For an allover ethereal look, stick to a soft, peachy palette. “I like to play up the eyelashes with polished, glowing skin using soft hues such as peach, pinks, and taupes,” says makeup artist Jillian Dempsey.
9. Brighten up with a touch of color.
Ultimately, you want to look and feel like yourself. If that means making a seemingly bold choice for a wedding — like wearing crimson lipstick — go for it. “I love that brides are stepping out of ‘traditional’ bridal makeup and opting for smoky eyes and bold lips,” makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran tells Allure. For lipstick with staying power, “apply one layer of color then blot lips with rice paper and apply the lip color again,” says Brown.
And nothing says you have to go easy on the eyes. “I absolutely love a pop of color,” says Gowers. “Add a bright eye shadow shade to the inner eye.” For a subtle 3D effect, Gowers suggests adding delicate rhinestones to really shine bright.
For a softer approach, “consult the color wheel to see what tones complement your eye color to make them stand out,” says Mehta. “Try a purple or navy liner on brown eyes, plum or deep green on hazel eyes, and burgundy on green eyes.”
10. Concealer is key for fixing the unexpected — and the inevitable.
Did your rehearsal dinner last until dawn? This is the beauty of concealer. To hide undereye circles, dot a creamy formula below the inner corners of your eyes with a brush and work it outward. Use your fingertip to gently press (not rub) the formula onto the skin where it seems darker.
To camouflage a zit, “use a concealer a bit darker than you would use under your eyes, so it does not brighten the zit,” makeup artist Nam Vo previously told Allure. After applying the concealer, Vo tops it with a foundation powder for additional coverage. “I tap not only the zit, but I tap the area around the zit, so everything matches.”
By the time the ceremony happens, there is a good chance there will be tears of joy. “You don’t want to have raccoon eyes, runny concealer, or smeared lipstick,” says makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff, “so use waterproof everything!”
11. Tame your veil to prevent smudges.
If you have an outdoor wedding where the wind could be a factor, try Brown’s tip to weigh down your veil so it doesn’t stick to your lips: “I’ve seen many brides have their veil smudge a bold lip of gloss when it catches on the mouth. Put a clip-on earring on the bottom of your veil to prevent this — and add a touch of sparkle at the same time.”
12. Have setting spray on standby.
When you have on your dream makeup, “nothing beats the mental and actual security of a setting spray that locks makeup in. The key is to use it throughout the application and after the makeup process,” says Jaikaran.