Of course, there are no rules; you may be having a tropical boho beach do, or a chic city registry office ceremony. However, there are some common tips to think about, whether you are doing your own make-up on the day or briefing your make-up artist. We’ve also pulled together our favourite Insta make-up artists if you’re looking for inspiration, plus our must-have bits of make-up kit for your big day.
3 Inspiring Make-Up Artist Feeds to Follow
Best For Hollywood Timeless Glamour: @cygmakeup
Make-up artist to the likes of Kate Upton and Katie Holmes, Cassandra Garcia is also a regular favourite at New York Bridal Fashion Week for her classic, glamorous looks and neutral, warm tones. Follow her here.
Best For DIY Brides: @katiejanehughes
If you want to learn some top tips to use on your own wedding make-up, Katie Jane Hughes is a great follow for how-to tutorials, product recommendations and her signature glossy, glowy skin. Follow her here.
Best For a Statement Lip Look: @lisaeldridgemakeup
For a modern bride, Lisa Eldridge’s mix of flawless skin and a statement lip is a striking combination. Follow for celebrity inspo looks, as well as chatty, easy-to-follow tutorials. Follow her here.
7 Wedding Make-Up Kit Must-Haves
Primer Plus Mattifier, £25
Bobbi Brown
Even if you want a dewy finish, start with a unifying, mattifying primer like this one from Bobbi Brown to control oily zones and to blur pores. Buy it.
Power Fabric Foundation, £44
Giorgio Armani
A weightless yet full coverage foundation. Available in 17 shades, the texture blends seamlessly into skin, smoothing over imperfections and gliding into a long-lasting, subtle glow finish. Buy it.
Pillow Talk Lipstick, £25
Charlotte Tilbury
A great natural lip colour option for brides who want a universally flattering barely there shade. Buy it.
Prep + Prime Fix+, £24
MAC
An essential bit of kit for most make-up artists, a spritz of this water-weight, vitamin-infused setting spray will ensure your make-up stays fresh for up to 12 hours. Buy it.
Ambient Lighting Powder, £45
Hourglass
The multi-dimensional, ultra-fine pearl particles in Hourglass’ lighting powder will give your skin an Instagram filter flawless glow – think ‘golden hour’ sunset lighting, from within. Great for dialling up your look for your evening reception. Buy it.
Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara, £24
Too Faced
Ticking every box for wedding make up, this mascara won’t budge, flake, smudge or run. But it will lift, lengthen, curl and thicken for a dramatic lash look that will last and last. Buy it.
Quad Palette in Nude Dip, £68
Tom Ford
A beautiful investment palette for your special day to give a pretty, neutral eye look with just a hint of sparkle. Highly pigmented with good staying power without creasing, the quad provides an excellent range of shades to allow you to build up the intensity through the day for an easy ceremony-to-dancefloor look. Buy it.
4 Top Wedding Make-Up Tips
Seek Formulas That Suit The Season
Even if your ceremony is inside, the light levels, humidity and weather conditions will all impact the formulas and textures that you use, both in your skincare to prep skin and in your make-up choices. Talk to experts on-counter or your make-up artist about the best products to tackle shine and visible pores in warm weather and dry flaky skin in winter. Do look to boost the luminosity of skin with glowy, cream formulas on dull days.
Use Waterproof Formulas
Chances are you are going to shed a tear or two on your big day. Look for waterproof formulas (not just mascara!), as they have stronger budge-proof power – not just tears, but sweat and transfer too.
Do A Trial Run (And Take Pictures!)
Don’t leave anything to chance on the day. Do a full test run of your final make-up and hair before the big day, leaving yourself enough time to re-buy products if they are the wrong shade. It will also be a good test of how long you need to leave on the day to achieve the look you want, without rushing. Are you going to self-tan before the big day? If so, test that too and check your foundation is still the right shade for you. Also take photos in a variety of light settings to check how your make-up will look in your wedding snaps.
Products To Use Throughout The Day
Make sure you, or your maid of honour, carries a few essentials with them for touch-ups through the day: think some blotting papers to minimise shine and your lipstick to reapply. Spending a couple of minutes refreshing your make-up at intervals through the day will ensure it stays looking picture perfect.
By Lydia Mansi
March 2022
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