Kate Middleton’s wedding-day makeup didn’t stray much from her everyday look (below). The new Duchess of Cambridge elected to be her own artist.
The bride’s skin is flawless, her cheeks appealingly rosy, her smile beautifully white. She’s filled in her brows a bit more, but her eye makeup is her usual taupe shadow and dark liner. Okay, Kate could have softened that lower lash line a bit to avoid making her eyes look smaller, but really, big deal. She looks lovely, and more importantly, like herself. That’s a good thing on a fairytale day where everything seems so over-the-top and unreal, right?
So what makes the difference between everyday and wedding day if you’re doing your own face? Consider these points:
1) Make sure your skin’s in top shape. We’re talking facials, whether traditional spa, microdermabrasion, chemical peel or Intraceuticals. The better your skin, the less makeup you need.
2) Make sure your teeth are white. The more contrast between your teeth and skin, the brighter your skin looks and the less makeup you need.
3) Use a primer to help your makeup glide on and stay where you put it. An illuminating type, such as CoverFx BrightPrep FX adds a luminosity that, once you put on your foundation, looks like it comes from within.
4) Concealer’s important — most brides are sleep deprived. *sigh* Go with a high pigment formula so you’ll have to use only a little. I keep coming back to Cover FX Conceal FX because it makes the darkest circles just disappear. Just keep in mind it works best on bare skin. I usually apply concealer after foundation, but with this one, I apply the concealer first and blend foundation around it carefully.
5) A good complexion like Kate’s looks incredible with a medium-coverage foundation such as MAC Studio Sculpt, which makes skin look perfect without looking like it’s made up. I used it for a wedding a couple of weeks back; oh. my. goodness. A light dusting of M.A.C Mineralize SkinFinish/Natural powder sets everything in place with a velvety finish.
6) Waterproof mascara — duh! I love tube-technology types for their steadfastness and easy-off removal at the end of the day. Try Lise Watier 24hrs Glam.
7) Rosy cheeks are a bridal must, if you ask me. You’ll likely have a natural flush of excitement and happiness anyway; go with it! Keep colour-choice easy by choosing a formula such as Stila Custom Color Blush that adjusts in response to your skin chemistry.
8) Sweet pink or watermelon gloss is always so pretty. It doesn’t look obvious as it fades, and touch ups don’t require much precision so they can be done quickly and on-the-go. You can use your usual shade, or pick up a similar colour in a splurge-y package — YSL Volupté Sheer Candy, anyone? (Pardon my obsession, but it’s special, and the packaging is brilliantly bridal perfect).
9) Keep a translucent pressed powder handy if you need a bit of shine control. Two trusty, no-fuss types that do not show up in flash photography: CoverFX Matte FX and M.A.C Blot Powder Pressed. Just remember to blot excess oil before adding powder. Although completely non-glamorous, these are my favourite blotters.
For her manicure Kate went for simple and classic as well. NO not the dreaded French manicure! Instead she had a pale blend of Bourjois Paris So Laque Ultra Shine in Nº 28 Rose Lounge and Essie 423 Allure, applied by her manicurist, Marina Scandoval of the Jo Hansford salon in Mayfair.
Want to style your hair like Kate’s? BellaSugar’s got a how-to — as well as the photo I used at the top.
I like that Kate did her own makeup. I don’t think I’d do my own, though. Is that weird? Would you do your own?
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Hi Janine, I did do my own makeup but we were in Mexico. A lot of the things you point out above – good skin, rosy glow – were in place from a few days of fun & sun before the big day. When I see my photos I still think “Wow! How did I do that?” but in reality I didn’t do much at all. :)
I think finding the right makeup balance is the hardest thing to do. Many either underdo or overdo. Sounds like you hit it exactly right, Colleen, and understood that a beach wedding (lovely!!) calls for fresh, glowing prettiness! I’m going to creep your Facebook page to see :-)
I’ll be doing my own makeup. I did an application at Bobbi Brown recently and while the makeup artist’s own makeup looked great, her look on me did not. It wasn’t horrible but she definitely did not know how to work with my Asian features. I fear that down in the Dominican Republic, it’ll be the same scenario. So I bought all the “gear” and will DIY it. ;)
The thing about counter artists, Lindsay, is that the best ones aren’t there long — they hook up with pro hair & makeup agencies, which charge about $300 for bridal beauty — and having them with you on a destination wedding doesn’t fit everyone’s budget :-(
Having a lesson is a great idea, though — are you taking lots of photos of your own self-applied practice runs so you can figure out what you want to adjust and what you love?
It’s stressful enough doing it for our own wedding, nevermind one watched by 2 billion people! Guess she was burned once and forever ran in the opposite direction of makeup artists?
You’re so right! I’m all over the strong brows. I would have preferred a deeper lip, but you knew I’d say that.
She must be used to the public scrutiny by now. And she must have had a bad experience or two with artists. She needs to be featured in the Brit fashion and beauty mags to meet the best!
And yup, I know from you and a deeper lip shade! Hers aren’t as full and lovely as yours, though; I can see why colour would be a challenge for her.
I LOVE that she did her own makeup and think more brides should follow suit.
While this was (most likely?!) not the reason, the reality is that most brides will spend countless $$$ on dress, flowers, even invitations but when it comes to makeup, the hire the cheapest ‘artist’ they can find and still haggle. Makes little to no sense considering the images are to stand the test of time.
My advice for brides-to-be – if your budget doesn’t allow for a real pro, do it yourself – you’ll likely do a better job and not look like a caricature of yourself on your big day. ;)
I’ll add to this that all you need to do is take photos of your efforts so you can see what might need more emphasis and what might need less!
I will definitely do my own makeup on the big day (which is coming soon!) I dont trust makeup artists around here… Dont wanna look like a jersey-girl, if you know what I mean!
I think Kate has makeup-artist trust issues, too…
Have you chosen “a look?” Are you buying anything new or using what you have? Totally curious :-)
Nope, I’d *still* hire a really amazing beauty guru. ;)
I’m with you. *grin*
Honestly, for me it’s about seeing my own face objectively, the way I see other faces. Like most people, I get used to seeing my own mug a certain way, which can be limiting. Plus, I wouldn’t be able to decide on a look. I’d need help!
I would suggest going to a makeup artist to get tips, for them to show you application techniques and ways to make sure your makeup lasts all day. Many people don’t know things like to not wear foundation with SPF for photos, etc. Then go ahead, do it yourself if that’s what you’re comfortable with.
I think she looks great and did a good job!
Scheduling a lesson is a must, definitely — agreed!
Not all foundations with SPF are created equal, however — I’ve successfully used MAC Select Moistureblend SPF 15 and StudioSculpt SPF 15. Could be the trick is to apply as sparingly as possible — I’m not at all heavy-handed with foundation. I like skin to show whenever possible.
For more coverage, though, I use M.A.C StudioTech, which has no SPF. On properly prepared skin, it settles to look like skin.
I think Kate did a good job — her beautiful skin is the key. Still want to soften that liner along her lower lashes, though.
I absolutely love that she did her own make up! It just shows how down to earth she is!
Or maybe she’s a control freak? *grin*
I’ve met many, many brides who have hired artists for their bridal makeup. About 98 per cent of them I would characterize as down to earth. Just sayin’ :-)
I did do my own makeup for my wedding and I still think I did a pretty darn good job of it :) I had a very small wedding though so I didn’t have a ton of other things to stress over as well. For me it was kind of nice to have a bit of time to myself for myself before the big moment, it helped to ground me a bit.
I couldn’t imagine doing my own if I was going to be the bride in one of the most watched weddings of the decade. I think that pressure would be a bit much for me lol! I think it’s great though that she did, it does show a level of grounding and normalcy that could easily be very lacking for a princess :P
I think she’s had some time to adjust to the spotlight. *grin*
I guess Kate’s clearly comfortable with her own makeup skills — as are you, which is brilliant. Some women, not so much (in my case, I feel I need another artist’s objectivity).
Kate didn’t do her own nails, though. Of course, I wouldn’t either, but if I had to choose between doing my own face and doing my own mani, I’d go with the mani (with apologies to Leeanne).
I’d only trust a Beauty Geek for my wedding day – heart – I know that I don’t use enough concealer or foundation, and I would also be a spaztic-mess.
Dearest, I doubt you’d be a spaztic-mess! You’d have perma-smile, which would be a joy for any artist to work with. xo
I think Kate looked so beautiful and I’m impressed with her skill at doing her own makeup on a day when she was probably very nervous and sleep-deprived! What I would like to know is what brands she used :-)
I also did my own makeup at our wedding. Now, twelve years later, I look at those pictures and don’t half regret it :-)
Definitely I would/will do my own. I never am happy when someone else does it, especially my eyebrows. I think she did a great job!
I had hired help for my wedding makeup. She was the most expensive one I came across, but definitely well worth it! It’s very important to have a couple of makeup trials to ensure you’re happy with the end result. I had 3 trials (2 with non-Asian makeup artists and 1 locally well-known Asian makeup artist, Emmy Leung). I found with the non-Asian makeup artists, they caked on the makeup and foundation and made my already yellow Asian undertone skin even more sallow. They made me look older and I didn’t look like myself. Emmy understands Asian skin and Asian features (I’m sure she would do an excellent job on non-Asian brides too). She kept my day makeup fresh and youthful looking, yet still classic so my photos will not look dated in the future. She came to my reception hall to change my day makeup into night makeup, and struck the right balance to complement the heavy silk, Tang Dynasty-like gown I wore. I highly recommend Emmy Leung!
http://emmyleungmakeup.com