How to apply your own wedding makeup, according to top makeup artists

Wedding makeup can be tricky to get right, but if you had to pick one moment for your makeup to well and truly play ball, your wedding day would likely be up there. You want to look like your best self but not a stranger; dewy but not shiny; natural but not naked – and it has to be sweat-proof, camera-proof and waterproof to withstand the day. It's not surprising that many brides call upon an expert makeup artist for the job. But that doesn't mean you can't decide to do it yourself.

Whichever way you go, we've got all the advice you need to prep your beauty look ahead of time (including how far in advance to book facials and how to plan out your skincare), we have tips to take your makeup in house, but also intel on what to look out for and ask if you're opting for a makeup artist. Finally, we have all the inspo for whatever vibe of bride you are.

To help you nail it, we called on expert bridal makeup artists, to guide us through the dos and don'ts. Having perfected the wedding makeup of countless brides, they're absolute veterans and know every makeup trick in the book to ensure you look stunning IRL and in photos.

And if you're looking to do your own hair on the big day too, make sure to check out bridal hair accessories and wedding hairstyle inspiration.

1. Plan your look a few months in advance

Your wedding makeup doesn't start on the day. If you're considering semi-permanent treatments or tweakments, it's worth trialling these way ahead of time. Consider whether you'd want enhancements like brow and lash tinting, brow lamination, lash extensions, spray tanning, fillers or botox. Give yourself enough time to try these and let them wear off so that, if it's not for you, you can skip it or edit it for the day itself. Three or four months in advance is a good amount of time.

2. Sort your skincare

If you really want glowing, long-lasting makeup on your wedding day, “start your skin prep weeks in advance,” advises pro makeup artist, Adeola Gboyega. Work out what works for your skin and don't start switching things around too close to the day. You don't want to discover you've had an allergic reaction to a new product the morning of the wedding. Adeola suggests introducing an exfoliator “maybe once or twice a week to even out any texture and give a really smooth base,” she recommends Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Extra Strength Daily Peel, Byoma Brightening Toner and Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

“If you’re looking after your complexion with a suitable skincare routine, you’ll end up needing less makeup and what is applied will sit so much better on a smooth, healthy canvas. I ask all my clients what they’re currently using and then can suggest products to slot in,” says pro makeup artist, Sophie Tilley.

"Make sure you are religious with your day and night skincare routine long before your wedding day," agrees Zara Findlay, Senior PRO Makeup Artist at Bobbi Brown. "Regular facials really help to prep skin," adds wedding makeup artist, Rachelle Shakespeare. It will ensure that your skin is balanced, clear and hydrated. "Especially for winter weddings. There's nothing worse than dry, patchy skin," she says.

On the day, prep your skin with a hydrating mask (try the A-list approved 111Skin sheet mask), "this will help your foundation to glow," explains Rachelle. “I like to do a facial massage to get the blood flowing (plus it’s lovely and relaxing),” says Sophie, then follow with a moisturiser-primer hybrid to create a flawless canvas. Zara recommends Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Face Base. "The right base for your skin type is very important to ensure longevity throughout the day," advises Zara.

A-Z of skincare: your definitive guide to achieving glowing, healthy skin

26 Photos

By Lottie Winter and Camilla Kay

View Gallery

3. Do it yourself

Whether you're pretty talented with an eyeshadow palette, prefer a non-traditional bridal look, are looking to scale back your budget, or just feel better keeping the fate of your face in your own hands, DIY wedding makeup can often be the best option. Makeup artists fill up their diaries months – and sometimes years – in advance, so if you'd rather skip the scrum, and look after your glam yourself, you can.

The first trick? Practice, practice, practice. Avoid any stressful stuff-ups by doing a dry-run of your look plenty of times beforehand. "The best time to practice techniques is just before you take your makeup off in the evening as you have no pressure to make it look perfect," says Zara.

To give you extra confidence, you could always head to a counter or book yourself a virtual appointment with your favourite brand to help you. "Let the makeup artist teach you on one side of your face, and have a go yourself on the other so that the makeup artist can advise you on any techniques you’re unsure of," says Zara.

There's also plenty of inspiration to be found on Youtube. Makeup artist, Jamie Genevieve, spilled on how she practiced her makeup ready for her big day, for instance.

Influencer, Makeup Shayla, paired up with makeup artist, Alaina from @colordujour, to show how to put together a soft glam bridal makeup look.

And bridal expert and Bobbi Brown Global Pro artist, Amy Conway, shared what she did for her own wedding day makeup (after years of practice getting other brides ready).

4. Take your time

"Take your time with application, allow plenty of room for doing your makeup at a relaxed pace," says Sophie. "This will ensure a well blended base, perfected definition on the eyes and a long lasting finish," she says. Plus the getting ready is all part of the day (and sometimes the lead-up is the most exciting bit, so enjoy it).

5. Mistakes to avoid

“Most mistakes happen when too much makeup is applied,” says Sophie. This can leave things feeling cakey and heavy, “not want you want,” says Sophie. "Bridal makeup should be natural-looking and feel light-as-air on the skin. We want it to last all day and into the evening, be sweat and tear-proof, have it photograph perfectly and make you feel your most beautiful and confident," she adds. Her advice? “It's all about light layering. With base for example, I never use a full coverage foundation. I'd recommend a foundation that's light to medium, then where you need more coverage, use a creamy, well-pigmented concealer,” says Sophie whose steps include: primer, foundation, concealer, powder and setting spray. "It’s a process that takes time and skill
but once complete, it’s built to last. Plus, it looks better with time; one hour later as you’re walking down the aisle and ten hours later when you’re on the dance floor," she says. Adeola agrees, she recommends layering up on textures for longevity. “Start with a cream blush, then set it with a powder blush,” she says.

As for covering spots (one of the most-asked wedding makeup questions), leave them alone. "Don't pick," warns Rachelle. "A wet spot is harder to cover than a dry one," she says, so back off.

And while you should definitely be wearing SPF every single day, it requires extra thought on your wedding day. If you're going somewhere that's really sunny, make sure you use a chemical spf that doesn't leave a film on the skin. If you're somewhere mild or cloudy, you can skip it just for the day. "Foundation that contains SPF can sometimes reflect the light off the camera, so it may appear that your skin is a lighter shade in photos," explains Rachelle. What's more, "putting a high SPF factor under makeup can oxidise your foundation and change its colour as the day goes on," she adds. "Wearing a foundation with an SPF of no more than SPF 15 will help to prevent this", agrees Zara. And "make sure your moisturiser [or anything else you put on your skin] doesn't have too much SPF too," she adds.

Another pitfall? "Glossy lips on a windy day are a bad combo," warns Rachelle. It'll get in your hair and on the groom, "then he'll be wearing the gloss in your photos," says Rachelle. "Plus it wears off quickly."

And, if you plan on wearing fake lashes for an extra flutter, try them on beforehand to check they're not too much. "If they're too heavy, they can close and droop eyes," says Rachelle.

Read More

These are the makeup tips every bride needs to know ahead of her wedding day

By Ali Pantony

6. Blend, blend, blend

“Blend more than you think you need to keep everything soft, cohesive and radiant,” insists Sophie.

7. Consider your aesthetic

Want to cover your face in glitter before heading down the aisle? You do you. Feeling a bright fuchsia lip? We're here for it.

There's nothing we like more than playful bridal looks, but if you are looking to keep it a bit more classic and timeless, Zara recommends bronze, champagne, rose gold and soft grey tones. "All are perfect timeless shades that complement many skin tones," she says. And, if you're worried about looking washed out (wearing white can do this), Rachelle advises sticking to warm colours, which means antique golds, pretty peaches, coppers and burgundies.

8. Make sure your mascara is waterproof

Even if you don't think you're going to cry, it's best to play it safe with waterproof mascara. If you have a favourite non-waterproof mascara that you can't bear to part with, Zara has a trick you can use:

Apply a waterproof mascara, like the Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara over the top "as a ‘rain coat’ to stop mascara smudging," she says. Likewise Huda's Legit Lashes Waterproof Topcoat works in much the same way. You can apply it on top of your favourite mascara to lock it in place.

13 best waterproof mascaras that are seriously budge-proof

By Elle Turner and Denise Primbet

View Gallery

9. Cheat your eyeliner

Eyeliner can be the Achilles heel of wedding day makeup, especially if you're dealing with a nervous, shaky hand. Zara says to keep it classy and safe by smudging with a kohl pencil. "I love doing a classic thin wedge liner on my brides and softly smudging the liner out with a similarly toned eyeshadow to create a soft, smokey liner."

To really enhance eyes, Rachelle swears by Estee Lauder's Double Wear eyeliner in 02 Brown. "It's warmer than black but still very dark brown," she says "and it won't budge!" Ideal for when things get emotional.

13 best liquid eyeliners for the sharpest wings of your life

13 Photos

By Elle Turner and Denise Primbet

View Gallery

10. Nail the bridal 'glow'

If you're really after that 'lit from within' glow, start your look with an illuminating primer. "This will give you a subtle glow that makes the skin look healthy, awake and hydrated", says Zara, who recommends Bobbi Brown's Illuminating Moisture Balm. When applying blusher, "smile your biggest smile and sweep the blusher on the apples of the cheek, blending the excess towards the ears," she adds.

And for an extra healthy boost, "add a pop of highlighter on all the high points of your face; cheekbone, tip and bridge of the nose and cupid’s bow." Just be careful if it's hot. "Too much highlighter on warmer days can look sweaty," says Rachelle. "When it's hot, you'll gain a glow anyway, so if you're naturally quite oily, chill on the highlighter."

11. Bring the essential with you for touch-ups

“Bring some portable coverage for touch-ups,” says Adeola who recommends a stick foundation for swift application and a multi-purpose powder like Maybelline's SuperStay 24H Hybrid Powder Foundation. "Pack a pressed powder and lipstick into your clutch bag (or have a bridesmaid
hold onto them)," agrees Sophie, "as these are the key things you’ll need to touch-up. Super oily?
Take some blotting sheets too," she suggests.

12. Cba? Go to a pro

If after all the above you've decided you'd rather leave your makeup in the hands of a professional, Sophie has tips for that, too. “A trial is important prep, but also it can be a lovely girly afternoon,” she says. “One trial is enough,” she adds, “just allow a couple of hours in the daylight.”

References are helpful. “I always ask my brides if they would like to send me reference images, it gives me an idea of what style we’re going for. I can then translate that to their face, or take elements from it to suit their colouring, face/eye shape and general vibe. I also like to see mood boards, colour themes of the wedding, bridesmaids dresses, flowers, accessories and most importantly, the dress,” she says.

As for the dress code, there is none, but “it’s a good idea to wear a white top to your trial, whether that be a t-shirt, jumper or dress. Seeing makeup with white next to the face creates a much more realistic finish, brightens the complexion and naturally, it’s close to your wedding dress tone,” Sophie adds.

“Also, don’t be afraid if you have no idea about makeup and don’t know what you want, that’s what a makeup artist is for; to offer guidance and expertise to create your ideal bridal look, I always say it’s a collaborative process. I show my clients in the mirror at various stages of the makeup application, have them sat in natural light (asking them to step outside to view it too) and I take before/ after pictures to share with them afterwards. Perhaps book it on a day when you can go out that evening and wear it all afternoon into the night. See how it feels, wears and take pictures yourself too; in natural light, artificial light, with and without flash,” Sophie says.

All the inspo…

We've rounded up some of our favourite celeb bridal makeup moments, or to find your wedding makeup vibe, we've rounded up even more inspo.

Read More

20 bridal beauty looks to suit your vibe, from modern to romantic

By Elle Turner

Check out our bridal beauty timeline and our cult wedding beauty products for more inspiration.

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk