A Guide to Nailing Photo-Focused Flawless Natural Bridal Makeup – A common challenge that brides face when it comes to wedding photography is worn-out or unflattering makeup. This is especially true when it comes to Indian weddings, as the event lasts longer, leading the makeup to wear off or lose its finish towards the end of the day.
While it is important to choose a unique and trending look for your big day, do bear in mind that you will be spending a good amount of time under heat-emitting lights, not to mention the impact of other climatic factors if you are having an outdoor ceremony. This is why lightweight makeup with a natural finish tends to appear better in pictures.
Photo shoots scheduled earlier in the morning before the events begin, deliver better results, however, a post-nuptial photo shoot is inevitable, as the pictures represent the first few moments after the bride and the groom are legally declared one. Hence, it is important to hire a qualified professional makeup artist with access to high-quality resources and choose a flawless and natural bridal makeup look that lasts all day with minimal touch-ups.
Here are some expert tips on how to nail your makeup for wedding portraits.
Don’t slack on skin prep
The key to flawless natural bridal makeup is a smooth canvas – clean and texture-free skin. This is why skin prep is one of the most crucial factors in achieving photo-ready makeup looks. Start your skin prep journey a few days ahead of your wedding; consult with your dermatologist if needed and schedule sessions for deep-level exfoliation, moisturization, and addressing issues like acne or dryness. On the day of your wedding or the previous night, start my derma-planing to get rid of texture-causing elements like peach fuzz or surface-level impurities. Put on hydration masks, sleeping masks, and soothing gels to keep the skin from getting inflamed. Before putting on any kind of makeup, use a thorough skin primer suited to your skin type. Whether it is a pore-filling primer or a mattifying primer, ensure that it is a good quality product that delivers what it promises. At the end of skin prep, you are best left with slightly tacky and smooth skin, perfect for makeup to sit on.
Use a lightweight and low-coverage foundation
For natural-looking makeup, it is important to enhance the complexion of your skin, rather than hide it. To do this, choose a lightweight low-coverage foundation in a color as close to your natural skin color as possible. The idea is to even out your skin tone, not to change it. It doesn’t matter if a few of your imperfections are visible; we are going for a natural look. Many Indian brides make the mistake of choosing the wrong shade in the foundation. It is crucial to convey to your makeup artist that you need a natural look to avoid this mistake. To make things easier, try to purchase the foundation yourself.
Go for matte eyeshadow in soft colors that elevate your eyes without overdoing it
For eyeshadow, choose matte textures in soft colors that give your eyes the slightest bit of elevation without overdoing it. Stay away from black-infused smokey eye looks, especially if you are having a summer wedding in a humid location, as the color can end up running when you sweat. Choose subtle and soft colors like pinks, corals, and bronze tones closer to your skin tone for the most put-together eye look. Ensure to apply an eyelid primer before applying your eyeshadow. If you are using cream shadows, make sure to set them with powder before stepping out.
Choose lip colors that enhance the natural color of your lips
For lips, the best way to achieve a natural bridal makeup look is to choose a nude shade, closest to your natural color. You can choose a matte lip or a glossy lip depending on your personal preferences. The goal is to achieve natural, soft, kissable lips that do not take away from the entire look. Pick a brand that makes the most long-lasting, budge-proof, water-proof formulas for the best results.
If you are wearing false lashes, select individual pieces as opposed to full sets
False lashes can be a hassle unless chosen carefully. As we are going for a natural look, it is best to steer clear of full sets that appear overly dramatic or wispy. Choose individual sets of lashes that you can pick and apply where you need them. Choose longer ones and place them neatly on the outer ends of your eyes for added shape, and to make them look more natural. Ensure that the lashes are carefully placed and properly blended in with your natural lashes to achieve a perfectly natural bridal makeup look.
Use cream products and set with powder
For summer and spring weddings, it is always a good idea to use powder products. However, some products like concealer, foundation, blush, and contour give a better, fresher finish in a creamy formula. Hence, by all means, use cream blushes and contours or foundation for a natural look, however, make sure to set it using loose powder or powder products. Bake where you are more prone to creasing, such as around your mouth, under your eyes, and on your forehead. This way, you will get to mix shades as well and create a more unique, natural look.
Ensure to use a sweat-proof and water-proof finishing spray
A setting spray is a must-include step in bridal makeup. Choose a high-quality product with genuine sweat-proof and water-proof abilities. Spritz it up to 10 times and make sure to hit all spots on your face and neck with makeup. For a fresh and natural look, choose a setting spray that gives a dewy finish. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you can also use a mattifying setting spray.
Use products specifically designed for weather conditions in your location
When selecting products to create your natural bridal makeup look, choose textures and finishes that are designed for long hours, and for weather conditions specific to your location. For example, some brands design foundations, concealers, setting sprays, etc. to offer better cohesiveness and wear time for humid weather conditions, while others are designed to hydrate the skin when used in dry or cold weather conditions. Choosing the right products for your skin type and weather goes a long way toward ensuring long-lasting makeup.
Conduct trial sessions to ensure longevity and address issues
Lastly, have one or two trial sessions a few days before your wedding to ensure that the look turns out exactly how you envisioned it. Try wearing the trial look for a day to find out where it needs more work. It will also allow you to see what other challenges arise when wearing the look, which will let you be better prepared to handle it on your wedding day, or even avoid it.
Wrapping up
In 2024 bridal makeup trends, ‘au natural’ indeed reigns supreme. As opposed to heavy smokey eyes, and colorful makeup looks, Indian brides are turning towards minimal, and soft looks that let the natural features take center stage. However, achieving the perfect natural bridal makeup look can be a bit tricky considering the array of products and colors available in the market today. The key is to choose shades that match your natural skin complexion as much as possible.
Use this guide to achieve the perfect natural look for your wedding, and leave the rest to your photographer to look stunning in your wedding portraits.
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