Your wedding day style speaks volumes as to who you are on your special day, and you want it to be uniquely YOU!
Typically when thinking about your bridal style, the dress journey comes first. It’s much easier to figure out your makeup and hair style once this has been locked down. There are so many options when it comes to finding a dress nowadays which is making it easier for brides to find one that speaks to exactly how they want to look.
Whether it be a traditional speciality bridal boutique or there’s now the option of finding your perfect dress from a wedding gowns online store, the options are endless and plenty.
Once you find that perfect gown, it is time to start considering what your makeup style will reflect and how you can tie them both together for an overall cohesive look.
Here are a few simple tips to consider…
What is your everyday makeup style?
Are you a makeup minimalist, moderate, or maximum glamour gal by heart? What is your partner used to seeing your face look like on an everyday basis?
I always tell my brides that we should never stray TOO far from what your friends and family are used to seeing you in terms of makeup. No one wants to see a complete stranger walking down that aisle that looks completely different from everyday life!!
Now a bit contradictory to that, because photos (lots of photos) are going to be taken, your makeup has to be a bit heavier than normal so your face doesn’t look washed out on camera. Remember that your wedding day is an louder expression of who you are so your makeup can follow suit.
But if you only carry a chapstick in your makeup pouch on the regular, you’re probably not going to look or be comfortable sporting a bold vampy lip on wedding day!
What is your wedding dress code attire + time of year?
This is a big one. Are you having a summer beach wedding or are you going for a late evening black tie wedding vibe in the winter?
Your makeup will need to match the tone of that timing, season, venue and of course your dress. I always say there are no rules to makeup, and your wedding look is no exception. But it does make the entire event seem more cohesive in terms of a look to keep the makeup matching the time of year. And of course, with seasons, you need to pay special attention to what colors and products you choose to wear on your face.
Long wear, waterproof products, and blotting papers in the summer are a must so you don’t risk sweating off your makeup. A wedding planned in the cooler winter months when sweat isn’t such a big deal, allows you the option to go more dramatic with colors without the fear of them melting down your face!
For example, if an afternoon beach wedding with a sheer flowy dress and bare feet is your ideal style, make sure your makeup isn’t super heavy and dark. Sun kissed peachy cheeks, shimmery soft eye makeup, and lots of waterproof mascara (of course) tie in the breezy beach vibe.
On the flip side, say you’ve been searching for long sleeved or 3/4 sleeve wedding dresses online for your December evening wedding. Then maybe a dramatic and elegant makeup look works. A rich cranberry lip with lots of lashes and a luminous complexion (since winter takes a toll on dull winter skin!) might go just perfectly.
Pick a focal feature. What is your favorite part of your face?
Do you want to highlight your eyes because you love your eye color, do you have nice full lips, or are your high cheekbones your thing? I advise most brides to put the main focus on the one area of their face they’d like to play up the most.
For example, if you decide to play up your peepers with a sexy smokey eye for a formal night wedding, pair it with softer nude lips so your eyes and lips don’t fight for attention. I think I have found the perfect nude lip color here! And vice versa. If you want a retro vintage vibe with deep red lips, go easy on the eye makeup colors so they don’t distract from that pretty pout.
Do a trial run and take pictures!
Whether you’re doing your own makeup for the big day or your’e hiring a makeup artist, definitely do not wait til the big day to try out your new look/products/eyelashes. Take a day to try on your full makeup look of what you’re thinking you want for wedding day, wear a white shirt or dress (if you don’t have your gown to put on) and have a friend take a few pictures of you. Take them inside and outdoors to get the full effect and make sure the colors and application look exactly how you want in sunlight and with flash photography.
Overall you should just want to feel confidently beautiful on your wedding day. So the biggest thing is making sure that you choose the right wedding dress and makeup style that enhances your body type and facial features. Forget about silly makeup trends that everyone else is doing and focus on what works for you!
If you’d like more bridal makeup inspiration check out this my previous post, “Important Bridal Makeup Tips For Your Big Day.”
