No need to juggle appointments. No running from place to place quietly melting down on your cell phone when you want to be comfortably wrapped in a robe sipping something sparkly. An entire budget that’s suddenly free as a bird flying on the hundred dollar bills you didn’t spend. The opportunity to do your own bridal beauty is a gift in itself. You can truly have a sense of control over your own day. And with the help of industry pros that are doling out tips they use on high-profile clients and red carpet celebs alike, you’re given a picture-window view of ways to upgrade your personal technique that can be useful in perpetuity.
Below, our third volume in the At-Home Bridal Beauty Series: Makeup
AN ETHEREAL BASE
“Bridal ethereal beauty is easy to achieve with a novice hand and few products,” says celebrity makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown, whose client roster ranges from actresses like Tracee Ellis Ross and Logan Browning to musician Alicia Keys. “Ethereal makeup is ‘delicate’ and ‘light,’ lots of bridal trends circle back to this timeless favorite because it’s clean and allows your natural beauty to take center stage on your big day.” For references, Brown pulled inspiration from the runway to the red carpet, noting that the metallics used accent bridal white without pulling focus. “Givenchy expertly paired ethereal beauty’s signature metallic eyes, creamy skin, and just-bitten lips with voluminous white gowns in the recent SS20 couture collection.”
Here’s how to achieve this wedding classic at home:
1) Start with clean moisturized skin. Using damp BeautyBlender, apply foundation as needed focusing on the center of the face. Spot conceal blemishes and lightly brighten under eyes with concealer. Because the look is meant to be radiant, use powder sparingly, and apply just in the center of the face.
2) For the rest of this look, I like finger tools. Easy swipe-able finger blendable mistake-proof products to add glow and color. Start by adding light. Apply a skin highlighter in a stick formula on tops of cheekbones, temples and brow bones to draw light to the sides of the face. Tap lightly on the bridge of the nose, the bow of lips, and center of the chin for an extra all-over glow.
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- Fair tones: Ilia Beauty Illuminator in Polka Dots/Moonbeams
- Deep tones: Glossier Haloscope in Topaz
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3) The hero of this look is the strong bright pearl or silver metallic swipe over the eyes. For a modern twist, you can also use the metallic accent on just the inner corner of the eyes. Same ethereal effect. Simply use an eyeshadow stick and swipe over eyes close to the lash line. Blend edges with your finger and apply again for depth long-lasting layers.
4) Cheeks and lips should have a slight flush to them for color balance. Choose a soft rose multiuse stick and apply to apples of cheeks and slightly blend back along cheekbones. Melt the same product into lips using your fingers blending outwards towards lip line. Skip liner for a natural, diffused look.
5) Keep the look light and fresh by finishing with just a few simple swipes of mascara and a lightly groomed brow.
BOLD ADD-ONS
“If you’ve decided to go with an ethereal look for the ceremony, you can always bump up your eye or lip for your after party!” enthuses celebrity makeup artist Omayma Ramzy, who lends a modern glow to the faces of actresses like Georgie Flores, Chloe Bennet, and Jenna Elfman. “Add on a bold lip, eye, or even a pop of glitter-gel or shimmer to party to your heart’s content!” Ramsy pulls inspiration from Rodarte’s deep, wine-stained mouths on their latest fall runway and Christian Dior’s shimmering, delicately winged eyes for the spring couture catwalk.
Below, pro tips to master the details:
1) A statement lip could be the perfect touch with a birdcage veil, like in the Rodarte show above. If you’d like to quickly add a bit of dimension to an otherwise clean look, try out some of the new velvety, powder-based lip formulas, as they’ll stay put a little longer than a traditional lipstick. Or, press a little powder onto your favorite lipstick to help it stay put! You can either use a touch of translucent powder or even using an eyeshadow or powder blush that matches your lipstick shade with a small eyeshadow brush for more control around the edges.
2) Winking a metallic eye with a bit of edge gives an amazing pop of color without distracting from the whole look. I absolutely love sheer glitter pigments for this. You can swipe on just a dab at a time using your fingers to build to the level of shimmer that you prefer up to an almost water-like, metallic finish. A dash of liquid liner on the top (and bottom!) outer edges of your lashes can define your eye shape without the trouble of added extensions. Reference Dior’s latest couture show for the easy drama it offers.
