I completely understood when Kate Middleton mentioned she
would be doing her own makeup for her wedding because she wanted Will to recognize
her. I also chose to do my own makeup on my wedding day, and a few products and tips got me through the photos, ceremony, and reception
without the fear of smudges or vanishing acts. These tips and products are
focused on every bride’s most important makeup requirement: long wear!
Preparation is Key!
I love having long, full lashes, and for several months before the wedding, I started using LiLash. It is truly remarkable; you will wake up one day, and your eyelashes will look like beautiful Mini Mouse lashes. Last
summer I was sucked into getting eyelash extension, and I can tell you, this is a
much better result for your wallet and your eyelashes. The lash extensions are expensive, take at least an hour to fill, and if you decide to stop getting them, you have a period when you have to let your real lashes grow back (for me, this was brutal). On the other hand,
LiLash is at home, takes no time, and will give you great lashes for a year at three weeks with lash extensions. Start at least four months before your wedding!
The one product I cannot live without is my eyelash curler. Unfortunately, my natural lashes have zero curls and actually point downward. I started using an eyelash curler at a very early age, but the key to getting it to stay is to
heat it up with the blow dryer for 20 seconds. This is a fairly well-known tip, but the next step is crucial to getting those long lashes to stay in place, especially on your wedding day, to prevent smudging – waterproof mascara. I
always put on two quick coats of waterproof mascara right after I curl my
eyelashes to ensure they stay curled and look fabulous all day. I prefer
Merle Normal waterproof mascara; I can’t find one I like better. Do not miss
this step on your special day!
Lid Prep
Most people don’t do their eyelash rituals until after they
apply their eyeshadow, but I do the steps previously mentioned (curl and then apply waterproof mascara) before I do anything on my eyelids. Then, I wipe on a crème lip prep from Clinique (lid smoothie) to keep my eyeshadow in place all day. Without this step, I get creases of shadow that ruin the whole effect.
This crème also helps me in my next and somewhat usual
makeup application. I do not use eye shadow brushes. Never have. I've always
felt like my friends are continually buying eye shadow. On the other hand, I only
buy eye shadow every couple of years, seriously! I believe it's because using
my finger tip I get twice the pigment out of the same amount of eye shadow others
apply using a brush. I am always frustrated with the lack of placement, shadow residue
on my nose and cheeks, and the amount of re-application needed when I try to fiddle with
an eye shadow brush. Try it out, but the crème is a must because it
makes the shadow smooth and easy to blend with my finger.
Long Wear Liner
Once my shadow is in place, I reach for my favorite eyeliner of all time: Stila Stay all day, waterproof liquid eyeliner! Do not worry about your makeup running; it is priceless if you are a presumed teary-eyed bride. I cried down the aisle and never once worried if my mascara or
liner was running. This liquid liner is just like a pen with a long felt tip, making it the perfect tool for all the women who favor the wingtip/cat eye
look, like me. Even if that is not your style, you will love the quick whip
across the top of the lid that will not budge the rest of the day.
I get a little picky about my eyeliner process, and it takes three different types of application for me to be happy. I start with the Stila liner on my top lids, coming to a small wing. I then applied black powder with a brush to the inside of the top and bottom lids. Taking the remaining residue
of black powder, I smudge my bottom lashes and up into my wing tips for a smoky/less stark line.
After my entire eye makeup is done, I apply the final coats of lengthening mascara with care to avoid getting it on my lids, and it's done! No
runs or smudges here!
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