The Best Makeup for Your Wedding Day -- Top 5 Bridal Beauty Picks

Wedding season is my favorite time of year. I love the aura of whimsy and romance that the bridal industry manages to reinvent seasons after season. After searching for color palettes on my favorite wedding photographer's blog and browsing some of the latest gown trends on DressFirst and The Knot, however, I was inspired to share a list of classic wedding makeup must-haves.

Photo Credit: Jasmine Star, Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Stylelist

TOP 5 BRIDAL BEAUTY PICKS

1. BLUSH

Blush does a world of wonder for the bridal party since the stress of wedding planning can drain the color from the cheeks. Not only does blush brighten up the complexion, it makes any face light up with youth and happiness. These Tom Ford and NARS cheek colors are ideal for weddings since pigmented, long lasting color is required. I love Wicked (pictured left) and Flush by Tom Ford, $56, and Orgasm (pictured right) and Taj Mahal by NARS, $29.

2. BROWS

Brow pencils give the most natural brow appearance and are the easiest to use. They also fit into a clutch easily, and my favorite two by Cle de Peau, $25 for cartridge and $35 for holder, and Anastasia, $21, come equipped with soft spoolies for a perfectly blended look. If the bride generally does not wear brow products, there will be a remarkable difference in the photos. Make sure not to focus only on the eyeshadow, for refined and polished brows will frame the eyes better and help bring the entire makeup look together.

Check out my Clé de Peau Eyebrow Tutorial HERE!

3. WATERPROOF MASCARA

Happy tears usually make their appearance at most bridal functions, so waterproof mascara is essential. It is worth the extra effort even as a preventative measure. The Chanel Inimitable WP, $30, and Lancôme Hypnose Star WP, $28, formulas add volume with length and hold curl beautifully without resulting in smudging. I highly recommend eyelash extensions on the day of the wedding because it is a hassle to glue back on strip or individual false eyelashes that have lifted. Instead of regretting wonky eye photos, top lash extensions with waterproof mascara for a lush and fool-proof eye look!

4. BASE MAKEUP PRIMER

To achieve the longest lasting makeup, start with the base. Both of the primers pictured above help foundation photograph flawlessly. The Hourglass No. 28 Serum primer, $65, is ideal for very dry to slightly dry skin because it nourishes and rejuvenates while evening out pores. On the other hand, the Smashbox Photo Finish Blend primer in Apricot, $38, is ideal for prepping and correcting pigmentation issues like sunspots and veins. It is best on normal to combination skin, so try Photo Finish Light on oily skin.

5. BLOTTING SHEETS

I highly recommend touching up with blotting sheets for the most beautiful photo results. Both of the blotting papers pictured above are dusted lightly with powder to help remove excess oil and sweat and refresh the complexion without disrupting makeup. Just press gently into the skin without wiping or pulling the sheet across the face. The Tachta Evening papers in black, $15, are all-natural leaflets sized perfectly for a clutch. The Shisiedo Pureness papers, $18.50, are better for oily skin since the product contains more powerful oil-absorbing ingredients.

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TUTORIAL: Full Coverage HD Foundation Routine [Photo Shoot & Event/Bridal Makeup] + Video Details

I recently discovered the magic of Graftobian HD Glamour Cremes through bridal makeup artists on Instagram, so I am very excited to share this review and tutorial video today. These 5-well palettes of richly pigmented and affordable full coverage foundations are definitely worthy of the hype and praise they have received on the web. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well they lasted and how smooth they appeared on film, considering the Glamour Cremes are of a thinner cream consistency. Do moisturize and prime the skin before application as well as set with powder for best high-definition results. The texture is unlike most designer base products, so just remember to gently stipple on the products with the MAC 130 over a tinted moisturizer or tiny bit of liquid foundation and then press (not wipe) the BeautyBlender across your face!

Makeup Used:
-Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Corrector Palette $20.95
-Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Neutral #1 Palette $20.95
-Graftobian HD Glamour Creme Warm #1 Palette $20.95
-Graftobian HD Pro Warm Powder Foundation Palette 
-Graftobian HD LuxeCashmere Setting Powder Banana Cream Pie 
-Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Liquid Foundation in 6 [less than 1/2 pump]
-Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Concealer in Light to Medium
-Le Metier de Beaute Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Noir
-Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder in Natural 1
-Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze
-Cle de Peau Eyebrow in Natural Black
-MAC Paint Pot in Chilled on Ice
-NARS And God Created Woman Eyeshadow Palette
-MAC 130 Brush & BeautyBlender Pro
-Chanel Inimitable WP Mascara [no false lashes]
-Edward Bess Lipstick in Secret Desire
-Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Vanilla Rose

**The color behind this look was requested by a subscriber on Facebook. This brightening, more minimalist approach to color suits the heavier full coverage foundation look best. There is a lot of layering to create the base, so bear in mind this is NOT an everyday foundation routine.. it is ideal for special events such as photo shoots and weddings!**

Tank:
Lululemon Athletica [old]

Nails:
Chanel Azure [click for swatches]
Deborah Lippmann Mermaid's Dream

Bridal Beauty Inspired by Grace Kelly from Le Metier de Beaute for Oscar de la Renta -- Plus a 15% OFF CODE!

Oscar de la Renta is favored by fashionistas worldwide. His recent bridal show was complete with Le Metier de Beaute makeup, so I wanted to share the ethereal look worn by all the models with you. Now that engagement season is in full swing, a lot of brides-to-be have been inquiring about what kind of makeup to wear on their big day. Some brides still opt for the sultry smoky look, but I am heavily favoring the fresh and elegant Grace Kelly inspired makeup trend these days and not just because it is popular on the runway. 

Mikey Castillo, the Le Metier de Beaute Director of Makeup, used satiny eyeshadow, fresh flushed pinks and glossy nudes to accent the timeless gowns by de la Renta. 

The Face -- The models were prepped with Replenishing Daily Solution, followed by Peau Vierge Tinted Luminzer for radiant skin.

The Eyes -- The satin lid look was created by using the Champagne Dualistic Eye Pencil as a base, blending it from the lash line to the eye bridge. Then the True Color Shadows in Chameleon and Rose Champagne were layered over one another to add a soft feminine flair. To complete the look, the Noir Precision Liquid Liner was drawn as close as possible to the lash line while lashes were topped with one coat of Noir Anamorphic Lash Mascara to create a fluttery finish.

The Brows -- The Natural Blonde Brow Bound Eyebrow pencil defined the brows but the edges were blended out for a natural touch. 

The Cheeks -- Mikey applied the Creme Fresh Tint in Coral Nymph high on the apples of the cheeks for a youthful flush. The pop of color and the dewy finish of the tint is refreshing yet feminine. 

The Lips -- My beloved Sweet Creme Lip Creme Gloss was layered on for a sheer, nude-pink pout. 

The Final Touch -- The Classic Flawless Finish Concealer, used sparingly where necessary, finished off the entire look by creating a flawless base that every bride hopes to achieve. 

But best of all? Le Metier de Beaute is now offering this impeccably curated Beauty Vault pairing on their site, and you can receive 15% OFF the entire look by using the code 'OSCAR' [meaning you can snatch up all the makeup pictured above for a total of $172.. what a deal!]

*Note: I will not earn any commission from the use of the code. This is only a PSA for all my makeup lovers out there who want to score fabulous makeup at an unbeatable price!* I just filmed a Fresh and Luminous Spring Makeup look -- which you can see here -- using a very similar range of Le Metier de Beaute products, so this is the perfect opportunity for you to try some of my favorites from the brand. And of course, anyone (bride or otherwise) can enjoy this classic yet fresh makeup look. Happy shopping!