Instant expert: Keep your bridal face in place
This is your special day - the one you've been waiting for since you were a little girl. And on your wedding day, all eyes will be on you. Regardless of age, dress style - or choice of groom - every bride wants to look beautiful for her wedding. No easy task, considering this day is usually one of the longest, most emotional and most hectic days of your life.
One of the greatest challenges to looking fresh and radiant all day long is keeping your makeup in place despite the smudging and smearing caused by tears, kisses, hugs, food, drink and heat. To ensure your look doesn't fade, consider the following advice:
Plan Ahead - Start a great skin care program well before your big day. Get your skin in the best shape possible by following a four-step program - cleansing, toning, exfoliating and moisturizing. Healthy skin that's neither dry nor oily is the key to make-up that looks great.
Prep Your Pucker - Many people will kiss you on your wedding day. To keep your lipstick from winding up on everyone's cheeks, dust a little powder on your lips before and after applying. This will serve as a "sealant" and help lipstick stay in place when it's time to kiss the bride.
Don't Forget the Eyes - Creases are for slacks, not eyelids. To reduce creasing and lengthen the life of your eye shadow, use concealer on lids, followed by a light dusting of powder. Then apply shadow and liner.
Don't Lash Out - Prevent "raccoon eyes" from emerging during those emotional moments with a waterproof mascara.
Be the Blushing Bride - For a blushing-with-happiness glow, add a pop of color to the apples of your cheeks. Apply after foundation and before powder for longest-lasting results.
Powder is Your Friend - Apply your favorite foundation (your wedding day is not the time to experiment with something new!) and finish it off with a dusting of loose powder. Not only will powder set your makeup in place, it also will help even out texture and minimize shine. Dust lightly over lines and wrinkles, which can be accentuated by too much powder. The look you want is matte, not parched.
Stick With the Classics - Wear classic, not trendy, makeup. Stay away from neon shades, colored mascara, and all things glittery. Wedding pictures should be admired for years - you don't want to look back at your makeup and say, "What was I thinking?" That's what bridesmaid dresses are for.
Be Bold - Don't be afraid to apply everything with a heavier hand, even for a daytime wedding. Your makeup needs to last all day and show up in pictures.
Control Your Glow - Carry blotting papers in your purse (or have a bridesmaid keep them at hand) to control shine and keep you glowing, not glistening, for pictures.
