10 Wedding Makeup Tips Every Bride Should Know

product still life — UNSPLASH / DESIGN BY JIAQI ZHOU

Your wedding is quite possibly the most photographed day of your life. And, of course, there are so many things you want to make sure are done perfectly on the big day—from seating arrangements and music to catering and décor. Naturally, some aspects of planning unexpectedly take a back seat, including your wedding day makeup. But, let’s bring your bridal beauty look back to the top of the list (even if it’s just for a little while).

As far as makeup goes, we’re almost positive you’d want to avoid as many blunders as possible (pictures last forever, right?), so we've tapped some of the beauty world’s most knowledgeable experts for all of their wedding day makeup dos.

1. Take Your Wedding Season Into Consideration

"A bride should absolutely tailor their foundation selection to the elements she’ll be in for her wedding," says celebrity makeup artist Amber Dreadon. "If it’s winter you will want a foundation that won’t look too dry or flat... if it’s summer you don’t want anything that gets too shiny too fast. If your wedding takes place from daytime to nighttime, opt for something long-wearing."

"For summer brides, I'd suggest prepping the skin with an anti-shine water-resistant primer like Becca's Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector," advises makeup artist Chauntal Lewis. "I'd use a fuller coverage foundation, like La Mer's Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation for fall or winter weddings."

2. Choose a Lipstick or Balm You Feel Comfortable In

"The lip is very important," says Smith & Cult Beauty Ambassador Elena Miglino. "I always tell my brides to spend some time at the makeup counter and try on all the possible shades, and 'when you know, you know!'"

She continues, "I personally love a natural lip. First, you want something that will stay all day, like Smith & Cult's The Tainted Lip Stained Flatte. I love the color "Kissing Tiny Flowers." It’s pretty much the natural lip color that we all want, not too brown and not too pink. If you want to amp it up a little, try adding Smith & Cult The Shining Lip Lacquer in the color "Now Kith."

10 Wedding Makeup Must-Haves for Your Big Day

3. Drink Lots of Water Before the Big Day

This beauty tip is one to follow all year round, but it's even more important as your wedding day approaches. "Hydrated skin will allow for the best application of makeup," Miglino says.

4. Have a Makeup Trial

"Most freelance makeup artists will offer a bridal trial separate to the actual wedding day," says makeup artist Tabby Casto. "The trial is so important. Both for the makeup artist and for you. Having the chance to try different looks means that on the day you are going to be feeling confident and happy in the knowledge that the look you are wearing is right for you and is going to last."

5. Use Waterproof Products

"Waterproof everything!" Miglino says. "And if you tear up, try to have a beauty blender on-hand to blot. That will press the product into the skin instead of leaving streaks or wiping the product away."

6. Find Balance in Your Look

"If you’re going for a smokey look, go light on skin makeup and opt for a natural color on the lips," says NYC-based makeup artist Min Min Ma. "For bold lips, go light on the skin makeup as well. I prefer using a matte lipstick, for it’s more long-lasting and requires less maintenance. Try Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk."

7. Keep a Few Products On-Hand Throughout the Day

"I always leave my bride with her lipstick and blotting papers," Lewis says. "Translucent powder or blotting papers for shine is key to keep on-hand."

"Blotting papers are a must, a pressed powder in a compact so you have a mirror on-hand, and a lipstick or lipgloss to touch up throughout the day," Dreadon says.

8. Make Sure Your Foundation Is a Perfect Match

"Your foundation should be as close to your skin tone as possible, or the tone of your neck," Miglino says. "You will be photographed nonstop that day and the last thing you want is for your face and neck to not match."

9. Apply Moisturizer Before You Self-Tan

"Your secret weapon when applying self-tanner is using moisturizer as a barrier," says St. Tropez Celebrity Tanner Sophie Evans. "Apply prior to application on problem areas so that they don’t go any darker (this is always elbows, knees, hands, feet, any severe dry areas).

Never moisturize the whole body, as it will dilute your self-tan color. We also use a moisturizer to blend afterward around the crease in the wrist, back of the heel, and around the hairline to make the tan look natural. Your tan is your paint and your moisturizer is your water so we are blending and fading for perfection."

10. Use a Teeth Whitening Product

"A smile is something you'll be wearing that day, and you'll want your pearly whites white," Miglino says. Depending on the product, you'll want to begin using teeth whitening at least a few months before the big day.

The Best Beauty Products for Your Wedding

bride putting on lipstick — PHOTO BY JFK IMAGEN

Your wedding day is busy, blissful, and occasionally stressful, and the last thing you should be worrying about on your big day is how your lipstick looks. Luckily, liquid lipsticks have never been more popular—or more comfortable. Gone are the sticky, super-drying potions of the past; they’ve been replaced with lightweight, long-wearing formulas that are as gorgeous to look at as they are to wear. If you don’t want to deal with touchups throughout the day, opt for a liquid lip for kiss-proof staying power.

Makeup artist Nina McCaskey recommends her brides choose long-lasting lipsticks for ease and convenience on such a massive day. 'They’re going to be smooching all day. I don’t want that all over their partner’s face!" she says. Stains and liquids also provide a strong, lasting base. She adds, “A lot of times people don’t remember to use the touchup lipstick I give them [because they’re so busy]. Have a base that’s long-lasting so if you forget to touch up, it still looks good.”

MEET THE EXPERT

Nina McCaskey is a makeup artist and owner of Wedded Kiss Beauty in Raleigh, North Carolina.

When choosing a shade, McCaskey recommends looking at the inside of your wrists to find your skin’s undertone and going from there, especially if you’re not able to swatch colors at the beauty store or the makeup counter. If your veins are blue, you’re generally cool-toned, so you should try pinks, plums, or blue-based reds; if they’re green, you’re more warm or neutral, so peach and rose tones will look great on you.

McCaskey says that cheeks and lips tend to disappear in photos, so she advises choosing a slightly brighter shade. She also tells her brides to exfoliate their lips the day before with a gentle scrub like Sara Happ’s The Lip Scrub to prep for the big day—and those big newlywed kisses!

For a lip color that will last from the first look to the last dance, try one of these long-wear lipstick formulas.

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Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick

This drugstore favorite has serious staying power. Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick comes in a plethora of shades, from classic neutrals to a dramatic dark blue (we're partial to the deep red shade Pioneer). If you prefer a pencil for a more precise application, the crayon version is equally long-lasting.

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Beauty Bakerie Matte Lip Whip

Beauty Bakerie’s Lip Whips are so long-lasting they almost don’t come off at all! When you need a lipstick that’s going to stay put all night long, no matter what, reach for a Lip Whip. The long-wear formula comes in a handful of shades, including pink, caramel brown, and deep, dramatic raspberry.

Use an oil-based remover to take off your long-lasting lipstick at the end of the night.

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VIOLETTE_FR Petal Bouche Matte Liquid Red Lipstick

If red lipstick is your signature shade, this velvety liquid lip by makeup artist Violette will make your wedding day dreams come true. True to its name, it’s as light as a rose petal to wear and is the perfect deep, glamorous red for a very French “je ne sais quoi” moment as you walk down the aisle.

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Revlon ColorStay Satin Ink

If you’re looking for a lipstick with a hint of sheen, try Revlon’s ColorStay Satin Ink. Despite the fact that it is not a traditional matte formula, the lipstick stays put for hours—up to 16 hours, to be exact! The formula is infused with black currant seed oil to infuse lips with moisture, keeping them kissable without kissing off.

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ILIA High Impact Lipstick

Looking for a clean, vegan option for your wedding day lipstick look? ILIA’s High Impact Lipstick will fit the bill. This full-coverage bullet lipstick comes in plenty of bride-worthy shades and nourishes lips with apricot seed oil and mango seed butter to plump and soften.

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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Luminous Modern-Matte Long-Lasting Lipstick

Nothing is more movie star glamorous than Charlotte Tilbury’s glimmering golden tubes of lipstick. The Matte Revolution formula manages to be both lightweight and long-lasting. There’s no wonder Charlotte’s lippies are celebrity favorites! Try the iconic Pillow Talk for a subtle, romantic neutral pink, or try The Queen for a pop of pink.

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Pat McGrath Labs Liquilust Liquid Lipstick

The legendary makeup artist Pat McGrath delivers “color without compromise” in her line of liquid lipsticks. The Liquilust applicator is key to its success: it’s shaped to make application a breeze, whether you want full coverage or a more romantic diffused look. Liquilust is smudge and transfer-proof so you won’t need to worry about it coming off on your champagne glass—or your partner’s lips.

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About-Face Liquid Lipstick Lip Duos

Did you know Halsey has a makeup line? Spoiler alert: It’s great, especially the Lip Duos, which bundle everything you need for a pop star-worthy lip in a two-piece set of coordinating colors. Line with the Matte Fix Pencil for a precise lip, then fill in with the matching liquid lip. A fun bonus is the peppermint aroma of the lipstick, which will keep you feeling minty-fresh for all that kissing.

10 Wedding Makeup Must-Haves for Your Big Day

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MAC Retro Matte Lipstick

There’s something so romantic and traditional about a classic bullet of lipstick, especially in those “getting ready” pics. Ruby Woo is the red lipstick, and this bestselling shade will last forever on your lips—from early morning hair and makeup to the afternoon “I do.” It looks good on everyone, but if red isn’t your thing, don’t worry! Retro Matte also comes in a few bright shades, including a unique plum hue.

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Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Drama Ink Matte Liquid Lipstick

Lancôme says this semi-matte formula provides a “bare lips feel” while imparting lasting color. One swipe of this lightweight liquid gives lips full-coverage color, though it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all. The small, pointed doe foot applicator makes application and touch-ups so easy, you almost won’t need a mirror.

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Honest Beauty Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick

This creamy clean and vegan formula from Jessica Alba’s Honest line fuses the ease of a gloss with the staying power of a liquid lipstick. It’s infused with hyaluronic acid for an instant boost of moisture and comes in eight flattering shades for every wedding style, from a beach elopement to a giant bash.

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Lip Bar Liquid Matte Lipstick

If you’ve been dreaming of a shocking pink, orchid purple, or deep brown lip look for your big day, the Lip Bar has you covered with a variety of fun shades for every skin tone. The formula goes on smoothly and sets quickly for a matte look that will last through late-night dance floor action.

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Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick

This soft and velvety liquid lipstick has the Selena Gomez stamp of approval. With its creamy formula and lightweight feel, it’s a great “intro” formula for anyone who isn’t super experienced with liquid lipsticks.

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Sephora Beauty Cream Stain Liquid Lipstick

The beauty behemoth knows its way around a great liquid lipstick. Their bestselling Cream Stain Liquid is not only budget-friendly at $15 a tube, but comes in a literal rainbow of shades, including teal! It’s formulated with avocado oil to keep lips feeling moisturized and comfortable throughout the day.

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Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour

Ooh la la! Chanel brings the glamour and elegance to your wedding day look with their Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lipstick, which glides on like a gloss but stays put like a liquid lipstick.

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Colourpop Lippie Stix

Colourpop’s Lippie Stix may be slim, but they pack a major color punch. The matte and Matte X formulas apply easily with the precision of traditional lipstick and provide flexible, comfortable wear.

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Kjaer Weis Matte Naturally Liquid Lipstick

Kjaer Weis’s velvety soft formula is certified organic and made with jojoba, castor seed, and sunflower oils, plus shea butter and hyaluronic acid to nourish and moisturize lips while also providing long-lasting, naturally gorgeous matte color.

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Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick

This popular liquid formula comes in 22 stunning shades, all of which would look perfect on any bride. True to its name, it stays all day without feathering, bleeding, or transferring, but still feels comfortable on the lips thanks to vitamin E and avocado oil.

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NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

This formula is a best-seller for a reason: It’s oh-so-comfortable to wear, it comes in a bevy of fun colors, and it’s extremely budget-

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Thursday, October 28, 2021