If you're a recently engaged person or if you're currently in the throws of wedding planning, your beauty routine is probably already on your mind. While you've maybe already purchased your teeth whitening products and scheduled your facials, it's time to think makeup. What do you need to do your own wedding makeup? These 12 products will ensure that you'll have the most flawless face possible on your big day. While skincare is obviously the most important part of guaranteeing a bridal glow, your makeup isn't exactly going to hurt anything. However, there are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to which products will work best.
Lots of brides choose to hire a professional makeup artist to help them have the most relaxing day possible. Others, however, decide to forgo the artist and take on the challenge themselves. Whether you're choosing to forgo a makeup artist for budget reasons or because you're just insanely picky — like myself — doing your own wedding makeup is totally possible. Thanks to the rise of the YouTube guru, makeup artists are now easily accessible, and they have a wealth of knowledge to impart. From Lisa Eldridge — the creative director of Lancome, no less — to everyone's imaginary bestie Jaclyn Hill, gurus drop serious product and application knowledge for soon-to-be brides, and I've definitely been listening.
So what are the best products for doing your own wedding makeup?
Foundation Primer
Smashbox Iconic Photo Finish Foundation Primer, $36, Sephora
A wedding day is not a short affair. Many can run into the wee hours of the morning, and this means, your makeup needs — to be frank about it — to last a long-ass time. Using a foundation primer is your first way to ensure that your makeup doesn't slide off while you're doing the Wobble on the dance floor. Smashbox's photo finish foundation primer is a true classic, but the best thing about the brand is that their now iconic product comes in multiple formulas to address a myriad of issues. Whether it's enlarged pores or redness, Smashbox's Photo Finish will help address your fears and keep your look in place.
Foundation
Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation, $43, Sephora
For your wedding day, you'll need to shy away from foundations that feature a heavy SPF. Under flash photography, SPF can cause a flashback that will result in even the palest of ladies look ghostly. You'll also want to grab a foundation that features a medium but buildable coverage. No one wants cake face on their wedding day, but a buildable coverage will allow you to create the perfect look. Lastly, even though you'll be using a primer, a long-lasting foundation is an essential.
Concealer
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer, $29, Sephora
Concealer can get a little tricky when it comes to wedding makeup. Packing on a heavy, undereye concealer in order to camouflage bags from not sleeping the night before is a recipe for cake face. You also want to be sure that, like your foundation, there is no SPF in your concealer to prevent flashback. A lightweight formula that offers coverage will be your best bet, and in my opinion, nothing comes close to Urban Decay's Naked Skin. With a lightweight, thin formulation, it offers incredible, natural coverage perfect for even the darkest of circles yet not so heavy as to create cake face.
Blush
Too Faced Love Flushed Long Lasting 16 Hour Blush, $26, Sephora
Like all the other components of your face, you'll need to rock a long-lasting blush. Whether you choose a cream or powder formulation is up to you, though. Creams are known for giving a stunning natural effect, but if you're not used to using them, trying them for the first time on your wedding day may not be such a great call. Just be sure that whatever form of highlighter or bronzer you use, the formulations match. Trust me, blending will go much better for you.
Contour
Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette, $46, Sephora
First thing: Don't feel like you have to contour on your wedding day. If the look is simply not your thing, don't do it. You want to feel comfortable and confident on your big day, and if a sculpted cheek just isn't your thing, forgo it. For those of us who do love a great contour though, you won't want to go over the top. Photography is going to pick up on your contour incredibly well. That's why the Kat Von D Shade + Light palette is perfect. With a diverse range of shades inside the palette, you can build your contour to perfection without looking like a streaky mess.
Highlight
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, $46, Sephora
I'm telling you right now not to strobe on your wedding day. You may think that the shimmering brillance of strobing will give you that bridal glow, it actually won't under flash photography. Instead, you're going to get insane amounts of flashback and look greasy. This little beauty comes as a direct recommendation from Jaclyn Hill, so it's got to be the perfect choice, right? Per her recommendation, stick to the high points of the face only. Don't get all strobey on me.
Eye Lid Primer
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, $22, Sephora
Unless you're an oily or combination gal like myself, eyeshadow primer may not be something you've ever done. A simple wash of foundation and some powder, and you've primed your eyes. For your wedding though, that's just not going to cut it. Use an eye shadow primer like this one my Urban Decay — which I will rave about until the end of time. It'll ensure that your shadow lasts all day, even through the potential tears.
Matte Shadow
Tartlette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette, $45, Sephora
You should be as creative as you want on for your wedding day makeup, but there should still be a ban on shimmering shadows. Pop a shadow like MAC's Shroom on under your brow, and it's going to take away from a more natural look that most brides are seeking. Rocking neutral mattes is the way to go if you want a look that gives you defintion without drama. But hey, if you want drama, I am all for it, just maybe minus the frostier shades.
Mascara
Diorshow Waterproof Mascara, $28, Sephora
You need waterproof mascara, but you already knew this. Whether it's crying walking down the altar or sweating it out when you're on the dance floor, you don't want a black transfer on your brow bone. Personally, Diorshow Waterproof is one of my favorites for its jet black color and insane staying power.
Lashes
Huda Beauty Classic False Lashes in Giselle #1, $18, Sephora
I can't say this enough — if you aren't comfortable with applying a product, don't. If false lashes have never interested you, then don't use them. If, however, you want a more dramatic lash, rock thin, whispy lashes that will add volume to your natural set without looking completely unnatural.
Long Wearing Lip
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick, $12, Sephora
Full disclosure: This product is going to take some work to get off, but if you want a lip that's beautiful and won't transfer to your soon-to-be spouse or guests, the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick is your girl. With gorgeous colors and a creamy texture, it's ideal for brides, and seriously, it's not going to budge. In fact, to remove it, I'd seriously recommend an investment in baby oil. Yes, baby oil. It will help break down the formula and removal will be much easier (Thanks for that trick when I was a teenager, Mom!).
Setting Spray
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray, $32, Sephora
Truth be told, I don't trust translucent powders. Their reaction to your makeup is unpredicatble as is their appearance on camera. Unless you're extra oily, I'd strongly suggest using only a setting spray. This baby from Urban Decay will keep your makeup in place for up to sixteen hours. Plus, it's Kylie Jenner-approved.
These are only the beginning of the best makeup products for doing your own wedding makeup. There are tons of great resources out there — here's looking at you, YouTube gurus. Whether it's tutorials, technique tips, of product suggestions, check doing your own wedding makeup off your list because you've got it handled.
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