If you’re anything like me, you’re clueless to makeup application. I once tried to teach myself the “smokey eye” technique from a YouTube video and ended up looking like that scary chick from The Craft – not pretty! But wedding day makeup is important not only because you want to look as beautiful as you feel, but the pictures will last far beyond your special day.

Not being able to advise you on the art of cosmetics myself, I enlisted the help of makeup artist Carmindy from the hit TV series What Not to Wear.  Every week she helps transform hidden beauties into glowing gems. Here is what she wanted to share with Thrifty Brides from stay-put lip colour to must-haves for your emergency kit:

1. Whatever you do make sure not to try any facials or treatments that you have never done before right before the wedding. It can backfire and cause all kinds of trouble if you have a bad reaction. I'm talking about anything and everything from microdermabrasion, facials of any kind, spray-tanning, new hair colour, lash tinting or extensions, peels, etc. Instead try treatments 2 months before so you can see if you like the results and they don't cause any problems.

2. Always wear waterproof mascara and eye pencil because chances are you will cry and don't want raccoon eyes for pictures.

3. Have your bridesmaid carry your makeup touchup bag and shadow you throughout the reception acting like your own personal makeup artist so you will look great all night long. In the bag there should be a few Q-tips,  a non-latex sponge, a small travel container of your foundation, concealer and a small tipped concealer brush, blotting papers, a face powder compact, your lip colour, breath spray and a Tide-To-Go pen in case anything gets on your dress.

4. To ensure your lip colour stay put all night try the four layer rule. First apply a lip stain, then line the lips and fill them in with a lip pencil that matches your lipstick. Next apply lipstick over that and finish with a slight touch of gloss. It will last through all the kissing toasts!

5. Carmindize the face by applying an iridescent wedding shimmer under the brows, on the inside corners of the eyes and on tops of the cheekbones. Check out my wedding how-to video on YouTube or the Carmindy App.

If your budget is tight and you’re looking to cut some costs, De LaFreniere from Beautiful by De in Toronto suggests choosing products that can perform “double duty”. “Use your eye shadow with a liner brush to do double duty as eyeliner and save some money,” said De, a Skin Care specialist and makeup artist with over 20 years experience. She also suggests to her clients that by allowing her a little table at their bridal shower to sell products, she can shave some money off day-of application costs. “I prefer to know what a client’s budget is so I can give them the very best possible service.” 

So unless you're a skill makeup applicator, it's best to leave this one to the pros. You don't want to look back at your album and notice your right eye looks bigger than your left eye (let's just say I've been there!). 

xoxo

Thrifty Bride