People ask me all the time if I'd ever do my own makeup for my wedding day. I've always said no, that I'd rather not have to deal with the stress of doing it myself. Then I heard Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cornwall did her own makeup. Now, the day I get married, I might have a large wedding but its extremely doubtful I would get married in the presence of not only 1,900 people but also the majority of the world watching me exchange vows with a Prince. So, if Kate can do it, I'm pretty sure that I can.
Here's a guide to getting Kate's makeup look that she so deftly did on her own. Rumor has it she used Bobbi Brown cosmetics but I've added some of my favorite products to use and tricks to achieve the look!
Step 1: Prep your skin.
I can't emphasize the importance of a good skin regimen leading up to your special day. While makeup can do wonders, no one wants to shellack product on their face to create a lit-from-within glow. If you don't already have a skin care regimen, start now! You don't have to go out and buy a plethora of products. Start with your basics : Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer (CTM). Once you get into a solid pattern CTMing of 2x day, everyday, you'll want to incorporate an Exfoliant. Exfoliants are my favvvvvvvvvorite skin care products. They make dull skin look lively, a rough skin feel soft and most importantly they allow your skin to reproduce new skin cells so the old dead ones don't stay around!
The best advice I can give you about buying CTM products and an exfoliant is pay attention to what you're buying. If you aren't familiar, ask (ahem! *wink wink*). If you've used them all before but are wanting to upgrade, drop by a few counters, get as much information as possible, get a demonstration of the product and a sample if you can. Its important to educate yourself about the products you buy rather than "i'll just buy it because she/he/they/vogue said its good". Beauty professionals are there to help you but some unfortunately work on a commission basis but if you're a smart cookie (and you are) you can tell the difference between a good beauty professional and a sales-driven one.
Continue with your skin care regimen leading up to your wedding day, however, I would suggest if it is within your means, to treat yourself to a facial (or two) the month of your wedding. Getting a facial not only gives your skin a good cleaning but its also an hour to relax and let someone else take care of you. There are so many different facials, so get one that appeals to you but my recommendation would be that if you only get 1, get an oxygen facial. Oxygen facials follow in the similar steps of a regular facial, however an oxygen facial provides a boost of active ingredients to the skin and not only helps with the release of impurities but also gives and overall smoother, brighter looking skin. Many spa's now provide Oxygen facials, I had one at Absolute Spa once and it.was.divine! Rumor has it, Kate Middleton got one too ;-)
Step 2- Groom your brows
You can either leave this to a professional if you get it done regularly or groom them yourself but if you've never groomed your brows, please don't get tweezer happy and start plucking away. Ask a friend where they get theirs done and ask for a consult if possible. Strong, clean eyebrows are key in looking fabulous in your wedding photos.
Step 3-Wedding Day Makeup
Try if you can to get some sleep the night before. If not, CTM your face as you normally do but after rinsing before applying moisturizer, splash your face with cold water. Not only will it wake you up but it will also perk up your skin.
You'll need the following products, I've recommended my favorites to get the look:
Primer (Benefit That Gal)
Foundation (Lancome Teinte Idole Fresh Wear)
Powder ( Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder)
Eyeshadow (Dior 5-Color Eye Shadow Palette in Rosy Tan)
Eyeliner (Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencil is Caviar)
Eyebrow color (Bobbi Brown Brow Pencil in Mahogany)
Blush (Nars Blush in Amour)
Lipliner (Lancome Le Lipstique in Sheer Raspberry)
FACE:
Start with a well moisturized face. Apply primer all over with either a brush or your fingers but concentrate the most on the t-zone. Wait a few seconds for it to dry and set before applying foundation. **foundation must match your skin perfectly** I always recommend applying foundation with a brush because you get the most coverage with the least amount of product. Don't use too much foundation, you don't need it but make sure you apply the product evenly and blend really well. Apply concealer under the eyes, in between the eyebrows, around the nose, on your chin and over any blemishes or discoloration you might have. **remember under eye concealer is always one shade lighter than your skin whereas to cover blemishes, etc, it matches your skin** Set with powder using a big powder brush or a velour puff, concentrating on the under eyes, nose, forehead and chin.
EYES:
Apply a bit of concealer to the eyelid as a primer and powder to set. Start with the lightest shade (in your palette of brown and peachy colors) and apply all over your eye from lash line to brow bone. Use the second lightest shade and contour your eye in the crease. **blend well** Take the second darkest color (not the darkest) and apply on your lid using a light application. Using your eye pencil, draw a line as close to your lash line as possible from the outside in towards the tear dtct. Take an angle brush and the darkest shadow shade, go over the line softly to both smudge it lightly and set the shadow. Do this last step on the bottom lash line as well. Curl your lashes and swipe two coats of waterproof mascara.
BROWS:
Sharpen your eye brow pencil and lightly brush strokes as if mimicking individual brow hairs on your eye brow. Fill in the brow and using a clean angle brush, smooth over the lines and perfect your brow shape making sure the color is evenly applied and no smudges outside the brow shape.
CHEEKS:
Smile to find the apples of your cheeks and using a light hand, apply the pink shade from the apples of your cheek up towards the ear/hairline blending well. **a little blush goes a long way so don't over apply but apply just enough that you can see it and it complements the rest of your look**
LIPS:
Make sure your lips are free of cracking and smooth **the night before, use your exfoliant on an old toothbrush and "brush" your lips for a smooth, soft lip the next morning** Fill your lip in with lipliner and brush to even it out. Using a stiff lip brush, apply lipstick all over to fill in the lips. Finish off with a bit of gloss (not too much!)
VOILA!! Now you look like a Princess!
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