The Best Wedding Beauty Products

March 29, 2012

1 of 36

Big-Day Beauty Awards

DAVIDE GALLIZIO/IMAXTREE.COM

To help you look your very best from the aisle to the after-party, the editors of Martha Stewart Weddings have a yearly tradition: We ask experts and recently wed women for their tried-and-true beauty picks to compile a round-up of the greatest makeup, hair, and skin-care products for brides.

Without further ado, we're thrilled to announce the 40 winners for 2013 that withstood happy tears, humidity, wind, and a full night of dancing!

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 36

Primo Primer

Bryan Gardner

Sure, adding a step on Monday mornings may be unappealing, but come your wedding day, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer is indispensable, rave its fans. The oil-free formula locks in makeup, levels bumps, and fills in lines. A dab on lids prevents shadow and liner from creasing or wearing off, too.

3 of 36

Creamiest Blush

Bryan Gardner

For the look of just-pinched cheeks, Stila Convertible Blush in Peony can't be beat. The sheer rose tint adds a hint of warmth, and using a small brush ensures an even application. "It melts in for an au naturel glow,” says Kayleen McAdams, a makeup artist in Los Angeles. Smooth the creamy color onto the apples of your cheeks, blending it slightly up and out for a soft flush.

Advertisement

4 of 36

Triple-Threat Concealer

Bryan Gardner

We rarely see a makeup artist on set (or at a wedding) without Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat at the ready. It's one part concealer, two parts highlighter, and any of the 12 shades can be blended over cheekbones, inner eye corners, and along brow bones. "It's like radiance in a tube,” says one bride.

5 of 36

Magic Flaw Eraser

Bryan Gardner

Experts love Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer for its ability to cover dark blotches and red dots. Use one color from its eight two-tone combos separately, or mix for a spot-on match (sephora.com).

6 of 36

Rockstar Foundation

Bryan Gardner

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation tops our list because its 18 shades can even skin without drying. Apply it with a warm-water- dampened sponge and it’ll sink right in.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 36

Fab Faux Glow

Bryan Gardner

Some bronzers are too brown; others too orange. But Chanel Moisturizing Tan Bronzing Powders (available in four shades) are just right for warming up any complexion -- from the palest to the darkest. Sweep it along your hairline, cheekbones, and jawline, says McAdams.

8 of 36

Powder Powerhouse

Bryan Gardner

With 20 supersheer hues that truly include every skin tone, BareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 is light enough to layer on and build up your coverage. It also absorbs oil to diminish shine without looking cakey. Buff it on with a flat-bottomed brush for a flawless-looking complexion.

9 of 36

Sturdiest Setting Agent

Bryan Gardner

A generous spritz of Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray “seals in all your makeup -- foundation, shadow, lipstick, the whole shebang -- for hours,” swears a newlywed (sephora.com).

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 36

Stay-Put Eyeliner

Bryan Gardner

Originally made for water-ballet performers (really!), Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes in 0L Matte black is fade- and h2o-resistant, so even if you turn on the waterworks, it will never leave dark smudges under your eyes or streaks down your cheeks (sephora.com).

11 of 36

Most Eye-Catching Shadows

Bryan Gardner

Kevyn Aucoin's The Essential Eye Shadow Palette No. 1 is a bridal requisite, says Melissa Silver, a New York City makeup artist. Packed with five velvety, universally flattering neutral shadows, its lighter base hues cover capillaries and redness; the taupe and ebony ones double as liners (barneys.com).

12 of 36

Brow Wow

Brides agree: Joey Healy Luxe Brow Powders (available in six shades, including Corduroy, shown here) define arches in the most natural (read: un- detectable) way. Plus, they're waterproof come rain, heat, or humidity.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 36

Amazing Mascara

Bryan Gardner

The waterproof flexible resins of Covergirl Lashblast 24Hr Mascara leave fringe clump-free and full, while forming a pro- tective seal against moisture and flaking. "It seems to flash-freeze the curl of your lashes in place for the night,” says an impressed fan ( available at drugstore.com).

14 of 36

Fantastic Lip Balm

Bryan Gardner

Indeed, good things do come in small -- and affordable -- packages. Pros favor the lip-saving properties of Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm, which contains nourishing vitamin E and a subtle peppermint flavor.

15 of 36

Best Bright Lipsticks

Bryan Gardner

The vibrant selection from Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids won the most votes.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 36

Best Red Lipsticks

Bryan Gardner

MAC Lipstick's collection boasts more than 10 stunners in a variety of finishes.

17 of 36

Best Neutral Lipsticks

Bryan Gardner

For lovely nudes, pinks, and roses, Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color is a go-to.

18 of 36

Prettiest Nail Polish

Bryan Gardner

Kudos for OPI Nail Lacquer in Bubble Bath flooded in from readers -- and with great reason. The sheer "flatters all" pink gives nails a freshly manicured appearance and even disguises a ding, should one happen.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 36

Proven Body Potions

Bryan Gardner

From left: Nothing washes, scrubs, and softens skin -- at once -- like Dove Gentle Exfoliating Nourishing body Wash (drugstore.com). Olay Quench Daily Lotion Plus Shimmer scored major points for making skin feel supple and look luminous. And for a foolproof-to-apply and fetching faux glow, brides and makeup artists (and our beauty editors to boot!) grab St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturizer (sephora.com).

20 of 36

Most Reliable Skin Soother

Bryan Gardner

Consider it a superhero: Just a drop of Eucerin Redness Relief Daily Perfecting Lotion SPF 15 calms irritation, moisturizes dryness, and cancels out redness (thanks to its pale green tint) in a single dab. Jeffrey Benabio, a San Diego dermatologist, stands behind it (available at drugstores).

21 of 36

Ultimate Spot Corrector

Bryan Gardner

Dark patches? No problem. The mild plant extracts in Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector lighten discoloration -- the proof is in the clinical trials, says Joshua Zeichner, a New York City dermatologist.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 36

Brightest Eye Illuminator

Bryan Gardner

Exercise your ring finger by tapping on this fave: TNS Illuminating Eye Cream. “Its growth factors boost collagen and help reduce dark circles,” says Jeanine Downie, a New Jersey dermatologist. For a quick fix, use it on the morning of your wedding to temporarily plump and fill fine lines (skinmedica.com).

23 of 36

Curliest Lash Master

Bryan Gardner

The Tweezerman procurl eyelash curler arcs lashes without pinching lids.

24 of 36

Top Glow-Getter

Bryan Gardner

Both brides and dermatologists are wild about the Clarisonic Mia 2 Sonic Skin Cleansing Brush, a smaller version of the original. Used weekly with a face wash, it “is excellent at gently exfoliating skin and deep cleaning pores,” says a bride.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 36

Best Blemish Buster

Bryan Gardner

Hands down, Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment is the clinical crowd's favorite. Its 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria without the irritation from higher doses or prescription strengths (available at drugstores).

26 of 36

Beneficial Face Cleanser

Bryan Gardner

Brides tout Lancome Creme Radiance Cleanser's many benefits, from clearing breakouts to softening rough patches and lifting makeup. Most impressive, it doesn't strip the face, so skin always feels comfortable, never tight, post-cleanse.

27 of 36

Youth-Inducing Cream

Bryan Gardner

Estee Lauder Day Wear Anti-Oxidant Creme Oil-Free SPF 25 takes home the title. pros vouch for this moisturizer with wrinkle-preventing vitamins C and E. "It leaves skin plumper, softer, and healthier," says Benabio.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 36

The Fragrence Favorite

Bryan Gardner

Ralph Lauren Romance Eau de Parfum is the floral fragrance favorite (macys.com).

29 of 36

Powerful Pins

Bryan Gardner

What’s the tiny trick experts rely on to anchor coiffs? Goody ColourCollection Bobby Pins, in gold, brown, and black. ”Sturdy pins with ridges grip well and are the security guards of hairdos,” says Steven Rice, a New York City stylist (target.com).

30 of 36

Super Hair Styler