HOW TO DO MAKEUP FOR BRIDE: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO DIY WEDDING MAKEUP

A wedding day is a moment people daydream about and meticulously plan well in advance before meeting the person they will eventually marry. When the moment finally arrives, numerous aspects need careful consideration and execution, including selecting the ideal make up for bride. This process involves various steps, such as preparing the skin for a radiant appearance, deciding on the makeup artist, and scheduling time for a trial-run application (or two). It also entails mastering the art of applying makeup that complements the desired look for the bride on her wedding day.

DO A RESEARCH

The internet is brimming with beauty inspiration for your wedding day. If you’re uncertain about the kind of look you want, initiate some research. Explore your favorite celebrity’s latest red carpet appearances through a search engine or visit a professional makeup artist’s Instagram page to peruse photos of their clients.

You can also turn to TikTok or YouTube for comprehensive tutorials that you can recreate. Kim suggests identifying someone with similar facial features for a more personalized guide. Following makeup trends that don’t compliment your face may result in an awkward appearance. Don’t replicate a look just because it’s trending online. Instead, ensure that you genuinely like the chosen style.

CONSIDER YOUR THEME

Your final appearance will be significantly shaped by your overall aesthetic. Prior to applying your makeup, it’s crucial to decide whether a natural, sun-kissed glow, or a blend of both aligns better with you and your event. Taking into account your color scheme, floral decorations, venue, and ambiance. Aligning your makeup with the overarching theme enhances the harmonious and elegant atmosphere of your wedding day.

DETERMINE THE RIGHT SHADES

To achieve a smoother end result, it’s essential to determine which color will best complement your skin tone, whether it’s a warm bronze tone or a cool blue tone. Attention should be paid to the importance of finding the right shade for your skin, suggesting the possibility of mixing different shades to create the perfect combination. Instead of relying on guesswork, consider seeking advice from a professional who can determine the color that best suits your skin tone.

STAY OUT OF THE SUN

In the countdown to your wedding day, one crucial piece of beauty advice is to stay out of the sun. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to skin damage, including sunburn, premature aging, and uneven skin tones, all of which might affect your desired wedding day look. To maintain a radiant and flawless complexion, it’s advisable to minimize sun exposure in the weeks leading up to the big day. Consider using sunscreen with a high SPF, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade whenever possible. By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your skin looks its best and remains picture-perfect for your wedding, allowing you to confidently showcase your natural beauty on this special occasion.

PRACTICE MAKEUP FREQUENTLY

In the buildup to your wedding, one valuable beauty tip is to practice your makeup frequently. Regularly experimenting with different looks allows you to refine and perfect the ideal style that enhances your features and complements your wedding theme. Schedule trial runs to familiarize yourself with the application process, ensuring that your chosen makeup look not only suits your preferences but also stands up to the demands of the long-awaited day.

Frequent practice not only builds your confidence in achieving the desired outcome but also enables you to identify any potential challenges and address them well in advance. With each practice session, you’ll gain valuable insights into the products and techniques that work best for you, ensuring that you step into your wedding day with the expertise to create a stunning and long-lasting makeup look.

BOOK A VIRTUAL APPOINTMENT

In the modern landscape of wedding preparations, booking a virtual appointment has become an invaluable step, especially in the era of convenience and technology. Prior to your wedding, consider scheduling virtual appointments with key vendors, such as your wedding planner, photographer, or even beauty professionals. These virtual consultations provide a convenient and efficient way to discuss details, share ideas, and make crucial decisions without the need for in-person meetings. 

Whether it’s finalizing the event timeline, reviewing photography preferences, or discussing your desired bridal look, virtual appointments allow for seamless communication from the comfort of your own space. Embracing this digital approach not only streamlines the planning process but also accommodates busy schedules, ensuring that every detail is meticulously addressed, and your vision for the perfect wedding day is brought to life.

PREP YOUR SKIN

On your wedding day, stick with your tried-and-true skincare routine! A clean, familiar canvas is key to achieving natural, beautiful makeup. Skip experimenting with new products and simply cleanse, moisturize (lightly!), and gently exfoliate (if you normally do). Leave any blemishes alone unless you have a trusted spot treatment, and you’re all set for a picture-perfect complexion.

CHOOSE FAMILIAR PRODUCT

When it comes to your wedding day, selecting familiar makeup products is key. The familiarity of these products offers a sense of comfort and confidence since you already know how they perform on your skin. Opting for tried-and-true makeup items ensures that you avoid any potential surprises or adverse reactions that could occur from experimenting with new products. By sticking with the cosmetics you are familiar with, you can trust that they will provide the desired results and enhance your natural beauty. It’s essential to feel at ease and radiate confidence on your special day, and relying on familiar makeup products plays a significant role in achieving that peace of mind.

HOW TO DIY YOUR OWN BRIDAL MAKEUP

STEP 1: PREP YOUR SKIN

Whether you’re applying your makeup on your own or relying on a professional, on your wedding day, start by washing your face and applying a light moisturizer. Stick to your regular skincare routine; now is not the moment for drastic changes. If you usually exfoliate, choose a gentle exfoliating cleanser instead of a harsh scrub. Address any blemishes by lightly dabbing on an appropriate product like Visine, but avoid unnecessary interventions. The goal is to have a clean and soft canvas, providing the perfect base for achieving naturally beautiful skin with your makeup.

Consider your skin’s undertones, whether they lean towards cool or warm, when selecting colors that both match and complement. To identify your undertone, try a simple trick. Place a piece of silver and a piece of gold jewelry on the back of your hand. If the gold appears to blend seamlessly, you likely have warm undertones. Conversely, if the silver seems to harmonize better, you probably have cool undertones.

STEP 2: KNOW THAT PRIMER IS REQUIRED

From the moment you start applying your makeup until you bid farewell to your guests, a multitude of events will unfold. To make sure your makeup withstands the ceremony, dancing, tears, and toasts, consider incorporating a primer into your routine. While occasional touch-ups may still be necessary, they will be significantly reduced. Moreover, a primer serves to even out fine lines, and wrinkles, and conceal open pores. Apply a small amount after moisturizing, but before your foundation, ensuring even coverage across your face and eyelids. This sets the stage for a flawless base for all that follows.

STEP 3: APPLY FOUNDATION

For those with a cool undertone, seek out foundations with a rosier, redder, or blue base. If your undertone leans warm, opt for a foundation with a yellow or golden base. To verify if the shade is suitable, apply a small amount on the center of your lower jawline using a Q-tip. If it seamlessly blends in, you’ve found the right match.

Apply your foundation in thin layers, starting from the center of your face and blending outward with a foundation brush. Ensure a seamless finish, paying particular attention to blending beneath your jaw and along your neck to avoid visible lines. Avoid caking on the foundation, as it can give an overdone appearance and may lead to smearing or streaking.

STEP 4: ADD CONCEALER 

Applying concealer before the foundation can lead to much of it rubbing away during the foundation blending process. To address red areas or dark circles, use a concealer brush to apply a liquid concealer, matching your skin tone or going one shade lighter, to problematic areas. Dot the concealer and gently pat the brush against your skin to spread it. If needed, use a makeup sponge dampened with water to blend the concealer further.

For concealing blemishes, start by applying foundation, followed by concealer, and set it with powder. If the blemish is still visible, add more concealer and powder. Ensure you pat the concealer onto the blemish rather than rubbing to achieve a seamless finish.

STEP 5: APPLY HIGHLIGHTER

Highlighter might not be a staple in everyone’s makeup collection, but its purpose is to enhance specific facial features, making eyes appear larger and adding a radiant, youthful dewy look. However, using too much or a formulation with sparkle or glitter can lead to photo disasters, so apply it with a light touch. Highlighters are available in both liquid and powder forms.

When using a liquid highlighter, apply it with a brush after your foundation, forming a check mark shape. Begin near your inner eye, angle down toward your nostril, and then move up your cheekbone, blending toward your temple. Repeat the process above your brows, down the center of your nose, on the center of your forehead, and on your chin.

For powder highlighter, apply it after powdering and brush it under your brows, lightly in the corner of your eyes, and on the tops of your cheekbones. Avoid using powder highlighter under your eyes or over your mouth to prevent a sweaty appearance in photos.

STEP 6: SET YOUR BASE

Now, you face a decision. You can either opt for a cream blush instead of a powder blush or set your base with powder. If you choose the latter, begin by using a translucent powder to set your base and manage any shine. When it comes to powder, remember that less is more; aim for a luminous look rather than a heavy one. With a medium-sized brush, lightly dust over your forehead, the sides of your nose, and on your chin.

Following this, apply a powder bronzer that’s a shade or two darker than your foundation. Brush it in the shape of a 3 on both sides of your face. Begin at your hairline, move down the side of your face, then under your cheekbone, back to the side of your face, and finally below your jaw.

Keep pressed powder handy for those moments when certain areas shine and need a quick dab before a photo or while in the restroom.

STEP 7: BRING COLOR TO YOUR EYES

Wedding experts typically advise against a heavily dramatic eye, suggesting instead the use of eyeliners in shades other than black, along with paler or muted eye shadows that complement your eye color. Highlighters can also be applied to create the illusion of larger eyes. Experiment with brown, grey, and green eyeliners, applying them to both your upper and lower eyelids to enhance your eyes. For a longer-lasting effect, use a cream eye shadow on your eyelids, reserving powder for the crease of your eye. Apply a powder highlighter in the corners of your eyes and under your brow.

Consider the following color recommendations based on your eye color: bronze shades for green eyes, mocha for hazel eyes, navy and dark brown for blue eyes, and purples and grays for brown eyes. If you want to line your eyes with eye shadow, dampen an eyeliner brush with water and brush it into the eye shadow for a defined look.

STEP 8: ADD MASCARA

Given that tears are likely, it’s essential to use waterproof mascara for your wedding day. If you’re not accustomed to wearing false eyelashes regularly, your wedding day is not the ideal time to start. Instead, ensure you have a reliable eyelash curler, a volumizing mascara, and a lengthening mascara. Prior to applying mascara, curl your lashes for added lift. When applying mascara, begin at the root of your eyelashes and wiggle the wand from side to side as you move up to the top. Opt for black mascara, as it complements everyone.

Complete your eye makeup by framing your face with a brow powder slightly darker than your natural color. Brush it along the natural line of your eyebrows, working outward toward the end of your eyes. This final touch will enhance your overall look on your special day.

STEP 9: CREAT LIPS

Much like your facial skin, well-moisturized lips are crucial before applying makeup to prevent dryness or cracks that may emphasize lines once color is added. To achieve this, use a lip hydrator, allowing it to absorb for a couple of minutes before applying color. Select a shade that complements your blush and consider the following tips. While many lipsticks claim lasting hours, opting for a lip stain is a more reliable choice on your wedding day.

For fair skin with cool undertones, consider nude, light mocha, and light mauve. If you have warm undertones, explore sand, nude peach, or shell, steering clear of bright pinks, dark bronzes, and deep mochas. If your skin tone is medium with cool undertones, opt for rosy pink, pomegranate, or cranberry; for warm undertones, go with bronze, copper, and cinnamon, avoiding nudes. Deep skin with cool undertones can experiment with raisin, wine, or ruby red, while warm undertones may prefer honey, ginger, or a coppery bronze, avoiding shades close to orange.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, mastering the art of bridal makeup involves careful consideration and skill. These 8 tips provide valuable insights to help you become the most beautiful bride on your special day. Remember, when it comes to achieving a flawless finish, exploring techniques like air brush make up can elevate your bridal look to new heights. With attention to detail and a touch of creativity, you’re sure to radiate confidence and beauty as you walk down the aisle on your unforgettable day.

how to contour face: Makeup Artist tutorial

If you’re looking for a way to enhance your facial features and achieve a more defined look, then contouring is the answer. Contouring is a makeup technique that involves using darker and lighter shades to create shadow and highlight areas of your face. 

Read on to discover a step-by-step guide on how to contour your face and how tailor contour technique for your unique face shape.

What is Contouring?

Contouring is a makeup technique that has been around for decades. It involves using different shades of makeup to sculpt and define your facial features. By applying darker shades in the areas you want to recede, and lighter shades in the areas you want to emphasize, you can create the illusion of a slimmer nose, higher cheekbones, and a more defined jawline.

What’s the Difference Between Contouring and Bronzing?

Contouring and bronzing are both makeup techniques that enhance the structure and dimension of the face, but they serve distinct purposes and use different shades and placements. Contouring primarily focuses on creating shadows to define and sculpt the facial features. It typically involves using a matte, cool-toned product, often in a shade a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, to mimic the appearance of shadows in areas like the hollows of the cheeks, along the jawline, and on the sides of the nose. The goal is to create the illusion of more chiseled and defined features, making areas recede and appear slimmer.

On the other hand, bronzing is all about adding warmth and a sun-kissed glow to the face. It uses a warm-toned, matte or slightly shimmery product that’s often only a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone. Bronzer is typically applied to areas where the sun would naturally hit your face, such as the high points of the cheeks, the forehead, and the nose bridge. The aim is to create a healthy, radiant complexion and to mimic the effects of a sun-touched complexion. Unlike contouring, bronzing doesn’t aim to create shadows or alter the shape of your features but rather to add a healthy flush of color and warmth to your skin.

What You Need to Contour Your Face

  • Foundation
  • Concealer
  • Contour powder or cream
  • Highlighter
  • Blush
  • Angled brush
  • Beauty blender or makeup sponge
  • Powder brush

Here are some comparisons to help you choose the right products:

  • Powder vs. Cream: Powder contour is easier to use and blend, while cream contour provides a more natural finish and better coverage.
  • Angled Brush vs. Beauty Blender: An angled brush is great for precise application, while a beauty blender or makeup sponge is ideal for blending and creating a seamless finish.
  • Matte vs. Shimmer Highlighter: A matte highlighter creates a more natural look, while a shimmer highlighter adds a dewy finish and extra glow.

How to Contour Your Face

Step 1: Prepare Your Skin

Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply your regular foundation or concealer to create a smooth base. This will even out your skin tone and provide a canvas for your contour and highlight.

Step 2: Choose the Right Contour Product

Select a contour product that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. It should have a matte finish and cool undertones. Contour products come in various forms, including cream, powder, and stick. Choose one that suits your preferences and skill level.

Step 3: Identify the Contour Areas

Determine the areas of your face you want to contour. The most common areas include:

  • Under the cheekbones: To create the illusion of higher cheekbones and a slimmer face.
  • Along the jawline: To define the jaw and create a more sculpted look.
  • Along the sides of the nose: To make the nose appear narrower.
  • Along the hairline: To add dimension and warmth to the forehead.
  • Under the chin: To minimize the appearance of a double chin.

Step 4: Apply the Contour

Using your chosen contour product, apply it to the areas you identified in step 3. Use a contour brush or a makeup sponge for precision. Apply the product sparingly at first; you can always add more if needed. Blend the contour into your skin using gentle strokes or circular motions. Make sure there are no harsh lines, and blend thoroughly for a natural look.

Step 5: Highlight

Now, it’s time to highlight the areas you want to bring forward. Use a highlighter that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. Common highlight areas include:

  • The tops of your cheekbones
  • The bridge of your nose
  • Your brow bone
  • The inner corners of your eyes
  • Your cupid’s bow (the area above your upper lip)
  • Apply the highlighter with a brush or sponge and blend it well. This will create contrast and make the contoured areas stand out more.

Step 6: Set with Powder

To ensure your contour and highlight stay in place, set your makeup with a translucent setting powder. Use a fluffy brush to apply the powder lightly over your entire face.

Step 7: Finish with Setting Spray (Optional)

For a long-lasting finish, you can use a setting spray to lock your makeup in place

Contouring Different face shapes

Oval Face

Contour: Apply contour shade along the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to add dimension.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and chin for a balanced look.

Round Face

Contour: Apply contour along the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to create angles and definition.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to draw attention away from the roundness.

Square Face

Contour: Focus on softening the angles by applying contour to the sides of the jawline, along the hairline, and under the cheekbones.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to balance the strong jawline.

Heart-Shaped Face

Contour: Apply contour along the hairline, under the cheekbones, and slightly along the jawline to balance the wider forehead.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to enhance the lower half of the face.

Long or Oblong Face

Contour: Apply contour along the hairline, under the cheekbones, and at the chin to create the illusion of a shorter face.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to add width to the face.

Diamond Face

Contour: Focus on softening the angles by applying contour to the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to balance the face’s angular features.

Triangle Face (Pear-Shaped)

Contour: Apply contour along the sides of the forehead, under the cheekbones, and along the jawline to balance the wider jaw.

Highlight: Highlight the center of the forehead, tops of cheekbones, and chin to draw attention away from the jaw.

Tips for perfect contouring

  • Choose the right shade of contour: It’s important to choose a shade that’s a few shades darker than your skin tone for a natural-looking effect.
  • Blend, blend, blend: Blending is the key to achieving a seamless and natural look.
  • Don’t overdo it: Less is more when it comes to contouring. Start with a little product and build up slowly until you achieve the desired effect.
  • Practice makes perfect: Contouring takes practice, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time.

FAQs

  1. Can I contour for everyday makeup? Yes, contouring can be adapted for everyday makeup, but the intensity can be adjusted. For a more natural look, use a lighter hand and subtle shades.
  1. Do I need to contour and highlight every time I wear makeup? Contouring and highlighting are optional steps in makeup. You can choose to contour and highlight when you want to enhance your features, but they are not required for every makeup look.
  1. How do I choose the right makeup brushes for contouring? Select brushes based on your preferences and the areas you want to contour. A contour brush with soft, dense bristles is great for precise sculpting. A smaller brush or sponge can be used for highlighting.
  2. Can contouring be used to change the shape of my face? Contouring can enhance and define your natural features, but it cannot drastically change the shape of your face. It is a makeup technique that adds dimension and highlights your existing bone structure.