Destination Wedding Make-Up Tips

Image courtesy of  Larsson Photography

Consider the weather

I can’t stress enough how important it is to consider the weather. Depending on the time of year your wedding is taking place, the climate can be very different at your destination to that at home. Summer time in the tropics can be quite a contrast to a chilly winter climate. The skin care products and make-up that suit you perfectly at home won’t necessarily be suitable for hot and humid conditions at your destination. Likewise, if you are heading from a summer time climate for a cooler one, you’ll find your skin care and make-up regime will need adjustment. Even if you won’t be facing such extremes, you will still need to take into account likely levels of dryness/humidity, light/shadows, sunshine/rain, and how these might impact your wedding day make-up.

Every bride is advised to wear waterproof mascara on her wedding day, this will guard against runs and panda eyes should there be tears, rain or high humidity. If you’re new to waterproof mascara or trying a new brand, be sure to trial wearing it ahead of your wedding day to check that you don’t develop a sensitivity or allergic reaction to the product. This is especially important with any products to be used in the eye area such as eyeliners, shadows and false eyelash glues. 

Image courtesy of Esther Marie Make-up Artist

Consult a professional

It’s a good idea to consult a local make-up artist or beautician before your wedding to discuss the best products to use. Even if you aren't able to use their services on your wedding day (due to inability to travel, cost etc), their advice will be invaluable in making sure you choose the right skin care and make-up for your wedding day. If time and budget allow, you should meet with them before the big day for some tips and a make-up trial.

If you are using a make-up artist on your wedding day, it will save you having to buy loads of new expensive products that you may not use again once you return home. This is something worth considering when weighing up the costs of doing it yourself versus hiring a professional.

For those on a tight budget, try visiting the cosmetic counters of your local department store. You’ll often find qualified and experienced make-up artists ready to provide free advice and even complimentary in-store make-up makeovers. In some cases you will need to book these ahead of time so be sure to visit them well in advance of your wedding day.

Choose make-up to suit your wedding day theme and location

The style of make-up you choose for your wedding day will vary depending on your wedding theme and location. An outdoor, beach side wedding for example, will call for lighter more natural make-up than a dimly lit Scottish castle where heavier more dramatic make-up can be more appropriate. Research other weddings that have taken place at your destination wedding location to see what has worked and what hasn’t. If possible, ask brides what they did and what if anything they would change if they had their time over again.

Do a trial make-up session

A make-up trial is essential to ensure your wedding day make-up application goes to plan. If you are doing your own make-up, be sure to trial the make-up at home before you head off for your wedding and again before the big day. Have a special make-up bag prepared with all the essential items you will use on the day of your wedding to keep it separate from your day-to-day make-up. If you don’t wear make-up often, and feel clumsy during your trials, try making a wedding day make-up instructions list which sets out every task you need to complete in order to achieve your perfect look.

If you’re lucky enough to have a professional make-up artist doing your make-up on your wedding day, be sure to arrange a trial session with them ahead of time (check to see if there is an extra cost associated with this). A trial will enable your make-up artist to understand your needs and discover which products will suit best. They should take notes to refer back to on the day and it’s also handy to have a photo taken after the trial to see how the make-up translates through the camera lens. 

Destination: Wedding - A guide to planning the destination wedding of your dreams is available in paperback and digital formats at Amazon (UK), Amazon (USA) and from www.destination-wedding-book.com.