Celeb MUAs Reveal 15 Epic Wedding Day Makeup Tips
The trend of doing your own makeup has become increasingly popular these days and rightly so. With all the cancelations, reschedules, and shotgun weddings we’ve seen in the past year, there’s nothing easier than booking yourself for glam on your big day.
Not only is it cheaper, but most brides feel more comfortable under the direction of their own hand rather than a stranger’s. Just make sure that hand hasn’t had too many get-ready mimosas, k?
If you do decide to go the DIY route, a few pro pointers can never hurt, however. So, we asked the best and the baddest makeup artists in the game for their foolproof tactics to tackle your wedding day makeup. Behold their tried-and-true tips when it comes to timeless bridal beauty.
Best DIY Wedding Day Makeup Tips
1. Get Your Light Right
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The #1 rule to doing your own day-of makeup? “Good lighting is a must,” swears glam guru and Makeup by Mario founder Mario Dedivanovic. “Your makeup should translate well whether you’re outdoors, indoors, on camera, etc., and applying your makeup in the right light will help with that.” He also recommends investing in a great mirror — preferably one that sits on a table. “I love the Ilios Lighting Beauty Ring, $249, as it mimics natural daylight and will truly elevate your makeup application and look.”
2. Take All the Selfies
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The one time it’s perfectly acceptable to take selfies? Your wedding day. Dedivanovic advises taking plenty beforehand and asking someone to take pictures of you with and without flash so you know exactly how you’ll look. “Photos don’t lie!”
3. Opt for Individuals Over Full Sets of Lashes
This one might be a no-brainer, but Dedivanovic can’t stress it enough: Waterproof mascara is a must! And if you want to do false lashes, try individuals for a more natural look or cut strips into 2-3 pieces so they look and feel more seamless. “My faves are Ardell Lash Faux Mink Individuals, $7, and I love Huda Beauty’s lashes for a more glam look,” adds Dedivanovic.
4. Avoid Distractions by Blocking Out Enough Time
“Tell your family you want to be laser-focused on your wedding day glam and block out 2-3 hours to get ready,” advises Ash K Holm, MUA to Ariana Grande, Shay Mitchell, and the Kardashians. “There are always tons of distractions on this day, so let the fam come by after your makeup is complete to avoid mistakes.” The BUXOM Cosmetics Global Celebrity Makeup Artist also suggests doing a few trial runs on yourself months before your wedding day so you feel comfortable with the look.
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5. Opt for Primer-Infused Products
“Always wear a primer-infused blush, bronzer, and long-wearing lip,” Holm adds. “I highly recommend BUXOM Cosmetics Wanderlust Primer Infused Blush, $23, Staycation Vibes Primer-Infused Bronzer, $28, and the Power Line Plumping Lip Liner, $19.”
6. Focus On Your Skincare as Much as Your Makeup
If not more. “A full routine that includes a mask and skincare tools makes all the difference for application, finish, and longevity,” promises Holm. “As for makeup, do less. As much as you might be into current makeup trends, 20 years from now you’ll want to see photos that still look like you. A natural-looking complexion with a little contouring will never go out of style.”
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7. Say No to SPF
Another pro tip from Holm: Avoid SPF. “Do NOT wear SPF on your wedding day,” warns Holm. “This is the one day you should stay away from SPF to avoid flashback at all costs.” Instead, use a translucent powder to set the skin and pick a concealer that’s either your skin tone or two shades lighter to highlight. “Anything lighter could have a bright unblended line under the eyes.”
8. Layer Your Products
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“I highly recommend layering products for a flawless long-wearing experience,” advises celeb makeup artist Mai Quynh. Quynh’s foolproof formula: start with a cream shadow or primer for eyes and layer powder shadows on top. Do the same for foundation and blush — start with cream and then layer powder. “Your makeup won’t wear off and you’ll have fewer touch-ups.”
9. Have the Right Tools on Hand
“I’m a big fan of applying foundation with a foundation brush first, like the Giorgio Armani Beauty Blender Brush, $64, and then going over the face with a damp beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge, $20,” explains Quynh. “I find that the brush distributes the foundation evenly, but then going over the face and neck with the sponge will help it melt into the skin.” This one-two punch will also blend in streaks and lines the brush may have left.
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10. Avoid Products That Are Too Bright
Another no-no for Quynh is too-bright makeup and powder highlighter, since it can appear sparkly and reflective. “I prefer a liquid or cream highlighter, like Giorgio Armani Beauty Neo Nude A-Highlight, $36, or Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Mini, $38, because it’s more natural. Flash photography and video pick up things that the normal eye or iPhone pictures don’t see and you’ll end up looking shiny or greasy in photos.”
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11. Always Line Your Lips
“Start by perfecting the shape of your lip with a lip pencil first, then fill in your entire lip,” instructs Quynh. “Follow that with a matte or semi-matte lip color (these stay on longer) and if you’re a gloss addict, add a pop on top.”
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12. Setting Sprays Are Your Friend
“I’m a HUGE fan of setting sprays because they make your makeup last much longer,” explains celebrity MUA to stars like Kristin Cavallari, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jasmine Cephas Jones, Robert Sesnek. “My favorites are Catrice Cosmetics’ Prime and Fine Anti-Shine Fixing Spray, $21, if you are more oily, and Prime and Fine Illuminating Dewy Glow Spray, $5, if your skin is drier. Do an X shape 6 inches from your face, before you put on your dress.”
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13. Powder, Blot, Repeat
Sesnek is also a big proponent of powder and blotting papers. “The biggest problem I’ve heard brides say is ‘my makeup looked so great in person, but I looked wet and greasy in all my pictures.’” His advice? ALWAYS do a notch more powder in the T-zone, laugh lines, and chin. “Your eyes see the glow, but the camera sees oil. You don’t have to matte yourself down, but be much more liberal with your translucent powder since it doesn’t oxidize and deepen in color.” If you want even less powder, he likes to have tissues and blotting papers around to soak up excess oil.
14. Stash a Cream Shadow in Your Clutch
To avoid eyeshadow fading throughout the night — or worse, creasing — stash a cream shadow that’s similar in tone in your clutch, plus a Q-tip or two. Global Beauty Director at Stila Cosmetics, Charlie Riddle, recommends applying that over your existing shadow and smudging out any lines. “This trick will mask creasing,” he says.
15. Only Do One Edit for the After-Party Look
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If you want to switch up your look for an after-party or 2nd makeup vibe, keep the edits easy. “Whether it’s adding a cat eye on top of your current eye makeup, or going from a nude to red lip, you can make bold changes without having to redo the whole face,” explains Riddle. “A great way to do this is by adding a glitter topcoat over your shadow for dance floor-worthy sparkle.” Try Stila Cosmetics Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow, $24. Not into full-on disco eyes? Try an exaggerated cat-eye line with a fine-tip liner like our Huda Beauty Quick ‘N Easy Precision Liquid Liner, $19.
For more makeup tips, check out the basics everyone should know.
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