Flawless All Day: 5 Skincare Secrets to Guarantee Your Wedding Makeup Lasts
Every bride has the same goal for her makeup: to look just as fresh and flawless at the last dance as she did walking down the aisle. While a professional makeup artist's kit contains high-performance, long-wearing products, the true secret to longevity isn't just in the makeup—it's in the skin underneath. As a makeup artist, I know that beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin. Here are my five essential skincare secrets to ensure your bridal makeup lasts all day and night.
1. Hydration is Non-Negotiable Hydrated skin is plump, smooth, and holds onto makeup beautifully. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, will drink up the moisture from your foundation, leading to patchiness and fading. In the weeks leading up to your wedding, focus on hydration from the inside out by drinking plenty of water. Topically, introduce a hydrating serum containing hyaluronic acid into your routine to apply before your moisturiser.
2. Exfoliate for a Smooth Canvas For foundation to look seamless, it needs a smooth surface to adhere to. Dead skin cells can cause makeup to look dull, dry, and uneven. Introduce a gentle chemical exfoliant (like a glycolic or lactic acid toner) into your routine 2-3 times a week in the month before your wedding. This will slough away dead skin, revealing a brighter, smoother complexion. Crucial tip: Do not try any new, harsh exfoliants in the week before your wedding!
3. Moisturise for Your Skin Type Using the right moisturiser is key. If your skin is oily, a heavy cream can cause your makeup to slide off. If your skin is dry, a light lotion won't provide enough of a barrier.
Oily Skin: Opt for a lightweight, oil-free gel or lotion.
Dry Skin: Look for a richer cream with ingredients like ceramides to lock in moisture.
Combination Skin: You may need to use a lighter moisturiser on your T-zone and a richer one on your cheeks.
4. Don't Skip the Primer Think of primer as the 'double-sided tape' for your makeup. It creates a barrier between your skin and your foundation, helping to control oil, blur pores, and give your makeup something to grip onto. I always use a primer tailored to my bride's skin type during the application, but using one in your own routine can help your skin get used to the feeling.
5. The Hands-Off Approach Once your beautiful makeup is applied, one of the biggest culprits for causing it to break down is touching your face. The oils and dirt on your hands can disrupt your foundation and transfer bacteria. Make a conscious effort to keep your hands off your face throughout the day. If you need to blot away shine, use the blotting paper from your touch-up kit rather than your fingers. It makes a world of difference!