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Your wedding day is one time when you want to be sure you're using all the best possible beauty products—but where to begin? With this list from celebrity makeup artist Kayleen McAdams. Not only does she spend her days testing all the latest products on her A-list clients, she's a bride-to-be herself (she's busy planning a wedding that'll take place in Canada in May).
- CK One Pure Color Lipstick in Tempt
"I can't get enough of this lipstick. The color is the perfect peachy nude shade. There's a warmth to it that will translate perfectly in your pictures, unlike some nude shades that just read totally flat."
"This product is great for contouring and highlighting your face. The shimmer is so subtle that it will just give you that glow every bride wants to achieve without looking too cakey. Apply the darker shade along your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, and to the corners of your forehead. A little artist trick: As a very last step on your eyes, after you have applied all shadows and liner, take a blending brush and very softly apply the dark product in the crease of your eye, blending outward. This final touch brings the whole look together, from top to bottom."
"This mattifier will keep combat shine throughout the day as well as filling in pores and giving the look of smooth skin. It works really well under foundation."
"These blotting papers really are the best. Before I tried them, I thought, aren't all papers the same? They're not! These don't remove products—they just suck up oil. They're a good alternative to powder for touch-ups; too much powder throughout the day can make your skin look flat."
"Makeup artists talk about this product all the time, but it really is our best trick for giving skin that airbrushed finish. Apply your foundation with a brush, then after wetting the sponge, go back over and buff it all out. The finished look is seamless."
"Defined brows are essential on your wedding day. They will frame your eyes and give you that classic Audrey Hepburn look. Use the pencil to fill in any gaps, and finish with a coat of clear gel to set the brows in place. You don't want to worry about brushing them up all day."
"It just doesn't make sense to spend an hour on your wedding makeup and then completely forget about the rest of your body! Most brides wear dresses that show off their arms and decolletage. Use this shimmery lotion, which you can find in most drugstores, to give your skin that glow. It will read beautifully in pictures."
"I think subtle false lashes are essential to give the eye depth and shape. Every bride wants full, long-looking lashes. These are formed into clusters, taking all the hard work out of individuals but giving a softer and more natural feel than a strip. My trick for applying them: Apply one coat of waterproof mascara, apply mediums in the center, shorts on the inner and outer corners, and follow up with another coat of mascara."
"These eye gels are the perfect shape and really depuff and moisturize the eye area. I like to apply them at the very beginning, do the eye, and then apply the rest of the makeup. These little guys will catch any fallout shadow and keep the undereye area clean."
"This is a brand-new foundation, and it is beautiful on. The finish is a little dry but still has a luminosity to it that looks healthy. The slightly dry finish gives this foundation great staying power for the entire day and into the night."
Thanks for the reccs, Kayleen—and good luck with the wedding planning! Lovely readers, have you tried any of the makeup and skin items she lists here? Are there any you think you'll test out soon? Share below!
