Wedding Day Makeup Tips from the Pros

-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-

Sleep On It

Because sleep is critical in repairing skin cells for your big day. Stila Cosmetics Global Executive Director of Creative Artistry Sarah Lucero suggests starting your beauty routine the night before. Do away with toxins and puffiness by massaging Georgia Louise Sleeping Beauty Oil on your face with their Lift + Sculpt Butterfly Stone, pull your hair back with a Slip Silk Scrunchie (for a crease-free pony) and get your beauty rest!

In a Cinch

According to The Red Door National Director for Makeup and Retail Isabel Vigil, hydrated skin is the key to long-lasting, flawless makeup. For additional moisture the morning-of, she suggests opting for a face mask like Patchology FlashMasque Hydrate or FlashPatch Rejuvenating Eye Gels up to 30 minutes before starting on makeup.

While the eye patches are working their magic, run a NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Device along the cheekbones and jawline to reduce puffi ness, improve facial defi nition and impart an instant radiance.

Clean Canvas

“Apply skincare in small, pea-size amounts to avoid greasy skin and heavy makeup later in the day,” says Jocelyn Biga, Estée Lauder National Pro Makeup Artist. For brides with tired, stressed skin she advises using a serum like Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II, moisturizing with their Revitalizing Supreme + Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Crème and finishing with Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix. Don’t forget to give your skin time to absorb the products before applying makeup to ensure it stays all day.

Prep Rally

To guarantee your big-day makeup doesn’t budge, prime, prime and prime! Global Makeup Artist at Urban Decay Cosmetics Steve Kassajikian recommends prepping skin with his favorites: Urban Decay De-Slick Complexion Primer and Eyeshadow Primer Potion to absorb any oil on the eyelids.

Bases Loaded

“To create flawless ‘I woke up like this’ skin it’s essential that you minimize the amount of product applied to your face,” explains M·A·C Cosmetics Global Senior Artist Ashley Rudder. A foundation’s formula is important: Select one that has cutting-edge pigment technology, which allows it to lay traceless on the skin. Her top three picks include: M·A·C Studio Fix Fluid, Matchmaster, and Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation. These foundations are self-setting, control oil and have long wear-ability, so you can keep your setting powder to a minimum.

Damage Control

“The goal is to not accentuate the blemish,” says Vigil. After applying foundation, use a concealer that is one shade lighter than the skin, stippling a concentrated layer onto the spot. “Now here’s the trick,” she notes, “let it be for a few minutes, then use a small brush to blend the ends into the rest of the skin.” After it’s dry and well-blended, set with a pressed powder so the product doesn’t move. “You want to go a shade lighter so the powder doesn’t oxidize and draw attention to the outbreak.”

Fringe Effect

When considering lashes, Ardell Global Makeup Artist Jadene Munson advises using Ardell Individuals. These allow you to create a customizable look that complements your eye shape while also having longer-lasting power. If you prefer a strip lash, Munson recommends the universally flattering Ardell Demi Wispies — and don’t forget to keep DUO Quick Set Lash Adhesive in your bag for easy fixes.

Fine Line 

For a pout that lasts through the fi nal sip of champagne, Biga suggests choosing a lipliner color that is as close as possible to the shade of your lipstick and fi lling in the entire lip. It can act as a primer and, if any fading should occur, you’re not left with a ring of liner. For the perfect hue, Lucero swears by Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina, a featherweight formula with zero transfer.

The Finale

“Once your look is complete, it’s important to finish off with a fi nely milled powder to lock in your makeup,” instructs Charlotte Tilbury, founder of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty. She uses powder on the T-zone: down the nose, on the chin and across the forehead. For a luminous, high-defi nition result that blurs imperfections, she suggests her Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder.

5 Quick Tips for "I Do" Perfection

Experts dish on what not to forget for your walk down the aisle.

• Do: Refresh your look with a spritz of facial mist or setting spray like Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix Setting Spray, says Glamsquad Artistic Director Kelli J. Bartlett.
• Do: Look for products with long-lasting or 16- to 24-hour wear in the name to safeguard against any makeup meltdowns, instructs Bartlett — and waterproof mascara is a must. 
• Do: Stay away from powders that have talc or look cakey on the skin, urges Hourglass Resident Makeup Artist Chanel Temple. You want to glow, but not look greasy.
• Do: Add a shimmer to shoulders, chest, arms and back to create that gorgeous glow from head-to-toe, says Lucero. “Stila Heaven’s Hue adds the perfect amount of radiance.”
• Do: Remember that your makeup may seem like a lot but will look natural in photos — it’s a bump up from your daily look, says Vigil. But don’t be afraid to speak up if you don’t like something.