Bridal Makeup Tips & Tools

Summer is in full swing and with that comes the influx of weddings and bridal related events. A bride wants to not only look and feel like the best version of themselves, but feel like they’ve been transformed into a bridal goddess.

Bridal makeup is its own sub-genre of makeup application. It’s a special mixture of enhancement, correction and transformation.

By using the right tools, any makeup artist can hear the bride’s gasp of joy after she’s been spun around and shown what she’ll look like on the most important day of her life.  

When doing bridal makeup a few products and application tips are essential to achieving your client’s desired look. Blending is of utmost importance as harsh lines can easily be detected in photos. Building an even-toned, blemish-free canvas is essential to keeping your makeup lasting all night. Applying a matte, shine-free foundation is as critical as properly applying fake lashes. Both need to look flawless and last all night. 

If you haven’t already done it invest in:
An airbrush makeup kit
Face and body primer
Eyelash curler
Fake eyelashes
Adhesive eyelash glue
A great set of brushes including a foundation and powder brush 

     Here are some of the steps I used to create my latest bridal look:

SKIN:

I applied a layer of NYX HD Studio Photogenic Primer using a foundation brush all over the face. I then dabbed Guerlain Terracotta Touch Highlighter around her nose, on her brow bone, and around the corners of her mouth to cover dark areas.

Airbrush makeup feels light on, gives a bride a flawless, even complexion that lasts all day and is able to withstand sweat, tears and environmental elements. Using the Luminess Air System, I sprayed the bride with a foundation one shade darker than her natural skin color to match her more tanned body.

I then swept Bare Escentuals Tinted Mineral Veil all over her face to set the foundation. To highlight and brighten I used Julie Hewett Bud of Roses Blush onto the apples of her cheeks and a combination of Physicians Formula Bamboo Silk Bronzer, Duwop Illuminating Blush in Mango and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact in Bronze on her face to give a bronzed glow. Don't be afraid to blend a few colors together to get your best shade. 

EYES:

I prepped her eyes for shadow using Maybelline FIT ME Concealer in Light on her lids and under her eyes. I set the concealer with Julie Hewett Translucent Oat Powder. Using DUO Adhesive Glue, I added MAC False Lashes in 7. The key to adding false lashes is bending the strip into a semi circle so they’re a little more pliable and then taking the lashes and measuring them on the eyes to see if they fit or need to be trimmed. I took a Q-tip and applied a thin layer of glue on the top of the lash strip. I then put the lashes a few inches away from the inner corner of the eyes so the lashes are exaggerated out and the eyes look elongated and dramatic. I then placed them on the edge of the lids and held them down for 30 seconds. Once they dried I took an eyelash curler and curled them along with the bride’s actual lashes. This lifted the lashes up and brightened the eyes. I then added a highlighter called Mary-Lou Manizer by the Balm onto her lids and blended together taupe shades from a Maybelline Eyeshadow Quad in Mocha Motion and a Clinique Eyeshadow Trio in Rain Forest on the outer corner and crease. I added a dab of the gold from the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick directly underneath the eyebrow in her arch to highlight and lift the brow bone and then darkened the brows with a Model Co. eyeshadow in Portofino.

LIPS:

I lined the lips with Clinique Lip Liner in Nudey and filled the lips in with the pencil to create a more natural color. I then added a swipe of All Heart pink lipstick by Clinique with a layer of 15 Minutes of Fame lip gloss by Lipstick Queen in 10 Minutes. Lipstick will come off at some point so having the colors on hand is key for reapplication. More importantly however, is keeping the focus on the eyes and keeping the lips low key rather than relying on lipstick to last all night and tie the look together.

After you’ve applied all the makeup, take a powder brush and go over the face to make sure everything is blended. If you see a streak or excess makeup that has fallen from the eyes, take a foundation brush and blend it off. Both brushes will blend the makeup you do want and remove the makeup you don't want.