Long-lasting bridal makeup: a must-read for makeup that stays put all day long!

Your wedding day is full of emotions, hugs, kisses and probably a few dance moves. That's why your make-up needs to be able to withstand tears, heat and many hours of wear. With the right preparation, products and tools, your make-up will stay radiant and fresh all day and night, from your first look to the last dance. In this article, expert Winny Van Dijck shares everything you need to know about how to make your bridal makeup stay perfect, which products are essential and how the mineral makeup from beauty brand Bellapierre can help.

Photo (above): Make-up: Bellapierre - Photographer: Valeriya Maltsava Photography

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1. Good preparation is essential

A good start is half the battle, and that certainly applies to your long-lasting bridal make-up. How you prepare your skin plays a crucial role in how long your make-up stays looking beautiful. Winny, make-up expert and exclusive distributor of the mineral beauty brand Bellapierre in the Benelux, explains: "Healthy, well-hydrated skin is the basis for long-lasting bridal make-up. Keep the following in mind:

• A few days before your wedding day, remove dead skin cells by exfoliating or scrubbing your skin. This helps your make-up adhere better and gives you a fresh look.
• Drink plenty of water and get to bed on time, so your face is hydrated and rested on your wedding day.
• Follow a good skincare routine just before applying your make-up: cleanse your skin thoroughly and use a moisturising day cream and serum that are easily absorbed and not too greasy. Your beautician will know which skincare products are best for your skin.
• Avoid new skin products just before your wedding to prevent skin reactions. With Bellapierre make-up, you don't have to worry about this: all Bellapierre products are mineral and/or mineral-based and hypoallergenic.
• If you would like a tanned look and are considering a spray tan, do this two days in advance (too close to the wedding, the effect can sometimes be too intense). Test this well in advance, ideally before your trial make-up, so that all colours (such as your foundation) are exactly right."

2. The right make-up for a long-lasting effect

As the first step in your make-up routine, a primer is essential, advises Winny: "As the first product, your primer ensures that your make-up adheres better and lasts longer, and helps to even out the skin. Depending on your skin type, choose our HD Primer (normal to oily skin) or our moisturising HD Smoothing Primer with hyaluronic acid (recommended for dry skin)."

Also, choose products with long-lasting properties, such as Bellapierre's water-based BB Cream. This means that when you start to sweat, your make-up will stay in place better than oil-based products, which can “slide” on the skin. Bellapierre's 5-in-1 powder foundation combines foundation, concealer, moisturiser, SPF 15 and finishing setting powder in one product, so your make-up doesn't feel heavy but stays in place all day long.

"Finally, you should always finish off a BB cream or foundation with a setting powder. This sets the make-up completely and prevents the skin from shining. Choose between translucent finishing powder, with a whitish, translucent shade, or banana powder, with a subtle yellow or neutral shade. Banana powder enhances the colour, “correcting” redness or dark circles under your eyes for a fresh look and even complexion," Winny continues. "When it comes to mascara, go for a water-resistant mascara. For your long-lasting lipstick, we recommend our “Kissproof Lip Crème”. It is also water-resistant, does not leave marks and stays on your lips all day long."

3. Why choose Bellapierre mineral make-up?

One of Bellapierre's natural ingredients is mica, which provides long-lasting coverage and a natural glow. "The higher the percentage of mica, the better the quality of the product – and you can see that. Bellapierre has the highest percentage on the market," Winny proudly adds.

In addition to its long-lasting effects, Bellapierre's mineral makeup offers even more benefits. It contains no artificial or harmful additives such as talc, oils or additives that can clog or irritate the skin. Winny: "Synthetic makeup sometimes gives a mask-like effect. Mineral make-up is lighter and allows the skin to breathe, while still providing the desired coverage." The mineral make-up is made from natural ingredients, making it suitable for all skin types, even the most sensitive skin.

What's more, Bellapierre's make-up also has skin-improving properties. Winny: "The BB Cream and foundation contain moisturising and anti-ageing ingredients that care for the skin while evening it out. These products also contain zinc oxide (anti-inflammatory, prevents redness and combats acne) and improve the skin." Bellapierre's mineral make-up is therefore the ideal long-lasting bridal make-up, as well as a conscious choice for healthy, radiant skin.

4. Use the right tools and techniques

Using the right tools and techniques can also make a big difference in how you apply your make-up and how well it stays in place. Winny emphasises the importance of high-quality brushes: "Always use good brushes and not your fingertips – except for primer and concealer. A “flat kabuki brush” helps to blend your BB Cream evenly into the skin, while a “kabuki brush” is perfect for creating good coverage with foundation powder. A looser brush is more suitable for setting powder. Lower quality brushes don't pick up enough product, which means it's not applied as well and doesn't stay in place as long. The same goes for your eye make-up brushes."

5. Step-by-step routine for long-lasting bridal make-up

For a bridal look that stays perfect all day long, follow these steps with Bellapierre mineral make-up, shares Winny:

1. "Start with well-cleansed skin and apply your moisturising day cream and serum.
2. Apply a primer that suits your skin type.
3. Use a BB Cream water-based foundation and, if necessary, a concealer to hide any imperfections.
4. Apply a layer of foundation powder. Add more layers depending on the desired coverage.
5. Contour your face. Apply blush for a romantic look and highlighter for extra glow. Want a sun-kissed effect? Then use bronzer.
6. Finish your eyes with eyeshadow, eye pencil if desired, waterproof mascara and optional false eyelashes. Small clusters of false eyelashes create an extra beautiful effect in photos. Don't forget your eyebrows.
7. Apply kiss-proof lipstick so that your lip colour stays in place without leaving marks. Or use a lip liner and lipstick (the lip liner will make the lipstick last longer).
8. Set everything with a finishing or banana setting powder - do this to mattify as well."

6. Touch-ups: what should you include in your survival kit?

Although Bellapierre makeup is designed to stay on for a long time, it's always handy to have a small survival kit with you to do any touch-ups later in the day or evening. According to Winny, the following items are essential:

• "Retractable kabuki brush that can be filled with powder in its cap beforehand, so you can quickly touch up your foundation if necessary without having to carry extra powder with you.
• Setting powder for a fresh, matte look, in case you start to sweat and to mattify.
• Your kissproof 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."

7. Frequently asked questions about long-lasting bridal make-up

1. Will my make-up stay in place all day?

Winny: "Yes, absolutely. It is crucial to prepare your skin well and use the right make-up products and brushes. A good primer, a water-based BB cream and a setting powder make all the difference. Be careful not to rub your make-up throughout the day, and make sure you have a touch-up kit for extra security."

2. What if I shed a tear?

Winny: "We don't use waterproof mascara, as it's not good for your lashes and causes them to break quickly. However, our mascara is water-resistant. If you shed a tear, we recommend gently dabbing with a tissue instead of rubbing, so as not to smudge your make-up."

3. What if I start to shine or sweat?

Even if you start to sweat or shine, your make-up will stay in place. The water-based BB Cream prevents it from “slipping”. "To combat the shiny effect and keep your skin matte, it's best to add some setting powder," advises Winny.

Bonus: on sunny days, your skin is also protected from the sun thanks to the natural SPF protection in the mineral make-up.

4. Which long-lasting lipstick works best?

Winny: "Our “Kissproof” lipstick is water-resistant and stays on your lips all day long. It also doesn't leave any marks, which is handy when you're greeting all your guests with lots of kisses and for your kiss with the groom. The perfect long-lasting lipstick for your wedding day! Only if you eat something oily, it may fade a little on the inside of your lips, so it's best to keep the lipstick in your touch-up kit."

5. Can you create a natural look with Bellapierre makeup, even with a long-lasting formula?

"Absolutely," says Winny: "Synthetic makeup sometimes creates that typical, old-fashioned mask effect. Mineral make-up, on the other hand, adapts very well to your skin and skin tone; it doesn't clog your pores and allows your skin to breathe. This makes it look very natural, while still providing the desired coverage. We often hear people say, “You look great!” instead of, “Your make-up looks beautiful.” For example, a bride who normally wears very little make-up can easily be kept looking very natural. But even “glam” brides can shine with Bellapierre. As Bellapierre products are particularly high quality, it is best not to use too much. Start with a little and build up slowly."

6. How do I make sure my make-up looks just as good in the photos?​​​​​​​

A photographer is often present while the bride and her bridesmaids are getting ready. Winny recommends asking your professional photographer to take a few test photos during and after the make-up application, especially when applying highlighter. Winny explains: "Highlighter can give a beautiful glow, but it's important to be careful with the intensity. Some highlighters can reflect strongly, making a subtle shine appear brighter in photos. By checking how the product reacts to different types of lighting, you can prevent your make-up from looking unnatural on camera."

With the right preparation, good products and a few smart tips, your make-up will stay radiant and fresh all day long. Bellapierre offers mineral, long-lasting bridal make-up that takes away all your worries. As Winny says: "The most important thing is that a bride feels good in her make-up and still recognises herself. With the right techniques and products, you can create a natural look that lasts all day and night. Do you want a glamorous look? Bellapierre can also create a complete “glam” look. Just one mineral brand for everyone!"

Read more about this topic via these links:

• Skin problems? Not with this mineral make-up!
• Beautiful make-up for a natural bride​​​​​​​