This article is in partnership with Bobbi Brown & Huda Beauty
The one occasion you want your make-up to look its absolute skin-flattering best is your wedding day. Dewy in all the right places, but definitely not shiny on the T-zone. Natural but still with enough pigment and punch to elevate it from your everyday look. Not to mention being camera friendly, sweat-proof and kiss-proof (all those meet and greets!).
Given bridal make-up has to tick so many boxes, it’s hardly surprising many brides-to-be prefer to bring in a professional make-up artist. But there’s no reason you can’t go down the DIY route. After all, it’s your big day. Perhaps you’re already a dab hand at creating a flawless base and a softly defined eye. Or perhaps you’d prefer to save some extra cash. And it could simply just be a case of wanting to look and feel truly like yourself on your wedding day.
Whatever the reason, we’ve rounded up all the tips you need to apply your make-up like a pro – and ensure it stays put so you can focus on enjoying your big day. Time to put your best face forward…
Prep your skin
“It’s true what they say – great make-up really does start with great skincare,” says Bobbi Brown pro artist, Hollie Ellis. So if you haven't been diligent about your skincare routine up until now, the months leading up to your wedding day are when you need to put the effort in. If you can, invest in monthly facials as these can make a big difference to your skin's texture, meaning any make-up you apply on top will have a silky smooth canvas to cling to. And make sure you’re using the right skincare products for your skin type. “Oil-free products if you suffer from a shiny T-zone and breakouts; nourishing formulas if your skin is prone to dryness and flaking,” says Hollie. “The Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base works well on all skin types and is a moisturiser-and-primer-in-one so allows for all day wear.”
Look for long-lasting formulas
Think of your wedding day as a marathon not a sprint. Your make-up has to withstand a lot – hugs, photos, champagne toasts and dancing into the early hours. “Each step in your regime has to be long wearing – you don’t want to be worrying about how your make-up is looking throughout the day,” says Hollie. Primer, applied after moisturising and before foundation, is a girl’s best friend as it temporarily fills in enlarged pores and smooths skin texture. Try Maybelline Fit Me! Luminous + Smooth Primer. For the perfect base, Hollie recommends applying Bobbi Brown’s Skin Long Wear Weightless Foundation as it boasts 16-hour wear. “It’s also worth keeping a translucent powder in your clutch to take down shine throughout the day,” she says. “Always choose a lightweight, finely milled powder - you want to apply everything in thin layers rather than adding coverage.” Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is perfect for the job.
Apply a waterproof mascara
The last thing you want is panda eyes where your mascara has smudged from the heat or happy tears. That means a waterproof mascara is essential. “If you already love a mascara and it’s not waterproof, try this trick: first create the lashes you want with your favourite mascara. We love the Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara to add volume and length,” says Hollie. “Then add a few coats of waterproof mascara over the top to act as a raincoat.” Try the Huda Beauty Legit Lashes Waterproof Mascara, a long-lasting dual-ended mascara that delivers major volume with one brush and dramatic curl and length with the other.
Define your brows
Brows frame your face so it’s worth the effort to fill in sparse areas and turn them into full, thick and perfectly shaped arches. Huda Beauty #BOMBBROWS Microshade Brow Pencil has a pin-sized tip, making it ideal for drawing super fine strokes that mimic the look of natural brow hairs. The spoolie end then softens your work. When shaping your brows, avoid anything too severe, like brows that are squared off at the inner corners. You also don't want to overextend the tail end of your brow, as this can draw the face down.
Think about flashback in photos
The only things sparkling on your big day should be your smile and your jewellery. Glittery eyeshadow and highlighter don’t look good in flash photography – stick to matte textures around the eyes and subtle dewy skin instead. Similarly, avoid a sunscreen containing zinc and titanium oxides. “These can cause flashback in photos, creating a white cast on the face,” warns Hollie.
Finally, remember that the most important part of your special day is to soak it all in and be as present as possible. Yes, your beauty look will help you feel radiant, but it’ll be those precious moments – big and small – surrounded by your loved ones that you will remember forever. We hope you have a wonderful day!
