Bridal Makeup Tips for your
Wedding Day

You are going to look fabulous with these bridal makeup tips, but remember to stay true to yourself, and don't overdo it. The goal is to enhance your beauty, and not look like a complete stranger in photos . . .

◈ If you are planning on having a facial done for the first time, make sure you arrange it at least a week before the wedding. You don’t want to risk having a bad skin reaction too close to your wedding.

◈ If you are currently experiencing breakouts, it’s a good idea to visit your dermatologist at least 4 months before the wedding so that your skin has enough time to clear up.

◈ Have your eyebrows arched 3-5 days before the wedding. You may experience some redness after the procedure, and that can be difficult to cover up with concealer.

◈ I always recommend applying a little more eyeshadow and blush (not too much) because the flashbulb from the camera can soften your look in photos. The result will be more natural than you originally had that day.

◈ For lasting lips, use a lipstick with a matte finish. For a more glossy appearance, use a lipstick as the base, then apply a lipgloss on top. Make sure you don’t have lipstick/lipgloss on your teeth, so check your teeth before you leave.

◈ For lipsticks with a satin or luster finish, apply a light layer of powder over the lipstick first, then complete with another layer of lipstick. This is another excellent bridal makeup tip to achieve lasting lips.

◈ Purchase a few magazines to help you decide how you want your makeup to look before you meet with an artist or purchase any cosmetics. How to choose a Makeup Artist for your wedding day!

◈ If you are applying your own makeup, schedule a trial-run with a beauty consultant and purchase your products at least 2-3 months in advance. Make sure he/she provides very detailed instructions about the application methods, and practice, practice, practice! Face charts are excellent to have on hand because your consultant can write down where each product should be placed on your face – you can always refer to it in the future.

◈ Don’t forget the waterproof mascara for those weepy eyes!

◈ Keep your powder and lipstick in your purse in case you want to freshen up later in the evening.

◈ If you get a few pimples on your wedding day, just apply Visene (to get the red out) and cover it with a little bit of concealer afterwards. Don’t go overboard with the concealer because it can result in a very cakey appearance.

◈ It is a good idea to wear a button-down shirt before applying your makeup to avoid ruining the look later on. When slipping into your wedding dress, place a plastic shower cap over your face so that you don’t get makeup on your dress.

◈ Avoid shimmery and glittery looks – these looks do not photograph well because they will leave you with a very shiny appearance.

◈ For brighter eyes, line the inside of your lower lids (waterline) with a white pencil. This is one excellent bridal makeup tip!

◈ Tan lines and sunburn can sabotage your wedding day, so try to stay out of the sun as much as possible.

◈ For a look that photographs well, wear a “matte” look in natural tones, and try to avoid trendy looks because they go out of style fast. Don’t wear frosted eyeshadows, because they appear too bright in photographs.

◈ Shiny faces do not photograph well, so dust on some light powder first. It’s a good idea to dust some blotting powder on the groom and his groomsmen as well. I know they won’t like it, but there’s nothing worse than having greasy-looking faces in wedding photographs.

◈ If you find yourself in a position of having to turn down a makeup artist, just tell them that you appreciate their services, you still have their contact information, and that you will call them if you need them. If they’re smart, they’ll get the hint, but don’t get stressed out about finding an excuse to turn them down.

◈ If your wedding is in the morning, go for a more natural look. Evening weddings usually require warm and darker colors, but don't go overboard. Sensuality is the key!

◈ Consider the lighting in the area where the wedding will take place. If you will be married outside in the sunshine, go for lighter or softer colors. If you are in a church with very low lighting, deeper tones work best.

Asian Bridal Makeup Tips

Asian eyelashes are usually straight, but you can make them look longer and fuller by using a lash curler before applying mascara. Start at the base of lashline and gently squeeze the curler for a few seconds. Move it out toward the lash ends and squeeze again or try wearing fake eyelashes for an evening wedding.

◈ Don't forget brows: Asian women's eyebrows are usually very straight and naturally grow downwards. Once you achieve the right brow shape either with a pro or at home, the best way to coax brows into line is to apply brow gel (or a dab of hairspray) to an eyebrow brush and comb them into place.

Latina Bridal Makeup Tips

◈ If your skin has a slightly green cast in the winter, a bronzing powder will give you a warm, tanned look. Don't forget to apply some color on the apples of your cheeks. Remember rosy colors -- not oranges -- work best in counteracting the green cast.

◈ Many Hispanic women naturally have a beautiful dark color to their lips, so deep lipsticks and softer colors look quite lovely.

Black Bridal Makeup Tips

◈ You need to wear a little extra foundation to avoid shine, and a bit more mascara. Black skin, even when it is not oily, reflects light and will look shiny in photos without a little extra foundation and some pressed powder.

◈ Black women also tend to have dark shadows around the eyes, nose and mouth. Before you apply foundation, use concealer in a shade that matches your skin tone and blend evenly.

Indian Bridal Makeup Tips

◈ Use a combination of colors to compliment your outfit.

◈ For the bride's lips, use a neutral shade that will not clash with the bride's eyes and dress. Wear gloss, preferably a pink one, to brighten up and soften your look. Dark burgundy and red lipsticks can tend to look harsh and make you look older in pictures.





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