On your wedding day, every detail matters, especially your makeup. Achieving the perfect bridal look on your own can be empowering and deeply personal.

Having your wedding makeup on point will be at the forefront of the bride’s mind days or even weeks before the big day. Should you do it yourself, or should you hire a professional to do it for you? Fortunately, we have the answers for you! In this article, you will learn about the intricacies of bridal makeup, with steps such as doing your research, planning your skincare, and applying makeup techniques that improve your natural beauty. 

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Pros and Cons of DIY Wedding Makeup

Before we dive into the specifics of DIY wedding makeup, it’s important to understand the main positives and negatives of the procedure:

Pros

• Cost-saving: Handling your own wedding makeup will drastically save you money instead of hiring a professional. By applying your own makeup, you can redirect funds typically reserved for a professional makeup artist to other important elements of your wedding. 
• Personalisation: DIY wedding makeup allows you full control over your bridal look, giving you the freedom to express your unique style and preferences. This personal touch ensures that your makeup reflects exactly who you are, elevating your confidence as you walk down the aisle.
• Skills: Practising your makeup in the run-up to your wedding not only hones your cosmetic skills but also boosts your confidence. Each trial session is an opportunity to refine your technique, ensuring you achieve the flawless finish you desire on your big day.

Cons

• Knowledge: Having a certain degree of knowledge with bridal makeup will determine your successes. For those not well-versed in makeup application, DIY can lead to potential mishaps that are difficult to rectify under pressure.
• Time consuming: DIY makeup demands a significant amount of time. The need to balance timely preparation with attention to detail can add an element of stress, potentially impacting the quality of the final look.
• Investments: Although DIY makeup can be cost-effective over time, the initial investment in quality products, brushes, and tools can still add up, especially for those who do not regularly engage in elaborate makeup routines.

DIY Wedding Makeup: Should You Do It Yourself?

Deciding whether to handle your own wedding makeup really comes down to personal preference. If the idea excites you and you feel confident in your skills, doing your own bridal makeup can add a uniquely personal touch to your look. 

However, if the thought alone gives you stress and anxiety, consider having a professional do it instead. For those on a budget, with proper planning and practice, you can achieve a beautiful, self-crafted look that feels professional and polished.

How To Do Your Own Wedding Makeup 

Despite the complexities of wedding makeup, we have broken each step down into detail so that you can easily apply it yourself ready for the big day.

1. Research and Preparation

Begin your journey into DIY wedding makeup by exploring various looks. With online platforms like Pinterest and YouTube, you can find tutorials and inspiration that align with your style. It’s important to be realistic about your skill level and the complexity of the look you desire. Practise these looks using the makeup you already own; often, a simple addition like using foundation palettes or setting powder might be all you need.

2. Plan and Prepare

If considering skin treatments, test them out months in advance to avoid any last-minute surprises. A light, pre-tested spray tan could improve your glow without the risk of unexpected results. Preparation isn’t just about beauty treatments; it’s also practising your makeup look several times to ensure you’re ready.

3. Skincare for Your Wedding Day

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, it’s essential to maintain a skincare routine that your skin is familiar with to avoid any adverse reactions. Stick to trusted products that suit your skin type, focusing on hydration and smoothness. Use gentle exfoliation and hydrating moisturisers to ensure your skin is the perfect canvas for makeup application. 

Consider different facial sculpting tools, which can improve your skin’s firmness and vitality without drastic changes to your routine. Even understanding the difference between beauty marks and moles can ensure that your skin does not receive any allergic reactions to any wedding makeup products that you use.

4. Foundation and Concealer

As mentioned, choose a foundation that offers buildable coverage, allowing you to tailor the look from natural to full coverage based on your needs. Opt for a formula that feels light on the skin and lasts through the day without a heavy feel. For concealer, avoid formulas with high SPF or light-reflecting properties, which can create flashbacks in photos. The goal is a concealer that seamlessly blends to cover imperfections.

5. Primer 

Using a primer can make a significant difference in the longevity of your makeup. Apply a hydrating primer all over the face to create a smooth base, and consider an illuminating primer on high points (cheekbones, brow bones, and bridge of the nose) for a subtle glow. This dual-primer approach ensures a radiant finish that still feels natural.

Learn more about skin hydration by deciding whether to choose primer or moisturiser first.

6. Contouring

Contouring helps define your features and gives your face a sculpted look. Use a cream or liquid contour product for easier blending. Apply it to the hollows of your cheeks, along the jawline, and at the temples. Highlighters can also complement your base by adding a light-reflective sheen to the high points of your face, offering a healthy, dewy glow. Contouring can be a hard topic to understand, but our guide on how to contour face will help you to understand it more.

7. Setting Your Makeup

To avoid the dreaded cakey look, use a fine, translucent setting powder. Apply it lightly with a soft brush or a makeup sponge under the eyes and on the T-zone. This helps set your makeup for longer wear without altering the colour or texture of your base.

8. Adding Colour and Depth

A cream blush will bring a natural flush to your cheeks, ideal for ensuring you look alive and vibrant in all lighting conditions. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone for a subtle pop of colour. Having a bronzer applied lightly can improve your glow, giving you a sun-kissed effect that’s perfect for any wedding day.

9. Eye Makeup and Lips

Define your eyes with a neutral eyeshadow palette that compliments your eye colour, and use a reliable eyeliner to define your lash line subtly. Waterproof mascara is a must to avoid smudges and runny makeup. 

For your lips, select a long-wearing lipstick that you can trust to stay put through kisses and festivities. A hydrating lip colour will keep your lips from drying out and ensure your smile is picture-perfect.

No Need To Stress With DIY Wedding Makeup

It’s understandable that doing your own wedding makeup may well stress you out, but by considering the factors above and below, should help to bring you peace of mind.

Practice Makes Perfect

It’s crucial to practise your bridal makeup several times before the wedding day. This allows you to refine your technique and ensure you can recreate your desired look under pressure. Even if you’re a natural at applying your daily makeup, the specifics of wedding makeup—from ensuring it lasts all day to photographing well—require practice to perfect.

Allocate Sufficient Time

On your wedding day, allocate more time than usual to apply your makeup. Rushing can lead to mistakes or a look that doesn’t hold up as well as it should. Take the time to let each layer set and thoroughly blend each application. This approach not only enhances durability but also achieves that flawless, natural finish every bride seeks.

Enjoy the Process

Remember, doing your own wedding makeup is a choice that should bring joy and empowerment. On your big day, your happiness and love are what truly improves your glow. Embrace the moment, smile, and enjoy the celebration—your confidence and joy will shine through, adding a special sparkle to your bridal beauty.

Have Confidence With DIY Wedding Makeup

In conclusion, doing wedding makeup yourself is all about preparation, practice, and using the right products. By planning ahead, practising your look, and choosing long-lasting, photogenic makeup, you can ensure a flawless appearance on your big day. Remember, the most important aspect is to enjoy the process and celebrate your personal touch, which adds to the uniqueness of your special day. With these tips, your DIY bridal makeup will look as professional and radiant as any salon-done makeup.

Stay ahead of the curve with the latest natural wedding makeup trends for 2024. Get inspired by reading Savini L.’s insights in Vogue!

Further reading:

Should you want to add further details to your bridal makeup, read the below articles for more information:

• Discover tips on choosing the best makeup brushes here to ensure your application is seamless.
• Learn innovative ways to curl your eyelashes without a curler, ensuring stunning eyes on your wedding day.
• Planning to use temporary tattoos for your wedding? Discover safe and effective methods to remove temporary tattoos now.

FAQs

What type of makeup is most suitable for a wedding?

The ideal wedding makeup should be long-lasting and photogenic, accentuating your natural features. Choose waterproof and smudge-proof options to maintain a flawless appearance all day.

How much does wedding makeup cost?

The cost of wedding makeup can vary greatly, and will normally cost over £100. This can depend on the makeup artist's experience, the quality of products used, and the location of the wedding. In some circumstances, the bride may prefer to have makeup done at their own house.

Is it common to apply your own makeup for a wedding?

Yes, applying your own makeup for your wedding is quite common and entirely acceptable if you are comfortable with your makeup skills. It allows for a personal touch that reflects your individual style.

Sources

Savini, L., (2024) These Natural Wedding Make-Up Trends Will be Everywhere In 2024. Vogue. [online] Available at: https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/natural-wedding-make-up-trends [accessed 10/07/24]