Bridal Makeup Tips

Your wedding day is the one day you really want to look and feel beautiful, glamorous and flawless. Makeup is one of those things that brides don't think about much until its getting close to wedding day and they may realize that they didn't factor it into their budget. 

Hiring a good makeup artist will ensure that you look beautiful on your wedding day because they know how to apply makeup for pictures. But lets say you had a tiny little heart attack when you heard how much it would be to hire a makeup artist, and you think to yourself, "I use makeup all the time, I can do my own". Well, I have a great tip for you if you choose to do your own makeup.

Even if you think you know how to apply makeup, and are always playing around with different looks every time you go out on the town, you can always learn new tricks and tips. I suggest going to a makeup counter such as MAC or Sephora (I prefer MAC), and let them know that you are getting married and would like for them to teach you how to apply makeup for a wedding. They are always more than willing to help you out. They will explain step by step how to apply the makeup, the order you should apply it in, and will also write it all down for you so that you can use that sheet as your guide when the time comes for you to apply it yourself. They don't charge anything to teach you all this. 

TIP: I would probably do this about a month or so before your wedding, that way you get to practice your new makeup techniques a couple of times--maybe for your bachelorette party, bridal shower, or rehearsal dinner.

Now here's the thing, you should buy the products they use on you--yes its expensive, but guess what, they're YOURS, and you get to use them more than just once. So, for the price that you pay for a professional to do your makeup for one day, you can buy the makeup, keep it and learn a few techniques. Also,
quality products are essential in order for it to withstand all day and to achieve that flawless look, so it will definitely be worth the investment. You don't have to buy every single thing though, you may be able to get away with some products you already have in your makeup drawer. They should be able, an honest enough, to let you know what will be more beneficial.

Here are a few products that I absolutely love and work well with MAC products:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer - This primer is amazing! It leaves your skin feeling so silky soft, smoothing out pores and fine lines and priming the skin which gives a flawless canvas. Half a pump should be plenty so don't over do it.

• Chanel Eyeshadow Brush & Sephora Professionnel Bronzer Brush- Brushes are very important when applying makeup. A good brush will help the makeup go on smoothly and blends it nicely and not make you look like its 80's makeup gone bad (or worse).

• NARS Blush - This is the kind of blush that I can put on by itself when I'm in a rush and it gives me that little bit of glow and freshness. It is made with transparent pigments to avoid heaviness and gives you that soft sheer look.

• Maybelline XXL Pro Waterproof Mascara - This is a two-step mascara. Step one: Sweep the microfiber basecoat from root to tip to build dramatic volume, its white and it looks a little weird going on. Step two: Before the basecoat dries, sweep the microfiber topcoat from root to tip to lock on super-intense color. I use this all the time and most times I don't even apply the basecoat and I still get dramatic results. 

• Covergirl Eyebrow Gel - Eyebrows are the last step and very important in finishing your look. This product is great for taming and keeping eyebrows in place, its like hair gel but for eyebrows and its clear so you don't see it.

• Ardell False Eyelashes - This is a must. False eyelashes enhance the beauty of your eyes and help bring more attention to them. MAC does have a great variety of lashes, from half lash (nicknamed halfsies) to full lashes. I used them for my wedding, but I've also found that Ardell Lashes are just as good and they have what they call the Perfect Bride Lashes, made from 100% sterilized human hair.  And the best part, you can find them at your local pharmacy or Target for around $5 or $6. One thing I do recommend using, that is crucial to applying lashes, is the DUO lash adhesive, which is made by the same people that make Ardell Lashes. Always always use DUO, they use it at MAC and Sephora and it is the best lash adhesive out there. If you buy lashes that come with adhesive that is not DUO, throw it away and get DUO.

Hope these tips help you out, whether you are getting married or not, it still always good to learn new techniques and tricks of the trade.