Wedding makeup was one of the biggest challenges for me. My daily makeup routine includes bronzer, blush, eyeliner, mascara and chapstick. Not only is there nothing more included, I don’t even own anything more. So the thought of having my makeup done for my wedding has been very intimidating. I had a trial that I wasn’t happy with at all. I said I wanted to look natural, turns out natural means different things to different people. So next up I went to Carley Martin (per my friend Ashely‘s recommendation) and am so happy I did.
My inspiration was this picture (minus a little blush)
I like how dewy and fresh she looks. Perfectly natural. And that is exactly what I got from Carley! Even her portfolio showcases girls who have this exact look
What is your opinion on bridal makeup? Go bold? Or be natural? I definitely think its a personal decision.
Aww this is special to me… I’m a wedding day makeup + hair artist and I know how close that is to most brides… you want to look and feel your best for just that very one day!
My opinion is go bold but natural… especially for camera… you can play up a natural bronzy smokey eye which just enhances… add layering lashes that are wispy in length. Pink cheeks, liner on the water line which makes your eyes just completely pop! Gloss up those kissers of yours… no boldness on your lips until reception time. Try to keep the dewiness to a minimum… although it looks pretty in person, on camera it looks like a shiny, greasy mess! 
That’s my opinion though! 
That image of Rachel Bilson is such gorgeous inspiration, and I have no doubt that you are going to be the most beautiful bride!
Love your inspiration! I’m sure you will be a beautiful bride. I like Lindsey’s suggestions above!
Aww I love the Rachel Bilson inspiration– very fresh faced and romantic. Love it, Alex! Xx
Speaking from experience, and that from your reference of what you use daily (i use mascara and coverup that’s it! I had all these same feelings. I went natural, but just a better version of it. Had fake lashes, and a very natural look. How she explained, she would just amp up what my normal was. I think you will be very happy with it!!! I do think you want to go a touch more dramatic than you think, not for you but for your pictures. My eyes were a bit darker than I thought I wanted, all browns, but in photos it looks totally normal! Take a peak at mine – I think the look you want was what i did – I can send you a better close up if you want too!
But all in all you will look STUNNING!!!! And I can’t wait to see!
xo-T
If you don’t own a lot of makeup I doubt you want to walk down the aisle with 3 pounds of it on. I think it’s important to be start with less and add a little if you need it! xoxo
Bridal makeup is so important and you’re right, everyone’s meaning of natural is different. The key is having a trial and liking it – write everything down so she doesn’t forget what colors/products she used!
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I just got married and bridal make-up is so important to make you feel beautiful on your special day! And maybe some sparkly jewels!
Agree with Viviana that trials are key. I love love the fresh, dewey look – it’s so natural looking. What great inspiration you have!
My theory on bridal makeup is to look like the best version of yourself on a normal day – you want your husband to recognize you! If you wear a lot of makeup everyday, then wear a lot on your wedding day. If you don’t wear a ton on a normal basis, just keep it simple and play up your features. I LOVED my makeup, it looked beautiful in person and in pictures. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Sounds like you found a makeup artist you trust!
I think it is important to feel beautiful. I agree with Steel Magnolia- be the best version of yourself on a normal day. I mean a fresh, flawless face never goes out of style. You can always mix it up at the rehearsal dinner with some fun eye make up for a twist, then be more YOU on the actual wedding day!
That is such a perfect inspiration picture I might just have to steal it for my own trial in 2 weeks
I think natural is the way to go – basically look like the best version of you.
i want a natural look.. nothing too crazy. i want h to be able to recognize me! i LOVE that rachel bilson photo. so gorgeous! xo
I love a natural look — there’s nothing worse than a bride who doesn’t look like herself on her wedding day. I love your inspiration images!
Your inspiration is perfect…you actually remind me of RB so I think it will be perfect on you. And I’m in the natural camp as well- I always notice when I have too much on in photos…especially blush.
Bagh!!! The makeup on RB in that pic is PERFECTION..minus a little blush but still!!! You definitely want to look like yourself on your wedding day…just the prettiest version of yourself so it’s good you want a natural look!!! xoxo
Gorgeous makeup! I definitely did the natural look, (in fact: I did my own makeup because I figured I know my face best). xoxo
ahh so glad you had a good experience with carley! she’s the best!! you are going to look gorgeous! xo
I was terrified to have my make up done for my wedding day I was convinced I was going to look like a clown or Mimi from the Drew carey show. Like you I don’t really wear a ton of make up so I wanted it to be natural- thankfully I found someone who understood my needs. I think as long as you find a make up artist you love and are comfortable with they will do what you want and make you up beautifully.
Also my sister in law works in TV and she said that make up is essential for professional photos to turn out well so that was basically what convinced me to have it done professionally.
So so so beautiful, hope it turns out perfect for you xo
Ohhh that photo of Rachel bilson is absolutely lovely. I love the natural and fresh look, just a glowing version of yourself. I added a little more drama, but that was the style of the wedding. You are going to be a stunning bride!!
Definitely think: to each his own. I like the natural look!
To this day, I look back and love my wedding day. That was 25 years ago. I loved my french twist, my simple dress, natural make-up, little diamonds, the same bouquet as my Moms and I am so glad I chose to not follow the trends at that time. I do look at other weddings and can tell if it will be dated.
A wedding should be timeless, elegant, like Grace Kelly – not everyone can wear a dress like that or marry a real Prince but if you think of your wedding as simply elegant, that is the key.
pve
I think it should definitely just enhance your normal beauty routine- you don’t want to look like a different person on your big day! That picture of Rachel Bilson is perfection.
Yeah, having someone else do your makeup can be scary. You don’t want to offend anyone if you don’t like it. And then you just wanna go home and wash your face. There’s only a few people I trust to do my makeup. I love the first inspiration photo. Natural looking is the way to go. You still wanna look like you on your wedding day. Thank god for trials.
I hired a professional makeup artist for my wedding, I wanted to look done but natural, and I loved what she did
I love your inspiration photos. I think it is good to look like the woman your husband fell for- not too done up. But still, it IS your big day, so adding a little extra color can’t hurt either.
XO,
Sam
http://www.ThePeakofTresChic.com
Beautiful inspiration! I definitely went on the more natural side in terms of makeup. I don’t wear much color in my everyday life so I didn’t want to look unlike myself. Thought it would seem unnatural. xoxo
That picture of Rachel Bilson looks so much like you!! Perfect inspiration pic – you’ll look just gorgeous
I definitely think you should go with what’s most comfortable. There’s nothing worse than wearing piles of makeup if you don’t do it on a normal basis. I went for smoky eyes and pale lips for my own wedding and that’s my usual go-to.
Oooh- I love this look! I think I went fairly natural for my own wedding, but I suppose it’s all relative. I think you should do what makes you comfortable. If anything, it might be kind of fun to do a flirty lip color for the reception…
both of those looks are gorgeous!! I love going all natural– I remember one makeup lady tried to put coral lips on me- while cute for night out- not my wedding day! I don’t know why some makeup artists don’t get that! Anyway can’t wait to see your natural, glowing look!
I’m all for a natural bridal look — it will be classic in photos for years to come!
xo Josie
http://www.winksmilestyle.com
Rache’s make-up in that photo has always been one of my favorite looks!
I think that is the absolute perfect look for your wedding day! Especially if you’re not in to a lot of makeup in the first place…you want to look like *you* for your wedding! (c:
Go a tiny bit more than you typically do every day. Look like you but a sparklier version! I love the first image- with yes, just a tad less blush. That make up is so gorgeous and fresh! You will look GORGEOUS! I must check out your make up artist!
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