Favorite bridal makeup tips to look timeless and beautiful in your wedding photos

You may not be getting married but just might be wanting to look timelessly beautiful in an important photograph, Brad Boles tells you how you can achieve perfect, better than natural makeup that won’t look dated. - S.H.

If you are embarking upon the most important day of your life, you’ve probably put in hundreds of hours into the planning of every detail of your wedding. So, don’t fall short on your make-up choices!

I’ve leafed through many wedding albums and still cringe at the bad choices in make-up and hair that stare back at you. Knowing what works best for you, before hand by trying several make-up looks and using a camera to document them, will pay big dividends.

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The best way to arrive at your wedding day look is to turn to classic inspiration looks that will withstand the test of time and never look dated or garish.

What stands out in my mind is the luminous beauty of Grace Kelly on her wedding day – flawless classic make-up that will remain forever timeless.  A more modern example to turn to would be the elegance of Carolyn Bessette on her marriage to John Kennedy Jr.

Ladies, these looks are not out of reach. With a little practice, or a local make-up artist, you can achieve the look of eternal beauty on your wedding day.

Here are a few of my favorite bridal makeup tips to create a beautiful and timeless face for your big day so you won’t look dated in your wedding photos in years to come:

Grace Kelly looks as elegant today as she did on her wedding day in 1956.

You want to start with a flawless foundation and powder. 

In choosing the perfect eye without going overboard you want to consider your options carefully. Too heavy an eye and you’ll stare back at those images with regret. Yet, too light an eye and you’ll look washed out and tired.

I recommend playing with different levels of intensity using neutrals such as light and medium brown shadows. Apply individual lashes for a more natural full look. A great trick for photos is to line the inner eye with a white pencil for maximum intensity.

Carolyn Bessette on her wedding day in 1996

Use your highlighter sparingly on the bridge of your nose as well as on the crest of your check bones. When using bronzing powder, stick to the outside parameters of the face closest to the hairline. Apply lightly along the jaw line and tip of the chin.

Lightly mist the face and neck with water, once the make-up is set. My favorite trick to create perfect, flawless dew is by using a fine baby brush upwards and outwards blending down the neck.

When it comes to your lip color choice, don’t go too loud and avoid going too soft.

I recommend a beautiful rose color with a hint of pink and a nude gloss over it for a perfect pout. Don’t forget neutral lip liner to hold the color longer.

This is your big day. You’re meant to look and feel like a princess. Your face should reflect one of the most glamorous occasions centered around you & your love. – Brad Boles

All bundled up:

Sephora Beauty & the Bride: Exclusive 11-piece sampler that features all your must-have wedding-day beauty essentials in a keepsake box.

Stila Happily Ever After Beauty Palette: deluxe bridal palette was specially designed with the bride and her bridesmaids in mind.

Lead photo:istock