Everything You Need to Know About Doing Your Own Wedding Makeup

Doing your own wedding makeup isn't for everyone, and I say that as someone who does wedding makeup for a living. But for some brides it genuinely is the right choice. Maybe you're eloping, or getting married abroad, or you just know your own face well and want to feel completely in control of how you look. Whatever the reason, if you're considering it, here's what I'd want you to know.

Do a trial run

Not the morning of your wedding or even the week before. At least a few weeks ahead, so you can live in the look for a day, see how it photographs, check it lasts, and tweak anything that isn't quite right. Do it on a day when you'll be out and about, not just at home, so you get a real sense of how it wears.

Start with your skin

Good makeup starts with good skin, and this is especially true when you're doing it yourself. The more your base is doing the work, the easier everything else becomes.

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, get into a simple skincare routine using clean, nourishing products that your skin loves. On the day itself, something like the Pai Impossible Glow Drops or the Ilia Radiant Priming Serum underneath your base gives you that lit-from-within glow before you've even started.

My Natural Makeup Digital Guide goes through skin types in detail and helps you work out which skincare and base products are right for you. It’s a really good starting point if you're not sure where to begin.

Keep it simple and keep it you

The biggest mistake brides make when doing their own makeup is trying to recreate something they've never done before, on the biggest day of their life. Keep it in your comfort zone. You want to look like the best version of yourself, not a different person entirely.

A lightweight foundation or tinted moisturiser, cream blush, a bit of mascara, and a lip colour you love. That's all you need for a beautiful, natural bridal look that lasts and photographs well.

If you want a little more, a soft eyeshadow in a neutral shade and a fine liner along the lash line adds definition without overdoing it. The Ilia eyeshadow palette and Delilah gel liner are both brilliant for this, and both feature in my Clean Beauty Product Guide.

Make it last

A good primer makes a real difference to how long your makeup wears, especially on a long and emotional day. The Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer is a lovely option, and finishing with a light setting spray helps everything stay put through whatever the day brings.

A little extra help if you need it

My 1:1 makeup lessons are really popular with brides who want to do their own wedding makeup. We work through your exact look together, I create a step-by-step plan tailored to you, and I put together a wedding morning timeline so you know exactly what to do and when. You leave feeling completely prepared.

If that sounds helpful, drop me a message and let's chat about your wedding day look.