Whether you're currently in the throws of wedding planning or you're years away from walking down the aisle, you should know — everyone and their mother is going to have an opinion about the makeup you wear when you eventually do. Now, we're not suggesting you listen to any of those opinions. We think the words, "It's my wedding," should be on constant repeat. But we do recommend you take some advice from wedding makeup artists, because they're the ones who have the experience that matters.
When you get down to brass tacks, the essentials of a bridal makeup look are simple: foundation, concealer, blush, highlighter — plus the add-ons that keep everything from running down your face when you're twirling around the banquet hall at your reception. We asked a few seasoned makeup artists to give us a simple rundown of the products they recommend all brides use on their wedding day. We're talking the makeup that will really hold up and still keep your face fresh and glowy for hours. Find the pro's guide to the essentials, ahead.
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Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Oil Free
Makeup artist Kindra Mann recommends prepping the skin with an oil-free primer to ensure that makeup stays glued to the skin all day. Her favorites are by Laura Mercier and Paula's Choice.
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer - Oil Free, $38.00 Buy
Face Atelier Ultra Foundation
After prepping the skin, you will want to move on to foundation. There are a slew of options out there, but we talked to multiple bridal makeup experts, and most of them recommended this low-key formula by Face Atelier. "It's my favorite foundation for brides because it lasts forever," says makeup artist Amy Zdunowski-Roeder. "It's been my go-to for over a decade. I've actually had brides call me at 5 a.m., after staying up all-night dancing at their reception, just to tell me how amazing their skin still looks."
Face Atelier FACEatelier Ultra Foundation pro (Honey), $36.00 Buy
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15
Bridal makeup artist Amanda Shackleton loves Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear foundation and recommends it to all her bridal clients who like a natural, dewy finish. "This foundation is great because it blends easily, and you can control the coverage," says Shackleton. "It's matte, yet the skin is still reflective." So, you'll have nothing but a newlywed glow in your wedding photos.
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15, $46.00 Buy
Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm
To keep foundation from turning cakey throughout the day, Shackleton mixes in an illuminating moisturizer. It's an extra step that will help your skin glow, especially if you're on the drier side. "I add a dab of my secret ingredient to all my foundations," she says, referencing Bobbi Brown's Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm. "For lighter skin, I'll use the shade Bare Glow, a white, pearlescent color. Then for medium and deeper skin tones, I'll add the Golden Glow, which is a bronze. It gives a gorgeous, all-over sheen to the skin without it looking greasy."
Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm, $68.00 Buy
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MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer
Makeup artist David Maderich tells us that concealer is a must-have for any bride (as it is for most of us on a daily basis). His go-to is MAC's Pro Longwear formula because it's blendable, doesn't crease, and stays on all day — even through tears.
MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer, $24.00 Buy
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Another concealer pick that Maderich always stocks is the cult-favorite, liquid formula by Nars. "I recommend finding the concealer in one shade lighter than your foundation, then use the 'inverted-triangle technique' to dot it under the eyes, and blend it out to cover any darkness," he says.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $30.00 Buy
Nars Blush in Orgasm
Unsurprisingly, Maderich's favorite product to achieve a soft, luminous flush on the cheeks is the Nars pink powder compact in Orgasm. "I stay away from cream blushes or highlighters," Maderich explains. "Those might look amazing for a few hours, but if your wedding is a 12-hour affair, powder blushes and highlighters will go the distance."
NARS Blush in Orgasm , $30.00 Buy
Lancôme Dual Finish Highlighter
After blush, Maderich says he'll add a bit of highlight to the high-points of the face. His favorite is Lancôme Dual Finish Highlighter in the shade Shimmering Buff. "It's a universal champagne color that looks great on all skin tones," he says. "I whisk it on the sections of the skin I want to really glow — but always avoid the tip of the nose — as that can easy make a bride look like Rudolf the Shiny Nosed Reindeer in photos."
Lancôme Dual Finish Highlighter, $40.00 Buy
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Light Wand
If you like your glow to have a bit of dewiness, Zdunowski-Roeder says that Charlotte Tilbury's Beauty Light Wand is a godsend. "A little bit of this makes the skin look healthy and glowy in photos, without whiting you out like a disco ball."
Charlotte Tilbury HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY LIGHT WAND, $38.00 Buy
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Deck of Scarlet Matte Velvet Lip Color
Brides don't have the time to worry about reapplying their lip product throughout their wedding day; that's why makeup artist Phoebe Goulding loves this formula. "It lasts all day without drying the lips out, and it has the perfect tint of color," says Goulding, who actually also uses the product as a blush.
Deck of Scarlet Matte Velvet Lip Color - Brunch Babe, $23.00 Buy
Cozzette Essential Finish Loose Powder – Invisible
"If my bride is oily or has a tendency to get shiny in some spots, I go over the face with a sheer translucent powder," says Maderich, and her favorite is Cozzette Cosmetics Essential Finishing Loose Powder in Invisible. "It helps the makeup adhere to the skin and cancels out any greasiness."
Cozzette Essential Finish Loose Powder – Invisible, $22.00 Buy
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray
Maderich always uses this setting spray as a final step to keep the makeup in place from the ceremony through the reception.
Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $32.00 Buy
Veil Cosmetics AutoMatte Mattifying Balm & Touch-Up
To mattify any shine that pools at your T-zone during your reception, Maderich says every bride should have this touch-up balm on hand. "I recommend this product to all my brides, no matter their skin type," he says. "When you dab it into your skin, it instantly cancels out shine, while keeping that natural, soft glow you want on the skin."
veil cosmetics AutoMatte Mattifying Balm & Touch-Up, $39.00 Buy
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