DIY Wedding Day Makeup

May 28, 2012

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Practice Makes(Even) Prettier

What makes this sublime look so versatile? It flatters all complexions, and you can do it yourself. Get makeup instructions even shaky hands can't flub.

Our first tip? You'll need more makeup than usual if it's going to last all day and be beautiful in pics. "What seems great in person can appear washed out on film," says Jenna Menard, a New York City makeup artist. Have a friend snap photos, and adjust till you're satisfied.

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Your Toolbox

Smart essentials -- like these Laura Mercier brushes and other problem solvers -- will do half the work for you:

Sponges to calm jittery fingers (beauty.com); Q-Tips dipped in makeup remover to fix smudges (at drugstores); A wide-cage eyelash curler to create smooth curves (shiseido.com); Oil-absorbing papers to lift shine (earththerapeutics.net); Visine Maximum Redness Relief Formula to brighten eyes (At drugstores); Wet cleansing clothes to exfoliate lips and prep them for color (At drugstores).

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Start with Your Skin

Just as with a well-built house, a solid foundation ensures your makeup will stand the test of time (and a night of celebrating!).

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Prep Your Canvas

All skin types should use an oil-free lotion for a dewy -- not shiny -- finish. Then, tap on a lightweight eye gel to smooth fine lines. Try Lancome Bienfait Aqua Vital Lotion and SK-II Advanced Eye Treatment Gel.

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Apply Primer with Fingers

"It blurs deep pores and helps makeup go on evenly and stay put longer," says Menard. We recommend Korres Pomegranate Mattifying Primer (sephora.com).

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Sponge on Foundation and Add Concealer

For your foundation, drop a quarter-size amount of liquid base onto the back of your hand, dip in a damp sponge, and perfect the middle of your face first, where skin is often reddest. Work out toward your ears, skipping eyelids. We like Clinique Even Better Foundation.

For your concealer, Heather Currie, a Los Angeles makeup artist, uses two formulas: a creamy kind for the action-packed eye area, and a drier one to stick to blemishes. She suggests Amazing-Cosmetics Amazing-Concealer (ulta.com) and Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer (barneys.com).

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Brush on Powder

Dust your T-zone with a translucent version to absorb oil, keeping the rest bare for a fresh-faced glow, says Rebecca Restrepo, a New York City makeup artist. Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder gives a polished finish (sephora.com).

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Ease into Eyes

The beauty of classic dark liner? It looks great on everyone and defines a captivating gaze that is visible in any photo. Follow these six steps for a soft, romantic take, or sub in smokier shadows to amp up your makeup.

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Curl Lashes and Define Brows

"Both steps open up and frame the eyes," says Daniel Martin, a New York City makeup artist. To fill in brows, hold an ash-toned pencil horizontally (warm shades photograph red) and use short, quick strokes to apply color from the inner eye outward. Then blend with a brush; Martin likes Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil.

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Layer Cream and Shadow

Start by dabbing a shimmery beige cream onto your lids that helps brighten eyes with its light-catching flecks. Try Essence Stay All Day Long Lasting Eyeshadow in Glammy Goes To (ulta.com).

Next brush powder shadow from lash to crease. The cream underneath acts like primer, helping powder stay put. Pick a matte hue one tone darker than the base shadow so sparkle peeks through beautifully, not blindingly. We used MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow in Bamboo.

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Add Mascara

Wipe off the wand, then wiggle it at the roots of lashes to deposit extra color; this plumps up fine hairs and forms a tacky base for falsies. Sweep to tips and repeat. Opt for a water-resistant formula like CoverGirl LashBlast 24HR Mascara (at drugstores).

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Snip and Place False Lashes

Cut a clear strip into small clusters of six strands. Skip the tricky tweezers and grab one bunch with your fingers, then dip it in glue. Blow on it, and attach to the outer corner of your lash line. Lay sections side by side until you reach the iris. Ardell Invisiband Lashes in #108 work well (sallybeauty.com).

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Trace Lids

Credit: Emily Roemer

For an even line, create small dashes from the inner to outer corner of your upper lash line, getting thicker as you go. Connect them. We like Smashbox Jet Set Eyeliner in Jet Black.

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Finish with Cheeks and Lips

Flash photography and a white dress can add up to a pale wedding-day look -- but not with these warm hints of blooming color. They'll keep your skin rosy and radiant from first glance to last dance.

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Brush on Bronzer

Credit: Emily Roemer

Sweep it under your cheekbones, then dust your temples, forehead, and the bridge of the nose with the powder left behind on the bristles. Physicians Formula Magic Mosaic Multi-Colored Custom Bronzer works on all tones (At drugstores).

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Dab on Cream Blush

A dusty rose, blended onto the apples of the cheeks when you're smiling, will lock in your powder-blush's hue. Restrepo likes Nars Cream Blush in Penny Lane.

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Tap On Powder Blush

Credit: Emily Roemer

Unlike sweeping it on, this technique gives the center of your cheeks a healthy flush that looks au naturel. Less is more -- your lip color will help enliven skin, too. Opt for a sheer, pink shade like Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Electric Pink.

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Fill In Lips

Instead of outlining, rub a rose pencil from the middle of the mouth outward. This way you’ll have evenly shaded lips when lipstick wears off. Clinique Quickliner for Lips in Neutrally is a good choice.

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Apply Lipstick

Credit: Emily Roemer

Put it on straight from the tube to deposit the most color. Press it in with your finger, trace lips with concealer to prevent it bleeding, and blend in cover-up. We like Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in Cherie Bow.

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