Photo (above): Hair & makeup: Bellapierre - Photographer: Valeriya Maltsava Photography
Article in collaboration with Bellapierre
1. Not booking a trial session
According to expert Winny from Bellapierre, one of the biggest mistakes you can make with your bridal makeup is not scheduling a trial session. "If a bride doesn't book a trial session, she won't know what her makeup will actually look like on her wedding day. This can cause extra stress for the bride. Suppose she is not satisfied with the look on the day itself, it is also difficult to make major adjustments at that point." During a trial session, not only is the makeup tested, but it is also tailored to the wedding dress, the theme, and the bride's personal style. This way, there are no surprises on the day itself, and everything forms a beautiful whole.
2. Last-minute change of heart
Sometimes brides decide on the day itself that they want a completely different makeup look. This is often not a good idea, Winny shares: "Your makeup is carefully tailored to you during the trial session, and major last-minute changes carry the risk that you will not be satisfied with the end result. A small adjustment, such as a little more intensity on the eyes, is of course possible. However, choosing a completely different look at the last minute will create time pressure and stress, both for you and the people around you."
3. Not using long-lasting products
Your wedding day is likely to be a long day full of emotions, kisses, and quite a few dance moves. That's why your makeup look needs to be resistant to tears, heat, and many hours of wear. It is essential to use long-lasting products. Winny: “Think of a long-lasting primer and foundation, a setting powder, water-resistant mascara, and a kiss-proof lipstick that doesn't leave marks. Your makeup artist knows what to do! Our bridal team already works with Bellapierre's long-lasting mineral makeup.”
4. Not taking into account color differences between foundation, face, and body
Many brides want a summery glow on their wedding day and choose to tan a little in the sun or with a self-tanner. That's fine, but try to plan this well, Winny advises: "Apply your self-tanner at least two days in advance, as the effect can sometimes be (too) intense initially. Also try out your self-tanner before your trial session, so that the makeup can be perfectly matched to your skin tone. Don't forget to tan your neck and décolleté as well; if they suddenly have a different shade than your face, it can look unnatural. So make sure your foundation and powder are well matched to your skin tone, and blend towards your neck and shoulders for an even result."
5. Not staying true to yourself: too much or too little makeup
Some brides go for a real ‘glam’ look on their wedding day, even though they don't normally wear much makeup, or vice versa: they opt for a very natural look for their wedding, even though they usually wear more makeup. Winny warns: “The most important thing is that you still recognize yourself. The purpose of makeup is to accentuate your natural beauty, not to drastically change your appearance.”
6. Not providing a touch-up kit
It's always possible that your makeup may need a slight touch-up throughout the day or evening. That's why a survival kit is indispensable. According to Winny, the following items are essential:
"The Retractable Kabuki can be saturated with powder in advance. Then you can close it neatly with the cap, so that your kabuki brush is ready for immediate use. This way, you don't need any extra powder.
Setting powder for a fresh, matte look, in case you start to sweat and to mattify.
Lipstick and possibly an extra gloss to touch up after eating if necessary.
Eyelash glue and tweezers in case a false eyelash comes loose.
A miniblush or a compact blush for a subtle refresh in the evening.
Would you rather not do your own touch-ups? Bellapierre offers the option of hiring the bridal team for a touch-up session or even a “VIP day,” where a makeup artist is on standby for you all day.
7. Trying out new products right before your wedding day
It's best not to try out a new skincare routine right before your wedding day. Winny explains: "Avoid new skin products or makeup right before your wedding to prevent allergic reactions or skin irritations. You don't have to worry about this with Bellapierre makeup: all Bellapierre products are mineral-based and/or mineral-derived, and are hypoallergenic." Winny also wouldn't recommend changing your hair color right before your wedding. Do this well in advance to make sure it fits with the rest of your look.
8. Makeup stains on your wedding dress
The last thing you want is foundation or lipstick on your wedding dress or outfit. Winny recommends:
"Wear a bathrobe or another dress while applying your makeup.
Use a silk scarf over your face when you put on the dress after applying your makeup. Have someone help you with this.
When applying any touch-ups, place a towel over your dress, especially if you are using powder."
9. Using too much highlighter
Highlighter can give a beautiful glow, but it is important to be careful with the intensity so that it does not look unnatural in photos. Winny explains: "Some highlighters can be highly reflective, which means that a subtle shine in reality can appear brighter in photos. Often, a photographer is already present during the preparations. We recommend taking a few test photos during and after applying makeup—especially when applying highlighter. By checking how the product reacts to different types of lighting, you can prevent your makeup from looking unnatural in photos."
10. Not blending the eyeshadow properly
Winny: “Poorly blended eyeshadow can leave harsh lines and make the makeup look unfinished. Your makeup artist invests in good brushes and takes enough time to blend your eyeshadow softly and smoothly.”
11. Not using primer
Very important for your (long-lasting) bridal makeup: use a primer. “You can compare this to a primer when painting walls: you use it as the first layer to fill in small imperfections so that you ultimately need less product for a beautiful result. On your skin, primer also ensures better adhesion of your makeup and therefore longer wear, and helps to make fine lines, pores, and wrinkles less visible,” says Winny.
About Bellapierre
The Bellapierre team consists of specialized bridal makeup artists throughout Flanders, who take care of both your makeup and hairstyling, as well as that of your bridal party. They create a look that suits you perfectly, from romantic and timeless to modern and glamorous. To do this, they work with the mineral, natural, and long-lasting makeup of beauty brand Bellapierre. Another advantage of the bridal team is that even if your makeup artist is unable to attend due to an emergency, there will always be someone else available who knows exactly how to do your makeup thanks to the extensive documentation from your trial session. The goal of Bellapierre? To make sure you feel happy, beautiful, and comfortable on your big day!
Read more about this topic via these links:
Long-lasting bridal makeup: a must-read for makeup that stays in place all day long!
