Why your bridal makeup should be different from your Pinterest board
Don’t be fooled by those Instagram and Pinterest models with glossy, barley-there skin etc. Makeup for editorial or photo shoots can be different to event and bridal makeup. Usually when you see a picture of a model for an editorial shoot, the makeup artists main concern was ensuring the model looked fabulous just for the photo shoot. Meaning the makeup needed to look fab for only a few hours. They are not usually concerned with keeping the model looking flawless up until 10 pm at night.
This is why event makeup, especially for your wedding day, usually requires different techniques and products.
When I do a trial for a bride-to-be, I always ask my clients to let me know afterwards how the makeup wore. Did it last well? Did they get shiny throughout the night? Did their foundation go patchy anywhere? Did their eyeliner stay put etc?
Here are my top tips to ensure longevity with your makeup:
Skincare Makeup
Choose the right skincare for your skin needs. If you find you get shiny through the day, why would you slather on a thick, hydrating cream under your foundation? Instead opt for a light weight oil control moisturizer or even a spray moisturizer – I love the Mario Badescu Spray. Same goes for those who find their skin gets a bit ‘flaky’ or dry. Ensure you use something hydrating where needed. Combination? Then use an oil control down your t-zone or where you get shiny, and a moisture rich foundation for where you get dry.
Foundation Makeup
Choose a long wearing foundation. I find tinted moisturizers, bb creams and mineral powders are great for day to day wear, but don’t last the day – especially if I am out and about. If you are shopping for a new foundation – don’t be afraid to ask for a sample first so you can test it out for the day. Remember what works best for your friend might not work so great on you.
Powder
Use powder where needed. If you get an oily t-zone be sure to powder. I use minimal powder on the cheek bones as no one really gets shiny there, and if you do it looks pretty anyway.
Eye Primer
I will never apply eye shadow without first applying an eye primer. Eyelids can get quite oily so eye shadow on a naked eyelid doesn’t last and will quickly crease throughout the day. An eye primer such as the MAC Paint Pots are a cream you can apply over the eyelid first – which then sets, leaving you with a perfect base for shadows. I am yet to try it but makeup artist friends say the Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion is even more long wearing.
Eye Liners
If you are going to use an eyeliner, choose the right type for the look you are going for. If you are going for a smokey eye or a diffused line above the lashes – then a soft smudgy liner like a Kohl pencil is fine. Ensure you set it with a powder shadow to make sure it doesn’t transfer (i.e. layer a power eye shadow over the top of your smudgy pencil). Under the eyes however – I won’t ever use a kohl as they will just smudge too much. I prefer to use a long-wearing pencil to ensure it stays put. I love the Urban Decay Glide on eye pencils as they are soft enough to diffuse under the eye but won’t smudge and move during the day.
Mascaras
Most people can get away with their usual mascara for day-to-day. For brides I always use waterproof – for obvious reasons. I personally opt for a long-wearing or ‘tubing’ mascara for day to day as most mascaras transfer on me (i.e. I get black smudges under my eyes). A few I love are the White Knight Tubing Mascara and for a thrifty price I use the Designer Brands Beyond Amplifying Mascara.
Also *Not my work (I Wish)
Creams v’s Powders
If you want to get that glow factor and that dewy skin look – feel free to load up with cream highlighters and cream blushes. If you have dry skin the creams should still wear quite well. If you have an oily skin type though – creams are not so great – unless I find you ‘set’ them with a powder alternative over the top. For example try a cream highlight with a powder highlight over the top. I love Becca Opal Cream Highlight with a little bit of MAC Soft n Gentle.
Long Wear Lips
Generally anything more glossy and moisturizing is not going to be as long wearing. I.e. a lipstick usually lasts longer than a gloss. Better yet, filling your whole lip in with a lip pencil first before using a lipstick will give your lips extra staying power as the waxy surface of the lip pencil will stay longer.
Setting Spray
I like to finish every makeup with a mist of setting spray. Some claim to hold your makeup in place for 16 hours….not sure I completely agree with that! But it does definitely help your makeup last longer than if you don’t use one.
Lastly – touch up! Makeup
If you are completely dedicated to keeping your makeup looking flawless and fresh for the day, you need to touch up. I’ve written a little info about touch-up products here. Oh and don’t touch your face! I always subconsciously touch my chin throughout the day – so I have to always re-apply the foundation on my chin!
I am based in Perth, Western Australia and am available for all your Bridal, Event and Photo shoot makeup needs. You can get in contact with me via this form xx
