Photo Credit: Cobo Photography
If you think about it, your wedding makeup literally needs to last a lifetime. Well, okay it only actually needs to last a day, but because you'll look back on the photos for years to come it's important that the elegance and beauty you radiate on the day transfers just as well to your photos. Creating that lasting, stunning, camera-ready look that will have you glowing from dusk til dawn is just as much about the products as it is about the application.
Starting with the right beauty and makeup essentials will set you up for a flawless finish, regardless of whether you do your own makeup or hire a makeup artist. But where do you begin? With so many incredible products out there to choose from it can feel a little overwhelming trying to figure out what ones will make a genuine difference, what ones are worth investing in, and what ones will actually WORK.
Lucky for you we've done the hard yards and compiled our list of the top 10 makeup essentials you need for your wedding day. These products have been tried and tested by the team at Starlet Concepts so we vouch for each and every one of them - as do the hundreds of beautiful brides we've had the pleasure of using them on or recommending them for!
1. MOISTURISER
If you haven't already, start adopting your wedding skincare routine stat. On your big day, photographers will be capturing you from all angles and if your skin is in great condition you'll feel less shy about showing it off.
Included in your routine should be a quality moisturiser. Moisturisers aid in the restoration of healthy skin and help it to feel light and fresh. On your wedding day, a good moisturiser will also act as a barrier keeping your skin's moisture intact regardless of the conditions.
To really get the most out of your moisturiser we also recommend using a good exfoliator. Exfoliators help to remove dry skin allowing moisturisers to penetrate deeper when applied.
OUR TOP MOISTURISER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
Clinique, The Ordinary & TATCHA
2. PRIMER
A quality face primer is a must-have if you want your makeup to appear flawless for the entire day (and night). Primers act as a barrier between your makeup and your skin, allowing your makeup to have longevity. Regardless of whether you have oily skin, redness or dry skin, face primers cater to all skin types, so there's no second-guessing this one as an essential.
OUR TOP PRIMER RECOMMENDATION IS:
Hourglass ‘Veil” Primer
3. FOUNDATION
Your skin type will determine the foundation you use. For a natural appearance though, liquid foundation is the best and is hands down the most preferred option among makeup artists and brides alike.
When purchasing your foundation, it's a good idea to chat to a professional makeup consultant to find out what foundation would be best for your skin type.
Here's a top tip: Before you buy, get three colours in a sample pot to test at home first. This way you can see the colour shade in natural light and away from harsh in-store fluorescent lighting.
On your wedding day, you'll want a medium coverage base foundation. Lighter foundations are more adaptable and allow you to build thin layers for uniformity. Heavy foundations tend to create a cake-like look, so its best to avoid them.
For a foundation that will respond well to the camera, pick one that doesn't have SPF as this can cause a 'flashback' effect in your wedding photos.
OUR TOP FOUNDATION RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
NARS ‘Sheer Glow’ & Clinique ‘Beyond Perfecting'
4. CONCEALER
Concealer is like a little tube of magic. It's an absolute staple for makeup artists, and definitely an essential to have on your wedding day. Concealer can be used for contouring to brighten target areas, conceal acne and dark spots, and even out skin tone.
OUR TOP CONCEALER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
Bobbi Brown & bareMinerals
5. BLUSHER
For your wedding day, you'll want to select a soft blush that complements your skin tone. A good quality blusher should have softened colours and cause no unpleasant reactions. If you're using ‘warmer’ eyeshadow tones on the eyes and lips, then pick a neutral blush. If you're using ‘cooler’ tones on the eyes, then a soft pink would be ideal. A rose powder or soft pink shade of blush is great for accentuating the cheekbones and nose, and achieving that perfect blushing bride look.
OUR TOP BLUSHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
NARS & Hourglass
6. EYESHADOW
For eyes that really pop on your wedding day, you can't go past using a little eyeshadow. Take some time to experiment with your eyeshadow ahead of time because things like colour selection, intensity, and position can all work together to really contour and balance the face, and enhance the colour of the eyes.
A common choice among brides is to use a combination of dazzling champagne, and gentle pinks (cool tones) or matte browns (warm tones), to create a nude, natural eye shape.
OUR TOP EYESHADOW RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
Morphe & Anastasia Beverly Hills
7. EYEBROW PENCIL, POWDER OR GEL
Whether you're a pencil, powder or gel kind of gal, something for your brows is a must on your wedding day. Your brows shape and frame your face, and it doesn't matter if you're creating an arch, form definition, or both - be sure to get something to do the job. Good eyebrow products also provide a stain-resistant, long-lasting hue so they won't fade as day turns into night.
Top tip: For a more precise effect on your eyebrows, use a slimmer ‘skinny’ eyebrow pencil to create definition.
OUR TOP EYEBROW PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
Anastasia Beverly Hills & Model Rock
8. MASCARA
We can guarantee even the toughest of brides will shed a few happy tears on their wedding day! Cue, a decent mascara. To prevent any smudging or panda eye looks, choose a high-quality mascara that is waterproof and will not budge. Selecting a 'tubular' mascara is also the way to go as these types of mascara don't flake off in bits when you wash your face.
On your wedding day, be sure to apply and distribute your mascara evenly to avoid clumping. To create a fuller, thicker, longer lash apply a second coat of mascara after your first application has dried.
OUR TOP MASCARA RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
Hourglass Mascara & Model Co Mascara
9. SETTING POWDER
Setting powder prevents oiliness and helps your makeup hold strong through all of the smiles, tears and dancing you'll experience. You can use a pressed or a loose powder to set concealer and foundation. Packing a pressed powder in your makeup emergency kit is also a good idea in case you need to make any little touch ups throughout the night.
OUR TOP SETTING POWDER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
Clinique & Rimmel London
10. LIPSTICK
Last but most certainly not least in our list of the top 10 makeup essentials you need on your wedding day is LIPSTICK! Lipstick adds the finishing touch to your makeup look, and the right shade can really define your lips and brighten your smile (and not mention, puckers up your lips perfectly for that big kiss at the end of your ceremony). Whether you prefer a matte, satin or glossy finish, when it comes to choosing a lipstick make sure you go for something that matches the tone of your lips, cheeks and eyeshadow, and that also complements your skin tone.
OUR TOP LIPSTICK RECOMMENDATIONS ARE:
MAC Lipstick & Brave Glow Lipstick
So there you have it! Our top ten makeup essentials for your wedding day.
You can now tick that off of your wedding "to do" list and rest assured knowing when it comes to choosing makeup products that will give you a sensational finish, you know where to look. Next on the list - find a photographer who can capture your look on camera. Oh wait, we've got that covered too! Cobo Photography love photographing weddings, go and check them out.
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