“Doable DIY” is our new recurring blog series about easy, affordable DIY wedding ideas. We’ll be taking today’s top wedding trends and translating them into practical DIY projects. Let the creativity begin!
Below, Truly Engaged writer (and recent bride) Rachel shares her own experience with DIY wedding makeup, and shares makeup tips/ideas from a local makeup artist.
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Remember Picture Day at school? Well, if you didn't like your photos—or you purposely took a bad photo because you knew your braces would be coming off in a week {not that I did that, of course...}—you knew you could always be rescued by two little words: Retake Day.
When I got married last year, I realized something: There's no Retake Day for your wedding. You have one day, one chance, to look stunningly beautiful. No pressure, right?
If you're a bride like me, you might choose to go the DIY route for your wedding day makeup. Maybe you're doing it for budgetary reasons, or maybe you just want to feel in complete control of your wedding day look (my reasons were a mix of both).
Either way, DIY wedding makeup is a little tricky, but with a little planning and prep work, I was able to pull it off—and you can, too. (See my wedding pics)
For today's post, I consulted Brynn Andre, makeup artist and beauty blogger who does bridal makeup for weddings. Read below as Brynn shares her shares her own wedding makeup tips and tricks. Learn what to do, what not to do, and how to achieve "beautiful" on a budget.
PHOTO-FRIENDLY WEDDING MAKEUP
Skip the sunscreen. "While I’m a huge advocate of wearing sunscreen every day, [your] wedding day is one exception," says Brynn. "Sunscreen has titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which actually reflect light and can make skin look washed out and white."
If you have fair skin like me, try to limit your exposure to direct sunlight on your wedding day, and of course, slather on the sunscreen for all the days leading up to the wedding.
Avoid mineral makeup. "Many women love mineral makeup, [but] it can have the same light reflection effect," Brynn says. Shimmery products can also translate poorly on film.
So what's a girl to do? To still achieve that coveted bridal "glow", Brynn suggests a liquid foundation. "The texture of liquid helps create that dewy finish. Also, try a cream blush. I swear by this cream blush from Benefit."
Take your time, and trust your gut. Brynn advises brides to go with their instincts about how their wedding makeup looks. "If you feel like you have too much or too little makeup, keep working. You want to feel flawless on your wedding day. Take the extra time."
MAKING MAKEUP LAST ALL DAY
Start with a good primer. To make your makeup go the distance, start with a strong, solid base. Brynn recommends investing in a good primer, such as Laura Mercier. "It's lightweight and soothes the skin. But you'll be amazed at the staying power it has."
Finish with a matte powder. "Make sure it is matte—remember, shimmer is dangerous," advises Brynn, who loves Lancome's selection of powders.
Do little touch-ups throughout the day. "Touch-ups are okay! I think many brides have the impression that their makeup should stay all day," says Brynn. No need to dump your entire makeup bag into your purse, though. "A little powder and lip gloss throughout the day will help the makeup big time."
BUDGET-SAVING MAKEUP TIPS Practice cheap, buy prestige. "I love budget makeup! I'm always on the hunt for amazing products at drugstore prices," says Brynn. To find the right shades of lipstick, blush, etc., Brynn loves experimenting with the cheaper drugstore products. "Once you find a shade you love, you can always color-match it with a prestige brand." That said, Brynn advises against being frugal with foundation. "I recommend sticking with a high-end brand [for foundation]. You'll be glad you did." (I'd have to agree! Based on my personal experience.) What worked for me: Free color-matching at a cosmetic store. A few months before the wedding, I stepped into Sephora for the first time. My deer-in-headlights look must have caught the eye of Sofia, one of the workers, because she quickly came over, smiled, and offered a free color-matching session for foundation. I'm not sure if they do that at all the Sephora locations, but it doesn't hurt to ask! Make sure to tell them it's for your wedding day, as they might suggest specific products to use (or avoid, such as mineral) for that day. Here are a few budget-friendly makeup products that Brynn likes: 
- Maybelline Super Stay lip gloss
- e.l.f. studio HD blush
- False eyelashes. "You can get them for $5 at Walgreens! They will make your eyes look seriously define in photos. And if you select the right style, they'll look natural."
PIMPLES! (THE ULTIMATE BEAUTY NIGHTMARE)
Primer and palettes. To reduce the redness, Brynn suggests starting with a good primer, such as Laura Mercier (mentioned above). Also, a concealer palette can erase nearly all signs of a pimple, but "you'll need to put on your artist's cap. You blend multiple colors into an exact match to your skin. It's more of an advanced technique, but worth it."
(MAKEUP) KNOWLEDGE IS POWER If you're going the DIY wedding makeup route, Brynn recommends learning the art of makeup through Face Forward, a beauty book by the late Kevyn Aucoin, esteemed celebrity makeup artist. "Not only is it a beautiful narrative on inner beauty and outer beauty, but it's a great step-by-step guide to different looks." Wow, that sounds great! I might even need to pick that up. :) ———– Wow, thanks Brynn for all the wonderful wedding makeup tips! What about you out there--did you do your own wedding makeup, or are you planning to do DIY wedding makeup? Any tips for the brides-to-be out there? I'd love to hear your ideas!
