Doing Your Own Wedding Makeup

You may be considering taking the reins when it comes to doing your own makeup for your wedding day, but is this the right decision for you and if so, what advice is out there.

Think of the reason(s) why you are looking into doing your own makeup. Is it because you are getting married abroad, having an elopement, maybe you have never had you makeup done before, or are you trying to keep the costs down?

Firstly, it may be worth thinking about investing in a 1:1 makeup lesson with a professional Makeup Artist. This investment would see you through your wedding morning and beyond with advice and product knowledge to last a lifetime. You can have all your questions answered, a routine sorted, a time schedule in place, and the stress of searching for new products taken away.

A 1:1 bridal makeup lesson with me covers the best skin care products for your skin and how to get that radiant skin look, to understanding primers, choosing the right foundation for you, and discovering colours and shades to suit your eyes cheeks and lips. You will also get help with a time plan for the morning of your wedding. For more information on a 1:1 makeup up lesson with me click here.

Things to Think About

If you were to have your makeup done by a professional for your wedding, at the trial you would learn what skin prep you should be doing in the lead up to your wedding and the best products for you to be using. So if you are doing your own makeup you need to be on it with your skin care routine in the months before to ensure your skin is at its happiest and most radiant for your wedding day. Maybe book in for some facials or do a weekly exfoliate and face mask.

-Are you thinking of having a sunless tan for your wedding? If so you will need to have a darker foundation to match your new colouring (a darker shade can be mixed with your usual foundation if you are only having a light spray tan). You may want to use a bronzer too for that sun kissed look. Look for ones with a shimmer to them and avoid any with glitter particles.

-Do you produce an excess of oil on your t-zone throughout the day? Pop some blotting pads in your bag and remove the excess oil before doing a gentle powder. Not removing the oil and layering on the powder can create a clogged look.

-Get a waterproof mascara. We never know how those emotions are going to take control on the day so being prepped with a good waterproof and smudge proof mascara will be a weight off your mind.

-Prep your lips. If your lips are showing any dryness, your lipstick will cling to it and the vision of luscious lips is over. Brush your lips with your wet toothbrush and shed away that dryness, the best lip exfoliator out there! Then use a hydrating lip balm to keep them moisturised.

-Curl your lashes. It makes the world of difference. Hold your lash curler at the base of your lashes, give a gentle squeeze and tilt your wrist upwards (away from your eye), hold for 10 seconds and lift off.

-Clean your brushes. Use warm soapy water being careful not to get any where the glue is, as this will result in the glue melting and the bristles coming out. Squeeze out the excess water and leave enough time for them to dry. You will honestly feel like you have new brushes.

-Position your mirror in good light. You need to see clearly what you are doing and don’t want any tidelines or wrong colour match with your foundation.

-Plan your morning. Give yourself more time than you need and be finished with your hair and makeup 1 hour before you need to leave for your ceremony. I highly recommend getting into your wedding outfit at the beginning of that last hour so you know you are ready. The absolute last thing you want is to be time stressed, and you are more likely to get an extra few minutes to yourself to breath and take it all in, or pop off and have some extra photos with your photographer.

The morning of your wedding is here

You have been prepping your skin in the lead up and a fun and relaxed morning is ahead of you thanks to your night before prep (see blog post wedding eve and wedding morning) You have popped on some feel good songs and your favourite breakfast is on the side waiting for you. It’s time to get feeling fabulous and start your makeup…

Images: Emma Pilkington

Hair + Makeup: Sarah Morten

Model: Sarah Maxwell

Dress : Kate Beaumont

Accessories: Clare Lloyd Accessories