Are you getting married in a winter wonderland? While a snow-covered ceremony sounds magical, it presents some unique challenges for your bridal beauty look. Bridal makeup for winter weddings requires products that can withstand cold temps and last all night long. Read on for pro tips to help you create a stunning, smudge-proof look on your special day.
Key Takeaways:
- Choose long-wearing, hydrating makeup products.
- Prep skin with moisturizers and balms.
- Opt for waterproof mascara and eyeliner.
- Use creamy, luminous complexion products.
- Go for rich, darker lip colors.
While winter weather presents unique challenges, you can achieve gorgeous bridal beauty for your big day.
Choosing the Right Makeup Products for a Winter Wedding
The first step to bridal makeup for winter weddings beauty success? Picking the right makeup products that can withstand cold weather without budging. While your typical beauty routine may work fine for a spring or summer wedding, you’ll need industrial-strength cosmetics to make it through a winter wedding day look flawless.
Long Wearing Formulas Are a Must
On your wedding day, the last thing you want is to have your makeup melting off before you’ve even cut the cake! That’s why it’s crucial to choose long-wearing, smudge-proof formulas that have serious staying power. We’re talking waterproof mascaras that won’t run when snowflakes start falling, oil-free foundations that withstand sweat and humidity from dancing the night away indoors, and matte lipsticks that won’t end up all over your new husband’s face.
Hydrating and Moisturizing Is Key
Dry winter air can really do a number on your skin. Make sure to prep with hydrating primers and moisturizing foundations to prevent your makeup from looking flaky or cakey. Use emollient-rich primers containing glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Opt for liquid or cream foundations over powders, which can emphasize dry patches. And don’t forget to slather on lip balm regularly—chapped lips are not cute.
Refer to our guide on becoming a makeup artist for pro tips on building your winter wedding makeup kit.
Use Waterproof Formulas for Eyes and Brows
From emotional first dances to epic reception exits, there will be tears! Waterproof mascara and gel or pencil eyeliner are musts—they’ll stay perfectly in place no matter how many happy tears you shed. For eyebrows, waterproof pomades or waxes will keep your arches looking fab in any weather. Set it all with an eyeshadow primer to budge-proof your looks.
By being picky about your makeup products and choosing those made for harsh weather, your look will glide through a winter wedding without a hitch. Let it snow, snow, snow!
Pre-Wedding Skin Preparation and Care
Getting your skin ready for the big day is just as important as choosing the right makeup products. Follow these tips for a glowing, radiant bridal complexion that looks flawless in photos.
Exfoliate for Smooth Skin
Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, revealing the fresh, bright skin underneath. Use a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid 2-3 times a week leading up to your wedding. Focus on areas prone to dry patches, like your cheeks, nose, and lips.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!
Hydrated skin looks plump, dewy, and youthful. Be diligent with your moisturizer – opt for rich creams and serums over lotions. Slather on an overnight mask before bed and use a hydrating mist throughout the day. Drink plenty of water too!
Brighten and Depuff
Brightening treatments like vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids and antioxidants reduce redness and make your skin glow. Use an under-eye cream with caffeine to tackle dark circles and puffiness. Apply eye patches the night before and the morning of your wedding for an instant depuffing effect.
Prevent Breakouts
Keep skin clear and blemish-free by using oil-free, non-comedogenic products if you’re acne-prone. Avoid heavy moisturizers that can clog pores. Get facials monthly to deep clean and extract blackheads. Spot treat any pimples ASAP to nip them in the bud.
Pamper with Masks
Give your skin some extra TLC with hydrating and brightening masks. Use a soothing sheet mask after facials to reduce irritation. Mix up a hydrating mask with Greek yogurt and honey for instant softness and glow.
Properly prepped skin, essential for achieving the perfect bridal makeup for winter weddings, lets your flawless bridal makeup shine through beautifully in photos and videos. Treat yourself to relaxing at-home facials regularly leading up to the big day.
Makeup Tips for an Indoor Winter Wedding
If you’re having a cozy indoor celebration this winter, you have more flexibility with your makeup look. Embrace luminous, dewy skin, shimmering eyeshadows, and bolder lip colors that photograph beautifully indoors.
Get That Natural Glow
Skip the matte, flat makeup and go for radiant, glowing skin products. After prepping with moisturizer, use a hydrating primer like Becca’s First Light. Opt for a luminous liquid foundation like Armani Luminous Silk. Cream highlighters like RMS Living Luminizer will give you a lit-from-within look.
For more bridal makeup inspiration, see our ideas for beach weddings which also use luminous, dewy looks.
Shimmering, Metallic Eyes
Have fun with shimmer, sparkle, and shine by using glittery eyeshadows and liners. Go for champagnes, golds, bronzes and coppers. Try Pat McGrath’s Mothership palettes for ultra-glam metallics. Use Stila’s Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner for dazzling accents.
Make a Bold Lip Statement
Bolder lip colors show up great in indoor lighting. Deep plums, wines, berries, and classic reds photograph beautifully. Line lips to prevent feathering and fill in with lipstick. Blot and reapply to get that perfect just-kissed pout. Finish with lipgloss for extra shine and moisture.
When you don’t have to worry about the weather, go glam with your makeup! Remember to touch up often and keep your lip color perfect for those indoor wedding photos.
Makeup Tips for an Outdoor Winter Wedding
Getting married outdoors in winter wonderland weather? As magical as it sounds, the cold temps, wind, and precipitation call for industrial strength makeup that can withstand the elements.
Longer Lasting Everything
From your foundation to your false lashes, use the longest-lasting versions of products available. Waterproof formulas are a must. Powders will drift away in the wind so stick to creams and liquids. Setting spray will lock everything in place – apply a few coats!
Waterproof Eyes and Brows
Waterproof mascara and eyeliner won’t smudge or run if it rains or snows. Use wax-based brow pomades over pencils to sculpt arches that stay put. Eyeshadow primer creates a budge-proof base for shadows.
Check out our outdoor wedding makeup tips for products that withstand sun, wind, and heat.
Matte Complexion
Shine might look great indoors but can turn greasy in photos outdoors. Go matte with your foundation, concealer, blush, and bronzer. Avoid shimmery highlighters which can emphasize texture in sunlight. Powder well to reduce shine.
Neutral Eyes, Bold Lips
Carry your lip color in your pocket for quick touch-ups after sipping champagne or kissing! Timeless red, berry, and plum lip shades look beautiful against snowy backdrops. Keep eyes neutral with soft browns, taupes, and silvers.
Embrace rich, striking colors that pop for outdoor photographs. Just remember to protect your makeup from the elements!
Step-by-Step Makeup Application for Winter Brides
Follow this pro bridal makeup for winter weddings application tips to help create a stunning, long-lasting bridal look for your winter wedding.
Prep It
Start with hydrated, exfoliated skin. Apply moisturizer and hydrating primer like Too Faced Hangover Rx. Color correct any redness or dark spots with a peach or green concealer. Apply an eyeshadow primer from the lashline to the browbone.
Flawless Complexion
Use a full-coverage foundation like Estee Lauder Double Wear, blending seamlessly with a damp sponge. Conceal under eyes, blemishes, and any discoloration. Set with Laura Mercier Loose Translucent Powder, pressing into the skin.
Defined Brows
Fill and shape brows with short, hairlike strokes using a brow pomade like Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow. Brush brows up and out to refine the shape. Set with clear brow gel.
Play Up Your Eyes
Sweep a medium brown into the crease and outer corner, blending up towards the brow bone. Deepen the outer corner with a dark brown. Sweep a shimmery champagne shade over the lid. Line the upper lash line with a black liquid liner. Finish with 2-3 coats of waterproof mascara.
Add Color
Use a neutral blush shade like Nars Orgasm on the apples of your cheeks. Sweep highlighter like Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector on your cheekbones. Finish with a matte nude, red, or berry lipstick lined and filled in for precision.
Set it all with a makeup setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter. Touch up lipstick and powder periodically for a flawless look that lasts!
Makeup Looks for Specific Winter Bridal Styles
Want to channel a specific bridal vibe with your makeup? Tailor your beauty look to match the style of your gown and venue with these wintry makeup ideas.
Natural Glow
For an effortless boho vibe, keep your skin dewy and fresh with minimal makeup. Use a tinted moisturizer instead of a heavy foundation. Apply a peach cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and skip the highlighter. Finish with a “my lips but better” nude lipstick like MAC Cosmo.
Dramatic Smoky Eye
Get sultry and glamorous with a bold smoky eye in rich browns and metallics, blended out to a cat-eye shape. Contrast with bare, flawless skin and a neutral matte nude lip. Perfect for a formal church wedding.
Ethereal Shimmer
Channel an icy winter goddess vibe with pearlescent eyeshadows in silvers, taupes, and icy lavenders. Concentrate shimmer on the inner corners and center of the lid. Pair with rosy pink lips for an ethereal look.
Warm & Golden
Get a sunset glow with coppery browns, golds, and bronzes smoked out on eyes and cheeks. Use warm highlighters like Becca Champagne Pop. Finish with a terracotta or burnt orange lip color.
Vampy Glam
Make a dramatic statement with smoldering burgundy eyeshadow paired with a deep berry lip. Use a black liquid liner to wing out the eyes. Keep skin flawless and glowing.
Pick a style that fits your gown and venue. Your makeup sets the tone for your whole bridal look!
Do’s and Don’ts for Flawless Winter Bridal Makeup
Follow these professional makeup artist tips to look stunning in your winter wedding photos!
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Use waterproof formulas | Apply shimmery highlighter for outdoor photos |
| Exfoliate and hydrate lips | Wear dark or trendy lip colors – go for classic shades |
| Apply SPF | Forget setting spray to seal in your makeup! |
| Use creams over powders | Skip priming eyeshadow – prevents creasing & fading |
| Touch up lipstick often | Pick glitter eyeshadows for daytime weddings |
By avoiding common mistakes and following pro tips, you’ll look radiant in all your winter wedding photos!
Conclusion
Preparing for a winter wedding requires some extra consideration regarding your bridal makeup for winter weddings beauty look. To keep your makeup looking flawless despite cold weather and various venues, be strategic.
Choose smudge-proof, long-wearing makeup formulas that can withstand the elements. Exfoliate and hydrate skin thoroughly leading up to the big day. Opt for luminous, dewy finishes for indoor celebrations and matte, neutral makeup for outdoor events. Test products beforehand and do a trial run to perfect your look.
For a comprehensive guide to bridal makeup for mature skin, read our dedicated article on the topic.
With the right makeup products and techniques, you can look utterly gorgeous as a winter bride, from your walk down the aisle to your final dance of the night. Your radiant bridal glow will shine through in all your cherished wedding photos.
Don’t forget to relax and soak up every magical moment on your big day. Let your natural beauty, inside and out, take center stage as you get ready for this exciting new chapter in your life.
Reference:
Winter wedding makeup tips for the winter brides – Lakme Academy
