This guide has you covered with everything you need for flawless, long-lasting makeup whether you’re attending a wedding, part of the bridal party, or are getting married. Weddings are filled with countless details and decisions. But fear not, because I’m here to be your beauty expert to make the big day a little smoother by providing you with the ultimate essentials for your bridal beauty regimen.
If you’re a bride, your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and as the star of the show, you deserve to look and feel your absolute best. And if you’re part of the bridal party or dancing the night away as a guest, you want to look and feel your best and have your makeup last a long time. Whether you envision a timeless and elegant look or want to embrace the latest trends to create a unique, show-stopping appearance, this guide has you covered. From classic beauty staples like Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless Filter to the hottest new releases, I’ve carefully curated a selection of products that will complement your unique personality, enhance your natural beauty, and ensure you radiate with confidence.
EYES
Today is a good day to start with eyes just in case mistakes or shadow fallout need to be cleaned up. Start by applying a sheer layer of eyeshadow primer, like the infamous Urban Decay Primer Potion, to your eyelids to ensure your eye products last all day without creasing. It’s essential to set the primer with translucent powder so your eyeshadow will apply smoothly and to give extra insurance against creasing. This also helps prevent mascara smudging. Next, use a gel eyeliner like MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline or Bobbi Brown Gel liner to create a precise and long-lasting eyeliner look that defines your eyes. Gel liner looks a bit softer than liquid liner and is easier to work with. Create a natural, glowing eye look using a flattering palette like Dior BACKSTAGE Eyeshadow Palette. This simple nine-pan palette allows you to create endless stunning wedding and bridal looks with ease and precision.
BASE
To achieve a flawless bridal makeup look, start by prepping your skin with a hydrating moisturizer that nourishes your skin like Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Magic Cream. Next, create a smooth base using a foundation that lasts all day and night and looks fantastic in photographs. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup is perfect for this. Apply it with a brush or sponge in thin layers for long-lasting, full coverage. I have a popular video tutorial for applying it flawlessly on any skin type to look natural and never cakey. Enhance your natural glow by dabbing Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter on the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones and bridge of the nose, to add a luminous sheen. Conceal any imperfections and brighten your complexion with Huda Beauty Faux Filter Concealer, applying it under your eyes and on problem areas. To set your makeup, dust a sheer powder like Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder lightly over your face, focusing on the T-zone to prevent shine.
CONTOUR + BRONZE
To define your cheekbones, jawline, or other areas, add a touch of contour with cool undertones that mimic a shadow. The gold standard for this is Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder. You can’t go wrong with it! Contour also adds an extra dimension to photography.
Next, add warmth to your face by sweeping a natural bronzer where the sun naturally hits your face. Fenty, Haus Labs, and Benefit make great bronzers for this purpose. If you want to go luxe, Tom Ford Soleil Glow Bronzer is a stunning option.
BLUSH
Now it’s time to add that bridal glow with my favorite step, blush! The options are endless here! Some of my favorite long-wear, no-fade, no-budge, super-flattering options are from Danessa Myricks, Patrick Ta, Haus Labs, Laura Mercier, Benefit, NARS, Tarte, rms beauty, Gucci, and Too Faced.
HIGHLIGHT
Using a tiny amount of dewy highlight (with no glitter or sparkle) will enhance and highlight specific features like the high points of cheekbones, cupid’s bow, browbones, etc., beautifully. Think luminosity and radiance here. Some of my faves for this are Benefit Cookie, Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder, Dior Backstage Glow Palette, and Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter. But Chantecaille Lotus Radiance Highlighter is probably my ultimate favorite product for magically highlighting with a radiance that involves no shimmer. It’s a luxury product I adore. If you want an all-in-one palette with gorgeous contour, bronzer, blush, and highlight options, check out Smashbox Cali Contour Palette. It will give you a stunning look and is so convenient to use!
FINISH
Mascara is a personal choice, so it is important to test it well before any big event. I also find that some mascaras work better after being open for a few weeks. If you know you’ll shed some tears, reaching for waterproof mascara is essential. I love Urban Decay Perversion waterproof and Maybelline Full & Soft waterproof for long, voluminous lashes that will withstand those tears. If you prefer non-waterproof, generously apply a lengthening, volumizing mascara like Buxom Lash Volumizing, Patrick Ta Major Volume, or Lancome Lash Idole, to your upper and lower lashes. I recommend adding extra oomph to the eyes with a natural false lash. You’d be surprised at how much it adds to the look, even adding something to the outer corner or half – especially in photos! Ardell Naked Lash #424 and Kiss imPress no-glue lashes are great for adding extra volume and length to your natural lashes.
This is a day when setting spray is essential for longevity, so set your makeup in place with a non-drying setting spray that will give your makeup max wear. Caliray Surfproof Hydrating, Benefit Porefessional, Too Faced Hangover, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish, and Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse are all fantastic options for ensuring your makeup stays fresh and intact throughout the day.
LIPS
While you may want to reach for a traditional liquid lipstick on this day, the last thing you want is dry lips. Most liquid lipsticks contain drying alcohol to help with longevity and simply aren’t flattering on lip lines, so they don’t give the plump, lush lip look most of us desire for such an event. Instead, define and fill in your lips with a neutral lip pencil like Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 Automatic Matte Lip Pencil or Natasha Denona My Dream Lip Crayon to create a long-lasting base for your lip color. This will also plump lips and keep your hydrating lip product on longer. Now apply a comfortable, flattering lipstick or gloss (or both!) in a shade that complements your skin tone. You’ll want a product that nurtures, gives some shine, and is easy to reapply if needed. One of my favorite creamy lipstick formulas that wears well is Hourglass Unlocked Satin Creme Lipstick. Some glosses I love for providing a shiny, luscious finish without being sticky are NARS Afterglow Lip Shine Gloss or Pat McGrath Labs Lust Lip Gloss, and Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss.
If you’re a bride, be sure to practice your bridal makeup routine before your special day to ensure you’re comfortable with the products and how they wear so you achieve the desired look that reflects your style. No matter what your role is, I hope this helps you out!
