DIY Bridal Makeup Guide
By Wander Beauty | Sep 19, 2023
Maybe you're getting married in a remote location where a makeup artist isn't an option, perhaps you’ve opted for a low-key elopement, or maybe you're the kind of bride who doesn't leave anything to chance. Whatever your situation, there are several reasons to do your own makeup on your wedding day. With a little bit of preparation, a lot of practice, and some expert makeup tips, you can create a beautiful makeup look that has your spouse-to-be and all your guests teary-eyed. Here's how.
Prep your skin
Healthy skin is the first step to flawless makeup, so your beauty routine begins with your skincare. Your wedding day skincare preparation should begin three to six months before you say, “I do.” This gives you enough time to find the right products and test them out, go for regular facials and skin treatments, or see a dermatologist if necessary. If you're trying out retinoids or chemical exfoliants, a longer time period will also see you through the purging phase so that your skin is happy when your big day comes around.
Tailor your routine to your specific needs – not everyone will need to use active ingredients or get professional treatments. A basic skincare routine consists of cleansing and toning, moisturizing, and applying SPF throughout the day. You can add a weekly face mask to the mix, and a targeted serum if needed. One product we do recommend that every bride-to-be include in her skincare regime is a vitamin C product such as Sight C-er Vitamin C Concentrate. This helps brighten the skin and even out skin tone while hydrating and plumping your skin for a gorgeous, natural glow.
If you are getting professional treatments, be sure to get your final treatment no less than one week before the big day. You may also want to discontinue the use of any harsh products or active ingredients at this point. The morning of your big day, do your gentle skincare routine as usual and pop on some Baggage Claim™ Eye Masks for a boost of vitality.
<product>1,2</product>Consider the aesthetic
There are several factors to consider when choosing your bridal makeup look. These include the weather and location, the color scheme, and your desired aesthetic. From classic to bold glamor to natural, your makeup look should complement the style of your dress and enhance your natural beauty. Also, be sure that while your makeup works as a whole, it is matched to your skin tone and undertones – this will give you the most natural, radiant look. Use our Getaway Eye & Face Palette to find the perfect shades for you.
<product>3</product>Test your products
If you've chosen to go the DIY route, you’ll want to start testing your products a couple of months in advance to ensure you choose products that suit your skin and offer long-lasting coverage. When choosing a foundation, consider your skin type and whether or not you’ll be getting a spray tan to ensure you get the right texture and shade. For obvious reasons, you’ll want to opt for a waterproof mascara, such as our Mile High Club™ Length and Define Mascara.
You’ll need to test products individually and together. Your products should layer well (with each other and with your skincare products) and should be in complementary shades. You’ll also want to wear your bridal makeup look for a full day and night, so ensure each product offers long-wearing hold. Decide on the products you will use on the day at least two to three months in advance.
<product>4</product>Practice!
You’ll want to practice your bridal makeup several times so that you're confident when the day arrives. The morning of your wedding can be stressful, so you should be adept at creating your desired look. If you wear makeup regularly, you likely already know what suits you. If not, spend some time watching tutorials and testing different looks. Whether you go for a natural look or full glamor, your makeup should enhance your natural features and make you feel beautiful. If you're wearing lash extensions, be sure to test these out a couple of times, too.
Learn to layer
Because your makeup needs to remain flawless for the whole day and night, it can be tempting to choose heavy products. Unfortunately, this usually leads to a cakey look. Layering is a far better technique.
First and foremost, use a primer, such as our Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF. This will create a smooth canvas for the products that follow. Once you've prepped and primed your skin, choose a lightweight foundation, concealer, and translucent powder, and build as needed. To avoid excessive sheen in photographs, opt for slightly matte finishes. If you have oily skin, choose a matte-finish foundation, and if you have dry skin, choose a silky-matte foundation. Conceal blemishes with a color-matched concealer and add a lighter concealer under the eye for a brightening effect. Blend to perfection. Set your makeup with a light dusting of translucent powder.
For a flawless complexion, our pick would be Wanderlust Powder Foundation – a lightweight, buildable formula that blurs imperfections and gives a silky smooth finish.
<product>5,6</product>
Get that bridal glow
Even the most simple bridal makeup looks need a little glow, and that goes for both the bride and the bridesmaids’ makeup. Because everyone will be admiring you and the ladies you choose to stand beside you on this day, you’ll want that gorgeous glow-from-within look. For this, we recommend On-the-Glow Blush and Illuminator. The cream color delivers a natural flush to the cheeks, while the illuminator adds glow and dimension. Place it on the high points of your face and décolleté: cheekbones, bridge, tip of the nose, cupid's bow, and collar bones.<product>7</product>
Keep your essentials on hand
Finally, be sure to keep all your essentials nearby for touch-ups throughout the day. Ask one of your bridesmaids to keep a bag of travel-sized products with her and to stay close. From our Wandering Eyes Shadow Stick to our Mini Mascaras, Wander Beauty will be by your side to provide purse-friendly essentials so that your makeup remains flawless from ceremony to reception.
<product>8,9</product>Elevate every occasion with Wander Beauty
From everyday looks to special occasions, Wander Beauty provides a range of skin-loving makeup and skincare products to keep you gorgeous on the go. Our multitasking essentials are safe, clean, and effective. Plus, they're travel-friendly!
DIY Bridal Makeup Guide
Maybe you're getting married in a remote location where a makeup artist isn't an option, perhaps you’ve opted for a low-key elopement, or maybe you're the kind of bride who doesn't leave anything to chance. Whatever your situation, there are several reasons to do your own makeup on your wedding day. With a little bit of preparation, a lot of practice, and some expert makeup tips, you can create a beautiful makeup look that has your spouse-to-be and all your guests teary-eyed. Here's how.
Prep your skin
Healthy skin is the first step to flawless makeup, so your beauty routine begins with your skincare. Your wedding day skincare preparation should begin three to six months before you say, “I do.” This gives you enough time to find the right products and test them out, go for regular facials and skin treatments, or see a dermatologist if necessary. If you're trying out retinoids or chemical exfoliants, a longer time period will also see you through the purging phase so that your skin is happy when your big day comes around.
Tailor your routine to your specific needs – not everyone will need to use active ingredients or get professional treatments. A basic skincare routine consists of cleansing and toning, moisturizing, and applying SPF throughout the day. You can add a weekly face mask to the mix, and a targeted serum if needed. One product we do recommend that every bride-to-be include in her skincare regime is a vitamin C product such as Sight C-er Vitamin C Concentrate. This helps brighten the skin and even out skin tone while hydrating and plumping your skin for a gorgeous, natural glow.
If you are getting professional treatments, be sure to get your final treatment no less than one week before the big day. You may also want to discontinue the use of any harsh products or active ingredients at this point. The morning of your big day, do your gentle skincare routine as usual and pop on some Baggage Claim™ Eye Masks for a boost of vitality.
<product>1,2</product>Consider the aesthetic
There are several factors to consider when choosing your bridal makeup look. These include the weather and location, the color scheme, and your desired aesthetic. From classic to bold glamor to natural, your makeup look should complement the style of your dress and enhance your natural beauty. Also, be sure that while your makeup works as a whole, it is matched to your skin tone and undertones – this will give you the most natural, radiant look. Use our Getaway Eye & Face Palette to find the perfect shades for you.
<product>3</product>Test your products
If you've chosen to go the DIY route, you’ll want to start testing your products a couple of months in advance to ensure you choose products that suit your skin and offer long-lasting coverage. When choosing a foundation, consider your skin type and whether or not you’ll be getting a spray tan to ensure you get the right texture and shade. For obvious reasons, you’ll want to opt for a waterproof mascara, such as our Mile High Club™ Length and Define Mascara.
You’ll need to test products individually and together. Your products should layer well (with each other and with your skincare products) and should be in complementary shades. You’ll also want to wear your bridal makeup look for a full day and night, so ensure each product offers long-wearing hold. Decide on the products you will use on the day at least two to three months in advance.
<product>4</product>Practice!
You’ll want to practice your bridal makeup several times so that you're confident when the day arrives. The morning of your wedding can be stressful, so you should be adept at creating your desired look. If you wear makeup regularly, you likely already know what suits you. If not, spend some time watching tutorials and testing different looks. Whether you go for a natural look or full glamor, your makeup should enhance your natural features and make you feel beautiful. If you're wearing lash extensions, be sure to test these out a couple of times, too.
Learn to layer
Because your makeup needs to remain flawless for the whole day and night, it can be tempting to choose heavy products. Unfortunately, this usually leads to a cakey look. Layering is a far better technique.
First and foremost, use a primer, such as our Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF. This will create a smooth canvas for the products that follow. Once you've prepped and primed your skin, choose a lightweight foundation, concealer, and translucent powder, and build as needed. To avoid excessive sheen in photographs, opt for slightly matte finishes. If you have oily skin, choose a matte-finish foundation, and if you have dry skin, choose a silky-matte foundation. Conceal blemishes with a color-matched concealer and add a lighter concealer under the eye for a brightening effect. Blend to perfection. Set your makeup with a light dusting of translucent powder.
For a flawless complexion, our pick would be Wanderlust Powder Foundation – a lightweight, buildable formula that blurs imperfections and gives a silky smooth finish.
<product>5,6</product>
Get that bridal glow
Even the most simple bridal makeup looks need a little glow, and that goes for both the bride and the bridesmaids’ makeup. Because everyone will be admiring you and the ladies you choose to stand beside you on this day, you’ll want that gorgeous glow-from-within look. For this, we recommend On-the-Glow Blush and Illuminator. The cream color delivers a natural flush to the cheeks, while the illuminator adds glow and dimension. Place it on the high points of your face and décolleté: cheekbones, bridge, tip of the nose, cupid's bow, and collar bones.<product>7</product>
Keep your essentials on hand
Finally, be sure to keep all your essentials nearby for touch-ups throughout the day. Ask one of your bridesmaids to keep a bag of travel-sized products with her and to stay close. From our Wandering Eyes Shadow Stick to our Mini Mascaras, Wander Beauty will be by your side to provide purse-friendly essentials so that your makeup remains flawless from ceremony to reception.
<product>8,9</product>Elevate every occasion with Wander Beauty
From everyday looks to special occasions, Wander Beauty provides a range of skin-loving makeup and skincare products to keep you gorgeous on the go. Our multitasking essentials are safe, clean, and effective. Plus, they're travel-friendly!
