Avoid your wedding makeup mistakes, by checking out the expert advice below.
1. Mistake: Not doing a trial run
A practice test will allow you to decide if the makeup artist is right for you. “There are so many factors that influence your choice of a makeup artist, from their personality to their aesthetic to their ability to execute the type of makeup you desire,” says Glamsquad artistic director Kelli J. Bartlett. “A road test ensures you find the right match.”
2. Mistake: Wearing dramatic makeup when you normally don’t
Your wedding day is not the time for your makeup artist to experiment with a bold new look, especially if you typically don’t wear much makeup. “You can take your makeup up a step, but keep it in tune with how you usually do your makeup, so you look like you on your wedding day, not someone people won’t recognize!” says celebrity makeup artist Molly Greenwald.
3. Mistake: Using too much blush
Some makeup artists take the expression “blushing bride” to a whole other level. “You want the bride to look radiant, but it’s important to keep in mind she’ll most likely be nervous and create her own natural flush,” says makeup artist Ricky Wilson, who is on the Dior International Pro Team. “I always start with a decent amount of blush on the cheeks, then take the foundation brush I just used that contains a bit of leftover foundation, and go over the blush to tone things down.”
4. Mistake: Not using a finishing powder
“A makeup artist should always use a finishing/mattifying powder to set the makeup. Without it, your makeup could separate and fade quickly throughout the day,” says makeup artist Laura Geller. “Plus, camera lights can make your skin look shiny—a mattifying powder will help control this.”
5. Mistake: Experimenting with new products
“Your makeup artist should never introduce a new product to your face on your wedding day,” says Greenwald. “Or you’ll risk a skin reaction, including redness and rashes. Do a practice run with all the products you intend to use at least a week or two in advance.”
6. Mistake: Choosing products that won’t last
A wedding is usually an emotional all-day, into-the-night, event. “The last thing you should be thinking about is fixing your makeup after crying during the ceremony or dancing all night,” says Maybelline New York US Brand Ambassador, Jenna Kristina. “Choose long-wearing products to minimize touch-ups, and always wear a smudge-proof, waterproof mascara containing water-repelling silicones, even if you don’t normally wear waterproof mascara.”
7. Mistake: Using too much foundation
Before the digital revolution, brides were often heavy-handed when it came to foundation application so their skin looked flawless in pictures. “But with today’s advanced technology, a less is more approach translates better in photographs,” says Wilson. “Try using a lightweight, long-wearing, foundation for a natural look.”
8. Mistake: Ignoring the backdrop
“If a bride is getting married barefoot on the beach at 2 p.m., her makeup artist shouldn’t be doing a black, smoky eye with a burgundy lipstick. If the ceremony is black tie and takes place in a castle, the bride shouldn’t look like she’s getting hitched in a garden,” says Wilson.
9. Mistake: Forgetting ears and chest
“The emotions of the day can have an effect on the skin, resulting in a red chest and ears, not a good look on your wedding day,” notes Chanel makeup artist, Fulvia Farolfi. “After your hair is done, apply a skin-matching concealer to your ears, and a light layer of foundation containing a touch of shimmer to your chest, using a foundation brush. Blend well, then fix with a setting spray so you don’t get your gown messy.”
10. Mistake: Applying false lashes
Think twice if your makeup artist pushes false lashes. “They’re often a mistake, especially if the bride is not used to them,” says Gafni. “Lashes can be cumbersome, uncomfortable, and may come undone during the wedding. Opt instead for lash extensions or a killer mascara.” Celebrity makeup artist Rae Morris agrees, “Overextended lashes can cause undereye shadows if the bride wears them during an outdoor, midday wedding.”
11. Mistake: Suggesting a fake tan
Sometimes a makeup artist will advise their client to get a spray tan on their face a few days before the wedding. “Not a good idea,” says Morris, “The face will never match the body and look completely unnatural.”
12. Mistake: Not using age appropriate makeup
“When you’re dealing with a mature bride, for example, it’s important to keep the glitter and the extra glowy luminizers to an absolute minimum,” says Morris. “If fine lines are a concern, steer clear of anything metallic or shimmery as it will only enhance wrinkles.”
13. Mistake: Not asking enough questions
Yes, you want your makeup artist to ask a lot of questions. “The more conversation and sharing, the better,” says Raffaele Tatem. “For example, ‘How do you normally wear your makeup?’ or ‘Do you prefer lipstick or lip gloss?’ or ‘How do you usually fill in your brows?’ These simple questions will help you get the results you want.”
