Ah, it’s the most beautiful time of the year. Love is in the air and wedding season is upon us, my friends! Amidst all of the dress shopping and cake sampling, one detail of the day can sometimes be overlooked.
The makeup!
Bridal makeup is one of my favorite looks to discuss because the concept is so simple…look like the very best version of yourself! Easier said than done, right?
Whether you choose to create your own wedding makeup masterpiece or you have a pro take the reigns, here are a few of my tips to create the most gorgeous, glowing bridal look that will make you feel like your most beautiful you!
Consider Your Everyday Makeup Routine
One of the first things I used to ask my brides was “what does your everyday makeup routine look like?” On your wedding day, you want to look like you. If you never ever wear a red lip, maybe don’t try it on your wedding day. However, if red is YOUR color and it is basically part of your identity, then you better rock that red lip as you’re walking down the aisle! Take note of what type of foundation coverage you prefer, eyeshadow tones, contour (or lack of contour.) All of these things are important to take note of when planning out a bridal look.
DIY or Go Pro
Ah, this is such an interesting topic. It wasn’t even a question for me. I knew from the beginning that I would be doing my own makeup on my wedding day. Why on Earth would I put myself through such torture? Ha! The answer is pretty straight forward. I simply couldn’t find anyone that did my makeup better than me, lol. I mean that in the most sincere way possible. The goal on your wedding day is to look like your best best version of yourself and if you are lucky enough to find an artist that understands what you want then that is amazing! Your nerves will already be in overdrive and doing your own makeup is going to be an added stress.
Choose Soft, Neutral Tones
Again, this does not apply if bright, bold, funky colors are part of your makeup identity! But if you’re just interested in looking classic, fresh and chic, then I recommend choosing colors from the neutral family. Bronze, tan, champagne, even soft pinks can be incredibly flattering. I’m in love with the new Ulla Johnson x Bobbi Brown collection as it is filled with roses nudes, muted taupes and even a slight shimmer for the eyelid. Absolutely gorgeous!
Consider Your Surroundings
One of the greatest bridal makeup (or anyday makeup tips for that matter) I learned recently from the infamous, Daniel Martin. He said that in order to create the perfect bridal look for Meghan Markle, he had to consider all of the different lighting situations. She would be in the church, outside in a carriage, at a breakfast gathering and at an evening dinner celebration.
That’s a lot of different lighting situations!
You don’t want to have cake face in the church at 11am and you certainly don’t want a line of contour showing up in photos. Again, this is where the light layering technique comes into play. Rather than pounding on the makeup, choose light layers and formulas that compliment each other well.
Don’t forget your brushes!
We get so caught up in choosing the right products that we may overlook the brushes! I am guilty of this one and on the day, I had to borrow my bridesmaid’s eyeliner brush. You can get away with using your hands for pretty much any other aspect of the makeup but when it comes to Bobbi’s gel liner, a brush is necessary!
My advice is to pack a separate little bag (even a ziplock) with all of your brushes. Go through each step of your routine and set aside each brush. Give them a good clean before the big day. Nothings worse than applying a blush and having leftover highlight show up from the previous day!
Make the makeup last
That makeup is going to be on your face for 15+ hours…you’ll want it to last! If you hate long lasting formulas (like I do) then you’ll just want to make sure that you prime and set. Two of my absolute favorite foundations for wedding makeup are the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk and the Makeup Forever HD foundation. Both give a velvety, medium coverage and are breathable. Use a primer beforehand like my favorite Laura Mercier primer. It will prevent the makeup from seeping into your pores and will keep it looking fresh. Polish things off with a few swipes of your favorite powder. My favorite is the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Finish Powder. It is insanely finely milled and sets makeup beautifully.
Don’t Stress!
You’ve got enough to stress about before your big day! Don’t let makeup cause you any extra emotional baggage. If you can’t seem to shake the stress, maybe opt for a pro to create your makeup look for the day. It will take a huge load off of your back and give you the freedom to relax a bit come wedding day bliss. If you’re looking for extra inspiration, I highly recommend checking out the Youtube channels of Hannah Martin and Lisa Eldrige. Both are highly skilled makeup artists and offer beautiful, simple tutorials on their channels. Hannah helped Kate Middleton with her bridal look and also did Princess Eugenie’s wedding makeup. She also used to be on the Bobbi Brown Pro Team so she is basically just my favorite artist in the world. : )
This is the first in my bridal series of blog posts. I wanted to start off simply and just give an overview of bridal beauty and throughout the next few weeks I’ll be covering a more in depth makeup routine as well as bridal skincare.
Let me know in the comments below your idea of the perfect bridal makeup!
“If you find someone you love in your life then hang on to that love.” -Princess Diana
Love and light, Carrie xo
Shop the Post
