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Applying your makeup correctly will help you to look your best on your special day.
Even if you are fortunate enough to have flawless skin, makeup applied properly can highlight your natural assets.
The factor which most influences the way your makeup appears is light. Your objective is to consider the light in which you will be seen and apply makeup accordingly. In other words, keep in mind when you purchase and apply your makeup, that you will appear differently in bright sunlight than you will under artificial light and that all the products you apply to your face will to some degree reflect light and it's up to you to use that reflection to your best advantage.
Begin by thoroughly moisturizing your face then put your attention to concealer. Many a makeup artist has insisted that concealer is the most versatile, most important makeup tool. Use a light shade under your eyes and to lighten your forehead or chin area, if necessary.
Then, for the smoothest and most natural look, choose a water-based foundation in a tone that most closely matches your natural skin. A good guideline to follow with tone is that your foundation should be one shade darker than your concealer color. Choose a foundation color two shades darker than your concealer to even out the lightest areas of your skin. The only exception to the use of foundation is for the bride who has a sun tan, which becomes her allover foundation color. Use a very slightly dampened "triangle" sponge to ensure a smooth and even application and to blend or cover pigmentation irregularities. Be especially careful to be gentle and not pull the skin, especially near the sensitive areas around your eyes. Don't skimp. To achieve the most natural look, make sure that you apply your makeup to the edge of your hairline and below your jaw line. Oil-free foundation, lightly applied, will give you the matte (not shiny) look you're trying to achieve.
Choose a translucent powder with a bit of a shimmer to "finish," and you'll succeed in adding a bit of a glow to your face while avoiding a shine. Use a large, soft brush or a clean powder puff. Touch up with more powder during the day or evening, as needed.
Kissable Lips
To avoid chapping, you may soften your lips with some lip balm. Watch out for those that contain menthol, because they may cause a blotchy look. Remove leftovers with a tissue.
Use a lip pencil to carefully outline your mouth and then fill in your lips with the same color lipstick. For fuller lips, use a lighter shade. Of course, the colors you choose should complement your skin tone, the other makeup colors you are using, and whatever you'll be wearing.
Follow this simple trick to keep your lipstick long-lasting. Line and fill your lips with a pencil. Then apply your lipstick. Hold one-ply a tissue over your lips and dust them with face powder. Apply lipstick again to achieve a fixed matte look. If you're using lip gloss, apply it only to the center of your lips.
Pink Apple Cheeks
The choice of a blusher allows a wide palette and a bride may choose from almost anywhere in the spectrum, bright, pale, shiny or glittery tones, just as long as she makes sure to avoid really pale colors which tend to "disappear." Texture is also important. Shimmery finishes, especially pearly shades, are more subtle than frosty colors (which tend to flatten out your features in photographs) and are especially lovely because they attract light. Brides with dark complextions should avoid bright tones, which contrast unpleasantly with skin tone and may create patchy-looking results.
Bright Eyes and their Eyebrow "Frames"
Use just a bit of foundation and translucent powder on your lower lid. Use a short, angular brush to apply a light "line" of charcoal brown eye shadow into the socket line. This will give your eyes a smoky appearance. If you like, experiment with other perspective-creating colors like greys and deep purples. A little moisturizer on your lid will help you to apply the shadow smoothly.
Next comes the Eye Liner
Rest your elbow on a solid surface like a table and keep your hand as steady as possible (yes, this takes practice). Felt tip pen style liners will help to achieve the cleanest looking line.
. . . and then, Mascara
To avoid runny mascara, use a waterproof or water resistant formula. Apply mascara more heavily at the roots and only lightly at the tips of your lashes. Coat the upper lashes on both sides first. Wait for the mascara to dry, and then while looking up, brush the lower lashes. If the mascara clump, an eyebrow brush, with an eyebrow "comb" on one side, will help to separate the lashed.
Eyebrows, Your Eye Frames
Use a pencil as close to or a bit darker than your natural brow color. The key is to emphasize the eyebrow arch and the end of the brow with light strokes that look like natural hair. Fill any gaps with an eye shadow of a similar color. Powdered eyebrow "pencils" work even better for brows which are sparse.
In general, there are several really important things to remember when it comes to the application of makeup:
1. Experiment with color and application as many times before your wedding day as possible. Once you're comfortable with the colors you have chosen and are at ease with applying the products, you can sit back, relax and wait for the big day.
2. Take advantage if the services of cosmetics' representatives at your local department store. They are professionals and it's their job is to make you look your best in the makeup they represent. You can make an appointment (or several) to have a "makeover" and actually try before you buy.
3. Consider the possibility of hiring a professional makeup artist to apply your makeup on your wedding day. It's a really nice gift to yourself!
4. Make certain that the cosmetics you are using are fresh. Cosmetics which are past due are not only more difficult to apply, but may also cause infections.
5. Last, but not least, remember that your makeup is just a way of augmenting the natural glow and radiance that you will have on your wedding day. Make the process fun. Relax and have a good time!