Your wedding will be one of the biggest events of your life, so it's important to look your best. By doing your own makeup instead of hiring a professional, you can save money and create a look that perfectly suits your style. However, it can be tricky to know where to start. That's where we come in. In this article, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of doing your own wedding makeup so that you can look and feel amazing on your big day.
Our goal is to provide easy-to-follow instructions that will help you achieve a professional look. We'll cover everything from choosing the right makeup products to creating a bridal eye makeup look that will complement your dress. We'll also teach you how to contour your face, apply blush and bronzer, and finish off your look with the perfect lipstick.
Don't worry if you're not an expert – this guide is designed for all skill levels. Whether you're a makeup pro or a complete beginner, we'll walk you through each step so that you can feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day. So, let's get started!
Choose Your Makeup Products
Your wedding day is undoubtedly one of the most important days of your life. As the bride, you want to look stunning and flawless. And, of course, your makeup plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect look. Choosing the right makeup products can be overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you covered.
First things first, you need to consider your skin tone and type before selecting your makeup products. This will ensure that the products you choose complement your natural beauty and provide you with a long-lasting finish. For example, if you have oily skin, you may want to opt for oil-free products that won't clog your pores or cause breakouts.
Now, let's move on to the fun part – selecting your makeup products. Here are some of the essential products you'll need for your wedding day:
| Product | Recommended brand |
|---|---|
| Foundation | MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation |
| Concealer | NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer |
| Blush | Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush |
| Bronzer | Hoola Matte Bronzer by Benefit Cosmetics |
| Eyeshadow | Naked 3 Palette by Urban Decay |
| Eyeliner | Kat Von D Tattoo Liner |
| Mascara | Better Than Sex Mascara by Too Faced |
| Lipstick | Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick |
Of course, you can choose any brand that you prefer, but these are some of our top recommended products that will give you a professional look.
Once you've selected your products, the next step is to learn how to apply them. Don't worry, we'll provide you with easy-to-follow instructions in the next section so that you can achieve a flawless base and stunning makeup look on your big day.
Prep Your Skin
Before applying makeup, it's essential to prepare your skin to ensure a flawless finish. The following steps will guide you on how to prep your skin for your wedding makeup:
- Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil, and makeup residue from your face. Rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a clean towel.
- Tone: Apply a toner to balance your skin's pH and remove any leftover impurities. A toner with witch hazel or rosewater can soothe your skin and prepare it for makeup.
- Moisturize: Moisturize your face with a hydrating cream or lotion to provide a smooth base for your makeup. Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type and provides long-lasting hydration. Allow the moisturizer to absorb into your skin for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
- Prime: Applying a primer will help your makeup last longer and prevent it from sliding off your face. A primer fills in fine lines, minimizes the appearance of pores, and creates a smooth base for your foundation. Choose a primer that suits your skin type and apply it all over your face.
Prepping your skin is an essential step in achieving a flawless wedding makeup look. It's essential to choose skincare products that suit your skin type and provide hydration and nourishment. Following these steps will help you achieve a smooth and even base for your makeup and make your wedding day makeup last longer.
Conceal and Highlight
Creating a flawless base is essential for any makeup look, but it becomes even more important when it comes to bridal makeup. Concealing any blemishes, dark circles, or redness is crucial for achieving a radiant and glowing complexion on your wedding day.
Using a concealer that matches your skin tone or is one shade lighter, gently pat small dots under your eyes, on any blemishes or redness, and around your nose and mouth. Use a makeup brush or sponge to blend the concealer seamlessly into your skin.
highlighting is another technique that can help create a sculpted look. Using a highlighter that complements your skin tone, apply it on the high points of your face such as your cheekbones, brow bone, bridge of your nose, and cupid's bow. This will help to bring light to your face and enhance your natural features.
A great tip for enhancing your highlight is to wet your brush or sponge before applying. This will make the highlighter appear more intense and give a dewy finish to your skin.
- Remember to use only a small amount of product and blend it properly to avoid a cakey or heavy look.
- Choose a concealer that is two shades lighter than your skin tone if you want to contour or highlight more dramatically.
- Don't forget to set your concealer with a translucent powder to ensure it stays in place all day.
Contour Your Face
Contouring is the art of using light and shade to create the illusion of a more defined and slimmer face. Here's how to contour your face:
- Start by applying your regular foundation and concealer to even out your skin tone and cover any blemishes or dark circles.
- Choose a contour shade that's one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. You can use a cream, powder, or stick formula – whatever you find easiest to work with.
- Apply the contour shade to the areas of your face that you want to slim down. These include the sides of your nose, your temples, your jawline, and your cheekbones. Use a small, fluffy brush to blend the contour shade into your skin, making sure there are no harsh lines or patches.
- Next, choose a highlight shade that's one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. This can be a shimmery powder or a cream highlighter. Apply the highlight shade to the high points of your face, including the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your brow bone, and your cupid's bow. Use a clean, fluffy brush to blend the highlight shade into your skin.
- Finally, blend the contour and highlight shades together using a clean brush or a damp beauty sponge. This will create a seamless transition between the light and shade and give your face a natural-looking glow.
Remember, less is often more when it comes to contouring. Start with a light hand and build up the intensity gradually until you achieve the desired effect. With a little practice, you'll be able to contour your face like a pro!
Apply Blush and Bronzer
Blush and bronzer are essential makeup products to add warmth and depth to your face. Choosing the right shade for your skin tone is important to create a natural-looking flush. Here's how to apply blush and bronzer:
- For fair skin, choose a light pink or peachy blush and a light brown bronzer.
- For medium skin, opt for a rosy pink or coral blush and a medium brown bronzer.
- For dark skin, try a deep berry or plum blush and a dark brown bronzer.
- Use a blush brush to apply blush on the apples of your cheeks, blending it upwards towards your temples.
- Dab excess blush with a clean brush or tissue to avoid looking too flushed.
- Apply bronzer on the areas where the sun naturally hits your face, such as your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.
- Blend the bronzer using circular motions to create a natural-looking contour.
Remember to apply blush and bronzer in moderation to avoid looking too heavy or unnatural. With the right products and application techniques, your wedding makeup will be flawless and photo-ready.
Create Your Eye Look
If you want to achieve the perfect bridal look on your big day, it's essential to pay attention to your eye makeup. By emphasizing your eyes, you can create a stunning yet classic look that will complement your dress and enhance your overall beauty.
To start, you'll need eyeshadow in neutral shades such as beige, taupe, and brown. It's best to choose a palette that matches your skin tone and eye color. With a fluffy eyeshadow brush, lightly apply a beige shade all over the lid and blend it up to the brow bone.
Next, take a darker taupe shade and apply it to the outer corner of your eyelid. Use a blending brush to blend the color inward toward the center of your eyelid. This will create a natural-looking gradient effect. Then, take a darker brown shade and blend it along your eye crease, or where your eyelid folds, to create depth.
Now, it's time to add eyeliner and mascara. If you prefer a more natural look, try using a brown eyeliner pencil near your lashes. For a more dramatic look, use a black liquid liner to create a winged effect. Add a few coats of mascara to your lashes to enhance their length and volume.
For a finishing touch, add highlighter to your inner corner and brow bone. This will help to brighten your eyes and create a youthful glow. And don't forget to shape your eyebrows and fill them in with a brow pencil or powder if necessary, as well as curl your lashes before applying mascara.
By following these simple steps, you can create a beautiful bridal eye look that will complete your wedding day makeup and make your eyes pop.
Apply Eyeshadow
One of the most important steps in your wedding makeup routine is applying eyeshadow. Not only can it enhance the natural features of your eyes, but it can also complement your dress and the overall theme of your wedding. Here's how to apply eyeshadow that will flatter your eye shape:
- Choose your eyeshadow color palette based on your wedding theme and dress color.
- Begin with a neutral base color to help set the tone for the rest of your eyeshadow application.
- Use a fluffy, blending brush to blend your chosen color into the crease of your eyelid.
- Next, apply your darker shade of eyeshadow to the outer corner of your eyelid, working inwards towards the center.
- Blend the edges with a clean blending brush to soften any harsh lines.
- Using a smaller, more precise brush, apply your darkest shade of eyeshadow to the outermost corner of your eye, extending slightly upwards towards your brow bone.
- If desired, apply a shimmery or glittery shadow to the center of your eyelid to add some extra sparkle.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Don't be afraid to experiment with different shades and techniques before your big day. With these simple steps, you can create a flawless eye makeup look that will enhance your natural beauty and make you feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day.
Line and Define Your Eyes
Creating a defined and glamorous eye look is essential for any bride on her wedding day. To achieve this look, we'll show you how to apply eyeliner and mascara like a pro.
Start by applying eyeliner to your upper lash line. Begin at the inner corner of your eye and draw a thin line along your lashes to the outer corner. You can use pencil or liquid eyeliner, depending on your preference.
If you want to create a more dramatic look, you can add a wing at the outer corner of your eye. To do this, draw a line from the outer corner of your eye towards the end of your eyebrow. Then connect the wing to the line you drew along your upper lash line.
After you've applied eyeliner, it's time to move onto mascara. Start by curling your lashes with an eyelash curler for a more lifted look. Then, apply mascara by holding the wand horizontally and starting at the base of your lashes. Wiggle the wand back and forth as you move towards the tips of your lashes.
If you want more volume, you can apply a second coat of mascara. If you're worried about smudging or flaking, choose a waterproof formula.
Remember, practice makes perfect! Make sure to try out your eyeliner and mascara before your wedding day to make sure you're comfortable with the application process.
- Start at the inner corner of your eye and draw a thin line along your lashes to the outer corner
- Use pencil or liquid eyeliner, depending on your preference
- Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler before applying mascara
- Wiggle the mascara wand as you move towards the tips of your lashes
- Apply a second coat of mascara for more volume
- Choose a waterproof formula if you're worried about smudging or flaking
Finish with Lips and Setting Spray
When it comes to the final touches, the lips can complete the whole look of the bridal makeup. Choosing the right lipstick color based on your skin tone is crucial to pull off a picture-perfect pout. We recommend shades of red, pink, nude, or mauve for a classic and timeless look. For dark skin tones, berry or deep shades are also great choices.
After selecting your lipstick color, it's time to apply it like a pro. Start by outlining the lips with a lip liner to define the shape of your lips. Then, fill in the lips with the lipstick using a lip brush or straight from the bullet. For a layered effect, add a coat of lip gloss on top. That's all it takes to get a kissable, wedding-worthy lip that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
To ensure your makeup stays put all day and night, use setting spray. This product will lock in your makeup and prevent it from smudging or fading over time. Simply hold the spray eight to ten inches away from your face and spritz once or twice. Voila! Your bridal makeup is now ready to last as long as you do!