Most brides envision their wedding makeup to look like a more elevated version of their everyday makeup look. The alternative to a natural/ elevated look are requests for a 'made-up bridal look' and the expectation is to achieve a bridal look one would not see or do every day. The idea of natural makeup, or bridal makeup, is subjective and the criteria for each look will vary drastically based on YOUR interpretation of makeup. It’s common for a bride to have a bridal preview and use the session to work through the desired makeup ideas for the wedding day. It's important to have inspirational photos to capture the details you like and equally vital to express the likes and dislikes as cardinal rule number one. Our makeup artists are willing to work through obstacles + details like a pro. Additional costs for a retrial arise when an artist leaves the trial under the impression their bride is satisfied but later learns they were scared to speak up. We prefer to work through disfavor during the first trial, as travel time to come back around the city will take a big chunk from another work day! We've put together phrases and makeup artist lingo to help brides express if and when they are unhappy with their wedding day look. Head over to our tips HERE.

1. Inspiration Photos

   We love it when a bride does their research and they save a plethora of makeup images for their makeup artist. Be sure to save inspo photos with similar hair color + skin tone. Make notes about each picture you like. Ex: the lip color/ shape, the blush color, the brow, the eyeliner shape, and the shade of the eye shadow. All factors come into play when creating a bridal look, but keep in mind the same exact makeup application/product will look completely different on different people. MOST OFTEN inspiration photos are models and photoshopped from IG + Pinterest (even phone edits make will make brides look like AI). This is why we’ve created our bridal look book to avoid the complication and battle of photoshop. You can view our makeup inspo, HERE.

   **Note: it is just as important to save makeup photos you don’t like as well. Save previous photos or general inspo photos of makeup looks that you dont love.

2. Flawless Finish Foundation

The easiest part for a professional makeup artist is matching the skin. However, sometimes the foundation can oxidize and adjustments will need to be made by going a shade lighter or switching to a different formula. Oxidation happens when the pigments in your makeup react with the air and oil on your skin, causing your makeup to change color + appear darker or orange-ish in tone. We see a lot of confusion around coverage; light vs full coverage + matte vs dewy finish. Skin is meant to look like skin regardless of the coverage and finish. If you want a full coverage, it will feel like you’re wearing makeup. If you do not like the feel of makeup, opt for a natural makeup finish.

**Note: ensure your skin is properly taken care of months before your trial + wedding day. You should have a skincare regime months before you say “I do'“. Your makeup will look cakey and/or textured ONLY if your skin is in bad shape. Check in with your bridal makeup team if you need recommendations for a good esthetician!

3. Camera-Ready Options

The way makeup looks in person and the way it translates through an image is completely different. We like to keep eyes soft and simple when it comes to a nature wedding makeup. By sticking with earth tones this will keep things soft but also give the option to play with lipstick or blush. A dusting of pink/champagne shadow for our fair-skin babes, warmer tans for our medium tone gals, and brunt rust shades for our deeper skin tones. A subtle liner above the lash line is optional, but the eye is not complete without a shaped brow to frame your face. When it comes to brows, avoid over-plucking. Feather the brow upward with brow gel for an effortless yet groomed look or work with a soft pencil or eye shadow to fill in sparse areas. If you consider anything at all, falsies. Fake lashes will make your eyes pop. If you’re looking for something undetectable opt for individually applied lashes instead of strips. The look is full and luscious yet fits in beautifully with the rest of your natural bridal makeup.

4. Blushing Bride

Our favorite makeup look for a natural bride almost always will include a sun-kissed glow. Bronzer screams day-at-the-beach with very little effort. For a natural bronzed finished look for a warmer shade of brown vs a cool grey tone. By choosing warmth, we will be able to replicate areas of the face where the sun would naturally touch the skin. Grey tones are meant to shade and contour and so let’s stay away from those cool tones for this look. Shades of dusty pink are flattering for our fair skin babes. Apply sparingly to the forehead, bridge of your nose and chin to instantly transform your complexion. 

5. Picture-Perfect Lips

Our top natural makeup tip is influenced by natural-look pioneer Bobbi Brown's philosophy. Lips are where you get your chance to inject a little extra color. The trick is to keep lipstick close to your natural color but up the intensity level. Lip color will look natural yet eye-catching, both in person and on camera. For a perfect shape start with a lip liner slightly darker than your lip, but neutral. We wont stray too far outside the lip line to keep things natural. After applying lip color, place a dot of shimmery eyeshadow at the cupid's bow or a touch of gloss in the center of your lower lip, for luscious lips that still look like your own.