If you really think about it, the classic bridal makeup look doesn’t look that different from a casual, everyday makeup look. Most of the time, they’re pretty indistinguishable—I’ve probably seen people wear more elaborate makeup looks on a night out than in actual weddings. And traditionally, bridal makeup looks are simple, fresh, and natural, so, in theory, a bride who knows how to apply their makeup should be able to do their look on their big day, right?
In spite of this, the bridal makeup industry is one of the most lucrative ones out there. And that’s because makeup artists don’t just know how to apply makeup, they also know how to make sure it lasts, how to make it look good in photos, and how to make a bride feel as confident as possible.
But if you’re thinking about doing your own makeup for your wedding, whether it’s because you want to lessen expenses or because you don’t feel like getting up close and personal with others during a global pandemic, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to let you in on some tips us MUAs practice so that you can also create the look you want and make sure it looks amazing on your special day. I’m also going to share with you some bridal makeup ideas that you can easily do yourself.
Practice as much as you can.
This, to me, is the most important advice I can give you. Bridal makeup and hair trials are a thing for a reason, after all. You need to practice to get the look you want for your wedding, and to make sure you’re truly happy with the look you decide on. And if you’re new to things like fake lashes or eyeliner, then you’ll definitely want to practice to get the hang of applying them.
Observe how your makeup wears.
Wear the makeup all day, take tons of photos (with your phone, with your camera, with flash, without flash—basically any possibility!), and take note of how the makeup looks and feels throughout the day. This will help you perfect your look, be quick yet intentional when you do your makeup on the wedding day itself, and add or eliminate products from your roster. Which brings me to my second point…
Experiment with different products.
Sure, a foundation might look good when your first apply it, but it could end up looking greasy or cakey as the day wears on. That’s why it’s important to try out different products when you’re coming up with your wedding makeup look—so you know which products work for you! Try to observe things like eyeshadow creasing, mascara running or getting clumpy, and powders and foundations gathering at lines. These are probably signs that you should switch products or use primers and setting sprays that will help them wear better. Also, try to avoid makeup with SPF. They could reflect light and flashback in photos!
Opt for waterproof makeup.
Waterproof mascaras, liners, and other products will be your best friends on your wedding day, especially if you think you’ll cry, LOL. Waterproof products can also withstand heat, which is especially helpful if you’re having your wedding outdoors or in the summer.
Embrace wear time-extending products.
Make sure you have products like setting sprays, setting powders, lip liners, and primers in your makeup arsenal. They might seem like extra (and unnecessary) steps, but they can make a huge different on how your makeup looks after 5 or 6 hours. On your wedding day, have blotting sheets and your lipstick with you so that you can get rid of shine without disturbing your makeup and reapply your lippie whenever necessary.
If you’re still figuring out the look you want to wear on your wedding, check out these bridal makeup ideas:
Classic Bridal Makeup
This is a look that you might normally see on brides. Defined, shimmery eyes, nude-pink lips, and a lit-from-within glow are just some identifiable features of this look.
Soft Glam Bridal Makeup
This look is similar to classic bridal makeup, but with a bit more oomph. The eyes are a bit darker and more defined and the nude lip takes on a deeper color.
Cat Eye + Red Lip Bridal Makeup
Who said you can’t wear red lipstick on your wedding day? When you pair it with neutral eyeshadow and winged liner, you get a different yet still timeless bridal look.
Natural Bridal Makeup
For those who love no makeup-makeup looks, this one’s for you! It still has fun touches like shimmery shadow and long lashes, but it’s brought down to earth with taupe eyeliner and a MLBB lip color.
Earthy Bridal Makeup
If you want a very low-key pop of color, try khaki green eyeshadow! I tried this on a friend during her bridal makeup trial and it looked really lovely. The best part? The color is still neutral enough to go with any makeup you decide to wear.
Dramatic Bridal Makeup
If you’re someone who likes to stand out, try adding glitter to your eye look (just make sure to use a really good primer and glitter glue)! And who said you can’t wear red lips with a bold eye? The key is to keep the look balanced by going easy on the blush.
These are just some bridal makeup ideas you can try! Feel free to mix and match eye and lip looks and experiment with your complexion. I personally love luminous skin, but you might prefer more matte or satin looks, which is perfectly fine! The right look will make you feel beautiful and confident on your wedding day, whether you’re hiring a makeup artist or doing your makeup yourself. Congratulations and good luck!
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Chab Ocampo 