It takes a lot of effort to plan a Kamma marriage (not to mention, money). It is, in essence, a global truth. The days leading up to the big day can be a bit of a haze, what with booking the venue, catering food, and sending out all those RSVPs. But, in order to save money (and save unnecessary stress), you’ve opted to do your own wedding makeup. It may be nerve-racking to develop your own beauty look because this isn’t just any day; it’s your wedding day. In addition to ensuring that your makeup lasts, you want it to look beautiful in images.
Don’t worry: we’ve gathered all the techniques you’ll need from the pros to apply your makeup like a pro. Continue reading for 17 expert-recommended tips and tactics for nailing that wedding-day beauty look on your own.
1. Practice, Practice, and More Practice
You don’t want to do your wedding-day makeup for the first time on your wedding day, no matter how cosmetics-savvy you are. “Practice, practise, practise until you have the look you want,” says Liz Fuller, a professional makeup artist based in Boston. “Then document what you used so that you may refer to your notes on the wedding day to remember what things you used and how you utilised them.
2. Spend money on facials
The best canvas for your cosmetics is flawless skin. And, according to beauty expert Hillary Kline, excellent skin on your Kamma marriage day is all in preparation. “Start getting monthly facials—at least three or four—before the big day if your budget allows,” she advises. “Those will help to firm and lighten your skin.”
3. Create a calm environment
According to makeup expert Béke Beau, you’ll need not only time to apply your makeup but also a peaceful setting in which to do it. “Getting-ready rooms may be pretty chaotic at times, and well-meaning wedding party members may distract you,” she says. “It’s crucial to have some space to relax and put on your makeup.”
4. Utilize a primer
After moisturising your skin, apply a light layer of primer, advises Jo Levy, the cosmetics specialist and artist at Jo Levy Makeup. “A primer will act as a temporary corrector, filling up enlarged pores and smoothing small lines and some deeper-set lines,” she explains. “The diverse textures of primer will also aid with a skin preparation. A mattifying primer, for example, will help to immediately reduce excess shine, whereas an illuminating primer will provide the skin with an instant, radiant base for makeup.”
5. Use an eye primer as well
You’ll need a different primer for your eyelids then you did for the rest of your face. “For eyes, I recommend applying a neutral-toned eye primer or cream eye shadow,” explains Levy. “A bone or nude tone helps to balance out discolouration on lids and enables for a smoother eye makeup application if you want to overlay more powder or cream shadows immediately over it.”
6. Choose the Best Foundation
According to Kline, “be matched with expert advice to discover a foundation that is perfect for your skin type and creates a natural look.” “Powder foundation helps set your makeup and keeps your face from seeming oily in images,” she explains. “However, if you use too much powder, you risk making your skin look dry and aged. The adage “less is more” applies here.”
7. SPF makeup should be avoided
While sunscreen is beneficial to your skin, it might be detrimental to your wedding photographs. Fuller advises that “the zinc and titanium oxides found in SPF solutions might generate a white cast on the face in flash photography.”
8. White finishing powder should not be used
Sunscreen isn’t the only thing that can make you look ghostly. According to Rachael Rubin, owner and CEO of PARLR, white finishing powders can also cast your face in unattractive ways. “When a flash strikes the powder on your face, it will make you look like you have clown-white skin,” she says.
9. Invest on a Concealer with a Creamy Formula
“Let’s face it: the bride will be rushing about finishing last-minute tasks, staying up late, attending a rehearsal dinner, and more,” Kline says. “What about those pesky dark circles or a blemish? Make sure to apply foundation first, then softly dab with your fingertip on any places that appear dark.”
10. Your brows should be defined
To make a statement on your wedding day, you don’t have to be born with bushy brows. “Brows are the defining feature on your face,” Beau says, “so if you aren’t blessed with full, perfectly shaped brows, get out a long-lasting brow product and define what you have while constantly working with your natural shape.”
11. Avoid using sparkly products
Things that sparkle, like SPF and white powders, don’t shine—pun intended—in images. “That means any eye shadows, face powders, or highlighters with sparkles—they look absolutely dreadful in flash photos,” Kline warns. “Use neutral, subdued tones and more matte eye shadows.”
12. Embrace waterproof mascara
Not only should your mascara stay in place through any errant tears, but waterproof versions should also be heat resistant. “Heat can cause heavy mascara to droop and melt—and that’s not nice for summer weddings,” explains Rubin.
13. Lipsticks should be layered
According to Levy, layering on your lips will ensure a long-lasting finish. “Begin by conditioning lips with a lip balm to help prep and soften, and then apply a light layer of lipstick in a satin or cream formula,” she advises, before swiping on a second time to build colour. “To create the look of volume and definition, draw a lip liner along or just outside the natural lip line and then feather in the colour onto the lipstick. To set, press your lips together. Finish with a small layer of gloss for a multidimensional look, if desired.”
14. Put on more makeup than you would on any other day
“Doing makeup for a portrait is a different ballgame than doing makeup for a casual look,” adds Rubin. “While you may be hesitant, more is more in photography.” Rubin believes that adding colour to your lips will protect you from looking washed out, but Fuller believes that you should use more blush than you are used to.
15. Spend money on a setting spray
According to Fuller, the trick to making your makeup linger is to use a setting spray. “Some formulae have a shelf life of 16 to 18 hours,” she notes. “They keep makeup from fading, and they’re sweat-proof and waterproof—though you can’t swim in them.”
16. Bring along blotting sheets.
While it may be tempting to keep the pressed powder in your purse, Fuller advises never reapplying powder. Instead, she recommends blotting sheets. “To absorb oil, always use a blotting sheet,” she advises. “Blotting sheets will not affect the makeup; they will simply remove the oil for a shine-free look.”
17. Don’t follow trends
“If you don’t use a lot of makeup in your regular life, you shouldn’t have a cat-eye for your wedding day,” Fuller advises. Instead, she suggests keeping to colours that will brighten your eye area without being overpowering. “If you have a strong eye, try for a more neutral lip colour,” she advises. “You can wear a bolder lip colour if your eyes are less done up.”