Bridal tips for keeping your makeup perfect all day!
First things first a little introduction. Hi! I’m Katie Longden, I am an award winning Bridal Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist based in the Stockport in the North West of England.
The one question I get asked at every single trial I do is “will it last?” and the answer is yes IF you follow my advice! Makeup is not permanent and is designed to wear off and from a skin care perspective we are glad of it. But when we have a special event, it's really important that it doesn't start to fade too soon. So these are my top practical tips to keep your makeup looking fresh all day long!
1. Press Powder - especially if you are going for a more “natural” look you will need to touch up throughout the day. So designate one of your bridal party to carry 3 products with them at all times! If you tend to go oily as the day goes on a press powder & powder puff. My top pick for a press powder is Illimasqua Skin Base press powder. Or for my more budget friendly option Rimmel Stay Matte would do the trick.
2. Look after your Lips! - the better condition your lips are in the longer your lipstick will last. If your lips are nice and hydrated we can use a really long wearing lipstick like Jeffery star Valour liquid lipstick and it won't crack or smudge all day long. You can use a lipscrub (i love the popcorn lipscrub from lush) a few times a week & use a Balm when you are going out into the elements. If you have particularly dry lips you might want to consider added a lip mask to your skin care routine.
3. Set it - this seems like a no brainer but setting spray really does work! And depending on the vibe you are going for there are lots of options so it can seem a little overwhelming. My top pick for a Matte finish is NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray - Matte Finish/Long Lasting. My favourite for a Glowing dewy finish is Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set. And for a natural satin finish I always use Morphe Continuous Setting Mist.
4. Use your Bridesmaids - Remember your Bridesmaids aren't a guest, they aren't there just to look good. They are there to help the Bride! Keep this is mind when picking Bridesmaids. You will want to designate one of your bridal party to having any product you need close at hand, that includes tissues, cotton buds, extra hair grips, a sewing kit, mints & the kitchen sink. They also need to keep an eye out if you need any touch ups, because let's face it, you will be too busy to notice.
5. Prime Time - while a primer can extend the the longevity of your makeup, it can make or break your look! First, make sure your using the right primer for the look you want to achieve. If you are going for a very light sheer coverage look, DO NOT use a Matte primer all over your face! Matte primers are great and arguably will keep your makeup lasting longer than others however it is really difficult to create a natural beauty look with. By all means if you get an oily T-Zone it can help to manage that when applied sparingly. My favourite primer to use for all skin types would be a hydrating water based primer Like Bobby Brown enriched face base.
And all of this still feels overwhelming and don’t know your setting powder from your bronzer then……leave it to a professional! If you have hired a Makeup artist for your wedding prep on the morning, chances are they offer a touch up service. Yes it is an additional expense but piece of mind is priceless!
See you on your wedding morning!
Katie