Your wedding day is a momentous occasion, and naturally, you want to look your absolute best. After all, these are the photos that you’ll look back on for years to come - so you’ll want to make sure that you look amazing!

While your regular makeup routine might serve you well for everyday wear, wedding makeup requires a little extra thought and care. In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between regular and wedding makeup, offer tips for achieving that flawless bridal look, and guide you through the best makeup products to ensure you shine on your special day.

Difference Between Regular Makeup and Wedding Makeup

Regular makeup is about your style and daily routine, often designed for a typical day at work or heading out for the day. 

Wedding makeup, however, is a different ball game. It needs to be more durable, photograph well, and match the elegance of your wedding attire. A bride's makeup should withstand a long day of festivities, varying lighting conditions, and of course, those emotional moments that might invite a few tears.

It’s absolutely worth hiring a wedding makeup artist, but if you’re game to do your own makeup for your special day, we’ve rounded up our top tips for doing your own wedding makeup!

Tips for Wedding Makeup

Trial Your Makeup Look

Our top tip for trying ANY new look before a special occasion is to do a trial beforehand! It’s a bit like that tip of never cooking a new recipe before an event - you want to be 100% sure and confident of what you’re doing to avoid nerves or mistakes. 

Apply Makeup to Last

Weddings turn into incredibly long days. You want makeup with proven lasting power on skin that looks as good at 11PM as it did when you first applied it! Look for waterproof smudge-proof formulas, and above all, don’t forget to use the right techniques to lock everything in. 

Photography Friendly

Opt for makeup that looks natural and radiant in photos. Our number one tip for avoiding unflattering flashback is to avoid talc-based setting powders and foundation with sunscreen ingredients. These ingredients tend to reflect camera flashes poorly, creating a flashback effect where your makeup looks much whiter than your skin tone in photos!

Best Products for Wedding Makeup

When it comes to DIY wedding makeup, there really isn’t a makeup step that you should skip. Each one comes together to create the perfect look for your wedding day. Here’s how. 

Best Primer for Wedding Day

A good primer sets the stage for long-lasting makeup and a smooth canvas. Look for a primer that suits your skin type – hydrating for dry skin, mattifying for oily skin.

Our pick is INIKA Organic Primer Matte Perfection. This smoothing and mattifying primer helps your makeup to stick on skin, all day long!

Best Foundation for Wedding Makeup

A foundation that offers buildable coverage without looking cakey is key. For oily skin, a long-wearing, matte finish foundation; for dry skin, a hydrating and luminous foundation.

Our top pick is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk. A favourite of makeup artists worldwide, this long-wearing foundation seamlessly blends into skin. 

Best Concealer for Wedding Makeup

A high-quality concealer can cover blemishes and under-eye circles, ensuring a flawless complexion. Creamy concealers are best for dry skin, and more matte formulations for oily skin.

Our team swears by the Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer! The doe foot ensures accurate application while the range of shades suit all skin tones. 

Best Blush for Wedding

Blush adds a healthy, natural glow, crucial for looking radiant all day. Powder blushes are ideal - they blend easily onto your complexion base and will last longer than cream formulas.

You can’t go wrong with MAC Powder Blushes - these pigmented, long-wearing formulas have held their spot in many a pro MUA’s kit, and for good reason!

Best Bronzer for Wedding Makeup

Bronzer adds warmth and dimension, giving a sun-kissed look. They help to balance skin and add a natural depth to skin.

INIKA Loose Mineral Bronzer is a flattering bronzer with a finely milled formula that blends effortlessly.

Best Highlighter for Wedding Makeup

A good highlighter illuminates your skin and lends a bridal glow! Liquid or cream highlighters are best for dry skin, and powder for oily skin. One of our favourites is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Sun Dipped Glow Kit. This quad has four amazing shimmer highlights for glowy skin.

Best Eyeshadow fr Wedding Makeup

Neutral and classic shades in eyeshadows enhance your eyes without overpowering your look.

Opt for Long-wearing, crease-resistant formulas suitable for all skin types. Don’t forget to prime your eyelids, too!

We think this Dior Eyeshadow Palette would be perfect for your wedding - these blendable shimmers are perfect for creating elegant makeup looks!

Best Eyeliner for Wedding Makeup

A smudge-proof, long-lasting eyeliner defines the eyes and adds depth. Go for gel liners for precision, and liquid liners for a more dramatic look. Our top pick is the MAC Liquidlast Waterproof Liner. It’s perfect for staying put even when things get a bit emotional!

Best Mascara for Wedding Makeup

Waterproof and long-lasting mascara is a must to avoid smudging. They help to define and separate lashes - for special occasions, false lashes might help too! Our mascara pick is the La Perla Volumizing Mascara. Once its on, it’s staying PUT!

Best Eyebrows for Wedding Makeup

Well-defined eyebrows frame the face and enhance your facial features. Choose a blendable pencil or powder for natural-looking brows. Be sure to set them in place with a brow gel! We think the Dior Kabuki Brow Styler is the ideal pick for your wedding day thanks to it’s blendable, easy-to-use formula that stays put once applied. 

Best Lipstick for Wedding Makeup

A long-wear, comfortable lipstick will keep your lips perfect throughout the day.

Matte formulas for long wear, creamier textures for dry lips. Wedding days are LONG and you won’t have as much time for touch-ups - that’s where a long-lasting liquid matte lipstick comes in. We love the Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Lipcolor for this!

Best Makeup Powder for Wedding Makeup

 A setting powder ensures your makeup stays in place and reduces shine for all-day wear. They’re ideal for all skin types, locking makeup into place! We choose the La Mer Pressed Powder for a long-lasting finish. 

Bridal Touch-Up Kit Essentials

On your wedding day, it's wise to have a small touch-up kit on hand for emergencies. This kit should include:

• Blotting papers to manage shine.
• Compact powder for quick touch-ups.
• Your chosen lipstick or gloss for reapplication.
• A mini mascara, just in case.
• A few Q-tips and makeup remover for smudge corrections.
• And don't forget, a small mirror!

Your wedding day makeup should make you feel beautiful, confident, and most importantly, like yourself. By choosing the right products and following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to look and feel your best.

Finally, don't forget to relax and enjoy every moment of your wedding day. The confidence and happiness you feel will shine through, making you the most beautiful person in the room. Trust in your makeup choices, and let your inner beauty glow.

Conclusion

Your wedding day makeup is an integral part of your bridal look. By understanding the differences between regular and wedding makeup, following our tips, and choosing the right products for your skin type, you can ensure a flawless, radiant look that lasts all day. And with a well-prepared bridal touch-up kit, you'll be ready for any makeup emergency that comes your way.

Celebrate your love and commitment with confidence, knowing you look as stunning on the outside as you feel on the inside. Here’s to a beautiful and memorable wedding day!