Bridal Beauty

With all eyes — and cameras! — on you, it’s no wonder brides are determined to look their very best on their wedding day. That doesn’t mean you have to cake your face in concealer or pay for expensive facial treatments. There are some super simple steps you can take to make sure that you’re looking like the best version of yourself on your wedding day.

Plan on hiring a pro.

You do your makeup every day, but a bride’s makeup not only has to look good in pictures, but in person, too — that’s not an easy feat! Beauty professionals work closely with photographers and know what products will photograph best. Plus they have all sorts of techniques up their sleeves that will help your makeup look great and last all day.

If you don’t normally wear makeup, all the more reason to hire a pro. Even the most natural beauty will look washed out in pictures without a little help; a little mascara, blush, and lip gloss goes a long way in helping your best features stand out in photos. Trust a professional makeup artist to bring your best face forward!

Start a skin care regimen 3 to 6 months before your wedding.

How you’ll look at your wedding starts long before the day itself. Commit to a solid beauty regimen 3 to 6 months beforehand to get your skin into great shape. Invest in a good cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and exfoliator. Consider scheduling regular facials to help your skin glow. Remember: Makeup only looks as good as the skin that’s underneath it.

Schedule a makeup consultation 2 to 4 months before your wedding.

A consultation is key. This is your chance to work with your hired makeup artist to create the look you want on your actual wedding day. Just as brides make it a point to do a trial run of their up-do, the same logic holds true for makeup. The last thing you need on your wedding day is a lip that’s too pale or eyeshadow that’s too smokey. Try these makeup styles on for size at your consultation to see what works best for you.

If you insist on DIY…

Here are some tips: Be sure to use primer on your face, eyes, lashes, and lips to help your makeup last. Make sure your foundation is photo friendly. Avoid mineral-based makeup as it reflects light. Perfecting Makeup has HD pigments to give the most natural coverage. Use waterproof eyeliner and mascara, in case of happy tears. For lips, use a lip liner, fill in the entire lip with the liner, then apply lipstick — this will help color last. Also invest in a setting spray, such as Expert Finish, to provide a long-wearing finish. And of course, practice, practice, practice before the big day!