{Wedding Day Makeup for Photography}
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 01:50PM You're wedding day look is probably the most important aesthetic piece of your wedding. After all you ARE the bride and this IS a wedding : > First stop when it comes to the wedding day look is always the dress. You spend hours drooling over wedding dresses on the internet and in magazines and then just as much time in the bridal boutiques. The next concern is usually the hair and then some where way down the line is the makeup.
The wedding dress, hair, and makeup should be seen as one complete piece and not separate elements. I often see pictures of brides that picked a killer dress and then let it go from that. They went to a stylist and got "wedding hair" and then makeup, well, just make me look natural and not to much. Well, I've got some news, you don't have to have "wedding hair." Instead of looking through wedding magazines for inspiration check out how the celebrities are styled on the red carpets. Look for dresses they are wearing with similar necklines and then check out their hair. My guess is that it isn't "wedding hair."
Your dress should match your hair and your hair and dress should match your makeup. If you are wearing a formal dress why would you where natural makeup? If you're dress is a lacey and vintage your hair and makeup should be too. If you have a glam gown go.... glam. Save natural makeup for the honeymoon. Most of us busy bees don't have time to wear a face full of makeup each day and we get used to the neutral essentials. Leave these at home on you're wedding day and be prepared to go BOLD. That's right, be prepared to go out of your comfort zone. I can promise you that you WILL NOT look like you have too much makeup on on your wedding day.
Now that we've covered the basics of putting together a tight look let's talk a little about wedding day makeup as it pertains to photography. What you see in person is MUCH different than what the camera picks up. Even if you think you are wearing a lot of makeup the camera will not. In the video below I started with a full face of natural looking makeup. On the video however I look like I just rolled out of bed. By the end of the video I'm ready to walk down the aisle (except for the fact that I'm already married, I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and it's 12am...).
Lastly, the whole "my fiance doesn't like me with makeup" thing shouldn't be a real decision maker. Your guy just loves you no mater what and what he's probably saying is, "you're my girl and I love you for you and.... I don't want you looking hot for other guys."
Wedding Day Makeup Tips for Gorgeous Wedding Photos
1. Hire a stylist you trust and trust them. Let them do what they think will look best on you. Some times giving them to many dos and don'ts will just confuse and overwhelm. Do, however, bring lots of photos of inspiration and you're dress. Let them help you pull your look together.
2. Matte makeup is good because it absorbs light and helps hide flaws and sweat.
3. Glitter=BAD. Light reflects off of it and it looks like there are little solar flares all over your face in pictures.
4. Go darker and heaver on eye liner and mascara. If you usually wear brown wear black. The more contrast there is between your eyelash line and the whites of your eyes the more your eyes will pop.
5. Don't be afraid of color on your eyes, but also don't feel pressured into color. If you want neutrals that's fine just go much more intense and sculpted.
6. LOVE false Eyelashes.
7. Use primer for skin and eyes to keep makeup sticking to your face.
8. No nude lips. Looks like you drowned and were resuscitated in pictures.
9. Define eyebrows. It makes your face look more structured and your eyes pop.
10. Stay away from tanning. God gave you a beautiful skin color that matches perfectly with your hair and eyes and personality. More importantly, too much tan makes you look orange next to everyone else in pictures.
11. Along the same lines as #10 go very light on the bronzer for pics. It looks muddy on camera. Pinks and peaches keep your face looking fresh and healthy.
Below are some of our former brides and models. In the pictures on the right they have their natural everyday makeup on. In person you would be able to tell they had a full face of makeup on but in the pictures (that were not contrived) you can't tell if they have makeup on at all. The pictures on the right were obviously professionally styled and... how great do they look? Notice how with each girl the dress dictates the style and then the hair and makeup match.
If you are not convinced yet on going bold then here is the best idea of all: on the day of your engagement shoot go and get your hair and makeup professional done. Go bolder than you feel comfortable with. You will not only get used to the hair and makeup but I can guarantee you that you will be amazed when the pictures come back.
Special thanks to the amazing stylist that styled these lovely ladies throughout the year: Jen King, Gracey Somers, and Heather Longshore. Call me or email me for stylist suggestions.
Makeup for Photography Part 1 Video
Wedding Makeup for Photography from ashley brockinton on Vimeo.
Makeup For Weddings Part 2 from ashley brockinton on Vimeo.
Reader Comments (5)
Great job - great points - very informative and oh how you look like your mother - gorgeous!
Love your site! and your work! so beautiful. funny story; i'm friends with Jara S. (I used to be on staff with WMF) and found your site through her blog. then this morning i was reading various blogs i follow and saw your video on Rockstar Diaries! so funny. :) Have a great day!
Hey COurtney! Did you know Sam used to be on with WMF too? What's Jara's blog? I checked yours out and I love it!
Yes; I did know that! I was in Kolkata for 2 1/2 years; between 2002-2005. Sam was going to Cuba or someplace I believe? Here is the link to Jara's blog!! http://iloveyoulove.wordpress.com/
Wow -- Hi, Sam and Ashley!
I found this post through Kate (Chaput) Podjan's photography blog, but I had no idea it was you guys! If you ever need a makeup stylist in KY, let me know.
Here's part of my teaching portfolio, with a link to my Special Occasion styling portfolio.