It’s a few weeks out from your wedding and you’re about to have your makeup trial. Then, you hear the inevitable question: “So what look are you going for on your big day?”. Do you decide to be bold and go full glam? Should you go super understated with a barely-there look? Fear no more! Welcome to your guide to nailing your wedding day look without feeling like you’re losing yourself in the mix.
The short answer for what kind of makeup look you should consider going for is “you, but better” (no shame for my full glam girls-rock your look!). While there are a lot of different opinions out there for what that constitutes, I’m here to make it easy from start to finish.
Foundation. This right here is the key to conquering your natural look. You want the perfect balance between glowy (but not oily) and expertly covered (but not cakey). Opt for a medium coverage, semi-matte foundation. Medium coverage allows your skin to look just smooth enough to cover your imperfections while also expertly avoiding cake-face. A semi-matte formula leaves just enough amount of your natural glow to peek through without becoming an oily mess throughout your long day. I like to recommend the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Liquid Foundation – Benares. I personally use this every day and LOVE how buildable it is. And if the coverage is still a bit much for you, it can be easily sheered out when mixed with a little moisturizer.
Up next: concealer! If you happen to have dark circles, your wedding day is definitely when you want this to be addressed. Lucky for us, ladies, color corrector IS A THING and SHOULD be utilized! If you happen to be on the fairer side, you should consider a light pink or salmon color. For those on the deeper side of the spectrum, an orangeish tone should get the job done. This Nyx Professional Makeup Color Correcting Palette is a great option because it’s affordable and has tones for everyone. Additionally, the green shade helps cancel out redness (woohoo!). Now that you have your base down, avoid thick concealers so you can keep under-eye creasing to an absolute minimum. Since you already have your foundation and color correcter laid, something on the lighter side will do just fine.
Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Concealer – Light is a really great, water-based option that won’t weigh you down. (Pro tip: pick a shade one to two shades lighter than your foundation for a highlighting/brightening effect).
When it comes to bronzer, blush, and highlight, the magic is in the balancing act. Your bronzer should be either matte or have a slight sheen to it, but no glitter. Glitter particles can potentially make your look a little bit muddy or overly sparkly when coupled with the other components of your face makeup. The Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer is my personal favorite by far. The undertone isn’t too warm or too cool, and it blends like an absolute dream. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that it smells like chocolate! As for blush, Nars Blush, 0.16 oz has never steered me wrong. It gives a gorgeous glow-from-within look that is absolutely ideal for your wedding day. But for those who don’t love the glittery look in their blush, MAC Mineralize Blush – Like Me Love Me is a super flattering peachy color that won’t overpower your look. As for highlighter, less is more! Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder – Brilliant Light has a beautiful, soft formula that is just strong enough to make an impression, but not overbearing.
Now onto the Big Kahuna: Eyeshadow. When it comes to achieving a “natural” look, it’s all a matter of perspective. For me, a natural look is more of a bronzed goddess vibe. For many others, its a matte, not-so-smokey smokey eye. Both are entirely valid! Tarte Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette is an absolute staple for bridal makeup-and for good reason. It’s an entirely matte palette with neutral and blush tones for a soft, but elevated look. The purple and brown tones are also great for creating depth when added to the outer corners! And for the glowing goddess in you, I really suggest Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eye Shadow Palette. The formula is super soft and easy to blend, making it the perfect palette for brides doing their own glam on their big day. Not to mention, the shimmers are an absolute knockout! (Pro tip #2: add
Last up…lipstick! More often than not, your best bet is going to be a pinky-nude. It’s neutral, natural, and there are tons of different shades to accommodate all skin tones. I would suggest a liquid lipstick as opposed to a tube because you’ll be guaranteed to have all-day results (and no smudging!). Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick is my go-to because it isn’t super drying. But for my more traditional brides, MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick – Impulsive is a great bet! The Powder Kiss formula is a matte finish that certainly won’t smudge all day.
So there you have it ladies-all the tools you need to perfect your natural and gorgeous wedding day look! Happy glamming!
Photographer: Tessa Maxine Photography
See more of this gorgeous Miami bride at the Coral Gables Country Club!
