Are you invited to a wedding (or another grand festive event) and wondering what the best makeup will be? How to do your makeup for a wedding? Here are my tips for the best makeup for weddings (or other very festive moments), accumulated over my many years of beautifying women, famous or not, for major events.
Tip #1: Stay True to Yourself
As a wedding guest, or attendee of another grand festive event, you obviously want your makeup to reveal the best version of yourself. But above all: stay true to yourself! If your everyday look is ultra-nude and essentially consists of a hint of mascara and tinted lip balm, don’t try a black smoky eye or a fiery red lip. You may end up feeling seriously uncomfortable.
For a slightly more “dressed-up” look than your usual nude, apply a touch of taupe or brown eyeshadow along your lash line, blending upwards. This adds depth subtly.
Tip #2: Opt for a Luminous (and Long-Lasting) Complexion
My advice for a complexion that stays smooth and radiant for hours: go easy on the foundation and concealers. High-coverage products tend to settle into fine lines and give a cracked effect. Therefore, apply your makeup to the lightest extent possible.
The Natural Glow Foundation from my brand louiselouise beautifully evens out the complexion but blends into the skin for a completely “invisible” effect. Add a touch of concealer and you’re good to go.
Tip #3: Shine in Photos (Without the Shine)
One thing all major events have in common is the photos taken. And since these photos will last and possibly even end up framed on a wall, you want to look your best. To be radiant in a photo, you often need to reduce the shine of the skin. The very glowy finish that looks beautifully fresh and luminous in daylight will turn into an “oily skin” look under flash photography. (Believe me, I have 30 years of experience in photo studios.)
Our savior: a compact powder! The powder I prefer is colorless and so fine that you don’t even see it, such as the one from ClĂ© de Peau. But it effectively mattifies the T-zone and anywhere else where shine bothers us.
Tip #4: As a wedding guest, adopt “low-maintenance” makeup
The ideal makeup as a wedding guest or when attending a grand event is one that makes you beautiful. But you don’t want to have to retreat to the bathroom every half hour to touch up your makeup. The ideal makeup for these occasions is one you can forget.
The secret lies in a smart choice of textures that set and won’t budge for hours. I love intensifying the eyes with “waterproof” pencils that become “smudge-proof” after a while. Just be sure to blend them quickly!
Among my favorites are Victoria Beckham’s Satin Kajal Liner and Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick. Eye primers that hold powder eyeshadows in place are also very useful.
Tip #5: Easily Moved? Apply Truly Waterproof Mascara
For those who are easily moved or simply have very sensitive eyes, I recommend using a “tubing” mascara. This polymer-based technology won’t budge even if you cry like a crocodile.
Some tubing mascaras tested and approved by me: Tarte’s Tartelette Tubing Mascara, Kevyn Aucoin’s The Volume Mascara. As a bonus, these mascaras are much easier to remove than traditional waterproof mascaras with micellar water and warm water. No need for special makeup remover.
Tip #6: Apply Long-Lasting Lip Makeup
The lips are the part of makeup that lasts the least. That’s normal, as we constantly move them, eat, drink⊠No makeup can withstand that for long. The only truly long-lasting lipsticks are liquid formulas that dry down to a very dry and matte finish, and consequently, flat. Not really an option for most women, including myself.
My technique for a prettier lip makeup, yet long-lasting, involves layering several products. Here it is:
Most often, I start with a gentle scrub to get smooth lips. This step is essential if you have dry or chapped lips.
Then, I like to apply a bit (!) of MAC’s Prep & Prime lip primer. This creates a hydrated base but not too greasy.
Now it’s time for a first layer of color, with a liquid lipstick like Sephora’s Cream Lip Stain or Maybelline’s Superstay. Since these lipsticks are very intense, they don’t allow for mistakes. I apply them with a brush for maximum precision. If you like this very matte look, stop here.
For others, I layer with a creamy lipstick for a softer look. This will also increase comfort.
As an option: A tiny touch of shine just in the middle of the lips can create more volume (but be careful, it may make your lip makeup more fragile).
Tip #7: When you’re the bride â contact me đ
It’s your own big day which is approaching? Contact me!
I’m regularly asked to take care of the beauty of brides and their guests.
I also often give “special wedding” makeup lessons to young and not-so-young brides-to-be who want to do their own makeup on the big day.
Also, watch this video of a bridal makeup suggestion, which I shot some time ago. Maybe it will inspire you!
By Louise Wittlich
(Makeup on the model in the photo: Louise Wittlich)
*All models in the photos on my blog are made up by me, unless otherwise stated.
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