My Wedding Makeup! (Or makeup for any big event)
I got married after I switched all my makeup products to clean/non-toxic products, and I knew there was no way I could use the standard products makeup artists typically use, but I had no idea know where to start. (Makeup is not really something I am good at!) I was really worried telling a makeup artist I couldn’t use their products would offend them, but it ended up not being a problem at all. Once I found someone I liked, I explained my situation and she totally understood (I also did not ask her for discount because I was using my own products because that was not her problem, it was mine) and we got a plan together so we would both be comfortable on the wedding day. Between her and my sister-in-law, I got a list together of the products I would need and started searching my usual websites for products (mostly Detox Market, Amazon, and some specific brand websites). We did a couple trials so she could learn how the products worked, and we could make sure all the colors worked like we wanted. I ended up re-doing my lip color before the wedding day because the original was too pink, but I was so happy I knew that beforehand and I had plenty of time to order a new color. The day of the wedding she was so sweet and had extra-clean, bride-only makeup brushes just for me to make sure there wouldn’t be any traces of the bridesmaid makeup on them. Everything worked great and about 6 months after the wedding she reached out asking what products I used because she had another bride needing clean/non-toxic products, but who didn’t know where to start buying them! Moral of the story: Never be afraid to ask for something you need, you never know, you might even help someone else you’ve never met!
** These products would also work for being in a wedding, any big event where you need fancier makeup, or just a regular day! **
Primer: Alima Pure Smooth + Prime (48$) (Amazon) I used the same primer on my face and eyes, and I really like this primer. It is still my go-to for fancier events, it makes your skin look smooth and really helps makeup stay put. I was sweating my entire wedding day, in the Texas summer heat, and my pics still ended up looking good!
Here is the primer I use on a daily basis: Hynt Beauty Skin Prep (49$) (Amazon) I love this primer. It is very lightweight, great for day-to-day use and keeps my makeup in place even on longer, busier days. It has “bioactive marine complexes” in it so it works like skincare and make-up in one.
Foundation: Kosas Revealer Skin Improving Foundation SPF 25 in Color 140 (42$) (Amazon) This is actually not the foundation I used on my wedding day. They don’t make the foundation I did use for the wedding anymore, but that’s okay because this one is so much better anyway- I wish I had found this for my wedding! This foundation has great coverage, blends well and wears even better.
Concealer: Kosas Revealer Concealer in Tone 2 ($30) (Amazon) This concealer is great and I bought it in a lighter shade than my foundation to use for under-eye coverage. It works really well and stays put throughout the day.
Color Corrector: Pacifica Beauty Blemish Banish Concealers (ø) I don’t use this brand a whole lot, but sometimes they have just what I need. Unfortunately, they don’t make this product anymore, but here is something similar!
Jane Iredale Corrective Colors ($36) This is a great non-toxic brand and is similar to the previous Pacifica one, with different colors for different pigmentation needs.
Colored Powder: Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation in Neutral 3.5 ($32) (Amazon) I really like the powders this brand makes. They are silky, go on lightly but have good coverage and good wearability.
Finishing Powder: Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder in Translucent ($36) (Amazon) This finishing powder is great. It goes on clear, controls shine, does not dry your skin out and doesn’t give any flash-back in photos. It pretty much does it all.
Finishing Spray: Lily Lolo Makeup Mist (18$) This was something I had never used prior to my wedding (but June in Texas requires a whole other level of staying power from makeup). Now that I have used it, I am hooked! I use it for any big event, all football games and even days when I know we will be outside a lot. It really helps your makeup stay without making your face feel like there is spray on it.
Eyeshadow: BeautyCounter Eyeshadow Palette (ø) This is the eyeshadow palette I have used for the last 4 years (I don’t wear eyeshadow very often so these palettes last me a very long time). Unfortunately, BeautyCounter doesn’t make this eyeshadow anymore, but I’ve linked a few similar ones below!
Ilia Eyeshadow Palette ($40/ 6 colors) (Amazon) These come in several options, all palettes have 6 colors in them.
Athr Beauty Eyeshadow Palette ($48-58/ 10-12 colors): (Amazon 12/ Amazon 10) These palettes come with either 10 or 12 colors, and the prices are show accordingly. There are also a few different options of these as well.
Eyeliner: Alima-Natural Definition Eye Pencil in Ink ($22) (Amazon) This was a great eye liner pencil. I also don’t use eyeliner pencils often, and this one was easy to use, easy to sharpen and stayed put the whole day.
Mascara: Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara (28$) (Amazon) You’ve heard me talk about this mascara before and that’s because it is just that good. I love the long, full lashes it gives me and I love that it doesn’t give me racoon eyes. Even through the misty wedding-day eyes, it still held up!
Eyebrow Pencil: Honest Beauty Eyebrow Pencil in Ash Blonde ($12) (Amazon) I really like this eyebrow pencil. It is a good price, has good color options, and is easy to use/sharpen.
Eyebrow Color: 100% Pure Long Last Brows in Taupe ($26) I have used this eyebrow pomade for years. One bottle lasts you about a year and it helps me fill in the weird gaps I have in my eyebrows (thank you, thyroid issues!). It stays put all day and gives you the ability to layer for your desired heaviness.
Plume Nourish & Define Brow Pomade in Ashy Daybreak/ Taupe ($46) (Amazon) I just started using this one and it is different than the 100% one but also very good. It is thinner, and more pigmented, so you have to be more careful with the application. However, you barely use any at a time, it stays put all day and I really like the look of it. This jar will also last me a year at this rate because you use so little at a time.
Lip Liner: Honeybee Gardens Irresistible Lip Liner in Perfection, Zen, Fantasy ($10) (Amazon) I love these lip liners. Because the pencils are so easy to use, and the colors are so natural looking, I’ve actually stated to use them on a more regular basis for more defined lips. It never looks like I’m wearing lip liner which is obviously the best part.
Lip Stain: Au Naturale SuStain Lip Stain in Marsala ($29) (Amazon) I really like this lip stain, and it definitely has staying power once dry. The one thing to note is that the formula, once dry, could be a little drying on your lips. This was easily fixed by adding a color on top, but having this as a base all day is great because even when your lipstick rubs off, you still have color underneath.
Lipstick: Ilia Colorblock Lipstick in Rosewood ($28) (Amazon) The Ilia lip colors are great. They have really pretty shades of pinks and reds, and they are very conditioning to your lips. This one won’t stay all day and will need to be reapplied, but it does look very natural and smooth on.
Application Sponges: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion & Miracle Powder Blending Sponge Duo ($10) Being someone not very makeup inclined, I really like these sponges. I use the regular one on a daily basis to help smooth out my foundation, and having the powder sponge is great for making my skin look smooth on special occasions when I’m using extra layers of powder.