for the eyes.
This will allow the eyeshadows you apply to stay true to colour and will help them last the day and night.
4. Invest in a good eyeshadow blending brush; you do not want any harsh lines and edges, and everything should be blended.
If in doubt when you are blending, blend some more.
5. Use concealer only under the eyes and on areas of the face where your foundation has not provided you with enough coverage.
Avoid applying both foundation and concealer under the eye; this will be too much product and will make you look heavy.
6. If you have dark undereyes or any redness on the face, invest in a colour-correcting product.
Use before foundation to help minimise the colouring.
7. Use face powder sparingly when setting your foundation.
You do not want to end up with a heavily powdered finish to the makeup.
8. Use a bronzer to bring warmth and shape back to the face.
Ensure to blend well so you cannot see any lines.
9. Do not be afraid to use blush; be mindful of how much product you apply.
It is better to layer the blush as you go and keep blending as you apply it.
10. Do not opt for a glittery highlighter; this will be the first thing the photographer's camera will pick up in photos.
By all means, use a highlighter; just be mindful of the type of product you use and how much.
11. To help the lipstick stay in place, use a lip liner around the perimeter of the lips and also over the lips.
Look out for lipstick sealants that can be used as the last step of the application.
12. Groom your brows and fill them in with a pencil or brow gel.
This will make a massive difference and will frame your face.
13. Invest in a makeup setting spray.
This will help everything stay in place.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed on the morning of your wedding. My biggest advice to you would be to ensure you have practiced the look at least twice and that you have allowed plenty of time. The morning goes by very quickly, and you can easily be distracted by everything going on around you.
There is a lot to take in on the wedding morning, so please be sure you are comfortable and confident doing your makeup. The last thing you want is to be walking down the aisle not feeling your best.
How to Apply Your Wedding Makeup
Makeup for your wedding is not quite the same as your everyday look; there is a lot of product layering required to get your face to last all day and night.
Every product has to be blended to perfection, as your photographer’s camera will be able to pick up on every little detail. You also want to ensure your makeup lasts the distance and you still look great long into the night.
If you would benefit from a bridal makeup lesson, I can guide you through the best application process and make product recommendations.
But to summarise, this is how you want to apply your own wedding makeup step by step:
Prepare your skin well in advance of the wedding day by following a good skincare routine.
On the wedding day, you want to focus on getting hydration into your skin, ensuring you cleanse well, using a hydrating face serum, eye cream to hydrate the skin under the eyes, and a moisturiser suitable for your skin type. You may also want to do a hydrating face mask the night before and an under-eye mask.
Use a primer only if you have oily or combination skin.
Start with your eye makeup to give your skincare time to sink in.
Using a cream eyeshadow base or eye primer will greatly benefit how well the eye makeup applies and lasts during the day.
Spend a good amount of time applying a couple of thin layers of foundation with a brush or damp sponge, avoiding the undereyes.
Use a concealer under the eyes only and in areas where the foundation has not provided the required coverage.
Set the centre of your face with a loose, translucent powder to limit shine.
Apply bronzer to the perimeter of your face to bring some shape and warmth back to the skin.
Layer both a cream and powder blush for longevity.
Fill in your brows where they are mostly sparse, or create the desired shape you normally like. Set it in place with a gel.
Apply mascara and false lashes.
Apply lip liner and lipstick.
Set your face with a setting spray.