You Can Do Your Own Wedding Makeup
We actually tested it.
I don’t know if I’ve ever felt prouder than when I saw my dear friend Lynley’s absolutely stunning wedding glam via selfie moments before she eloped in Las Vegas. Proud of her for a job well done — but also proud of me.
Now, notably, this was not my moment. I wasn’t even there! But after consulting on her Sephora haul mere days before the momentous occasion, it certainly FELT like my moment. I am not above making your wedding day about me, and I never said I was!
Is there any better endorsement of a makeup product than “I did my own wedding makeup with this thing and it looked fabulous?” Probably not. It checks every box on the list:
You don’t need to be a paid professional to use it (Lynley is not a makeup artist — she works in HR)
You’re willing to be photographed within an inch of your life in it
It lasted past the altar, through the party, and to the after-party
You can find it at your local Sephora or Ulta
Whether you decide you should do your own wedding makeup is ultimately up to you. Either way, the following products are absolutely battle-tested and will serve you well, wedding or not.
Flash reviews courtesy of the always effervescent Lynley Flanagan <3 Also worth noting, Lynley’s skin is allergic to…a lot. Which means everything in this list is very much sensitive skin safe!
PREP
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
“I’m allergic to eye creams usually so I put that on with the Dieux Forever Eye Masks before makeup. It doesn’t have fragrance or anything that irritates my skin.”
SKIN
Saie Glowy Super Gel
“These are absolutely crucial to the complexion. I have very dry skin but you wouldn't know it when I have this under my foundation. It's like a post-facial glow — incredibly hydrating and brightening and makes my complexion products look better for longer.”
Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear Care & Glow Serum Foundation
“We already know she’s the GOAT [editor’s note: we really do] but confirming: 10/10, no notes.”
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
“I think I like this more than the Rose Inc concealer. I reach for it daily now for under my eyes, on blemishes, and for the usual redness suspects like my nose and chin. It's never cake-y and blends seamlessly.”
BRONZER / CONTOUR / BLUSH
Tower 28 Sculptino Soft Cream Contour
“At first I didn’t like this because I could hardly see it but the more I wear it, the more I realize it’s incredibly natural and I like the subtle contouring/warming effect. Feels weightless on —we love her. Also plays nicely with blush.”
Merit Flush Balm
“This is great. I got Beverly Hills, a dusty rosy pink. Goes on easy, no pulling. Also feels weightless on.”
Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Divine Powder Blush in Divine Rose + Divine Powder Bronzer in Bronze Dawn
“I used these to set the other two and they’re…insane. The color payoff is wild and so pretty. I love them. Pricey but I do feel it’s working for the money.”
EYES
Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerize Cream Eyeshadow in Rose Gold
“I used this as a base shadow on my lid, then created emphasis and depth with the Pat McGrath palette.”
Pat McGrath Mothership VII Divine Rose Palette
“And finally this palette was possibly definitely worth the $120. I wore a vintage '60s dress I've had in the back of my closet for over a decade. I wanted my glam to complement the dress but didn't want it to feel like a costume. In that vein, I leaned into rosey pinks and purples that suited my eye and hair color and skipped black or cool metallic shades — I knew that would be too severe for what I was trying to achieve. I didn't use liner on my bottom lash line and opted instead for a short angled brush to ‘line’ my lower lash line with shadow that I blended out. The result was softer overall, but I still had the full eye look I wanted.”
Glossier No. 1 Pencil in Frame
“I never reach for a brown pencil, but (again) I knew black would be too severe. I used this on my top lash and water line only.”
KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Mad Max Brown
“Super close to the top lash line to seal everything.”
Ilia Fullest Volumizing Mascara
“Just one coat — the lash strip really did the work here. The Loveseen Lashes I wanted were sold out and, unsurprisingly, the Sephora lash kit was pretty meh. But it did the $25 job I expected.”
LIPS
Sephora Collection Retractable Rouge Gel Lip Liner in 01 The Nudest
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolutionary Hydrating Lipstick in Pillow Talk Medium
“Very lightly applied.”
Glossier Lip Gloss
“Over top!”
Shop everything in one place here.
GETTING MARRIED?
Read up on all the skin prep you could possibly want here:
An Exhaustive Guide To Wedding Skin Prep
Beauty writing, in many ways, is a flat circle. Sure, there’s the constant search for the new and the next. But more often than not, we’re attacking the same few evergreen questions: How do I get rid of my acne? How do I prevent the signs of skin aging? How do I reverse the damage inevitably caused by the first two?
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My biggest regret is not doing my own wedding makeup. Thank you for spreading the gospel
as a beauty person who DID my own makeup for my secret ceremony (guests: 2) i used at least half of the products listed here. you get it!!