How To Do Your Own Bridal Makeup

What's The Difference Between Simple Makeup and Bridal Makeup?

Even if you are opting for a low-key look, there is a difference between every day and bridal. “When we talk about bridal makeup, we mean a ‘dialled up’ version of a simpler makeup look,” says Jessica Kohn, UK lead artist at Laura Mercier. “Firstly, it has to have fantastic staying power. And it’s sometimes necessary to add more vibrancy in the shades used on your cheeks and eyes so that they’re picked up in your photos.”

This doesn’t mean ‘clown-like’ she adds, “But it might just be something a little more vibrant that your day-to-day choices.”

Top Tips For Choosing Your Wedding Day Makeup Look

If you are one to experiment with makeup from time to time, it could be tricky to decide between bold bridal makeup vs natural bridal makeup. Of course it depends on your setting, your dress, your colour scheme but what it should really come down to is personal choice and what you actually like and feel good in.

“I always say that a bride should look like herself, but on a really good day,” says Alex McCormick, director of global artistry development at Hourglass. “Bridal makeup should always look flawless, but never too overdone.”

That doesn’t mean if you love a bold lip, you should avoid it with Jessica adding that she’s seen a real increase in the number of brides asking for this on their big day. “And I’m absolutely here for it!” she adds. “Of course it will be a slightly higher maintenance look, but a red lip is the epitome of glamour and can look so chic.”

Rebecca Moore, NARS senior artist agrees, saying that, “On your special day, the aim is to be the best version of yourself. If you love a smoky eye every day, on your wedding day it should be the best smoky eye you’ve ever worn!”

How To Achieve Natural Wedding Makeup

According to all the makeup artists we spoke to, the most popular choice for brides is a ‘natural’ look. But that of course, takes a fair bit of trickery and some excellent products – more than you would normally use day to day. “It’s important to remember that you’ll need to wear a little more makeup than you would normally because you’re going to be photographed a lot more,” says Zoe. “You want to look gorgeous and glowing, not washed out by camera flashes.”

Jessica agrees, adding that there are ways to achieve this without looking cakey or overdone. “One failsafe tip to creating a natural and long-lasting look is to work in thin layers to build coverage using small amounts of products until you get the finish you desire,” she adds.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Achieving a flawless and long-lasting makeup look starts with good skin prep. “This is the most important part of making sure your makeup looks good and lasts all night!” says Rebecca. “Start in the run up to your wedding, using night masks and hydrating serums. This evens the complexion, adding plumpness and a glow.”

Zoe Taylor firmly agrees, especially on the hydration part: “It really is key. Take time for yourself and do a nice mask such as Sisley Black Rose, which is my all-time favourite. It sorts out the skin immediately and preps beautifully for your makeup base.”

Do remember not to try anything new on or just before the big day though; even if something looks safe you never know if there might be something in it that could upset your skin and cause a reaction. It’s not worth the risk!

Step 2: Perfect a lightweight but long-lasting base

Once your skin is happily hydrated, it’s time to tackle the base of your look. This is perhaps the trickiest step, especially if you don’t want to look too ‘done’. Firstly, some makeup artists recommend using a primer to help everything grip. “I’d prep skin with the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer before applying a tint skin with a foundation brush,” says Alex. “This triple-threat combination will ensure your skin is flawless, as the primer helps to absorb excess oil throughout the day and a skin tint, like Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, £49.00, will nourish and enhance your glow.” A skin tint, she adds, is best for a ‘no makeup makeup’ look “as the light coverage allows your natural radiance to shine through.”

When it comes to choosing your base product, think about your skin type and desired skin finish: dry skin might want a hydrating foundation, oily skin a mattifying product. The jury is out on whether tools or your hands are best to use, but Moore prefers the latter for a natural look, as it can help with seamless application. When testing and trialling, see what works best with the foundations and concealers you’re using.

Step 3: Subtly define the eyes (and brows)

With a natural makeup look, you want to add dimension to the eyes but not drama. Rebecca at NARS suggests using your bronzer for a subtle smoky eye, “Just swept into the socket of the lid for a natural, seamless blend with the rest of the face.” She’d add a little depth with a smudge of long-wear eyeliner.

If you want more contrast, Jessica advises using a mid-tone, natural shade across all of the eyelid and slightly above the natural crease of the eye, blending with a brush or finger. Like Rebecca, she’d add intensity along the lash line with a deeper shade, “Then use a smudge brush to soften this to achieve a smoky finish.”

To keep your brows as natural as possibly, look for tinted gels that will give a little hold without going crusty, and add some dimension but not too much contrast.

Step 4: Aim for fluttery not spidery lashes

It goes without saying that as a bride, your mascara needs to be waterproof. Even if you’re not a crier, you never know. Look for formulas that offer a fluttery finish alongside length, rather than anything too dramatic that might clump together. Work in light layers to build to your desired effect and keep a spoolie on hand to help separate lash hairs if they do stick together too much.

Step 5: Add a sun kissed bronze and blush

No matter the time of year or location of your wedding, a sun kissed look or healthy glow is the best way to finish your skin. Rebecca suggests opting for cream products (bronzers, blushers and highlighters), “As they naturally blend perfectly together to enhance your look.”

With this step, it’s important to remember the golden makeup rule: it’s easier to add than it is to take away. Start with a light touch of bronzer and blusher, then you can always add layer on top. Then dot on highlighter on the areas the light would naturally catch (the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, etc) - you want to look beaming, not blinding.

Step 6: Go nude (on your lips!)

To keep things simple and soft, the best option for lips is either a tinted balm or oil or nude lipstick with a natural (not too matte, not too shiny) finish. A little lipliner in the matching shade will help to keep colour from bleeding without looking too done.

Step 7: Make your makeup last

Although cream products are often the preferred base to give seamless, skin-like look, “They won’t give you the longevity you need as they can easily move around,” says Jessica. She recommends always finishing with a loose setting powder on a velour puff (like the iconic options from Laura Mercier), “to set all of your products before in place.” Finishing with a spritz of setting spray that will help to melt the powder into the creams giving you the best of both worlds: “A natural skin-like finish, with the longwear-ability of powders,” Jessica adds.

Zoe also sees a setting spray as the essential final step: “After powdering (to remove excess shine) I love using the Charlotte Tilbury one as it always keeps makeup in place until the very end of the night.”

How To Create Bold Bridal Makeup

Although the natural look is most bride’s preferred option, it’s not for everyone. If you’re one for a big bold makeup look day-to-day, then it may feel totally wrong to pare things back just because tradition dictates it. Equally, you might just want to go for something a little dramatic to suit your theme, location or personality. But if you still want to look somewhat ‘bridal’ there are some tips you can follow…

Subtly sculpt and cleverly contour

There’s a difference between contouring to look snatched and going too far and looking scary. “For a natural-looking contour, use a shade only slightly darker than your natural complexion,” says Alex at Hourglass. “I’d recommend using a foundation stick with buildable coverage and precise application.”

Her trick is to start by visualising the perimeter of your face, mimicking the number 3 shape to create warmth and dimension. “For an extra sun kissed glow, sweep bronzer over the top of the contour placement and onto the neck and chest, to ensure no harsh lines and a seamless blend,” she adds.

Accentuate your eyes or lips

As Zoe and Jessica said, if you want to wear a bold lip or dramatic eye don’t feel like you’re breaking any rules by doing so. But you want to make sure they’re long-lasting and comfortable. “For lips, make sure you choose a shade that complements your skin tone,” says Jessica. “For example, a warm red on a more golden skin tone, or blue undertone on cooler skin.”

For staying power, she suggests adding a base on concealer on hydrated lips, then a tiny bit of powder to set that before your lip colour, and finishing with another light patting-on of powder: “Trust me, this really makes a difference!”

On your eyes, ensure any liner you’re using is water and transfer proof and (unless you really want to go for it) “Avoid any harsh or thick liners, as this could create too much contrast,” says Jessica.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Doing Your Own Wedding Makeup

“If you’re doing your own makeup on the day, always, always trial the products you’re going to use,” cautions Zoe. “This will ensure you aren’t allergic to or irritated by anything.” She also recommends blending your foundation all the way over the decolletage (dress dependent!), and then checking in the mirror and some selfies that your face, neck and chest all match in tone.

Jessica advises paying attention to details like the texture of your highlighters or eyeshadows too. “Instead of opting for chunky glitter – which can look a big clubby – try softer shimmers, which looks more romantic.”

Makeup Essentials To Have With You On The Day

Blotting papers or pressed powder will help keep afternoon shine at bay. We love Nars Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder, £32.00 and Tatcha Aburatorigami Japanese Blotting Papers, £12.00.

A pot concealer, like Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, £28.00, for any touch-ups that might be needed throughout the day.

How To Decide On Your Bridesmaid's Makeup

Final Word On Bridal Makeup