How to Wear Makeup for Your Wedding

Present your most beautiful face on your wedding day by following these basic tips.

Things You'll Need

• Facial cleanser
• Facial toner
• Washcloth
• Concealer stick
• Foundation
• Mascara
• Blush brushes
• Blush
• Lipstick
• Powder
• Brow brush

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Instructions

How To Wear Makeup on Your Wedding Day

• 1

  Start with clean skin. Take a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser and wash your face, neck and chest. Follow with an equally gentle toner. When your face has dried, a quick splash of cold water will seal the pores of your face and bring a rush of color to your cheeks. Pat dry and then add a light layer of moisturizer. Pick one formulated especially for the face, for they are lighter and less oily then the ones you use on your body. A common mistake many make is to try to put their makeup on within five minutes of applying moisturizer. Let your face rest for 15 to 20 minutes after your cleansing routine.

• 2

  If your face starts to break out, stay calm and do not scratch or press the area. This only makes things worse and can start an infection. Gently apply an ice cube to the area to cool the skin, then reapply your toner and/or a dab of astringent. It is good to have on hand a tube of cover-up makeup. Pick a shade lighter than your skin tone. Pat some on with a soft brush and blend the edges out on your skin. Then leave the area alone.

• 3

  As you apply the rest of your makeup, remember to keep your base makeup firm. Choose a foundation color that matches your skin tone and apply it evenly over your face, blending it into your temples, hairline, earlobes, and, depending on the cut of your dress, down your neck and your cleavage. While the mineral makeup is popular today and works well, a liquid foundation is still your best choice for longevity and total coverage. Follow your foundation with a light layer of a neutral or tone-on-tone powder.

• 4

  Next, add your blush to your cheeks, sweeping backward and slightly up towards the top of your ears. Add a light dusting of blush across your temples, the bridge of your nose and your chin for that sun-kissed look. You may even highlight your décolleté by using your blush. A word of caution: Blush is made to sink into your skin. Do not keep reapplying it or you will end up looking clownish instead of rosy.

• 5

  Enhance your eyes by applying a layer of powder or liquid eye primer. While you are letting that set, curl your eyelashes and then apply a coat of mascara. To avoid clumping, use an eyelash comb on your lashes. A long-standing favorite trick is to lightly dip the brush in talcum powder and then comb your lashes. Add another coat of mascara. If you feel you must use false eyelashes, it is better and more natural to invest in adding individual lashes rather than using a full set.

• 6

  For a finished look, use an eyeliner pencil starting at the middle of the lash line and moving out. Forget the dramatic liquid eyeliners, and gently push the color into the base of your eyelashes as you apply. Follow with a great neutral base color on your lids and a shimmery (not glittery) color under your brow. Finish by spraying a brow brush with hairspray and running it across your brows for a stay put look.

• 7

  End your makeup routine by adding lip color. You can avoid bleeding by using a light coating of foundation on your lips, letting it dry, and adding lipstick in a soft shade. Throw away the lip liner and remember to blot your lips to blend and seal the color.