15 Products a Wedding MUA Swears By

With so many options to choose from, buying new makeup can be overwhelming! As a professional wedding makeup artist, Wedding Wingman Sylvia Waller of Blush Now has not only tested these products on brides, but herself as Mrs. Colorado 2022! Of the 15 essentials you need in your bridal makeup set, Sylvia shares her all time favorite products she has found to work on all skin types and textures, last all day and night, and photograph well. Purchase these products not only for your wedding makeup, but to have on hand anytime you need to look your “bridal best” such as your engagement shoot, bridal shower or rehearsal dinner.

If a purchase is made from the links provided, Wed Mayhem may receive a commission.

01 Moisturizer with SPF 35-40

SuperGoop Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF40

SUpergoop Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF40

The most important step most people skip! A hydrated canvas will ensure your makeup application is flawless and your delicate skin is protected from harmful UV rays all day. Sunscreen is one of the best things you can do for your skin everyday and it only takes a few seconds. Even if your venue is inside, you most likely will be heading outside for photos!

02 Primer

Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer

Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer

Primer creates tackiness on the face for the foundation to bind too. More friction means your makeup is much more likely to last while you dance the night away. Sylvia says to use your finger tips for this application to help melt the product into your skin.

03 Foundation

Bobbi Brown Skin Long Wear Weightless Foundation

Bobbi Brown Skin Long Wear Weightless Foundation

Just like primer, foundations should cater to your skin. Sylvia recommends a light liquid for mature women and cream for more full coverage. Knowing your skin type is key to achieving the right look. Not all foundations are created equal!

04 Eyeshadow

Anastasia Beverly Hills – Eyeshadow Pallette

Shadow is the best way to accent the eyes. Bonus points if you find shadows with SPF formulated in. This will give the effect of a primer and a shadow in one product! If this is your first pallet, Sylvia says the more neutral the better, then move to crazy colors as wedding makeup DIY skills improve.

05 Cream Eyeliner

Bobbi Brown Cream Liner

long-wear Gel INk

Cream eyeliner will stay on the waterline rather than flake throughout the day or smudge as much as pencil eyeliner. This product is best applied with a slender and pointed brush to line the lower waterline and upper tightline. Black is recommended for a more dramatic look while brown is great for subtly during the day.

06 Mascara

Mac Extended Play Lash

Mascara is one of the most important makeup essentials for brides. It’s tried and true for opening up and enhancing your eyes. If you’re going full glam, apply before false lashes from root to tip for the best results.

07 False Eyelashes (and lash glue too!)

Ardell Wispy Lashes

A non-negotiable for Sylvia’s clients on their big day. False lashes make your eyes pop which makes all the difference in photographs. Slyvia recommends using black lash glue for a cohesive look.

08 Brow Pencil

NYX Precision Brow

Brows frame the face without changing the shape. An eyebrow pencil is perfect for drawing thin strokes to appear as fake hairs. Fill in the sparse areas and make sure the tail is distinguished. Remember, eyebrows are sisters, not twins!!

09 Concealer

Makeup Forever Ultra HD

For product number eight you can choose a corrector or a basic concealer. If you’re just starting your collection Slyvia recommends a color matched concealer. However, if you’re covered in that arena, consider a color corrector for the under eyes. Peach tones help minimize the appearance of dark circles. Just be sure to go over the top with your base concealer!

10 Cream Highlighter

Mac Strobe Light

Highlighter gives the cheeks a natural moisture and glow. Sylvia uses a flat top stippling brush to distribute to the highpoints of the face without blending too much. Apply right on the cheekbone and blend up for effortless shine. You can also apply a little under the brow bone and on the tip of the nose.

11 Cream Blush

Nars Cream Blush

Buildable blush is a game changer. A cream is perfect for a dewy look that is easy to spread and work with. For more color, go over the cream blush with a powder blush to set it.

12 Powder

MAC Loose Powder

Slyvia recommends following up each face product (highlight, blush and bronzer) with its corresponding powder product for a full glam look. If you’re building your kit, start with a translucent setting powder to set the foundation and face makeup.

13 Bronzer

Black Radiance Studio Fix Sculpt & Shape Contour Palette

MAC Studio Fix Sculpt & Shape Contour Palette

Contour gives structure and frame to the face. Slyvia recommends using a light bronzer rather than a cream contour to avoid over-chiseling the face. This will make you appear like the tin man in photographs! Apply with a bronzer or powder brush to the chin line, hollows of cheeks and the hairline for a bronzed glow.

14 Lip Scrub, Lip Stain, Lip Pencil or Liquid Lipstick

Beauty Bakerie Liquid Matte Lipstick

Before glam can begin you need to make sure your canvas is prepped. Using a lip scrub overnight or as the first step of your makeup will moisturize and prep the lips so application is smooth and lasts all night. For lip color, personal preference takes the cake! Lip stains and liquid lipsticks are very concentrated and can be drying so make sure to apply a hydrating gloss on top. A nude lip pencil is perfect to define the lips before a lipstick or stain and it helps the secondary product last longer. Lip gloss makes everything more fun. Carry it along with you to keep your lips moisturized and shimmering the entire time.

15 Setting Spray

All Nighter setting Spray

Last but certainly not least, setting spray is the only way to keep humidity at bay! After a long night of dancing, the right setting spray will ensure your face is still intact.

Meet Your Wedding Wingman!

Sylvia Waller is a licensed esthetician and makeup artist for Blush Now. She loves working with brides to determine the best look to highlight their beautiful features on their big day and in photographs. Sylvia joined Wed Mayhem to encourage women to embrace their own uniqueness and to enhance their inner and outer beauty.

15 Essentials for Your Bridal Makeup Set

15 Products a Wedding MUA Swears By

Mature Wedding Makeup Tutorial

Bridal Glam Makeup Tutorial

Wedding Makeup

Beauty

4 min

Skin Care Myths Debunked

By Athena Skarpelos

In the day of TikTok and YouTube, everyone has an opinion on tips and tricks for perfect skin. With that, it’s hard to distinguish what works and what doesn’t. Here at Wed Mayhem, we talked to licensed esthetician, Madison McDaniel at TLC Skin Care to find out what really works and what you should totally ignore. Whether you’re a blushing bride-to-be or want to look your most glowy self for your bestie’s wedding we are here to help!

1. FALSE: You only need sunscreen when it’s sunny

No amount of Botox can match up to the effects of starting to wear sunscreen early. When your skin is exposed to the sun, it can cause damage to your skin cells and your skin’s DNA. This can lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and dark spots. The secret to anti-aging and protecting your skin is SPF. SPF should be a daily part of your morning routine, no matter what the weather looks like. In fact, on overcast days up to 80% of UV rays can still reach your skin. Our on-call esthetician suggests Elta- MD. However, if you have darker skin you may want to try Dr. Jart or Black Girl Sunscreen.

2. TRUE: Taping your forehead at night works

Have you ever heard of Frownies? Well, these are the OG Botox. Frownies are facial patches designed to help smooth wrinkles and lines on your face. By “training” the muscles in the face to relax, you can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and pre-existing wrinkles. If you are looking for a more affordable alternative to Botox/dysport, try buying Frownies. These will prevent your skin from getting squished in your sleep and you will wake up feeling more gorgeous than ever.

3. FALSE: You shouldn’t moisturize if you have oily skin.

It may seem counterintuitive to moisturize your oily skin, but the key to good skin is hydration, hydration, hydration! In fact, if you have oily skin you need to apply more good moisture to it. If you are new to skin care and have oily skin, opt for an oil-free, gel, or water-based moisturizer. Some of our favorite drugstore brands to try are Neutrogena Hydro Boost Moisturizer and La Roche Posay Mat Mattifying Moisturizer for Oily Skin.

4. TRUE: Sugar and milk may have poor effects on your skin

Unfortunately, diet does directly correlate to your skin health. Some food products can be highly inflammatory for your skin. If you are trying to avoid any breakouts the week of, cut back on sugar and milk. If you absolutely cannot go without your vanilla lattes in the morning, try using soy, almond, or oat milk! We love Oatly.

5. FALSE: You need to spend a lot of money on skin care products

There are tons of amazing skin care brands that work just as well as the ones that sell $500 moisturizers. What matters is consistency. If you are just starting out, try using the Cerave cleanser and moisturizer every morning and night. A simple, consistent routine is better than any designer skin care brand.

6. TRUE: Eating a ton of carrots might make your skin turn orange

Although it is rare, consuming large amounts of beta-carotene, the pigment that gives carrots their orange color, can cause carotenemia. This can make the skin develop an orange hue. But don’t worry! Adding an extra serving of carrots won’t turn you into an oompa loompa, but it may add a natural glow. Carrots are a healthy food that can have great effects on the skin. When prepping for your next wedding try putting carrot juice in your smoothies. We love: Bolthouse Farms Organic Carrot Juice.

7. FALSE: Olive oil gets rid of wrinkles

While olive oil has several health benefits, such as being a good source of healthy fats and antioxidants, it is not a proven treatment for wrinkles. So instead of lathering olive oil on to your skin, we recommend sticking to cooking with it!

8. TRUE: Tanning causes wrinkles

We know we know… We hate to admit it, but tanning ages your skin. When you’re exposed to sun or any UV radiation, it damages the fibers’ elastin in your skin. If you are really into tanning beds, try getting a spray tan or using a self-tanner at home. We recommend St. Tropez Self Tanner for your body and Isle of Paradise drops for your face!

If a purchase is made from the links provided, Wed Mayhem may receive a commission.