I Forgot To Wear Lipstick On My Wedding Day And Here’s Why…

Your wedding day is one of (if not THE best) day of your life. Everything is coordinated down to the color of the socks of your fiancé’s first cousin’s boyfriend. Ok, maybe you don’t have control over that much of the day BUT for the most part, you’ve got everything thoughtfully planned, right?

One would think that for a beauty junkie, like myself, that I would’ve had my makeup planned out and ready 6 months before my wedding. Any normal bride with a passion for makeup would’ve done several trials and made sure that every single detail of the makeup look was perfect. After all, your wedding day is truly the best day of your life, right?

Here’s the interesting part. Not only did I choose to do my own makeup on my very best day but I also chose to go into the day with absolutely NO idea what I was going to do with my makeup (or my hair, for that matter.) My poor hairstylist created 3 different styles on the day until I finally felt like myself. We tried up, we tried half up, we tried down. Down with loose curls won. It always wins. But what about the makeup?

Now, before you start having heart palpitations just keep in mind that I like to think of myself as quite skilled at doing my makeup. I chose to do my own makeup on my wedding day simply because I have yet to find an artist that can make me look like me.  I didn’t even consider my wedding makeup a “makeup look” it was simply me putting on makeup like I would any other day. I kept my look very simple and only enhanced what I already have. Luckily (with the help of Trilogy rosehip oil and Pixi Glow Tonic) my skin was absolutely flawless for my wedding day. Like, flawless. I still thank the skincare Gods for that.

I had gone to the Bobbi counter to have a “trial” done with a makeup artist because I wanted that pampering feeling. I felt as if that was what brides did and that it was almost a right of passage. I love Bobbi and I trust her products so I knew it would be a perfect match. I made my appointment and couldn’t WAIT for that day to come. I was so excited to sit and chat about details and perhaps gain a few extra tips and tricks for my special day. My artist couldn’t have given 2 shits about what he was doing. He applied a foundation that I told him did not work well with my skin type (trust me, I know my Bobbi.) But he said “this is what I put on all my brides.”

It was in that moment that I knew I would be doing my own makeup.

I am not “all of your brides.” I am combination skin Carrie that doesn’t apply black liner all the way across her eyelid because it makes her eyes appear smaller. I don’t use lip liner because I think it makes me look like a drag queen and I don’t spend an hour blending my eyeshadow. The “session” ended and I couldn’t wait to get home and wash my face. Actually, I ran into Sephora and immediately wiped off the clown lips that he had drawn on. I put on my Lucas Paw Paw and off I went.

So, back to the purpose of this post. Why and HOW did I forget to wear lipstick on my wedding day?! Well, it’s actually quite a simple reason.

I was too busy enjoying life happening around me.

I took my time doing my makeup while enjoying getting ready with my bridesmaids. I savored every moment! We were laughing and listening to music and sipping champagne (well..there was champagne present but I was too stressed and half of my girls were pregnant, lol.) More importantly, I was missing my fiancé and wondering how he was doing. I was wondering if he was just as excited and nervous as I was. I took my time with my makeup, though. Luckily, I just packed whatever makeup I knew made me look my best. I didn’t buy any new products. I didn’t have any trendy new launches. I wasn’t concerned about the pretty packaging of what I was holding in my hand. I simply brought with me that day what I knew would help enhance my natural beauty and make me feel amazing.

I found that on the day, I was mixing several shades together (I am terribly indecisive.) I mixed blushes, eyeshadows, I think I even mixed my foundation. I started off using a fancy brush that everyone had recommended…didn’t like it. I moved on to my beauty blender and and ended up using the warmth of my fingers quite a bit. I had never used individual false lashes but decided I’d try to throw a few on. May I recommend not trying this for the first time on your wedding day, lol. Epic fail.

But I didn’t mind.

I lent my maid of honor the blush I was wearing because I knew it would look gorgeous on her. I asked one of my bridesmaids if I could borrow her Bobbi eyeliner brush because in the midst of the chaos, I seemed to had forgotten mine. I comforted my flower girl that was a bit nervous and I answered a few beautiful text messages that I’d received from friends that couldn’t attend that day. I threw on some mascara and a bit of chapstick and before I knew it, it was time to say a prayer with my girls before heading up for the ceremony.

Why did I forget to wear lipstick on my wedding day? It’s simple.

I was too busy enjoying the more important things in life.

I was busy laughing with my girlfriends. I was watching my mom open her gift and trying not to cry. I was talking to my hairstylist about her newborn. I was listening to uplifting music and I was dreaming of my future. Beauty can truly be found everywhere, my friends. It is in the most unexpected of places. There was so much beauty all around me that day. It was everywhere! Would a bit of lipstick have made my wedding photos better? Maybe. But I only see one thing when I look at the photos from that day.

Joy.

Pure, untainted joy. And joy is quite possibly the most beautiful look any bride could wear on her best day yet.

“Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.” – Confucius

Photos by the incredibly talented Kristen Wynn Photography

Love and light, Carrie xo