Wedding makeup can be tricky to get right, but if you had to pick one moment for your makeup to well and truly play ball, your wedding day would likely be up there. You want to look like your best self but not a stranger; dewy but not shiny; natural but not naked – and it has to be sweat-proof, camera-proof and waterproof to withstand the day. It’s not surprising that many brides call upon an expert makeup artist for the job. But that doesn’t mean you can’t decide to do it yourself.
Whether you’re pretty talented with an eyeshadow palette, prefer a non-traditional bridal look, are looking to scale back your budget, or just feel better keeping the fate of your face in your own hands, DIY wedding makeup can often be the best option.
It’s really just as well, because the next couple of years are booked and busy when it comes to Big Days. Makeup artists are already filling up their diaries, so if you’d rather skip the scrum, and look after your glam yourself, you can.
To help you nail it, we called on expert bridal makeup artists, to guide us through the dos and don’ts of how to do your own wedding make up. Having perfected the makeup of countless brides they’re absolute veterans and know every makeup trick in the book to ensure you look stunning IRL and in photos.
And if you’re looking to do your own hair on the big day too, make sure to check out bridal hair accessories and wedding hairstyle inspiration.
1. Plan your look a few months in advance
Your wedding makeup doesn’t start on the day. If you’re considering semi-permanent treatments or tweakments, it’s worth trialling these way ahead of time. Consider whether you’d want enhancements like brow and lash tinting, brow lamination, lash extensions, spray tanning, fillers or botox. Give yourself enough time to try these and let them wear off so that if it’s not for you, you can skip it or edit it for the day itself. Three or four months in advance is a good amount of time.
2. Sort your skincare
If you really want glowing, long-lasting makeup on your wedding day, “start your skin prep weeks in advance,” advises pro makeup artist, Adeola Gboyega. Work out what works for your skin and don’t start switching things around too close to the day. You don’t want to discover you’ve had an allergic reaction to a new product the morning of the wedding. Adeola’s suggests introducing an exfoliator “maybe once or twice a week to even out any texture and give a really smooth base,” she recommends Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel, Byoma Brightening Toner and Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.