How to Apply Makeup for a Formal Wedding

Do-it-yourself wedding day makeup

On her wedding day, every bride wants to look her best. If you are doing your wedding day makeup yourself, the task might seem daunting. To ensure the most beautiful, photogenic and long-lasting look, follow a few simple steps to create a flawless face. These tips will ensure that you look like a model--but still like yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Face primer
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Loose powder
• Eyeshadow and eyeliner
• Eyelash curler
• Mascara
• Waterproofer
• Blush
• Lip gloss

Instructions

1. Use a foundation primer before you apply foundation or concealer. The primer will help lock in your look for the day--from your pre-wedding photos to your last dance of the night. Apply the primer on your forehead and eyelids as well as wherever you might get a little shiny.

   After the primer is set, apply your foundation. Choose a tone that closely matches your natural skin color, and blend completely. When choosing your wedding day foundation, stay away from anything oily or with shimmer. These types of foundation tend to slide and shift on your face.

   Next, apply concealer where necessary. Finally, apply a loose powder all over your face to set the foundation. The loose powder will help ensure a long-lasting look.

2. Make up your eyes just like you do every day. However, if you tend to use blacks and rich browns, you might want to tone it down for the big day. Dark eyes can look harsh on camera and might not give you the photo-ready look you hope to achieve. Steer toward light blues and lilacs; these colors flatter every skin tone and look soft and delicate. They also make the whites of your eyes look their brightest.

   Apply the shade to your eyelid, and then using an angled liner brush use the same color shadow along the bottom of your eye just in the outside corner. Next, using the same eye shadow shade, sweep the shadow into your crease. Use a more concentrated amount of eye shadow to achieve more dimension in the crease between your eyelid and brow.

   Eyeliner is next. In choosing an eyeliner, look for a waterproof, silicone-based pencil to ensure a long-lasting, smudge-proof look. Apply the eyeliner (a smoky gray color is ideal) as close as possible to your upper lash line. This creates the look of thicker lashes. Additionally, apply the eyeliner to the outer edge of your lower lash line. For a softer effect, make a more concentrated line in the outer corner and a lighter line as you get nearer to the inner corner of your eye.

   Choose a dark gray eye shadow similar the eyeliner, and sweep the shadow over the eyeliner pencil line. Use a straight edged eye pencil. This creates a softer, smudged line.

   To highlight the look, choose a frosty pink shimmery liquid highlighter. Apply this highlighter under the eyebrow and very lightly above the lash line, being careful not to cover the smudgy dark gray line. Then add a small dot of the highlighter to the inner corner of your eye, near the tear duct, to brighten the entire look.

   Curl your lashes with an eyelash curler. Apply mascara; use your everyday mascara, and then follow with a waterproofer. A waterproofer is a clear serum that will lock in the look and assure streak-free, tear-ready eyes.

3. Use a silicone-based formula for blush similar to a cheek stain. Apply the blush to the apple of your cheeks and high up onto your cheek bones. If you apply it too low, it will draw down your face and the entire look.

   Apply the face primer that was referenced in Step 1 to your lips. This will help set the look and lip color and ensure long-lasting color. Choose a sheer lip gloss with just a hint of color. Use a shade that is just a little darker and warmer than your natural lip color.

References

• Wed Alert
• Cosmetics

Resources

• Bridal Beauty