Indian Bridal Makeup Tips

When chirpy reader Annie wrote to me asking for some advice on her makeup for her upcoming wedding, I was beyond thrilled to share what I knew with her. Now, I am not married yet, but many of my friends have been and I have learnt a lot from their wedding makeup woes. This is what I wrote to Annie...I hope it helps other brides to be.

When you read it you will notice that I talk about humidity a lot, that because I have tried to aim this for brides getting married in summer / rainy season in India. Again, all this is just my opinion, something that I think I would do if I were to get married. Please feel free to share your tips and tricks to help other brides look their best on one of the most important days of their lives.



Before you start applying makeup run an ice cube all over your exfoliated face and neck. It helps with the pores, makes you feel fresh.

Invest in a great concealer and an under eye brightener. I personally think a great concealer is much more important than foundation.
Rec: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, MAC Moisture cover / Studio Fix, Stila Perfecting / Illuminating concealer, Bobbi brown Corrector , Cream Concealer, Conceal FX by Cover FX.

You never know when you might end up getting the dreaded pimple on your face. So keep a concealer, spot acne treatment handy to combat that acne. Don't let that tiny spot ruin your perfect face. Slather some acne treatment, concealer and hide it .

Use mattifying full coverage foundation.
Rec: Cargo / Cargo Blue Ray / Make up forever High Def Makeup/ Cinema Secrets Foundation / MAC Studio Fix / Cover FX

Use MAC Strobe Cream / Clinique Uplighting Liquid Illuminator under your foundation. Alternatively you could also mix it with your foundation and apply all your face and neck. An alternate to it would be the
It gives a glowing effect without looking shiny / shimmery apart from moisturizing your face.

Use a primer before applying makeup. This provides a great base for even application of makeup.
Rec : SKINN Orchid Mattefying Gel, Prescriptives Primer

Keep some oil absorbing sheets and translucent powder, brush handy...just in case the oil glands act up.
Rec: Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets, Boscia Oil Absorbing Sheets

If you are going to be changing into multiple sarees/ lehengas through the ceremony, go for a look that compliments most outfits. Use golds, copper,bronze,browns with a lil bit of reds, pinks,greens coz most wedding outfits revolve around these colors.I have some looks on my blog with coppers, bronze n golds.I will make more over time :)

Do not forget to use a primer on your eyes.
Rec: Makeupforever Eye Primer / Urban Decay Primer Potion



Glow is the key word here - not shimmery, not shiny and definitely not plain matte. So, get a highlighter to highlight your cheeks, bridge of your nose, forehead and chin. This should give you the glow you yearn for :)

Rec: NARS Albatross, Prescriptives Warm Dark Highlighter, Stila all over shimmer powder, LORAC perfectly lit powder in Spotlight

If you want to contour your face, use a matte blush in a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone to do the job for you. Remember the "3" step? If not, check it out here

Invest in good skin care. Try brightening, rejuvenating serums and creams. Use good under eye treatments.Get some facial masks which condition your skin and try using them weekly once or twice(as advised). That being said, do not make any drastic changes in your skin care routine days before the wedding. If your skin has been behaving good, just stick to those products.
Rec: Shiseido UV Whitening Massage Cream, Clinique Total Turnaround Visible Skin Renewer, Clinique Brightening cream.

Good hair products to keep your hair in place. Tame those fly aways, so they don't take the attention away form any jewellery you use on your hair.
Rec: Ellen Lavar Instant Shine Mist

Use a gentle lip plumping cream/gloss/lipstick.
They fill in the lines on your lips giving a more full appearance. Apart from this your lips will look great in pictures because any shimmery/shiny gloss reflects better on a smooth surface.
Rec: Sally Hansen Gentle Lip Plumping gloss, Lip Fusion Lip Plumping Gloss

Use a Lip primer underneath your lipstick prolonged wear. You can also layer your lipstick so it doesn't fade away easily.
Rec: Sally Hansen Prep and Perfect Lip Care

Complete the look by spraying on a Finishing spray. You can alternatively also spray on some cold water using a spraying bottle. This adds additional hydration - the key to great skin.
Rec: MAC Fix plus, Amore Pacific Face Mist

Use a waterproof mascara. There will a lot of humidity and there will be tears...so don't take chances with a normal mascara.
Rec: Clinique Lash Power Mascara.

Use false lashes only if you are comfortable with them. If not stick with good ol mascara to open up your eyes.

Brows!! Do not use black color to fill in the brows. Use a matte brown shade or a taupe shade to fill in your brows. Use a powder instead of a pencil for a more natural finish. You can also tame them with a brow gel. Remember to highlight your brow bone. It makes your arch look better and more defined.
Rec: Anastasia brow kit.

Depending on your dress you can choose if you want to apply body makeup. I would advice against it...keeping in mind the humidity, the fire (if a Hindu wedding). Dont forget to use a moisturizer, you want want ashy elbows and feet. Alternatively you could go for a shimmery moisturizer so it adds a healthy glow to your body.
Rec: MAC Strobe Liquid / Clinique Uplighting Liquid Illuminator

Try on your look for the day plenty of times before the actual day. This will give you opportunities to correct any mistakes/ find better ways of applying a certain product and just experiment in general to achieve the perfect look. Take pictures under various light, with flash, without flash etc so you know the make up looks good under any kinda lights. Some makeup products look great in day light but leave a white caste in pictures, beware of those.

Make a list of the products and the order in which you used them in your trials. You can never miss anything with a list in hand. I am sure you will have a lotta things on your mind that day. That is why you need a list telling you what goes where n when. Besides, if you are using a makeup artist this list will help him/her give you the look you want.

Lastly, you will get lots of advice from lots of people on how they think you should look...but in the end, its your wedding and you are the one to decide what you want to look like on your day. So, listen to everything that everyone has to say...but do what you think is best for you. Because, no one understands your skin or you hair more than you !
Brides, do let me know if this helped you. I sincerely hope it did!! You can always leave a comment below if you have any other questions.

Love,
Indian Girl