Wedding Blog

The week before I took my engagement pictures, all of the sudden I started worrying about my makeup. On a daily basis my makeup is pretty natural, and knowing that I was going to be taking pictures, I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t want to look washed out, shiny, or so made-up that it wasn’t me. Hiring someone to do it for me was out of budget, and I didn’t want to take my chances at a random makeup counter at the mall.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving Weddingbee PRO and all the vendor tips and insights. Laura Nadeau has been one of my favorites, as I’ve been slowly accumulating a product wish list from all of her incredible posts. Well, since Laura is in New York and I’m in California, it wasn’t exactly a possibility to have her do my makeup or for me to visit her studio. So, I instead left a comment on one of her posts asking for tips, and she replied with an email asking for a picture, what I wear daily, and the look I wanted to achieve. I was thrilled when she sent me the email, and immediately sent her a breakdown of all the information. Check out her post here to see what my email said.

A few days later I opened my inbox and found an email from Lo, also posted on her blog, telling me step by step what to buy, what to do, and some general tips.

Miss Duckling,

You are a beautiful woman and I think that with a few changes in your makeup routine we can easily make you even more photogenic! If you think of your makeup like your wardrobe, then I would say you have all of the classics. Now, we’ll just fine-tune it with the proper accessories, and I’ll show you how to dress up your look!

1. I love tinted moisturizer, but it disappears quickly. I recommend buying the Laura Mercier oil-free foundation (unless you have dry skin) which will give you light coverage and will last longer. It can be more economical as well, because you have the option to simply mix it with an inexpensive face moisturizer. Voila, you have made your own tinted moisturizer, and have the option for more coverage if you like. Always set it with a loose powder (I love Laura Mercier’s translucent loose powder) as this will add longevity, fight shine, and create an even canvas for blush and bronzer.
2. Please don’t put shimmer under your cheekbone. It is a highlight, and works best on your cheekbone. Please watch my shimmer video! Bronzer can be used on and under your cheekbones for contour and warmth. Then add a “pop” color of blush on the apples of your cheeks.
3. Peachykeen blush is a great blush that you can apply on and under your cheekbones, but I suggest that you also add a bright “pop” color on your apples. A peachy pink blush (Bobbi Brown Nectar) would be perfect for you. Don’t do a pop color if you blush easily, or turn red due to rosacea.
4. I prefer crème shimmers over powder for the cheek. I use Nars Multiple Stick in Orgasm on everyone.
5. Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown make great creamy under eye concealers. I apply this after eye makeup to avoid having to clean up shadow that has fallen.
6. M.A.C. Fluidline liner and Shroom shadow are great for you. I would add M.A.C. Nehru to your “wardrobe”. I can tell that you like to wear blue, and this is a great contrast to your blue eyes. You can wet Nehru and use it as eyeliner, and then smudge it up for a smoky look. To “dress up” your look, just do a slightly thicker line, and you can use a M.A.C. eye shadow like Print, Shale, or Sumptuous Olive to smudge into the liner for a smoky look. You don’t have to do a full out smoky eye – that can be difficult. Just smoke up the liner and blend, blend, blend into your shadow! The bottom line should never be darker or more prominent than the eyeliner on top of your lid. The focus should be drawn to the top of your eye, not the bottom.
7. Use waterproof mascara. M.A.C.’s is good, and I also really like Maybelline Define-a-Lash in black.
8. M.A.C. lipstick in Twig could be a great neutral color for you, and you can top with a little bit of sheer gloss in the center of your lip for a little moisture. I recommend this for outside photos, as wind blows hair into gloss.
9. To avoid the eye shadow creasing, I recommend eye shadow primers (which you are already using) and then I’d apply a neutral shadow color on top of it to set it. Shroom is good, but it is also great to have something without shimmer. For more longevity, use a matte shadow first then add shimmer shadow like the shimmer brick as a final touch on top. Shimmer bricks are very light and sheer and won’t last as long as other shadows.
10. Makeup does fade with time, but the best way to slow the process is to build a look using light layers. Whether on your eyes, face, or lips remember the following steps: prime, add neutral color, add desired color, and add shimmer if desired.

Makeup for the camera:

1. Apply more coverage for your skin, especially under your eyes and any pink or uneven areas. Carry a powder compact and powder your t-zone as you get shiny.
   
2. Apply heavier blush, which will add dimension and much needed color when shooting with a flash
   
3. Apply thicker eyeliner. Leave it as a clean line, or smudge the line out for a smoky look.
   
4. Fill in eyebrows to accentuate the shape.

Good luck, and let me know how it goes!!

xoxo,
Lo

Here is a picture that I took with all the make-up options on the counter. I didn’t actually use all those products, but I wanted to be prepared. Do you see my computer in the background? I had Lo’s email up the whole time!

Isn’t she amazing?? I was so thankful for all of her help. I went to the mall and bought the products. My new favorites are the Multiple Stick in Orgasm from NARS, and the Laura Mercier concealer. I bought an Undercover Pot Trio that comes with a spot concealer, under the eye, and translucent powder. Since I was in the need of all three, it was a great deal.

Source

Source

If you get a chance, read her tips and watch her video on shimmer. I thought it was really helpful.

As for the actual follow-through of all her tips, my makeup application went really well. I probably could have done a little darker smoky eye, but I was more conservative than necessary. Next time I think I’ll be braver and more liberal with the application. However, I was really pleased with how the foundation, blush, etc. worked to make me not look washed out or shiny. The only downside was that there was a fair amount of time between the time I did my make-up and when we actually took the pictures, due to driving to LA and some other complications. I was glad (as was Mr. Ducky, who doesn’t like a lot of makeup) that I still looked like myself, but just enhanced enough so that I could be me on camera.

Unfortunately I took some pictures myself and they just did not turn out well (blurry), so you can’t even see the makeup. I’m super bummed because I took some close-ups but I don’t think I was steady enough taking the pictures. Here is what I have, but keep in mind that it looked better than these pictures, and I actually added more shadow later. I’ll be better next time, I promise!

Be on the look out for my engagement pictures recap soon!!!

Are you doing your own makeup for the wedding or engagement pictures? What’s the one long-lasting product you can’t live without?