Many brides are perfectly happy to wear whichever products their makeup artist brings along on their wedding day. I wasn't really one of those brides. And I don't think I'm alone in that. In the months leading up to my wedding last March, when I was busy figuring out seating charts and coordinating with the vendors (among a million other things), I was also painstakingly researching wedding day beauty products. As you know, the hair, makeup, and skin products that are used on your wedding day have to withstand hours of tears, hugs, possibly sweat, and possibly a wardrobe change or two. So needless to say, there's a lot to consider, and there are a lot of products out there to choose from.
Speaking of having a lot to choose from, I had a particularly difficult time settling on lip and cheek colors (thank you for your generous return policy, Sephora), but in the end, I decided to go with a handful of tried-and-true products I wear often, along with a few new ones to kick things up a notch. Everyone says you should look like you (as in the prettiest version of you) on your wedding day, so I decided on a natural look and a topknot hairstyle inspired by Alicia Vikander at the 2016 Oscars. I may have chosen a lot of my own products, but I had a professional hair and makeup artist, and I'm proud to say she approved of (and used) my selections. Keep scrolling to get the scoop on (and shop) my wedding day beauty products.
I have pretty dry skin, so I did this moisturizing sheet mask the morning of the wedding. I figure that if it's good enough for all the celebrities who use it before red carpets, it was good enough for me on my wedding day.
As I mentioned before, I have dry skin, and my wedding was in late winter, so I had to slather this on pre-makeup. It provides a great non-greasy canvas.
I used to just wear tinted moisturizer all the time, but I finally graduated to this in the year leading up to my wedding. The consistency is super thin and easy to apply, and it's just sheer enough.
My makeup artist used her airbrush machine, which is popular for brides since you're going to be photographed so much and you really want to look flawless. My only piece of advice is to beware if you're wearing eyelash extensions…
The rumors are true—this concealer is amazing. It's ridiculously easy to blend. I know the price is a tough pill to swallow, but I've been on the same tube for at least a year and a half.
I'm not a big lip liner person, but I wanted my lipstick to last, so I made an exception. I'd heard that Charlotte Tilbury's are particularly natural looking, and I'd have to agree (although I wish I'd chosen the Pillow Talk shade, in retrospect).
I tried countless lip products before deciding on this one. I don't think I look great with a lot of color on my lips, but I didn't want to look washed-out. This was the perfect shade of pink for the occasion. I'd say it's still in the nude color family but a little on the rosier side. I reapplied a couple of times throughout the day/night, but Tom Ford lipsticks definitely have staying power.
I'm also not a big hair spray person, but I needed it for my chosen hairstyle. I only wish I'd applied more of this amazing-smelling stuff, because the wind did a number on my hair.
I'm a Nars blush devotee, and I've worn this one for years. It actually doesn't look like much in the pan in person, but it's surprisingly pigmented on skin. It provides a perfect matte, natural-looking glow. I actually applied more of it after my makeup artist left because I like a lot of blush.
I didn't want to wear a highlighter that would be noticeable, so I went with this incredibly natural, flattering one. No visible shimmer particles here—just a soft glow.
Not only did I want to look like myself on my wedding day, I wanted to smell like myself. This rose-scented scent has been my go-to perfume for years, so it was a no-brainer to wear it for my wedding.
My brows aren't particularly manicured, so this gave them some natural-looking polish. I wear it every day, along with the next product.
I use Boy Brow when I want my brows to have a little extra polish without looking overly manicured, which is exactly what I wanted for my wedding day beauty look.
This rose-gold eye shadow has sadly been discontinued (but you can still find it on sale). It's much less shimmery on than it looks in the pan, but it provides the perfect eye-brightening accent. (Sidenote: I had lash extensions, so no mascara needed!)
My makeup artist brought this, so I'm not sure of the exact shade, but I remember that she raved about this product.
I used the gel version of this polish. I'm not a fan of the sheer nail colors brides typically wear, but I didn't want to wear anything distracting. This opaque nude was the perfect compromise.
Next up, see more of my wedding fashion choices.
