Bridal Beauty Buzz

Wedding makeup that will withstand heat!

I often give bridal makeup lessons for brides who are getting married abroad and want to apply their own wedding makeup.

The photographs in this post are from a beautiful wedding that I worked at in Malta last year – if anyone has been to Malta they will know how hot it is and because of this I had to make sure that I used the correct products.

If you are a bride getting married abroad and are applying your own wedding makeup, here are some hints and tips for you to help when purchasing your bridal makeup products:

Use moisturisers with a light formulation:
Don’t overload your skin with moisturisers that are too oily – by all means use an eye cream if your eyes are dry, but on the rest of your face use and oil free moisturiser. If you are in hot weather and you do start to perspire, having a moisturiser that is too oily will make your foundation ’slide’ off your skin.

After your moisturiser, apply a silicone based primer:
After you have applied your light moisturiser, it is essential to apply a primer to give your foundation something to ‘grab’ to and also to help your foundation look perfect for longer. I love silicone based primers, as not only to they give the perfect base for foundation, they also help to ‘blur’ fine lines and wrinkles which makes the skin look better, therefore you can use less foundation. (Also look for a primer with a SPF as it will protect your skin in the sun).

Do not use thick foundations – opt for a tinted moisturiser or a light coverage foundation:
Even if you like to wear a full coverage foundation on a daily basis, if you are getting married in the heat a thick foundation will slide off your skin within hours. Use a pretty, light foundation over your face and should you still be worried about any imperfections, cover them after with a long-lasting concealer.

Make sure you have the correct shade of foundation:
Before you purchase your foundation, consider what your skin tone will be on the wedding day. Will you be spending much time at the location abroad before you actually get married? If the answer is yes, then do consider if you will have more of a tan on the wedding day than you do now. If you are likely to be more tanned, please take this in to account when purchasing your foundation. By opting for a lighter foundation it will make this dilemma easier, as sheerer formulations are more forgiving and you will find that your tan will glow through the tint of the foundation/ tinted moisturiser.

Use powder to keep shine at bay:
You should use a blotting powder where needed to set your makeup and make sure that you carry a compact with you to blot away any excess shine during the day.

Use a waterproof silicone blusher:
Choose a blusher which isn’t going to melt/ slide off the skin – Daniel Sandler’s iconic Watercolour Fluid Blusher is still the best on the market.

Don’t use too much shimmer:
A little bit of shimmer is fine, but don’t overdo the sparkle in your makeup as this will look way too shiny in your wedding photographs with the bright sunlight

Use waterproof / long-lasting formulations wherever possible:
Mascaras
Eyeliners
Crease-proof eyeshadows
Lipsticks

Most importantly – keep it natural and pretty!
Remember that the makeup you would wear for a night out, is not the makeup you should be wearing for a day time, hot wedding. Bright daylight is not the most flattering light to be photographed in and if you apply your makeup too heavy, it will not look good in your photographs – especially after a few hours in the heat! Think light, pretty, fresh natural colours which will enhance a tan and will photograph well in daylight.

And if you are getting married abroad – have a wonderful wedding day!

Sarah x