Bridal beauty is all about creating an elevated version of your favorite daytime look. You'll want to recognize the beaming face staring back at you in your wedding photos. Celebrity makeup artists share their pro tips for making your wedding day makeup red carpet ready while keeping your style uniquely you.
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Bridal beauty is all about creating an elevated version of your favorite daytime look. After all, you'll want to recognize the beaming face staring back at you in your wedding photos! At the same time, some of the best wedding beauty inspiration can be found on the red carpet. To help you emulate some of your favorite stars' most killer looks—while still keeping the final result uniquely you—we consulted celebrity makeup artists for their pro tips to make your wedding-day beauty camera ready.
Lip Service
Whether you're planning a bold lip color or prefer a soft neutral for your big day, the right hue can actually help brighten your smile for the thousands of photos you're about to take (think: paparazzi). "Choose a lipstick with a blue undertone and avoid anything too peachy or brown," says makeup artist Cyndle Komarovski, who recommends using a soft pink or sheer plum shade. She also carries Paula's Choice Brighten Up 2-Minute Teeth Whitener for a quick smile fix.
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Bright Eyes
All eyes will be on you on your big day, so keep yours looking refreshed with this magical pro tip. "People use eye drops when they need to remedy something, like redness or itchiness, but you'd be surprised how bright they actually make your eyes appear before you do your eye makeup," says Daniel Martin, a makeup artist who counts Jessica Alba among his celebrity clients. "You can also use a flesh tone pencil on the waterline of the eyes to cancel out redness. This also helps brighten the eyes."
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Glow On
Have you ever noticed that celebrities always seem to have the most perfect healthy glow from head to toe? Martin explains that's because highlight is used on their arms and legs. Without the added dimension, skin can look flat and matte on camera. The same should apply to your wedding-day makeup—simply add highlighter to your arms and decolletage for photos. "I love using Honest Beauty's Spotlight & Strobe Kit on the body because I have two cream options and one powder that I can use all over the body with a bronzing brush," he says.
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Powder Room
There's a big difference between glowing skin and shiny skin. Keep oil at bay with translucent powder, which will help minimize shine. "Focus on highlighting your cheekbones and other high points with a liquid (glitter-free) shimmering lotion," says Starks. "Your skin will look radiant and camera ready all day."
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Lash Out
False lashes and lash extensions are a staple on the red carpet, but for your wedding-day you should keep them as natural as possible. Makeup artist Dusty Starks, who has worked with the likes of Gigi and Bella Hadid, suggests using individual falsies for your wedding day because they feel natural and it's easier to customize your look depending on the type of lash you want. "I like to alternate between the medium and small length so lashes look naturally glamorous and defined," she says. "And I highly recommend using a waterproof adhesive in anticipation of any happy tears."
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Puffiness Be Gone
The right concealer is a miracle worker on dark circles, but under eye puffiness is a challenge all of its own. "While I'm prepping the skin, I first apply, very generously, an under eye cream. Then I put an eye mask on top, such as Klorane Smoothing and Relaxing Patches,and leave it on at least 30 minutes," says makeup artist Min Min Ma. "When you peel off the mask, dab off any excess product and proceed with the makeup application. Avoid salty food and alcohol at least one day before the wedding and drinking too much water right before bedtime."
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Pout Power
Lip color needs to have staying power for a long day of wedding activities. Makeup artist Suzy Gerstein's trick for making it last involves layering several products with different textures. For the red carpet she preps lips with a scrub, like Henne Organics Rose Diamonds, then locks in moisture with a rich lip balm. "Once it's absorbed I like to line and fill in lips with a neutral liner that has a hint of rosiness to it," she says. "I love Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Medium. Next, I apply a modern matte lip color straight from the bullet." Gerstein tops the lipstick with a dab of densely pigmented gloss in the center of the lip to add more dimension.
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Blushing Bride
Makeup artists love cream blush because it moves so easily on the skin and provides a gentle flush of color. To make it last all day, apply cream or gel blush with your fingertips or a beauty sponge, advises Ma. Blend the product well and don't worry if you over apply since your skin will absorb some blush. Once you're satisfied with the intensity of the hue, dust face powder lightly over it to set.
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Warm Up
If you're adding some sun-kissed color to your face, Gerstein warns not to forget to bring the bronzer down your neck as well so there's a nice harmony between the tone on the face and the body. "And speaking of your body, be sure to pay attention to not only your face but hands, arms, legs (if they're showing), feet, and even back," she says. "I like a full coverage concealer for all the above which I apply over the top of a good skin oil or cream, then top with something that has a little shimmer to it like Beauty Counter or May Lindstrom's shimmering body oils." If you're concerned about using a liquid product near your dress, Gerstein suggests trying a sheer dusting of shimmer powder over the tops of collar bones, shoulders and down the center of legs.
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Be You
Perhaps the best red carpet-worthy makeup trick isn't really a trick at all. Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg encourages all brides to embrace their personal beauty on their wedding day, just kick it up a notch. "If you aren't someone who normally wears red lipstick and a cat eye, your wedding day probably isn't the right time to try it out," she says. "As a bride the goal is for you to feel really beautiful. When you feel great that translates to everyone around you."
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