1. Don’t skip foundation. Even if you have flawless skin, it won’t show in photographs unless you apply foundation. You see, the light bounces off your face differently when the skin tone is evened out with the foundation. Foundation is your key to a picture-perfect look.

2. Avoid applying foundation on bare skin. If you skip moisturizer and apply foundation on bare skin, it doesn’t have anything to stick to and it will suffocate your skin. You don’t want your face to break out the next morning! A good foundation primer is also essential to allow the makeup to glide on smoothly and blend to a flawless finish.

3. Don’t be tempted to use regular mascara. You might not be the crying type, but why be surprised? A wedding is precisely the event when the smallest thing can trigger a waterfall. Don’t let emotions ruin your makeup! Go waterproof! (Also see my eyelash curling tips.)

4. Avoid eyebrow maintenance too close to the wedding day. When we’re nervous or stressed, skin becomes much more sensitive. Even if you’ve never had breakouts or red bumps after having your eyebrows waxed, there’s a chance you could get them now when you are extra sensitive! So have your eyebrows done four to five days before the wedding to give them a chance to heal.

5. Don’t skip powder. Apply translucent powder over your foundation to set your makeup. Otherwise, it will look good the first couple of hours but then will fade away along with the rest of your face.

6. Don’t forget to apply eye shadow base. You know very well what happens from your experience with everyday makeup: your eye shadows will look good for about two hours. Afterward, they collect into the creases or simply fade away. Don’t let it happen to you on your wedding day. Use eye shadow base (or shadow primer) before applying shadow.

7. Avoid pencil eye liner. Wax-based pencil liners melt! Use cake or gel eyeliner that will stay put until you take it off. Some brands are even waterproof.

8. Avoid penciled-on brows. For a contemporary look, use eyebrow powder to ensure that your eyebrows look well-defined, yet natural — and will not melt or fade away.

9. Avoid using “long-lasting” lipsticks. The long-lasting lipsticks on the market today can cause drying and cracking. Not exactly kiss-ready lips! Outline your lips first with a lip pencil, apply lipstick and blot with a folded tissue, then re-apply color. This will leave a lot of pigment on your lips and the lipstick will stay on longer. Add lip gloss for a set of lips your groom can’t resist!

10. Don’t try a new look. You need a classic, elegant and timeless look for your wedding. You can go a bit stronger with wedding makeup than your everyday routine, but now is not the time for bold, smokey eyes and dramatic trends. You will regret it looking back at your photos. Natural, but better is key.

Photos by Shawna Noel Photography

If using an eyelash curler intimidates you, you are not alone. Many women avoid using an eyelash curlier because the tool looks difficult to use, or they have heard stories about how eyelash curlers rip out eyelashes or cause permanent damage. But, when used properly, curling your eyelashes is safe, easy, and completely pain free.

While eyelash curlers look like a complicated device, there are essentially two components to the curler: the tool itself, and the rubber or silicone pads between which you place your lashes. Look for eyelash curlers which have a rounded pad, instead of a pad that is squared off around the edges. This ensures a more natural-looking lash curl.

How to Use An Eyelash Curler

Start with clean, dry lashes. While your eye makeup should already be in place, you should not have applied mascara yet. Apply mascara after you curl your lashes.

• Looking straight into the mirror, open the eyelash curler and place it over the eye, sandwiching your eyelashes are in between the two eyelash pads. You can leave your eye open, or choose to close it, whichever is most comfortable for you. However, you will get a closer curl by leaving your eye open. Make sure the curler is as close to the base of the lash, by the eyelid, as possible.

• Gently close the curler at the base of the lash. Be as light as possible. Once you feel that you are not pinching any skin, apply more pressure, making sure to keep the pressure firm, but gentle.
• Move the curler in the center of the lash, and gently apply pressure again, just as you did in the previous step.

• Repeat with the other eye. Add a coat of your favorite mascara.

Tips and Tricks

Like any makeup application, practice over time makes the process easier. Also, less pressure when using the curl will create a softer, more natural curl. You are using too much pressure if your lash curl results in a harsh, 90-degree angle. The curl should gently sweep up.

Change out the rubber eyelash curler pads every six months. Over time, the elasticity of the pad breaks down and this can impact the result of the curl. If you find that it is difficult to look in the mirror when curling your lashes, look downward slightly and try again.

When removing mascara and eye makeup, work from the outside to inside corner of your eye. Avoid excessive pulling and stretching the delicate skin under your eye. Use a warm washcloth, treated cotton squares with eye makeup remover, or pre-cleansing oils (safe for eyes) to loosen makeup and work toward the corner of your eye to decrease the chance of breaking down elasticity and letting wrinkles creep in.

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This post was written by makeup artist Melissa Mercedes with photos by Shawna Noel Photography.

Great makeup on your wedding day starts with great skin. Fargo makeup artist Melissa Mercedes offers tips on how to get your face in shape for your big day!

• If you don’t already have one, start with a skin care regimen at least five months prior to your wedding day. If you have problematic skin visit a dermatologist for help to get back on track.
• To protect your skin, you must wear sunscreen everyday! Buy a moisturizer with a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 or higher.
• Great skin isn’t just from your cleanser or moisturizer. Drink a lot of water, eat healthy and rest!
• Your wedding day isn’t the time to try a “new look.”  You want to feel comfortable in your own skin. I want to accent your best features ( I’ll go a little richer and contour as flash photography tends to wash you out). The key I believe is to have flawless looking skin. I can achieve that with an airbrush – it’s natural look that leaves you with a beautiful glow. From there I add your lashes and accent your beautiful face!
• Do not forget your teeth. Crest Whitestrips work very well (be careful not to overuse!) or visit your dentist for a whitening treatment.
• Plan on waxing your eyebrows? Start months before. If your eyebrows are too thin start growing them out now. They’ll bother you but will be so worth it. Your final wax appointment should be one to two weeks before you wedding day. Remember how important your eyebrows are. They frame your face.

Photos by Milestones Photography

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