10 Wedding Makeup Tips and Tricks from a Professional Makeup Artist

2016-11-01

Wedding Makeup Tips and Tricks from a Professional Makeup Artist

Bridal makeup is without a doubt the most important makeup of your life. It should look flawless, radiant, and beautiful — both in person and in the photographs you’ll treasure for years to come. How do you prepare properly, and what should you pay attention to? Here are 10 proven tips from a professional makeup artist.

1. Book Your Trial Makeup 5-8 Weeks Before the Wedding

Make sure to schedule your trial makeup session 5-8 weeks before the big day. If you’re planning visits to a dermatologist or using self-tanner, see your makeup artist after those treatments — your skin should look the same as it will on the wedding day.

Why 5-8 weeks specifically?

• Enough time to change things if the trial result doesn’t meet expectations
• Your skin will have settled after any cosmetic treatments
• You have time for adjustments or to choose a different artist if the collaboration isn’t right
• Not too early — you’ll remember how the makeup looked and can consciously match accessories

During the trial, your artist will help choose the ideal makeup matched to your complexion, eye color, hair, and skin type. It’s the time for experiments and setting the final look.

2. Wear a White T-Shirt to Your Trial

Whether you’re doing your own wedding makeup or visiting a professional — wear a white t-shirt to the trial. Even if you’re testing lipstick in a shop, you’ll see how it looks against white, just like it will against your wedding dress. White colors in daylight affect the perception of every other color you’re wearing.

What else to bring to your trial:

• A photo of your wedding dress (or a fabric sample)
• Your wedding jewelry or photos of planned accessories
• Your veil or hair decoration
• Makeup inspiration — photos from the internet, Pinterest, or Instagram

3. Gather Your Inspiration

Start collecting photos and images of makeup looks you genuinely love, and bring them to your trial. Try to identify what exactly appeals to you in each photo — is it the eyeshadow color, the intensity of the liner, the lip shade, or the highlighted glow?

How to collect inspiration:

• Create a Pinterest board with bridal makeup looks
• Save photos on Instagram
• Pay attention to celebrity makeup on the red carpet
• Follow makeup artist profiles and their work

Your artist will help you choose the best look by combining your inspiration with what suits your features and wedding style. A professional knows that not every Pinterest look translates the same on every face.

4. Get the Color Intensity Right

Makeup intensity should suit your natural features, but remember — it needs to be visible in photos, in both daylight and evening lighting. It should also compensate for the white of your wedding dress, which optically brightens the face.

Rules for intensity:

• Bridal makeup should be more defined than everyday makeup — but not overdone
• Blush and bronzer should be clearly visible on the cheeks — if you can’t see them after 15 minutes, add another layer
• Contouring adds depth to the face, which can look flat against a white dress
• Defined brows are essential — they give the face expression in photographs

Your everyday makeup doesn’t face the same scrutiny as your wedding day look — at a wedding, every detail is photographed and filmed.

5. Consider False Lashes

Individual lash clusters are a fantastic way to make your eyes stand out while keeping a much more subtle effect than a full strip of false lashes. Your artist will use clusters of different lengths to create a natural, fluttery look that makes your eyes appear larger and more open.

Types of false lashes for weddings:

• Individual clusters — the most natural option, applied in varying lengths
• Half strips — applied from the center to the outer corner, giving beautiful shape
• Full strips (delicate) — ultra-thin strips with natural-looking fibers
• Magnetic lashes — a modern, glue-free alternative

6. Focus on the Key Elements

Aim for flawless skin free of any spots or redness. Brighten the under-eye area with concealer. Well-groomed brows and fluttery lashes are the foundation. The most important thing is cohesion and harmony across the entire look.

Key elements of professional bridal makeup:

• Perfect base — well-prepared skin with the right primer
• Even complexion — foundation perfectly matched to your skin tone
• Brightened under-eyes — concealer adds freshness and hides dark circles
• Groomed brows — the frame for your eyes, giving expression to photos
• Beautiful lashes — mascara or individual clusters
• Harmonious colors — eyeshadow, blush, and lipstick in a cohesive palette

7. Learn About Different Application Techniques

Your everyday makeup routine is probably quick and simple. You might not think about using different brushes, new formulas, or new colors. When preparing for your bridal look, take the time to learn about different application techniques and experiment with colors you’ve never tried before.

Techniques worth knowing:

• Contouring and strobing — sculpting facial features with light and shadow
• Brush vs. sponge application — each gives a different finish
• Baking — a technique for setting concealer with powder
• Cut crease — sharply defining the crease of the eyelid
• Blending — mixing eyeshadow colors for seamless transitions

If you learn these techniques beforehand, your bridal makeup won’t surprise you with an unexpected result. I teach all of these techniques individually during makeup lessons.

8. Choose Longwear Products

Your perfect bridal makeup should last on your face until you go to bed — and that’s likely to be very, very late into the night. That’s why longwear formulas are an absolute must.

Longwear products for weddings:

• Longwear foundation — lasts 12-24 hours without touch-ups
• Longwear concealer — doesn’t crease under the eyes
• Longwear eyeshadow — won’t crease or fall out
• Matte longwear lipstick — survives eating and drinking
• Waterproof mascara — resistant to happy tears

9. Don’t Blindly Follow Every Trend

Don’t chase every trend. Heavy glitter, shimmer, and excessive sparkle might look great on Instagram, but they don’t always work in real life. Remember — you’ll live with your wedding photos forever. Sometimes it’s better to avoid extreme looks and go for something more classic and timeless.

Trends that don’t always work at weddings:

• Very intense strobing — can create bright spots in flash photography
• Heavy glitter and large sparkle particles — look more party than elegant
• Very dark lips combined with heavy eyes — can be overwhelming in a white dress
• Trendy hairstyles that may look dated in a few years

What always works:

• A perfectly even, radiant complexion
• Subtly defined eyes with beautifully applied lashes
• Natural, full lips in a warm shade
• Delicate highlighting on the cheekbones

During a color analysis I help determine which colors and styles best suit your features — regardless of current trends.

10. Set Your Makeup Properly

You already know to use longwear products. But remember that makeup also needs a final seal. Ask your artist about a setting product that will prevent the need for touch-ups during the reception.

Steps for setting makeup:

1. Primer — extends the wear of your foundation
2. Eyeshadow primer — prevents pigment from creasing
3. Setting powder — lightly on the T-zone
4. Setting spray — the final step, locks in the entire look
5. Touch-up kit — lipstick and blotting papers for later

Planning Your Wedding Morning

Properly planning the wedding morning is the key to a calm and beautiful day:

• Book your artist well in advance — popular dates are reserved up to a year ahead
• Plan enough time — bridal makeup takes 1-1.5 hours, hairstyling another 1-1.5 hours
• Account for others — if your mother or bridesmaids need makeup too
• Prepare a calm space — good lighting, comfortable chair, mirror
• Have trial photos on hand — as reference for the final result

I offer a complete wedding makeup and hairstyling service with travel to your location throughout Krakow and beyond. Browse my services, read reviews, and get in touch.

See Also

• Wedding Makeup Krakow
• Bridal Hair Krakow
• Destination Wedding Makeup
• Client Reviews