6 tips for making your wedding makeup last all day
Bride with minimalist long-wearing makeup
It’s a question that almost every bride asks me. “Will my makeup last all day?”. Of course, if you’re an avid ‘face-toucher’, ‘eye-rubber’ or ‘lip-chewer’, things aren’t going to stay in place as well. BUT, once you throw on that frock, have your hair spruced and face painted, I guarantee you will be far less likely to do any of the above. I’m all of those things above, but get me on a night out and I’m very well behaved.
I’ve got a bunch of tips to help keep your makeup in place for the duration of your wedding. This is long-wearing natural makeup, without the heavy application of foundation and/or powder. In fact, it doesn’t involve ‘heavy’ anything. I can’t think of anything worse than an uncomfortable face of makeup. EEK! Makes me squirm thinking about it. Read on for my natural long-lasting makeup application tips…..
Bride with glowing skin and long-wearing lipstick
1. Prep your skin well
Get rid of dead skin cells and exfoliate that skin. We need a nice smooth surface to work on. Hydrate your skin next. You want your skin to feel slightly ‘tacky’, not oily or rough. Oily skinned peeps, use a gel or oil-free moisturiser. Dryer skin types, make sure you have a moisturiser that keeps your moisturised for the day.
2. Use primers
Mattifying primers are great for oily skins to help absorb excess oil and smooth out textured skin, but apply in a very thin layer. I suggest applying with your fingers, so you get that nice thin layer.
Eye primers or long-wearing cream shadows that set, are game changers in keeping your eye makeup fresh looking (and there at the end of the day).
You can get lip primers too, but in all honesty I haven’t used them much, so can’t vouch for them!
3. Apply EVERYTHING in thin layers.
Imagine applying a thick layer of butter to your bread, then folding it in on itself. Where the bread folds, the butter crinkles and sits. Its the same with makeup (in my humble opinion), the more you put on, the more it will ‘crinkle’ when your face moves/you smile.
Really buff foundation into your skin and start with a nice thin layer. Don’t use foundation to cover EVERYTHING. Use it to gently even out the skin. Concealer can do the job of full coverage, only where needed.
4. Use setting spray between layers
A fairly new convert to setting spray, I now use it quite liberally when doing wedding makeup. Before I do base, after I’ve applied foundation and once the entire makeup is finished. Its nice and refreshing too.
5. Lightly powder makeup
Use a fluffy brush to powder under the eyes, so you can get the lightest application. This will keep that concealer in place. Press the powder into the skin rather than going straight in with a swipe. Then swipe all over to remove any excess. Its worth having a compact powder handy, to get rid of any shine that may arise throughout the day. Particularly if you’re oilier skinned.
6. Use a creamy long-wearing pencils
I almost always run a lip pencil over the lips before applying an sort of lippy. Even gloss. It just gives you that extra insurance. I love gel based/cream pencils for this, as they set and genuinely don’t budge. They to tend to apply quite heavily though, so after applying, I buff over with a fluffy brush or finger, just to take off any excess and blend it in. Follow with your chosen lip product ie. lipstick/gloss etc….
The majority of weddings take place in the summer, so if you use these tips, it really will help your makeup withstand the heat. However fabulously your lipstick has been applied, it will, at some point need a top up, due to eating, drinking and (hopefully) kissing So make sure you have one handy. Press the product on with a finger so its not too thick. Having a cooling facial spritz is also a good idea to cool you down. Hopefully my tips will help you !
Let me know if you have any fabulous tricks for keeping your makeup in place. I’d love to hear.
Have a lovely rest of day,
Nicky x
Hi! I’m Nicky, I’ve been a Hair and Makeup Artist for yonks now. Roughly 20 years! I’ve worked with 100s of brides and LOVE my job. I live in Petersfield, Hampshire and cover Hampshire and Surrey. I also do makeup lessons for both brides who want to do their own makeup ,and anyone else who wants to learn. I’m hugely passionate about teaching people makeup techniques and generally waffling on about hair and makeup. Honestly, I could go on for hours! Brides book me for my natural hair and makeup looks (and I like to think because I’m a super lovely person who is a very calming influence on a wedding day!).
If you would like to work with me, please fill out the enquiry form on the contact page. Or message me on insta or facebook.
