Your skin’s undertones – cool or warm – are also a factor when choosing both matching and complementary colors. You can determine your undertone with a quick trick. Hold a piece of silver and a piece of gold jewelry to the back of your hand. If the gold seems to melt away, you have a warm undertone. If the silver does, you have a cool undertone. [3] X Research source
Use a small amount after you’ve moisturized, but before you put on foundation. Spread it evenly on your face and eyelids to create a smooth base for everything to come. [4] X Research source [5] X Research source
If you have a cool undertone, look for foundation that has a rosier, redder or blue base. If you have a warm undertone, use a foundation with a yellow or golden base. To determine if the shade is right, dip a Q-tip in the foundation and apply it to the center of your lower jawline. If it vanishes, it’s the right one![8] X Research source Apply foundation in thin layers, starting from the middle of your face and blending outward using a foundation brush. You don’t want any visible lines, so pay close attention to blending beneath your jaw and on your neck. Don’t cake on foundation. It will look overdone and likely smear or streak.
To hide a blemish, put foundation on it first, then apply concealer before setting it with powder. If you can still see it, add more concealer and powder. Make sure you pat the concealer on the blemish. Don’t rub. [10] X Research source
If you use a liquid, dab it on with a brush after your foundation in the shape of a check mark. Start near your inner eye, go down at a slight angle toward your nostril and then up your cheekbone, blending toward your temple. Do the same above your brows, down the center of your nose, the center of your forehead and your chin. If you’re using a powder highlighter, use it after you powder and brush it under your brows, lightly in the corner of your eyes and on the tops of your cheekbones. Don’t use powder highlighter under your eyes or over your mouth or you’ll look sweaty in photos. [11] X Research source
Then use a powder bronzer that’s just a shade or two darker than your foundation and brush it in the shape of a 3 on both sides of your face. To do so, start at your hairline, move down the side of your face and then under your cheekbone, back to the side of your face and then below your jaw. [12] X Research source [13] X Research source Have pressed powder on hand. There are always areas that shine and need a quick dab before a photo or while in the restroom. [14] X Research source
If you have fair skin with cool undertones, colors like soft rose or baby pink with hints of mocha or beige will look nice. If you have fair skin with warm undertones, go for golden apricot or a light peach with a bit of pink. If you have medium skin with cool undertones, try cranberry, light raspberry or rosy pink. If you have medium skin with warm undertones, look for soft coral with hints of brown or sunkissed apricot. If you have deep skin with cool undertones, blush on shades of plum, grape and raspberry. If you have deep skin with warm undertones, keep it rich with brown suede or a deep coral with a little bronze. [18] X Research source
As for colors, try bronze shades if you have green eyes, mocha if your eyes are hazel, navy and dark brown for blue eyes, and purples and grays for brown eyes. Dampen an eyeliner brush in water and brush it into your eye shadow if you want to line your eyes with your eye shadow. [19] X Research source [20] X Research source [21] X Research source
Finish by framing your face with a brow powder a little darker than your natural color. Brush it into the natural line of your eyebrows, working outward to the end of your eyes. [23] X Research source [24] X Research source
If you have fair skin with cool undertones, go with nude, light mocha and light mauve; if you have warm undertones, try sand, nude peach or shell. Avoid bright pinks, dark bronzes and dark mochas. If you have medium skin with cool undertones, choose a rosy pink, pomegranate or cranberry; if you have warm undertones, go for bronze, copper and cinnamon. Avoid nudes. If you have deep skin with cool undertones, check out raisin, wine or ruby red; if you have warm undertones, try honey, ginger or a coppery bronze. Avoid anything close to orange. [27] X Research source If using lip liner, apply your lip stain or lipstick, if that’s what you choose, almost to the edge of the lip. Next use a lip liner to define the shape of your lips and to seal it all in. Add just a little more color and blend the two together. [28] X Research source If you go for a bolder, or statement, lip color, keep your eyes soft and natural to avoid the bridal doll look. Avoid smacking your lips together because this can make your smile look lop-sided. Skip the lip gloss. First, it doesn’t last long. Secondly, it will end up on your intended’s lips. It can also create a glare in photos.
Makeup artists highly recommend staying away from all makeup with any glitter or sparkle because it bounces off flash photography, leaving white spots on your skin. They can be removed from photos, but it’s expensive. [31] X Research source
If your gown is romantic, billowy and soft, for instance, smoky eyes and bright red lipstick will clash, not be complementary. If you’re wearing your hair in an updo with a lot of adornments, you should keep your makeup simple, yet still fresh and rosy. [32] X Research source Look at bridal magazines and red carpet images, specifically, to see how stylists put together an entire look that’s stunning rather than shocking.
Identify what it is you like about the makeup in each image you find. Use a sharpie and write it down to the side. Look around and jot down notes at different times of the day and when you’re in different moods. After you’ve collected a nice sample, try to determine if you notice any themes. For example, have you repeatedly written that you like a particular lip color? Do you see you’ve written several notes on lightening undereye circles?
If you’re really struggling in deciding on a look, remember that one rarely fails: radiant skin, rosy cheeks and pink lips. [35] X Research source
If you have a breakout a day or two before your wedding, do not pick at it! It’s much easier to cover a blemish than a scab. Wax brows or other areas of your face at least one week before your wedding to avoid any marks. If you’ve never waxed before, don’t start doing so days before your wedding because you can get a rash if you’ve never before waxed. Consider whitening your teeth, too. There are many options, from having it done at the dentist’s office to doing it at home with over-the-counter products. You should start 3-4 months before the wedding. [36] X Research source [37] X Research source
No matter whom you select, ask to see a portfolio. If it’s heavy in everything but the look you want, find someone else.
If you plan to tan before your wedding, you need to achieve that color before your makeup trial, too, or the results will not be the same. Also remember that while you might find a makeup look that you love, it might not look good with your coloring. If you’re using a makeup artist, allow him or her to guide you on these matters. Try to wear a tee shirt of the same shade as your wedding outfit to your trial run so you can see how your makeup will look against your chosen color. Take a photo with no flash before you leave. [38] X Research source [39] X Research source [40] X Research source [41] X Research source
