Planning a wedding can be such madness. Deciding on whether you should get a makeup artist or not, finding one and settling on a look can be stressful but it doesn't have to be! When choosing how you want your makeup to look, keep in mind that you want to still look like you but a better version of you. If you are taking the plunge and doing your own makeup, things you have to keep in mind are the time of day, lighting, and what products and techniques you must use to achieve a picture-perfect face. Here are some beauty tips and looks to make your life easier!

Makeup Trends:

Natural Beauty (Morning/Mid-day Bride): This is a simple, yet beautiful look anyone can wear. The makeup is soft, subtly defining each feature. Morning light is soft so this is a perfect look. Use a sheer foundation or one that has a dewiness to it so that your skin appears natural. Apply powder only where needed to take away shine. Choose natural tones on the eyes that compliment your eye colour. Shadows that are too bold or too dark will make your eyes look like black holes in the picture. Adding false lashes is a great way to make your eyes stand out without a lot of shadow. Use a cream blush on the cheeks to achieve a natural glow. Oilier skin types can apply powder over top of the blush to set it and then brush a powder blush in a similar colour over top to enhance and keep it on longer. Lips should be in soft natural shades, but well defined. The overall look should be balanced, pretty and soft. This is definitely a timeless look.

Subtle Glam (Mid-day/Late afternoon/Evening): This beautiful bride wanted a dark smoky look, but I thought it would be too harsh for a mid-afternoon wedding. Instead, we decided to do a subtle smoky look using softer tones in purple-greys mixed with soft pink shimmery shadow. The light is usually the harshest mid-day so you want to be sure to avoid anything frosty, dark, or bold.

Blending is especially important around this time of the day. When choosing your shadows, don't blend 3 shimmery shadows together. For example, let your base and highlighting colour be shimmery, your mid-tone colour be semi-matte and your contour colour be matte. Add the highlight colour to the center of your lids to make your eyes pop in the pictures. Define your eyes with fake lashes or a few coats of waterproof mascara. Skin should be on the more matte side as well as cheek colour.

Powder is your best friend! If you're taking pictures outside or having an evening wedding, make sure to apply more blush than usual and blend. Flashes and natural sunshine can make you look washed out and will pick up any harsh lines.

Because we went with more colour on the eyes, I chose soft warm pink lip products to complete her look. Lips should be well-defined. This is a gorgeous look that can be worn from mid-afternoon into the evening.

*Tip: Instead of piling on powder during the day, use blotting papers for touch-ups to take away oil and shine.

Old Hollywood (Late-afternoon/Evening): This is my all-time favourite look. It's classic, glamorous, and sophisticated. I would say this could be worn any time of the day but since the lips are a bold red its best to keep it for later in the day. This look is definitely for the bride that enjoys being the center of attention and likes to get dolled up. Since evening pictures include lots of flash, you can afford to go bolder with colour and a bit darker so your makeup stands out.

Again, you'll want to keep your makeup more on the matte side since flash can enhance anything too shiny. Shimmery shadows mixed with matte textures photograph better than frosty shadows.

On the bride above, I used neutral brown and beige tones in a mix of shimmery and matte shadows. I added black liquid liner winged out with false lashes for instant glam. As a key part of this look, I made sure to fill in her brows to frame her face. I contoured her cheeks with a matte bronzer and added a peachy-pink blush to her cheeks.

To brighten her up and give her face dimension, I added a shimmery highlighter on her cheekbones. For the lips, I chose a lip liner that matched her red lipstick and added a bit of gloss to the center. If you red is too intense, try a bright rosy-pink or coral to make this look perfect for any time of the day.

*Tip: Use a lip brush for precise application especially when it comes to red lips. To keep your lipstick kiss-proof, fill your lips in with lip liner, apply lipstick then blot. After, I like to apply a lipstick sealer for ultra kiss-proof lips. Then apply lipstick again and add some gloss to the center.

Images: Property of Joy David-Tilberg

Hair Trends:

This season it seems we're seeing less and less complicated up-do's and more relaxed styles. There's no rule that says a bride must wear an up-do.

Wavy and Down: This look is pretty on anyone and is soft and elegant. It's also a timeless look. If you are wearing your hair down dress it up with some hair accessories like sparkling combs or barrettes.

This is a beautiful relaxed look and perfect for someone who's hair is affected by humidity. Add a few curls and tease the hair for some volume before tying it back loosely. Little flowers adds a nice touch.

Chic Up-do: If you prefer your hair out of your face this hair style is glamorous and perfect for a late-afternoon, evening wedding. The trick is to keep it sleek in the front with a beautiful headband and teasing the back for some major volume.

Smooth and Sleek Up-do: If you prefer less volume and a more simple elegant style, a smooth sleek up-do is perfect for you. This look is classic and can be worn any time of the day. Dress it up with hair accessories for some extra glam.

Images: Courtesy of www.instyleweddings.com

Congratulations to all the brides getting married this season! Remember, no matter what styles you choose you want to still look like you.

For tips on how to find a makeup artist or hair stylist for your big day check out my Makeup Junkie blog here!