Yes, you can do your own wedding makeup. The brides who pull it off do three things: they pick the look months ahead, they practice it more than once, and they test it in photos with the flash on before the big day.
Sis, you already know your face better than anyone. You know your undertone, you know which foundation actually matches, and you know what makes you feel like yourself. That is a real advantage. Here is how to use it.
How to do your own wedding makeup, step by step
Do your own wedding makeup in seven steps, with tips from professional makeup artists.
- Start with skin
Celebrity makeup artist Ash K Holm told Huda Beauty that skincare matters as much as the makeup, or more. Cleanse, moisturize and give it time to sink in.
- Foundation
Artist Mai Quynh applies it with a foundation brush, then presses it in with a damp sponge to erase brush streaks.
- Powder where you shine
Robert Sesnek adds extra translucent powder on the T-zone, smile lines and chin.
- Eyes
Mario Dedivanovic calls waterproof mascara essential. If you want lashes, he prefers individuals for a natural look. Using a strip? Cut it into two or three sections so it sits better.
- Cheeks and glow
Quynh warns that powder highlighter and very vivid colors can read as glittery or shiny in photos. She reaches for liquid or cream highlighter.
- Lips
Quynh lines the lips, fills in the whole lip with pencil, then uses a matte or semi-matte color because it lasts longer. Gloss can go on top.
- Set it
Sesnek sprays setting spray in an X shape, about six inches from the face, before the dress goes on.
Practice: your trial run timeline
- A few months out: Holm suggests testing your wedding makeup on yourself several months before the wedding. Pick the look now, not the week of.
- Every trial: Dedivanovic says take a lot of selfies, with flash and without, and have someone else photograph you too.
- Wear the right color. Do your trial in a top close to your dress color so you see how it reflects on your skin.
- No new products at the last minute. Anything new goes on your face weeks ahead, not the night before.
- Wedding morning: Holm recommends blocking two to three hours to get ready, and asking family to come by only after your makeup is done.
Will my makeup look good in photos?
This is where DIY makeup goes wrong. Flashback is the white, ghostly cast that shows up in flash photos. Meg Keene of A Practical Wedding tested foundations for it and found that direct flash caused flashback in nearly all of her samples, including some with no SPF.
Her fix is simple. Put on your full face, take a photo with your phone flash, and look. If you look like you are wearing white powder, change the product. Then ask your photographer if they plan to use direct flash.
The pros do not all agree on sunscreen. Holm says skip it on the wedding day because of white cast. Keene says SPF is fine outdoors in daylight, and suggests SPF moisturizer underneath with an SPF-free foundation on top. Test your own combination and trust the photo.
Four bridal makeup looks to try
Not sure what look you want? Start with one of these four and try each one at home.
- Glamorous smoky eyes. Smoky shimmery grey eyes, peach cheeks, nude lips. False lashes turn it up.
- Scarlet lips. Earth-tone eyes, terracotta cheeks, red lips. Made for a fall or winter wedding. Put lip balm on before the red so the color lasts.
- Fresh and modern. Shimmery beige eyes, pink cheeks, wine-stained lips. Pretty for a garden wedding. A lip brush gives you a cleaner line.
- Romantic. Plum eyes, pink cheeks, glossy lips. A cheek stain helps the color last.
Your DIY wedding makeup kit
Here is what to have on your table. Starting from scratch? Shop makeup kits on Amazon and build from there. Several of the artist tips above come from Huda Beauty, and you can shop Huda Beauty on Amazon too.
- Moisturizer and primer
- Foundation and concealer that match your skin right now
- Translucent setting powder
- Eyeshadow, liner and waterproof mascara
- Lashes and lash glue, if you are wearing them
- Blush and a cream or liquid highlighter
- Lip liner and a long-wear lip color
- Setting spray
- A mirror with daylight-style lighting. Dedivanovic says good lighting is essential.
Touch-up bag for the reception
- Blotting papers
- Your lip color
- Cotton swabs
- A cream eyeshadow that matches your look. Charlie Riddle of Stila says a little over the top fixes creasing and fading.
- Tissues
DIY wedding makeup questions
Yes. Plenty of brides do. Practice the full look more than once and check it in flash photos first.
Give yourself more time than a normal day. Holm suggests two to three hours for getting ready overall.
Anything you have never worn before, and anything that flashes white in a test photo.
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Getting the rest of your look together? See our plus size vintage wedding dresses guide and our plus size bridal lingerie picks.
