Wedding Blog
I am overflowing with excitement today.
Not because it’s 2009, not because I’m getting married in six short months, and not because I’ve had three cups of coffee this morning.
No siree, I am thrilled beyond belief because I’ve finally found the perfect wedding-day makeup!
Take a gander at this:
Oh my gosh, I’m breathless! It’s perfect—glowing and radiant and angelic… all words that I would like to be used to describe me on the wedding day.
Now, this next part might be a tad bit scary. I’m… (wait for it)… doing my own wedding makeup.
Gah!
I am not the most talented person when it comes to makeup. In fact, I’m pretty terrible. My everyday look consists of mascara and Chapstick. But for some reason I feel strangely confident that I can pull this off.
I just need one recommendation from you all: what is the best mattifier that you’ve used? Something that keeps the oil fairy away with an arm of steel. My skin is very oily in the T-zone, and whenever I do wear makeup it seems to be totally gone after a few hours. I’d prefer for that not to happen on the wedding day, thank you very much.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Is anyone else doing their own wedding day makeup? Share your tips with the hive!
*Image Source
|
Share this post: Make Me Beautiful
My only tip would to be to practice several times before. and then to take pictures 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr etc so you can see how well it holds and at what points you may need touchups… it could actually come out better since you know what you want, you just need to “practice.” as my mother always says “practice makes perfect”
i’m doing my own makeup too. i’m not sure if this will be helpful for you, but there are tons of videos online. i googled “wedding day makeup” and clicked the video tab. there are tons of useful tips and demonstrations. they have been really helpful for me!
Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer. as the name indicates, you put it on before foundation/powder/etc. This keeps me un-shiney all day (and night!) and has the added bonus of making your skin look and feel silky-soft (and photographs well to boot!). FYI- another trick I use if I’m going out somewhere where pictures will be taken (like parties, etc.) is to take self-shots to see how my makeup looks in photos- sometimes it’s DREADFUL and has to be changed… just a hint so it’s bound to be the most photographed day of your life!
I use Clinque’s Pore Minimizer Refining Lotion in my t-zone to cut down on shine and also shrink my pores. http://www.clinique.com/templates/products/sp_nonshaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY4919&PRODUCT_ID=PROD868
I agree with the Smashbox photo-finish primer! Love it. Their eyeliner palette is pretty spectacular, too… And you’ll need some shimmer for the cheeks, and Chanticaille makes a lovely ‘Glimmer Stick’ that is beautiful in the summer, if you don’t have an option already. And practice & post the results!! 
I agree with laurajane.. Definitely smashbox! My talented girlfriend who did my makeup on wedding day suggested I buy this stuff, and it seriously is awesome! I don’t really wear any makeup on my face (just eyes) either, so I didn’t really want to fork out the $50 for the small bottle of primer.. However, if you go to Sephora, check out those tubs that they have located by the registers. They have travel sixed bottles for about $16, and it’s the perfect amount! I still have mine, and I got married in June! Good luck on your makeup!
Use Laura Mercier makeup. Go see Angela at Nordstrom on Mich Ave. She did my friend’s makeup for her wedding and it looked amazing. Laura is known for her “flawless face” and the foundation primer makes it stick all day. I am telling you no other makeup can compare (and trust me at the prices i try to find things that do!)
I’ll be doing my own make up-sorry no tips trying to figure it out myself yet
I wish I had the guts to do my own makeup. Unfortunately, I am often subject to visible makeup lines. Good luck
I don’t know if I’ll be doing my own makeup or not, but I like the tutorials and “how to get this look” pages from E.L.F. I’m makeup challenged myself (mascara and gloss at best!) as I like to look all-natural, but they have several extensive ‘how to’ pages on their site that have helped me from time to time.
Practice, practice!
I love the look you choose! Very pretty but natural. I’m sure it will look great on you.
While you are at Nordstrom on Michigan Ave. go see Chele (pronounced Shelley) at the Bobbi Brown counter. She is a little crazy (in a good way), but let me tell you… that woman can work magic. She makes you look like “you” but oh so much prettier.
I am doing my own makeup too! I use bare minerals and I *love* the look they give me! What about using some oil sheets after a few hours? That would take off the excess oil and not the makeup. Then you could touch up some if you wanted to.
oh, btw I really like the look you found!!
Philosophy makes a to-die-for mattifier, and a powder foundation to go with it.
Also, for that celebrity-like dewy glow, check out Benefit’s High Beam…i LOVE it! It works well on my fair skin without adding extra color. Swing by the Benefit store on Armitage for a quick test. The gals there are always ready to help!
Sorry, no tips for the makeup, but maybe you could go to a makeup counter where they’ll do your face for free with that picture. Have them slowly do the look with you and if you like the products they use then you can go back the next day after you see how their products held up. I know some places like Lancome, MAC, and others will actually do your makeup with a $50 purchase. I know you want to do your own makeup, but if you are going to have to spend that amount of money on product you can just put that money towards someone doing your makeup kinda for free since you keep the expensive makeup.
I agree one hundred percent with the bare minerals make up line. I did my sister’s make up for her wedding with it and it stayed all day!
After years of wearing stage make up under hot lights, I’m also sticking with the smashbox foundation primer.
Many makeup counters will teach you how to do your makeup if you buy their products. I would find the best product for you and shop around a little for someone who looks like they know how to apply. Good luck! I love your inspiration picture.
Laura Mercier! Laura Mercier! Laura Mercier! In my opinion, her makeup is the only way to go. Make an appointment with one of her makeup artists, have them show you exactly what to do to achieve the look you want, and purchase the products you need (you may find that you only NEED to buy one or two to get the look). Her products are a bit expensive but so worth it and you are saving money by doing the makeup yourself. Plus this isn’t something you want to skimp on!
I am a fan of bare minerals, but I am getting mine done as well. Years back when I was also on stage (Miss America state pageants), I used a pro makeup artist and one thing she told me is that there has to be definition of the lips. I love the look you chose, but I feel that there needs to be some emphasis on the lips..no need for super dark lips, just get some feedback on this from a makeup artist. You want them to be seen but still keep with your lovely glowing look.
Btw, the look you chose really emphasizes bone structure.
I also agree with the other posters about makeup primer before any base product is applied.
Thanks for the input everyone! I’ll definitely be trying the Smashbox primer- it sounds perfect for the look I’m going for!
I’ll definitely post pics when I get around to trying it out!
I did my own makeup and wrote a post on what I used. Don’t try too hard to look like the above photo, though… it’s pretty airbrushed. 
Try out the Laura Mercier & Bobbi Brown counters. One of my bridesmaids did her own makeup for her wedding in September and we ambushed the Bobbi Brown counter at Nordstrom for a trial run and tips. You can do it!!
I’m with everyone with the Smashbox photo finish, but in ADDITION to that, I’d suggest this item:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P9890&cm_mmc=us_partners-_-YahooShop-_-P9890-_-443283&srccode=cii_1038957&cpncode=24-16784294-2
If you put this on your t-zone, it will suck out all the oil! I would even put it on your groom!
Also, if you’re nervous about doing your own makeup, I’d also recommend going behind the counter (before the wedding) and sticking it out by buying 1-2 of their products. Then get the name of the person who did you (if you liked it) and make another appointment with them again for your wedding day. This would be cheaper than going to a full on makeup person and you probably would have to pay much less!
Oh and another thing… to get that beautiful glow, you’ll need to buff and exfoliate your skin like crazy! Beautiful skin is the hidden secret in great makeup… If the canvas is bad, then the paint will not go on smoothly. I suggest a facial if you can get one. (Of course, not RIGHT before your wedding) Hope it works out!
Yes. Exfoliate. Use Kate somerville “Exfolikate” the night before or morning of. This is a great way to achieve a glow beneath your make-up and the greenish formula eliminates any redness… really evens out the skin tone. It is a pretty pricey product… haha but if you go to the department store and get several samples, you’ll be stocked up for the big day. Try Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, or Neiman Marcus. No need to spend money, they’ll make you a sample or two for free!
Also to get those incredible cheekbones, you must put a highlighting lotion or a lighter foundation above your cheeks at the highest point beneath your eyes and outwards toward temples. Sort of difficult to explain through text but ask a professional like at Mac or anywhere, they will explain how to maximize the look of high cheekbones!
Good luck. I’m sure you’ll be glowing!
I am doing my own makeup. I had a trial with a makeup artist and she did my makeup scarily heavy and insisted that it was more important how I looked for the photo’s than in person. I did not agree because I want to be pretty and feel myself that day! The two favorite long lasting products that I recommend are Clinique Superfit foundation and Covergirl Lash Blast waterproof mascara. Good luck!
Smashbox also makes an illuminating primer that is the photofinish + slight shimmer, which is perfect for the dewey glow that mischa’s got going on in your pic. laura mercier also has a great illuminating tinted moisturizer that will give you a bit more coverage if you need it.
I did my own makeup, and it went pretty well (even though I got home from the hair salon an hour late and my family was already wandering around my tiny apartment where I got ready).
I’m glad I did it. I never like how I look when other people do my makeup. They always make it so heavy, and that just isn’t necessary (no matter what anyone says). I look the best I ever have both in our outdoor, full daylight shots and in the pictures from the reception in a dim nightclub. I’m fair like you, and I think that makes a difference–a light touch goes a long way.
Can’t wait to see pics of you with those glowing cheeks! You’ve found a great “blushing bride” look.
I echo all the recommendations for the Smashbox primer. I actually started using it every day about a month ago and my skin has never looked better! I’d also suggest that if you are interested in Smashbox, you absolutely stop by the Smashbox counter at the Macy’s on State Street. I have a complexion that looks similar to yours and Kate was great. Instead of using the clear primer, she suggested that I use the green to even out some of the redness in my skin. I never would have thought of that. She’s really nice too (much better than some of the MAC or Clinique people I’ve encountered there). I’d go, get her advice on tips/tricks and then absolutely order any of the products you like on Sephora or drugstore.com to make it more affordable. Good luck! Thanks for all the Chicago bride tips!
When you find a blush that looks like that, please post the product! I am also doing my own make up and have a skin tone similar to yours.
I agree with people about smashbox photo primer. I also love bobbi brown concealer.
| Visit our sister sites | Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Fertile Thoughts Infertility Support |
Mrs. Powder Puff, Chicago
Age and Occupation: 25, Preschool Teacher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Career Services
Engagement Date: May, 2008
Wedding Date: July, 2009
Blogging Since: November 12, 2008
Venue: Outdoor ceremony, banquet hall reception
About Me: I am your typical Midwestern girl attempting to plan a sane, budget-friendly, fun wedding to the man of my dreams. I love shoes, laughing at “Platinum Weddings”, crafts, inspiration boards, candy, and basically anything I can DIY. While weddings can certainly be all-consuming, I honestly can’t wait until the ceremony is over and I can finally call Mr. Powder Puff my husband!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Latest Gallery Pics