This post was written by Vincent van den Berg of Pixan Photography.
Photography by Pixan Photography
As a bride-to-be, your gorgeous mug will be front and center in countless photographs, starting from the first wedding expo all the way through to the bridal shower, bachelorette party and official wedding day.
And since it’s likely that these photos will be forever cataloged online, in scrapbooks and in your wedding, there’s no shame in wanting to look your best, right?
That’s where your bridal makeup comes into play.
I’ve shot Cancun wedding photos in just about every tropical environment you can imagine, at windy shorelines, on the peaks of high atop rocky cliffs and even submersed in a “cenote” pool. Regardless of the conditions we’re dealing with, makeup is the one element that always helps the bride show off her very best features.
I’m not a makeup expert, but I’ve worked with enough brides who photographed well to pick up some solid tips along the way. Add to that a few industry resources I’ve found, and we’ve got a nice collection of makeup insights I’d like to share with you here!
Photography by Pixan Photography
1. Take care of your skin
Although your professional wedding photographer and makeup artist (if applicable) have their own tricks and know how to make you shine, they aren’t miracle workers. Do your part to keep your skin fresh and healthy as you get ready to take some of the most important photos you’ll ever be in!
Now is not the time to experiment with creams, liquids, wrinkle-reducers, or anything else that might cause your skin to break out. Since you can’t really know if a new product will cause damage, stick to the products you do know and love or ask a makeup professional for his or her opinion/advice before trying something new.
Here are some great ways to take care of your skin:
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink plenty of water to give your skin a flawless glow.
- Exfoliate with a gentle scrub
- Apply moisturizer
2. Use a primer
If your face is a blank canvas, then the primer is what will give that canvas a smooth surface. Makeup primer smooths over roughness, allows for easier blending and will help your makeup last much longer.
3. Set the foundation
Choose a foundation that is camera-friendly – i.e. sans sunscreen. On any other day, slather on the sunblock, but not on your wedding day, as it can clash against flash photography and make your face look off. After placing your foundation, set it by using a powder with a matte finish.
Some foundation products include a SPF protection within them, and this might be an alternative option.
4. Glow, baby, glow!
To get that fresh-faced glow in your photographs, use a dab of highlighter on the top of your cheekbones, inside the corners of your eyes, just above the top lip, on the tip of your nose, and just a bit on the chin. The highlighter gives something for the camera flash to bounce off of, which in turn, creates a beautiful glow.
