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How To Get the Wedding Makeup of Your Dreams and Nail That Bridal Glow
May 16, 2024
Where wedding planning is concerned, finding your dream dress usually ranks as number one on the list of priorities. We’d argue, however, that finding the perfect wedding makeup is equally as important. This is a day that will be memorialized in photos forever—you want to look (and feel) your very best. But with so many directions you could go in—natural or glam, matte or dewy, timeless or trendy—finding the perfect bridal makeup look can sometimes feel more overwhelming than exciting. We’re here to help take (some) of the stress away from your wedding planning.
Ahead, we’re dishing out eight tips to keep in mind when planning your bridal makeup and sharing our favorite wedding makeup ideas to keep on your radar. Find it all—plus a look at some of our favorite products for your big day—below.
Wedding Makeup Tips for Your Big Day
As you sift through bridal magazines and scour Pinterest for wedding makeup inspiration, keep these tips in the back of your mind.
1. Prioritize skin prep well in advance
Smooth, healthy-looking skin lays the foundation for a flawless bridal makeup look. Leading up to your wedding, prioritize giving your skin plenty of TLC with tried-and-true products that you know work for your skin. If any concerns arise (hello, stress-induced breakouts), visit your dermatologist—this isn’t the time for DIY treatments.
2. Consider the venue
Different venues call for different approaches to wedding makeup. Ultra-glam makeup, for example, works well for indoor evening weddings but may be too harsh for daytime ceremonies. Natural wedding makeup, on the other hand, works well for outdoor ceremonies (like beach weddings). So when planning your look, don’t forget to consider where—and when—you’ll be tying the knot.
3. Speak up during your trial
Giorgio Armani Beauty national Face Designer Beck Morgan encourages brides-to-be to share any and all feedback with their makeup artist. First, bring photos to your trial: as he says, “this helps steer your makeup artist in the right direction.” You’ll also want to be as vocal as possible about what you do (and don’t) like. “Ask questions and give your opinion,” he urges. “All great artists will want your input.”
4. Wear waterproof mascara
In all likelihood, you’ll be shedding a few tears of joy on your wedding day—which is why opting for a long-lasting, waterproof mascara is a must. We’re fond of IT Cosmetics Superhero Volumizing Waterproof Mascara. The buildable, peptide-infused formula lengthens, thickens, and separates lashes without any clumping or flaking. Plus, it offers up to 24 hours of waterproof wear and won’t smudge in humid (or teary-eyed) conditions. At the end of the evening, you can easily remove it with an oil-based makeup remover or cleansing balm, like the brand’s Bye Bye Makeup Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover.
5. Test-drive your makeup in different conditions
We’ve all fallen victim to foundation that looks great in-store but gives your skin an unpleasant yellowish or pinkish tinge in natural lighting. That’s why it’s so important to test-drive your wedding makeup in different lighting. After your trial, take pictures indoors, outdoors, in direct lighting, and with and without flash. This can help ensure you find the right match and don’t end up looking “off” when you move from the reception to the ceremony.
6. Consider using body concealer
If you’re someone who flushes easily, you may want to consider extending your concealer application beyond the usual spots. “I often see brides get flushed…particularly in areas that are especially prone to redness,” like the chest and ears, Morgan says. Applying concealer (and powder) to these areas “may sound odd,” he concedes, but can also make a big difference. He swears by the Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating & Brightening Concealer because it blends easily and offers buildable coverage for an airbrushed, naturally luminous finish.
7. Use a satin-finish lipstick
It can be fun to experiment with trends in your daily makeup routine, but for your wedding makeup, it’s often best to stick to the classics. Morgan recommends skipping trendy ultra-glossy or matte lipsticks and instead opting for a “timeless satin finish.” Try Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick—the long-lasting formula offers the color payoff of lipstick but with the lightweight, comfortable feel of a balm.
8. Prepare for touch-ups
Your wedding day is a marathon, not a sprint—even the most flawless makeup application will likely need to be touched up a tad at some point. Ask your makeup artist what products you should keep on hand for touch-ups and stash the essentials close by for easy access throughout the day (or night).
7 Wedding Makeup Trends for 2024
If you’re not quite sure what direction you want to go in on your big day, consider these seven chic, flattering bridal makeup ideas.
Glowy skin
“A major trend that I’ve been seeing (and I hope is here to stay) is glowy, dewy skin that looks like the best version of you,” Morgan shares. “All of my brides have been loving this fresh new look.” To achieve the effect, you’ll want to ask your makeup artist to use luminous-finish formulas rather than matte and go light on the powder. Pair your glowy base with a nude lip and brushed-up brows for a natural but undeniably glam look that will stand the test of time.
Understated makeup
If you’re getting hitched outdoors, ditch the full-coverage formulas and matte finishes in favor of softer, more skin-like makeup. This natural bridal makeup look is effortlessly elegant and pairs perfectly with alfresco events. Another benefit: It’s fairly low-maintenance as far as touch-ups go. Opt for long lashes, flushed cheeks, and petal-pink lips with just a hint of shine to achieve a soft, feminine look.
Sculpted glam
Bronzy, sculpted makeup is perfect for brides who want to lean into their glam side on their special day. It features contoured cheekbones, nude lips, and bronze lids for a glam, sun-kissed vibe. To prevent fallout, we suggest opting for a cream eyeshadow that’s shimmery, not glittery. IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeliner Stick in Bionic Bronze is ideal for your wedding makeup, since it’s waterproof, creaseless, and offers all-day comfortable wear.
Red statement lip
A bold red lip never goes out of style—and your wedding is the perfect occasion to rock this head-turning look. To ensure your statement lip lasts all day, ask your makeup artist to fill in your lips with liner before layering on your lipstick. This little trick helps amplify the intensity of your lip color while keeping fading and feathering to a minimum.
‘60s cat eye
If you’re looking for a wedding makeup look that’s a little more playful, try a ‘60s-inspired cat eye. The retro look pairs winged eyeliner and long, fluttery lashes with a soft nude lip for an unexpected (but totally wedding-worthy) vibe. Keep in mind that you’ll want to use waterproof eyeliner for this look, especially if you anticipate tears.We love IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Retractable Eyeliner. The mechanical liner features exclusive No-Tug Technology™ that delivers a super smooth glide and super saturated color for all-day smudge-proof wear.
Golden lids
If there’s ever a time for shimmer, it’s your wedding day. Gold eye makeup lends your look an elegant (almost regal) flair while still remaining soft enough to pair with your dream dress. To achieve this soft glam look, we recommend using IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick in Gallant Gold or Bold Bubbly. Have your makeup artist blend the creamy formula up to your brow bone for a soft, diffused wash of shimmer that’ll stun in real life and in photos.
Flushed cheeks
Rosy cheeks and glossy pink lips make for a romantic wedding makeup look suitable for any bride.
To nail the trend—and ensure your blush holds up throughout the day—we recommend layering a powder blush over a cream blush. Have your makeup artist blend IT Cosmetics Glow With Confidence Sun Cream Blush in Sunlit onto your cheekbones and temples, then set it with a natural-finish powder blush, such as Lancôme Blush Subtil Powder Blush in Absolutely Happy (which, coincidentally, is how you’ll feel as you’re walking down the aisle). Cheers!
Next Up: How To Make Your Wedding Makeup Last Through the Big Day
Wedding Makeup Don'ts
Make sure you plan ahead so you can be sure your MUA has the right products on hand to get it right on the big day. You wouldn’t want to walk down the aisle with an unwelcome surprise literally displayed across your face.
Don’t skip the trial: “Even if you must do it the night before — you both need that time to connect on your special look.”
Don’t pick these lipstick finishes: “Ultra-matte or super shiny finish — always go for a timeless, satin finish. You will adore the Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick for its kissable, long-lasting comfort and vivid color range.”
DIY Wedding Makeup
In the case that your makeup artist falls through or you want to forgo the expense of a MUA, you can always take the DIY route. But before you settle for your signature cat-eye because that’s the only eye look you’ve mastered, take notes from a pro. Morgan says that many makeup artists will book in-person or online makeup lessons to teach you how to create your bridal makeup, so you can feel confident on your wedding day. “This is your red carpet moment!” says Morgan. “You need to glow head to toe, so moisturize your skin and try to conceal any imperfections.”
Pro tip: Morgan always suggests applying a small amount of concealer and powder to your ears and decolletage before walking down the aisle. “I often see brides get flushed and you don’t want this to show, particularly in these areas that are especially prone to redness,” he says. “It may sound odd, but it makes a difference.” He swears by the Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer because it blends so easily for any area that needs undetectable coverage.
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