This article is sponsored by e.l.f., essie, Eylure, L’Oréal & Versace
There’re so many decisions to make when it comes to your wedding. Flowers, food, outfits… and of course, a glamorous make-up look.
Most brides put their trust in a professional make-up artist on their wedding day, but who knows your face better than you do? Whether you’re looking to save a little extra cash in your budget, or just enjoy spending time creating endless make-up looks, there is always the option of doing your own wedding make-up.
Thinking of going down the DIY route? Follow our simple routine for a sophisticated bridal look for your big day.
Keep this in mind
Your wedding pictures are something you’ll treasure for a lifetime, so it’s best to avoid the trends and stick to a look that’s like an elevated version of your everyday make-up (but with a touch more glamour). Go for make-up that’s timeless, and that makes you feel confident.
If you’re treating yourself to any new products for your big day, test them out beforehand to get used to their formulas and how they are most flattering for your face. And, as always, practice makes perfect – in the weeks leading up to the wedding, spend some time practising your chosen eye look and base routine so it’s a less intimidating task on the morning of the ceremony. Take a photo of yourself outside to assess how the products appear in natural light, so you can get a feel for how your face will photograph.
When it comes to the big day, give yourself at least an hour and a half to do your make-up, so there’s plenty of time to correct any slip-ups or smudges. But most importantly, remember not to be too hard on yourself – when you look back on the happiest day of your life, you’ll remember the memories you made, not that one unruly brow hair.
Prepare ahead of time
The journey to silky-soft skin begins well before the day you walk down the aisle. Great make-up really does start with great skincare, so it’s important to prep and pamper your skin in the months leading up to the wedding. If you’re after a naturally dewy complexion, use products with hyaluronic acid to boost your moisture levels, and use a gentle exfoliator once a week to keep on top of any dead skin cells.
Turn your attention to your nails the night before your nuptials, as you won’t want to spend time waiting for your manicure to dry when you need to slip into your dress. Treat your cuticles to some TLC and file down the length into your desired shape before applying your polish.
Try: essie Gel Couture Nail Polish (£9.99)
• Size: 13.5ml
Say ‘I do’ to salon-style, gel-like shine nail polish that’s perfect for a special occasion. No base coat or UV lamp needed, just a long-lasting formula and high-shine finish that’s available in 31 elegant colours.
Plus, the essie Gel Couture Top Coat is a quick drying top coat that helps to protect your colour and seals the deal for an ultra-glossy finish.
Ace your base
When it comes to your face, you can’t go wrong with a soft, natural base with an added dose of glow. Start by applying a hydrating primer like the e.l.f. Matte Putty Primer in Universal Sheer, followed by thin layers of your foundation, carefully building up coverage with a damp beauty sponge, as this will prevent the formula from becoming too thick. Use a brightening concealer underneath your eyes for a wide-awake finish.
To add some dimension back into your face, cream products look beautiful when blended into the skin. Choose a cream contour for chiselled cheeks or a warm-toned cream bronzer like the e.l.f. Putty Bronzer for a sunkissed finish and blend, blend, blend until you’ve worked the product seamlessly into your foundation.
For a real lit-from-within glow, opt for a pearly illuminator rather than a glittery powder highlight, which don’t always photograph well. Finish with a healthy flush of a bright blush to add colour and leave skin looking flawless and fresh.
Try: e.l.f. Putty Blush in Turks and Caicos
• Size: 10g
Trust this velvety, lightweight putty blush to transform your wedding day make-up. The lightweight, creamy formula instantly melts into the skin for a semi-matte, powder finish that can be built to your desired intensity. Infused with argan oil and vitamin E for an added boost of hydration, too.
All eyes on you
Fill in any sparse areas in your brows with a soft hand, using your chosen product to mimic the look of natural hairs, and set in place with a long-wearing brow gel.
For a classic, romantic look, stick to simple, matte shades of eyeshadow that really help emphasize your natural eye colour – think golden bronze or cool-toned pinks and greys, with a subtle pop of shimmer in the inner corner if your heart desires. Finish the look with lashings of mascara or some false lashes to boost your natural flutter.
Try: L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Castor Oil Enriched Mascara Intense Black (£11.99)
• Size: 6.4ml
Delivers up to 20 times more volume and two times more length without weighing down your lashes. The formula is enriched with lash-loving castor oil and contains extra black pigments for added intensity.
Trust this velvety, lightweight putty blush to transform your wedding day make-up. The lightweight, creamy formula instantly melts into the skin for a semi-matte, powder finish that can be built to your desired intensity. Infused with argan oil and vitamin E for an added boost of hydration, too.
Finishing touches
Finally, find a kiss-proof formula for your lip products and mist a long-lasting setting spray over the face to lock in all your hard work.
For a finishing touch, why not invest in a new scent for the wedding? Our memories are closely tied to our senses, so every time you spritz the fragrance you’ll be instantly transported back to your big day.
Try: Versace Bright Crystal Eau de Toilette (£64.00)
Designed with the romantics in mind, this floral fragrance uses notes of pomegranate, yuzu, magnolia and musk to create a scent that’s feminine and sensual. The timeless glass bottle, complete with an elegant crystal cap, creates stunning reminder of your special day.
When the day of your wedding arrives, remember to take your time and enjoy every second of the process. These memories will last a lifetime!
All prices correct at date of publication
