I love experimenting with makeup, but your big day isn’t always the time to try out a whole new look. Who wants to look back on their wedding day and barely recognize the bride?
A few extra steps and some long-lasting products can kick your normal makeup routine up a notch. In this tutorial, I’ll show how to emphasize your features by following your natural contours, with a focus on creating an illusion of perfect, glowing skin.
Materials
Moisturizer (without SPF)
Primer (I like Smashbox Photo Finish)
Under eye concealer
Foundation without SPF (I love Make Up For Ever HD liquid foundation)
Beauty blender or comparable sponge
Highlighter
Eye primer
Light and medium neutral shadows (I used Urban Decay’s Naked Palette)
Liquid eyeliner
Mascara
Brow powder or pencil
Blush
Lip primer
Lip stain (I used Laura Mercier Hibiscus)
Finishing powder
To Begin: Start with a clean, moisturized and primed face. Primer will help your makeup stay put throughout the day, and turn your face into a smooth canvas that’s easy to work with.
Tip: Avoid products with SPF. It doesn’t photograph well, and you’ll end up with a washed-out face.
Step 1: Using a patting and rolling motion with your ring finger, apply undereye concealer. Concealer with more of an orange tint will combat any undereye circles. Don’t worry if it is a little more orange-y than your skin color — that’s why we’re putting this on before foundation, which will help blend the color.
Step 2: Apply your foundation with a damp beauty blender or comparable sponge, using a bouncing motion. Use the wider edge for all-over coverage and the pointed tip for around the eyes and nose.
Step 3: Pat highlighting liquid along your cheekbones. Blend with your finger, using circular motions.
Step 5: Prime your eyelids to keep your shadow in place.
Step 6: Sweep a light, neutral shadow across your lids. You can go shimmery or matte — it’s a matter of preference!
Step 7: Apply a medium neutral shadow through your crease. Sweep the brush back and forth to blend the edge, giving a diffused, but still contoured, look.
Step 8: Line your upper lashline with liquid liner. I suggest using liquid liner on special occasions because it won’t run or bleed like a pencil or gel liner — it stays put! I did an extended cat eye here, but you can be as subtle or dramatic as you like.
- For tips on achieving a cat eye, see here.
Step 9: Apply waterproof mascara. Curl lashes, if desired.
Step 10: Fill and define your brows with short strokes in the direction of hair growth. You can use a stiff, angled brush and powder, or opt for a pencil. Either way, go over it with the angled brush to create a softer look.
Step 11: Smile to find the apples of your cheeks, then apply blush.
Step 12: Prep your pre-moisturized (and exfoliated!) lips with primer. I can’t emphasize the use of primer enough — it will help your makeup last all day!
Step 13: Apply your favorite long-lasting lip color. I opted for a stain, because it will leave a pretty hue even as it fades.
Step 14: Dust translucent powder all over.
The finished look: classic.


1 Featured Comment
Sign in to add your ownKeiko Lynn from postlapsaria says: Featured
For those of you who would like to know what products I used, here you go! Smashbox Photo Finish Laura Mercier Secret Concealer Make Up For Ever HD liquid foundation Beauty blender Make Up For Ever Uplight Urban Decay Primer Potion Urban Decay Naked Palette Urban Decay 24/7 liquid eyeliner Smashbox Brow Tech Smashbox Heartbreaker blush MAC Prep + Prime Lip Laura Mercier Hibiscus lip stain Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
1 year ago
43
Sign in to add your ownvKnit from vKnit says:
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful look!
1 year ago
bazketmakr from bazketmakr says:
I did not know that about the SPF. that is an important tip, for sure. The end result is gorgeous!
1 year ago
urastarhouse from urastarhouse says:
Oh goodness, so helpful, thank-you!
1 year ago
Janelle Putrich from ElegantAccessory says:
Fabulous, I can't get enough of your tutorials!
1 year ago
RCEB says:
can you tell us all the products you used here please? I would love to know the brands and colors of all the products used!! Great tutorial!
1 year ago
AnnaKate Jackson says:
Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous! This is a pretty natural look for special occasions I cannot wait to try. I would go for a more subtle look than extended cat eye, *especially* when paired with a bold lip, but I love it all! =)
1 year ago
Krystle from FeathersandFrills says:
gorgeous keiko!
1 year ago
Laura Chin says:
Yes! Bookmarking this tutorial because it really is classic. Thanks, Keiko!
1 year ago
Claire Kershaw says:
Gorgeous. Just what I'm looking for!
1 year ago
Keiko Lynn from postlapsaria says: Featured
For those of you who would like to know what products I used, here you go! Smashbox Photo Finish Laura Mercier Secret Concealer Make Up For Ever HD liquid foundation Beauty blender Make Up For Ever Uplight Urban Decay Primer Potion Urban Decay Naked Palette Urban Decay 24/7 liquid eyeliner Smashbox Brow Tech Smashbox Heartbreaker blush MAC Prep + Prime Lip Laura Mercier Hibiscus lip stain Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
1 year ago
luxetumbra says:
Keiko: what's the nail color you're wearing? It's lovely.
1 year ago
Paulette from sunshineandvodka says:
fun!
1 year ago
Kate from luckyporcupine says:
Thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
Lara Harris from studiolara316 says:
beautiful with & without makeup!
1 year ago
Minzbtr says:
I am a new follower - beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
1 year ago
moon from jewelsbymoon says:
I know this works for me! Very beautiful.
1 year ago
Kristin Mulholland from KristinNoelDesigns says:
Wow! Gorgeous!!!
1 year ago
stonehorsedesigns from stonehorsedesigns says:
Thanks!
1 year ago
pasin from Pasin says:
lovely!
1 year ago
Kathryn Chase-Levin from bigtwigdesign says:
thank you for sharing these tips and products!
1 year ago
Anna Kikute from fantasygarden says:
Thanks
1 year ago
Dawn from p1xie says:
Really beautiful.
1 year ago
Shiv from BlytheHopesVintage says:
Fabulous easy to follow tutorial! Smashbox primer is the best thing ever invented. Well. Apart from medicine and crop rotation and such. I disagree with the spf thing mind - I've been on shoots with models pouring sunscreen over themselves, and even in the unedited photos they don't look washed out...
1 year ago
Jennifer from livjewellery says:
This is awesome! I'm not a makeup gal, but I do appreciate it on other women. Well done.
1 year ago
Kindra from BrumbysYarns says:
I always appreciate learning how to use makeup. Its a concept totally lost on me.
1 year ago
Ariella Carver from HausofAriella says:
Gorgeous, but why no SPF? I'm having an outdoor wedding and I get burnt if I look at sunny pictures too long
1 year ago
Ginger Hubbs says:
I am having an outdoor wedding, and I burn without SPF! I can get a burn walking to the mailbox! Any advice on make-up with SPF?
1 year ago
Samantha from Emariecreations says:
Beautiful look! Thanks for the tutorial.
1 year ago
Penny Pistachio from PennyPistachio says:
Perfect! Just what i was after :) thank you xx
1 year ago
Anastasia from LAccentNou says:
oh, beautiful! I llllove using Benetint by Benefit as blush, it looks SO natural and without artificial shimmer. (I don't speak about Benefit packaging - it has stolen my heart! :)) I, actuallly, don't want to promote this brand...just wanted to share. Probably it would be a perfect natural blush option for many brides.
1 year ago
mariajaymie says:
LOve your tutorials! Also love the info on the products. THanks soooo much!
1 year ago
Nazima Banka from nazimabanka says:
So stunning, equally beautiful with or without makeup, fantastic tutorial!
359 days ago
Suzanna from Crafts2Cherish says:
Keiko,thanks a million this is so gorgeous!
349 days ago
Keiko Lynn from postlapsaria says:
@ginger hubbs and @shiv and @ariella: I should have specified - this is only for *flash* photography. If you're outside or shooting with natural light, SPF is fine. The flash bounces off SPF and causes a white cast. So, nighttime or indoor weddings without natural light = no SPF.
344 days ago
Jenarcissist & KameraWhore from theclosetnarcissist says:
I recognized your lovely face in today's etsy email newsletter and had to click over. :) Even though I got married almost two years ago, I've never unsubscribed to the wedding emails because I like looking at them so much. :) Beautiful tutorial, as always!
262 days ago
Abby says:
Hibiscus isn't available!! Is there a color that's close? Thanks
262 days ago
Stacy Quast from msmoonchild says:
why not spf?
253 days ago
Emily Delfin from reflectionsjewelry says:
Oh my soul you look lovely!
253 days ago
Ella from xmarksdesignny says:
If you ever discover a dupe, please update us desperate souls who have fallen in love with LM Hibiscus but can't find it anywhere!
221 days ago
dbanaszak says:
love it!
188 days ago
Renee Yu from myjunebugg says:
love all the makeup tips!!
96 days ago
Josiewoe says:
http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/opaque-rouge-liquid-lipstick/ I have been searching for a colour like laura mercier hibiscus stain, I didn't want a lipstick as I'm not very good at wearing it. So I was very excited when I found hourglass cosmetics in libertys in London (think they are US brand though) there liquid lipstick had a shade that could possibly be a bit bolder but has a similar colour. I bought shade: muse a coraly red orange, really flattering on (I'm very pale with freckles- think it could be a suit all shade). Lasts ages. Difficult not to keep using it before my wedding in 5 weeks though. Would still love to know the nail colour used here though.
85 days ago
Isadorabridal from Isadorabridal says:
amazing makeup, stunning :)
66 days ago