When it comes to your wedding makeup it's likely you fall into one of two camps. You either want to do it yourself like Kate Middleton, or you want to sit back relax and leave it to the professionals. I very much fell into the latter category and enjoyed every minute of sipping bubbles and chatting to my wedding party whilst my makeup artist worked her magic. Neither option is right or wrong, as always, it's what works best for you. But before you decide, allow us to inspire you with some truly fierce wedding makeup ideas.
There's nothing more effective than a well-chosen lipstick. Go for bright pinks and bold reds for extra impact or clear glosses and beige shades for a more natural look. Talk to your makeup artist or pop along to your local beauty counter to find out what your skin's undertone is. This will help you find the perfect shade of lipstick to complement your complexion. And, if you fall in love with a shade of lipstick in your makeup artists kit bag, be sure to find out what it is so you can buy a spare and reapply at your leisure during your wedding day.
Just like lipstick eyeshadow can also have a dramatic effect on your overall bridal look. We've seen brides opt for light browns, or beige to match their eyes for the ceremony, then replenish their look for the evening reception with a dark grey smokey eye. A cream eyeshadow will work best as a base or solid colour. Whereas powder eyeshadows can be slightly trickier to apply but will allow you to blend multiple shades.
There are so many different ways you can apply eyeliner. On the hoods or inner part of your eye, with pencils for a smudged look or with liquid gel for a refined winged effect. It is the perfect finishing touch to your eye makeup to really define them. Recommended supplier Off Duty Weddings is known to use different coloured eyeliners as stand-alone eyewear, and the results are always killer!
Not all of us are blessed with long lashes, but that's ok, there are lots of options out there to ensure you have long full lashes. The most obvious choice is mascara, but it's worth testing a few to make sure they are waterproof. You don't want to ruin your wedding makeup with running mascara. If you're thinking of choosing a more permanent solution, eyelash extensions could be the way to go. Schedule your appointment with your local lash technician anywhere between three to seven days before the wedding to ensure they are in tip-top condition. Eyelash extensions need at least 24 hours to set and some people find that lashes can start shedding as early as two weeks.
It's likely you'll feel like a celebrity on your wedding day with camera's flashing in your direction at every given moment. So, just like an A-lister, you'll want to make sure you shine. A highlighter is a makeup product that reflects light, add it to your cheeks at the highest points of your face you want to stand out to really give a healthy glow. You can also choose shimmering eyeshadows or glossy lipsticks.
If you're not used to wearing makeup in general, or you just want to look like the best version of yourself on your wedding day then a natural, barely-there, no makeup look may be for you. There are lots of things to still consider and prepare prior to achieving this look. The first is to keep hydrated, both your body and skin by drinking lots of water and applying a daily moisturiser in the run-up to the wedding. Well-groomed eyebrows and a touch of concealer to hide any dark circles of blemishes will go a long way too. We also think adding a bit of blusher or bronzer across your cheekbones will give you a lovely healthy glow.
So what'll it be, dramatic winged eyeliner, a bold lip colour or a combination of all the wedding makeup ideas to turn you into the very definition of a blushing bride? Whatever you decide we know you're going to look stunning. And, if you need some inspiration choosing your wedding hairstyle, bridal shoes or wedding nails, we can help with that too!