Photo by Toutle River Photography
Congratulations! Your wedding day is approaching, and you have decided to do your own DIY wedding makeup.
Is this possible? Yes, and you can be successful at it. There are a few facts to consider when choosing your wedding day makeup look.
Do you have a theme for your wedding? If you have a fall theme, maybe your lip color needs to be darker compared to a summer wedding.
Is your wedding indoor or outdoors? If there is a possibility of rain, you will need the right products to help make your makeup waterproof/sweat-resistant.
This is also something to consider when it comes to the temperature of your wedding day. If you are getting married in the snow, your skin will need to be hydrated. If it’s going to be 100 F then a good setting spray is something to consider.
What is your overall budget for your wedding makeup? Cheap products could lead to cheap results.
Timing is Everything!
When deciding to do your bridal hair and DIY wedding makeup, timing is everything. You need to be sure to give yourself plenty of time on the wedding day. I recommend doing many “practice runs” at home and time yourself.
As a professional makeup artist, I give myself at least 1.5 to 2 hours for bridal hair and makeup. If you are not as familiar with makeup, then please give yourself maybe 2-3 hours for your DIY wedding makeup looks. This also gives you time to eat and drink while styling your hair and applying your makeup.
The last thing you want is to run late to photos because you didn’t give yourself enough time. I give my brides a written timeline for the morning of their wedding. This helps everyone stay on time.
Most of the time, we have enough wriggle room to make any hair or makeup adjustments if need be. You need extra time just in case you make any mistakes, such as did your cat-eye liner come out perfect? Is your hair staying put or is it falling? These are all important circumstances to think about.
What does your Skin say about YOU?
When applying your own wedding makeup, knowing your skin type is very important. Once you know your skin type you will be able to select the right primers, foundations, and setting sprays.
Don’t know your skin type? I tell my brides, when you look in the mirror in the middle of the day, what do you see? Are there shiny spots on your face? Is there skin peeling on your cheeks? Or does your skin feel tight?
It’s important to look at or focus on the T zone. The T zone is made up of the three prominent areas of your face: your forehead, nose, and chin. If you are shiny or oily in the T zone then you may need a hydrating skincare line.
I suggest brides visit a local esthetician for skin treatment and guidance on how to care for their skin properly.
Trying all the skin trends on TikTok can lead to improper skin care and misinformation. Invest in yourself and see a professional.
Skin Tone: Pink, Yellow, Neutral, Warm?
Skin tone is a very important part of selecting makeup. I highly recommend having a makeup artist help you match your skin tone to your concealer and foundation. If the tone is off, this can make you look too light, dark, or sickly.
How can you determine your skin tone? There are many factors that help determine skin tone. One way is to simply have an artist compare your skin to different types of foundation with different undertones.
For example, if you have a fairer complexion, you could have a pink, yellow, or neutral tone to your skin. If your skin is more medium to tan, you could have a warmer or even green tone to your skin. If your skin is very dark, there could be more orange or cooler (more blue) tones to your skin.
Also, take a look at the veins in your wrist, if your veins are more blue or purple you may have pink undertones. If your veins are more greenish you may have warm undertones. If you are having a hard time determining the color you may have olive undertones. Once you know your tone, you can select the correct color of foundation for your wedding day makeup.
SPF is the fountain of youth!
Makeup will not cover a bad sunburn. Let me repeat that, makeup will not cover a hot pink or red sunburn. When the skin is burnt, it becomes not only warm to the touch but the skin is very smooth.
This type of texture cannot be covered with makeup. The makeup will literally slide off the sunburnt skin. This is why wearing SPF before and during your wedding activities is so important.
SPF 30 can block 97% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. However, it needs to be re-applied every 90 minutes.
I love mineral sunblock and highly recommend it because they are better for your skin and the environment. Wearing SPF and preventing sun damage can also prevent early signs of aging. Here’s a funny example:
Look at the women in the Pacific Northwest compared to women who frequent the beach in a southern state like…Florida. Those who are in the sun a lot have skin like leather! That is because of sun damage.
One of my favorite SPF brands is Supergoop. They have SPF in lotions, eye creams, and powder form.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
As the old saying goes, “Practice makes perfect!” When deciding to do your own bridal makeup, it is key to make time to practice. After buying your dress and choosing your bridal makeup, take some time to sit down and get to know your face better.
I would encourage you to practice your wedding makeup look at least once a month until your wedding. Once your wedding is two months away, I will practice even more.
There are many reasons why it is important to practice. After practicing for so long, you will be able to do the look quickly. You will be so familiar with the product and placement on your face, that it will become second nature to you. When trying new makeup products and DIY wedding makeup trends, you don’t want to test anything new on the day of your wedding
It’s all in how you blend…
Highlighting, contouring, and shading, would be nothing without knowing how to blend! You can blend your makeup with the right tools.
When blending eyeshadow, you will need a good fluffy eyeshadow brush. Move your brush in a circular motion to blend your eyeshadow after you apply your light and dark colors. This will blend any lines you have created when applying your eyeshadow.
When it comes to your foundation, be sure to apply your contour, and highlight onto your skin before your foundation. First, use a stipple brush to apply your foundation.
Move the brush in a circular motion. Do this over the area you just worked on. You can also use a damp makeup sponge and tap the foundation onto your skin.
For special occasion makeup you want it to look seamless and flawless. My favorite foundation brushes are the MAC Cosmetics #224 blending brush and the MAC Cosmetics #159 Stipple foundation brush.
Match Your Wedding Theme
When planning your bridal makeup, don’t forget to use your wedding colors as inspiration. Are you having a moody-themed fall wedding? Then add a pop of burgundy to your wedding day look. It can be your lipstick color or added to your eyeshadow.
The bride in the photo had peach and orange colors for her wedding, which inspired her wedding day look. I used warm tones on her eyes and a peach blush on her cheeks. As you can see it matched her wedding bouquet nicely.
If you’re having a Spring wedding, feel free to add a soft pink to your eyeshadow or grab a soft pink lipstick for your wedding day. For vintage-themed weddings, I would suggest a 1950s winged eyeliner, a soft pink blush, and bright red lips.
Feeling a little overwhelmed? Bring a photo of your wedding colors or bouquet to Sephora or Mac. Their makeup artists can help you choose matching eyeshadow and lipstick.
Photo by Sean Carr Photography
Spray to Make it Stay
What is the secret to getting your makeup to stay all day? What if it rains on your wedding day? How will your makeup become water-resistant?
Finishing spray is a “must-have” makeup item for your wedding makeup. You can find many finishing sprays at stores like Sephora and Ulta.
Once you purchase a finishing spray, it will be the last step in your makeup routine. Just like we talked about in the previous paragraph, be sure to practice your wedding makeup. After your makeup is applied, spray the finishing spray 12 inches away from your face in a cross pattern.
The finishing spray is like hair spray for your makeup. It will help your makeup stay all day and depending on the brand, it may even make your makeup waterproof.
With the right finishing spray, you won’t have to worry about a rainy day ruining your wedding makeup. A popular and effective finishing spray to try would be “All Nighter” by Urban Decay.
Primer: Start off on the right foot
When planning your own DIY wedding makeup, choosing the right products is important. Primer is a great start to any makeup or skincare routine.
There are two types of primer that every bride should have: Eye primer and face primer. Eye primer will help prevent your eyeshadow from creasing. It will also aid in your eyeshadow lasting all day long.
Eye primer can come in many forms but the most popular are in a tube or pot. The tube will be more of a silky consistency and is great for most skin types. The pot is more clay-like and it’s great for oily eyelids. Face primer helps your concealer and foundation last all day without creasing or moving.
There are many different types available. You want to choose one based on what your skin type is and what it needs.
Is your skin dry? Try a hydrating primer. If your skin is oily, try a mattifying primer.
Stores like Sephora are a good resource because they have a variety of primers and brands available. My personal favorite is the Vanish Airbrush Primer by Hourglass Cosmetics.
Color, Finish, Texture
Your whole wedding makeup look could be ruined by simply choosing the wrong foundation color. This is why it is so important to take your time, consult experts, and have your foundation correctly matched to your skin tone. If you plan on booth tanning or spray tanning before the wedding, be sure to match your foundation to your skin while it is tanning.
Do you want your foundation to have a matte or dewy finish? Understanding your skin type can help in selecting the type of foundation finish for your wedding day makeup.
Is your skin naturally oily? Then a matte foundation might be the best choice.
Is your skin dry? Maybe a hydrating foundation with a dewy finish will help give you that bridal glow. And last but not least foundation texture: does your skin do best with a liquid foundation or a powder foundation?
Another option is a foundation palette where the foundation is not liquid but can still glide on easily. I suggest buying a few types of foundations and trying them to find the best one for your big day.
Concealer covers a multitude of sins
Before applying your foundation, you will need to apply a concealer on any blemishes, dark spots, or scars. Concealer helps hide or camouflage the little imperfections we all have. Once your concealer is applied then you can put your foundation over it.
All makeup companies have their own version of concealer. Some come in pots, tubes, or palettes.
Concealers usually come in full coverage. If you are covering up acne, be sure to pick a yellow or green base concealer to help neutralize the red or pink acne. By neutralizing the pink or red color, it will help cover the acne spots instead of revealing them.
I love the MAC concealer palettes as they come with multiple shades and two base colors: yellow and pink or yellow and orange. As I have said multiple times, be sure to buy a few types of concealers and test them out before your wedding day.
To Contour or Not to Contour
Source: Atelier Pictures
Contour can be used to create the illusion of shrinking, highlighting, or expanding areas of the face. Good contour is truly an art form. The technique uses light and dark shades to alter and properly balance your facial structure.
Adding this to your makeup routine or your bridal makeup plans takes a lot of practice. At first, you may feel like a clown with all the dark and light marks on your face. But once you understand what works for you, your face will look flawless and balanced.
There are many different types of products used to contour your face: liquids, powders, or cream palettes. Because my bridal makeup is more on the natural side, I love using powders to softly contour my bride’s face.
To create a more defined look, first apply a liquid or cream contour under your foundation. Then, use dark and light powders to highlight on top of your foundation. Don’t be afraid to ask a makeup artist to show you how it's done so you are better prepared for your big day.
Setting Powder
One of the last steps in your makeup application will be applying setting powder. Setting powder helps “set” the makeup so it won’t move or slide throughout the day. A good setting powder paired with a good setting spray will help your makeup last all day.
Setting powder is either a colorless or translucent powder. It comes in a loose powder or a compact powder.
Both have their own purposes. Loose powder is available in colors like pink, green, and yellow to help correct any areas of your face that need it. The loose powder is great for setting your makeup after you apply it, and the compact is perfect for on the go.
Most makeup brands will have their own setting powder. Cheaper brands will use talc powder as the main ingredient. Though this ingredient is effective, it is a carcinogen. I highly recommend using a setting powder that is not made with talc powder.
“Blushing” Bride
Blush is one of my favorite makeup products for bridal makeup. Blush can add color and a “youthful” look to any bride. Blush is a must-have for your wedding day makeup kit.
Blush comes in all types of colors, ranging from light pink to dark purple. Blush with a hint of shimmer will aid in creating the “bridal glow”.
Blush comes in many forms: creams, liquids, powders, and sticks. I love powder blushes because you can easily add more if you want more color to your face.
Blush will need to be applied with a brush. If you are using a blush that is a powder I love a large fluffy stipple brush.
If you are using a cream, then a smaller dense yet soft face brush will do. Blush can be applied behind the apples of your cheeks all the way up to the eyebrow area. For more of a “coquette” effect, you can add a swipe of blush to your nose and forehead.
This is more effective with a powder blush than a cream blush. I recommend pink or peach-colored blush for most skin tones. If you are over the age of 50, then a purple blush will help add a youthful glow.
Bronzers/Highlighters
Bronzers and Highlighters can help add “a little something” more to your bridal makeup. If you want more color, if you want to look a little sun-kissed then a bronzer will help.
Bronzers come in lighter and dark shades. I recommend choosing a bronzer that is a shade or two darker than your skin tone. Bonus if it has a slight gold or rose gold shimmer to it. This will help give you a sun-kissed look but also help add a little glow.
Bronzers come in powder, liquid, and stick forms. Use a big fluffy brush to apply powder bronzer on your face, neck, chest, and shoulders.
Highlighters will help bring forth attention to different areas of your face. Want to add shine to your makeup look?
Add a shimmery highlighter to the top of your cheeks, the end of your nose, and the top of your lip and chin. Liquid highlighters are great for a more pronounced shimmer, powders are perfect for a softer shimmer effect. I love using a small fluffy brush to apply highlighter.
Be sure to practice using your bronzer and highlighter. You don’t want these products to appear too dark or ashy on your wedding day.
Lipstick Secrets
Finally, lipstick will be the last makeup item applied before you walk down the aisle. There are so many different types of lipstick brands out there. Lipsticks come in all colors and textures. They come in different finishes such as shiny, glossy, matte, semi-matte, etc.
I recommend choosing lipstick and liquid lipsticks that are advertised as long-lasting and non-transferable. Try them on, let them dry, and try the kiss or drink test. After you kiss your hand or take a sip of water from a glass, if there’s no residue then you may have a winner!
Don’t be afraid to try on different colors. Start by asking yourself these questions: what colors are in your wedding?
What colors are you attracted to? What color do you like to wear that makes you feel beautiful? If I had to suggest some colors to try, I would recommend a pink, red, maroon, or nude shade.
One of my favorite lipstick brands is Mac Cosmetics. They have all the right lipstick shades in solid and liquid lipsticks. Be sure to purchase a lip primer and a lipstick sealant. This way your perfect pout will last for hours.
Bridal Party Makeup
Photo by: Timeless Tree Weddings
You have decided to do your own makeup for your wedding, but what about your bridal party? Over the years I have seen brides do one of two ideas. They will have their party do their own makeup or allow their bridesmaids to go to a salon or hire a makeup artist to do their makeup.
Do you have a bridesmaid who is naturally talented at makeup? Have everyone bring their own makeup and have talented friends take care of them.
A very fun way for everyone to learn would be to attend a class by a local bridal makeup artist. This way everyone can learn at the same time and be ready for the wedding day.
Are your bridesmaids all wearing the same dress color? Or do you plan on gifting them matching robes? Add a pretty lip color to their gift, then everyone is wearing the same lip color. When planning where you all will get ready on the morning of the wedding, be sure to reserve a venue, hotel or Airbnb that has enough counter space for all party members/family members who are planning on doing their own hair and makeup.
Makeup Hacks
There are so many fun and funny makeup hacks online. TikTok and Instagram reels are filled with ideas from makeup artists and your wanna-be influencer. When trying out any makeup hack, be sure to test it out on yourself before your wedding day. As a professional makeup artist, I love sharing hacks (makeup secrets) with my brides and makeup clients.
One of my favorite hacks is, let’s say you have a shiny lipstick color that you wish was more matte. Take a tissue paper and pull it from the corners so it comes apart in half. The tissue will be see-through.
Put the tissue paper on your lips then take a powder brush with some translucent setting powder on it and gently press it onto the tissue paper. Voila! Matte lips!
Overwhelmed? Hire a Professional!
Photo by Sightglass Photography
The wedding planning process can be a wonderful experience yet overwhelming. There are so many details to consider, such as your bridal makeup. If you are lost when it comes to makeup and what to do, how to apply or buy the products, maybe you should consider hiring a professional.
Professional bridal makeup artists will help you make your bridal makeup dreams come true. They will recommend the right colors and products for your skin tone and skin needs. They will offer a bridal trial which is like a practice run for your bridal makeup.
As a bridal makeup artist, I will reach out and connect with the bride’s planner, coordinator, and photographer to make sure we are all on the same page for the wedding day. I create a relaxing environment for my brides. You can sit, enjoy a mimosa, and be pampered by a professional makeup artist on your big day.
Plus, the cost of all the makeup products you would need to DIY, would be equal to the cost of hiring a professional bridal makeup artist. If you are in the Portland or Vancouver area, hire me!
Photo by Chelsey Dorr Photography
Last but not least- FAQs!
How do I do my own make-up for my wedding?
The short answer would be: Research research research! Take a makeup class, and watch tutorials. Practice makes perfect.
Is it worth doing your own makeup for weddings?
Yes, if you love the DIY makeup trends and saving a little bit of money then I would say do it. If you are lost and confused about where to start, I would suggest lessening your stress and hiring a professional makeup artist.
Can we do bridal makeup ourselves?
Yes! With the right knowledge, products, and lots of practice, I believe you can do your own bridal makeup. These tools can also be used for other events in the future. If you end up loving this process, then maybe you have a career in the bridal beauty industry.
How does wedding makeup last all day?
Two key factors help wedding makeup last all day. Good skin prep and the right makeup setting products. If you take care of your skin and use a high-quality waterproof/humidity-resistant setting spray, then your makeup should last all day.