Wedding season for me as a makeup artist is in FULL SWING. And whenever I have a bride, MOB, or bridesmaid in my chair, they inevitably ask me the same 2 questions, “What are your favorite products,” and “Is this going to stay all day??” So I’m here to share 5 of my favorite must have products with you that helps to answer these popular questions. Even if you haven’t been in my makeup chair, you can still benefit from these answers! (All photographs of makeup are done by moi!!)
#1. Ardell Individual False lash clumps.
If you weren’t blessed with long crazy fringey lashes, and let’s be honest, who really is??, your wedding day is the time to fake it. I typically use Ardell lash clumps, like I used on bride Elizabeth above, because individuals look more realistic than most strip lashes when done right. I use multiple lengths, short, medium, and long, so they don’t look so uniform, which = more realistic. I start by filling in the sparse areas along the natural lash line, then keep adding until the bride is happy with the fullness. They come in brown or black, so you can use the shade that looks most like the natural color or your lash line. Use a waterproof adhesive to secure them so they don’t fall off during those tears of joy!
#2. L’Oreal True Match Foundation.
I’ve used this drugstore brand of foundation on my clients for over 5 years now and it blows me away with it’s blendability every time even compared to the higher end department store foundations. I can go light, medium, to heavy coverage depending on how many layers I use. And the color range offered is amazing, every color in the rainbow. Each time I use it on a client who isn’t used to wearing foundation, they’re amazed with how lightweight it feels.
#3. Nars Blushes.
Ever heard the saying, “blushing bride?” Well blush works on bridesmaids too! I can use “Orgasm,” “Mata Hari,” and “Desire,” on just about everyone. The colors are supremely pigmented and give lots of great cheek color. Tip to anyone being photographed, blush is your friend, use lots of it. You’d be amazed how washed out you look with an everyday amount of blush when the pictures comes back.
It brightens the complexion like nothing else!
Just look at these 4 beauties I worked with above if you don’t believe me.
#4. Neutrogena Shine Control Primer.
If you want your makeup to last all day, through pre-pictures, the ceremony, the reception, you MUST use a primer to make all of that beautiful makeup stay put. This is a fairly new primer product that I’ve been really impressed with. Now that the summer time heat has hit, the shiny t-zones terrify all bridal parties. This one keeps that oil to a minimum and keeps that makeup put and looking flawless throughout the festivities.
#5. Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray.
Piggy backing on the no-fading of the makeup issue, this product is the “hair spray for the face” that I use on every single face I work on. It’s like my insurance for the work I do. 4-5 sprays all over the finished face, and voila, your hard work is stuck for the night.
Of course each face I work with probably has at least 20 different products on them total, maybe more, so this is just scratching the surface. If you want to know more, just leave a comment below and I might make a Part 2 bridal makeup must haves for you!
*Thank you again to all of the brides and bridesmaids who have allowed me the honor of working with them – it’s truly a blessing to get to work with a female on one of the most important days of her life! If you want to see more examples of my work, you can become a fan of JSM on Facebook (page link below) and look through the 2 “Bridal Party Makeup” albums.*
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