Look Flawless on The Big Day with These Essential Tips for Perfect Wedding Makeup

Finding that perfect shade of lipstick for your wedding day can feel impossible. Even when you find the right color, you may find the formula drying. Keep your lipstick in place all day with this liquid option from Maybelline that comes in over 25 different shades. 

Waterproof mascara on your wedding day is a no-brainer. Kiko Cosmetics waterproof Luxurious Lashes Mascara is the best I have ever used. It beats the more expensive offerings hands down, and I honestly can’t even remember how many times I have repurchased it.

A good rule of thumb for wedding makeup is to focus on the lips or eyes, but not both. If you go for a smokey eye, pair it with a light-colored lip. On the other hand, if you favor a strong lip on your big day, a light veil of shimmer across the eyelids with a subdued brown liner is another option. You can never go wrong with the Benefit Benetint Liquid Lip Blush & Cheek Tint as it adds just the right amount of natural color without ever looking heavy.

When done correctly, self-tanners can work wonders in elevating your overall appearance. To avoid any tanning disasters, make sure to prep your skin first. Scrub your skin before any application to remove dry patches, and while you don’t need to moisturize your whole body, applying a tiny amount of cream to your elbows, knees, and any other areas where tan might cake will help you to achieve a more even finish. The Weleda Skin Food Body Lotion has taken up a permanent spot on our bathroom shelves for this very purpose.

Compliment your lipstick by using whitening strips on your teeth. These from Crest help to remove years of stains within two weeks.

To avoid any breakouts on your big day, you’ll want to get serious about your skincare one month beforehand. Start from the inside out by drinking a ton of water and eating lots of greens and healthy food. Try to avoid sugar and alcohol and be sure to get enough sleep. Cleanse your face every night and keep your skin moisturized. The La Roche-Posay Double Repair Moisturizer is a super hydrating cream that works for both night and day and is suitable for all skin types. It’s also oil and fragrance-free. 

Achieving a flawless beauty look on your wedding day starts with creating a smooth base. Your makeup artist can help you choose the right shade for your skin tone, but consider your undertones, and think about whether or not you will be getting a spray tan beforehand. The Armani Beauty Luminous Silk is a foundation that is considered to be universally flattering on everybody. Its silky soft matte finish is perfect for wedding makeup and it can be built up easily to your desired level of coverage.

Depending on how your skin is on the day of your wedding you may not even need concealer. However, a concealer can help to reduce any signs of tiredness or unwanted blemishes should they appear. Lancôme’s Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Full Coverage Concealer is great for covering imperfections and brightening the skin without appearing too heavy. It is also infused with nourishing ingredients such as moringa seed, rose, and water-lily extract to soothe redness and keep the skin looking soft and supple.

It’s your wedding day, and the subtle use of highlighter will have you glistening while you walk up the aisle. The only highlighter to reach for on your big day is the Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil. Not only will it accentuate your cheekbones, but it can also be applied along your collarbone and tops of the shoulders for some extra shimmer.

On a day where tears are almost guaranteed, what are the options for keeping your makeup intact while also letting your emotions run free? Instead of going for a classic black liner, opt for one of these jewel-toned Kajal Liners from Victoria Beckham. They glide on like a dream, delivering a rich shimmering pigment that can be blended out for a soft-glam look, ideal for your wedding day. Best of all, they are also waterproof.

Blend, blend, and blend some more. You don’t want any harsh lines on your makeup. Using cream blushers and liquid bronzers will help to create a naturally glowing makeup look. My absolute favorite brush for eyeshadows is the MAC 224S. Every single makeup artist I know has at least one of these in their kit as it is the perfect tool to finish off any seamless eye look.

Before reapplying anything, clean away any makeup that has moved. These individually wrapped cleansing wipes from Neutrogena take up minimal space but are a Godsend once your mascara starts running. Simply wipe away any product from under the eyes and then reapply with your original foundation for a quick touch-up.

In addition to the blotting sheets from NYX we recommended above, another essential drugstore gem that will help to keep your face shine-free no matter what the temperature is (or how much you have been dancing) is the Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Matte Setting Powder. It works for all complexions and also adds a soft focus blurring effect to the skin, leaving you photo-ready.

The build-up to your big day can be intense, often filled with last-minute changes, sleepless nights, and entertaining guests. By the time your wedding day finally does arrive, your skin may be looking a little tired. Once you have your makeup done, add a light spritz of this calming rose-infused setting spray from Physicians Formula to add a veil of luminosity to your base and keep you looking radiant and awake all day.

Picking up a cold on the week of your wedding doesn’t have to spell disaster for your makeup. We mentioned the Skin Food Lotion above, but if your nose is red and flaky, lather on the thicker original version the night before your big day to wake up to smooth and calm skin. You can even apply a tiny amount under your makeup to keep the skin hydrated and prevent flaking throughout the day.

With all the hugging from friends and family, you may find you start to lose some coverage along the jawline. Keep one of these multi-use concealers from Maybelline on hand as its handy built-in sponge applicator makes touch-ups quick, easy, and hassle-free.