e.l.f. Discovery

5 Bridal Beauty Tips Every Bride to Be Should Know

By Jeanette Crutchfield

Tip 1: Prep Your Skin

Prepping your skin for the big day happens long before you apply your bridal makeup. Ideally, you should start looking at your skincare routine three months before your wedding date. Start by ensuring you have the right skincare products for your skin type and needs. Even if you think you know your skin, if you’ve been using the same products for quite a while, try a skincare finder to make sure they truly are designed for your skin concerns.

Double check that you have hydrating face cleanser and hydrating moisturizer for your big day, as well as broad spectrum SPF. These are the must-haves of every skincare routine. From there you can add a facial serum depending on your skin concerns, as well as other skincare products like masks, toners, and eye creams to improve your skin tone and texture for your big day.

Start Your Wedding Skincare Routine 3 Months Ahead of Time

  • When looking at your skincare routine, pay attention to the season of your wedding. Summer skin tends to be more oily and shiny whereas winter skin can be dry and flaky. Choose your products accordingly and then be consistent with your skin routine. Skincare rarely gives immediate effects and needs time to show the benefits on the skin.

  • One month out from the wedding is when you want to schedule a facial. Timing is crucial. It’s soon enough to the wedding for your skin to still be smooth and glowing, however it’s far enough out from the big day that if you get any post-facial breakouts, they will have time to heal. If a professional facial is out of your budget, we recommend opting for the Holy Hydration! Sleeping Mask. Not only is this face mask affordable at $10, but it also is infused with skin-loving ingredients to deliver a surge of moisture and hydration.

  • Also, one month out is when you want to stop experimenting with your skincare. This is not the time to try that new retinol serum you saw on social media or that DIY cocktail that promises to give you flawless skin. Stick to your skincare routine and try not to overdo it.

  • The night before the wedding, the most important thing you can do for your skin is to get a good night’s sleep. There’s something to be said about “beauty sleep”. The night before, try to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. Try a hydrating sheet mask and relax for a few minutes. Take a warm bath. Spend time with your friends. And above all, get to bed at a decent time.

  • The morning of the event, prep your skin with the skincare routine you’ve been using throughout. Don’t forget to complete your wedding day skincare routine with a healthy dose of sunscreen, especially if your wedding is outside.

Tip 2: Say I Do to Gripping Face Primer

No matter what your makeup look, it is crucial to prime your skin if you want long-lasting makeup. Face primers help your look be long-wearing and last well into the reception and cutting of the cake. It is important to choose a face primer based on your skin type as well as the look you are going after. There are a variety of face primers available including gripping primers that last all day, mattifying primers to help control shine, primer for acne prone skin, and primers to reduce the look of pores so you look picture-perfect. Follow the directions and let youre face primer set for at least 30 seconds before moving on to your makeup.

Tip 3: Say Yes to a Glowing Complexion

The key to any wedding look is a hydrating concealer. Choose a long lasting formula minimizing touch-ups, has a satin finish, and is hydrating as you will want to look bright-eyed throughout it all.

To showcase your healthy glowing skin, use a complexion booster. These glow-boosters give subtle radiance and luminosity that not only makes you feel amazing but also photographs beautifully. The key is in the application. Artfully apply the complexion booster to the high points of your face- cheekbones, brow bones, across the cupids bow of your lip, and even across your decolletage. This will help give you that luminous glow without looking shiny or oily.

To set your makeup for all-day and all-night wear, use a powder puff to gently press a luminous loose setting powder onto your complexion and lock it in place with a setting spray designed for long wear.

Tip 4: An Eyeshadow Look that's Meant to Be

You can never go wrong with a neutral eyeshadow look—it’s timeless! Start by applying a neutral base eyeshadow all over the lid. Then, take a slightly lighter color and apply it to the center of the lid using a small eyeshadow brush. You can build up the intensity by layering the eyeshadow until you achieve your desired look.

When it comes to lashes, waterproof mascara is essential to have on your wedding day. Tears may roll down, and no one can resist wiping their eyes during such an exciting moment. With waterproof mascara, you won't have to worry about any smudges or stains, and your mascara will stay put all day.

Start your mascara application by using an eyelash curler, then apply your mascara by wiggling the wand from the base of your lashes to the tip. Focus on the top lashes, and apply a light coat on the lower lashes. With this simple tip, you can be sure that your mascara will last throughout your wedding day.

Tip 5: Long Lasting Lips

The last step of your wedding makeup look might be the the most important - your lips! Whether you choose a soft natural pink or a bold red lip color, it’s important to choose a long-lasting formula with a matching lip pencil to help your lip look stay put.

Outline your lips with a creamy lip liner and then fill them in completely with the pencil to help your lip color stay on longer. Use a brush or your finger to gently buff the lipliner into your lips to help it adhere better. Next, apply a long-lasting satin lipstick in light layers, blotting with a tissue in between applications. This helps your lip color to last.

Not into lipstick but still want a perfect pout for your wedding? Try a plumping lip gloss for fuller-looking lips.