Have a Plan: Wedding Skincare and Makeup Ideas

I get a lot of my wedding photography clients asking me questions about makeup. Out of the many talents I have, makeup wasn’t ever one of them. I’ve never bought my own makeup. I once learned how to apply it for drama productions when I was in high school.

I’m probably not the authoritative source for makeup tips. 

However, being a wedding photographer for a few years, I do know something about weddings.

Photographers network with makeup artists (MUAs) all the time, so between some good research and some good questions, I wanted to have a good article I can send to my clients who are asking about where they should start with planning wedding makeup looks.

Like every element in your wedding, many people will make their makeup look “blend” well with your vision for the big event.

Your preferred style is certainly important, but makeup artist Chanel Temple emphasizes that you have to consider other factors that might affect your look, like the weather on your big day. For instance, you’ve got to wear foundation that's waterproof on a warm July day in Georgia. It’s very hard not to sweat in Georgia. It’s certainly not ideal for your comfort and confidence level — as well as the photos that will commemorate the big event!

Before you get to the point of no return, do your future self a favor and prepare your wedding look beforehand! With the right skincare preparation and makeup planning, you’ll nail the look for your wedding the photos that you’ll love and keep for years.

Getting Your Skin Ready for the Big Day

Your skin is your makeup’s canvas, so it’s important to prep and prime it for your big day! Whether you want to go all-out glam or prefer a “no-makeup” makeup look, you’ll certainly look your best with healthy, radiant skin. Keep your skin clear and supple by following these timelines for your wedding skincare routine:

A Few Months Before the Wedding:

If your skin’s appearance is going to be important to you in your wedding, around now is the best time to bid goodbye to your skin problems. I looked up a handful of options, and Rodan and Fields was a really popular choice for a skincare routine for acne to prep in the months leading to the wedding.

Start your regimen with a facial wash that contains acne-fighting ingredients, like salicylic acid. Then, use a dual moisturizer that can prevent breakouts while hydrating your skin. Protect your skin from wrinkles and sun spots by applying sunscreen every morning.

If you’re trying a new skincare regimen, you want to make sure you test for allergic reactions and get a good routine going. I set myself up with reminders in my phone for things like this, that way I get a regular daily reminder.

Two Weeks Before the Wedding:

When the time is getting closer, you’ll want to take some time for relaxation treatments. Hydrofacial treatments were something I saw in a lot of my research. Bridal makeup artist expert Dani Wagener recommends a hydrofacial treatment because they can keep the skin dewy and fresh.

Day of the Wedding:

If you’re doing an outdoor wedding, it’s vital to wear sunscreen - even if you don’t think it’s that sunny. You can get sunburn in cloudy days, and it can really muck up your makeup and skin.

If you’re experiencing a breakout the day before, a few of my clients have recommended mighty patches to spot treat acne 24 hours before.

Makeup Tips for Your Wedding

If you’re not the type of person that’s been used to playing with different makeup ideas, spend some time in the months leading up researching and trying them out. That way you have something to show to a MUA (if you hire one), or make sure you’re ready to manage it yourself. 

There’s probably going to be a point where the stress of a wedding makes it feel like you look and feel all wrong. Almost every person I’ve ever worked with at a wedding has had this moment. 

Try your best to live in the moment. Practice ahead of time will help. Get comfortable with trying new things, and you’ll find the right shades and products for your wedding look.

Diving into your makeup kit can make you feel overwhelmed, but a bit of makeup preparation will go a long way. 

Here’s some advice I’ve found:

Consider a Look Suitable to Your Wedding Vision:

I encourage all of my clients to start prepping a mood board. Why? 

A wedding mood board will help you solidify your vision - and you can share that vision with your vendors.

For instance, if you’re going for a summer beachside wedding look - you can find the best examples of fluttery lashes, bronzed silhouettes, and peach pout on Pinterest.

When you put all your ideas in Pinterest, your florist can look at them all and find the perfect choice for your flowers. Your photographer (maybe me?) can look at your vision and shoot the wedding with your eye, and choose the editing style and lighting choices to help compliment the vibes you’ve composed on your mood board.

Use the Right Products for the Weather

I live in Georgia. If you’re reading this, you probably live in Georgia too.

It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s sticky. It’s gross. It’ll probably rain. Man plans and god laughs. You need to have makeup that works for the weather of the wedding you’re having.

It is not a fantastic feeling to put together a flattering look with your makeup and have your eyeliner run and melt two hours later.

MAC Senior Artist Rebecca Butterworth stresses that using long wear makeup products definitely pays off for hot weddings, warm venues, or after you’ve cried a bunch because of how beautiful your fiancé looks. 

In the winter, you’re going to want to go for a radiant and hydrating makeup base - and foundations that have a matte finish are better for warmer weather.

It’s a lot of work. And for some, putting in this much work for your makeup and skincare may feel foreign, annoying, frustrating - or just unappealing overall. I work with all sorts of makeup styles, clients who like to get dolled up, clients who like to keep it simple - but the bottom line is that if you want to have a special wedding look with your makeup, it’s important to understand that there’s a ton of work that goes into it.

These memories will be photographed forever, and that thought can be stressful. But whatever you do when you’re getting ready to tie the knot, make sure you remember that your fiancé will love you and think you’re beautiful no matter what.