6 Bridesmaid Makeup Do’s and Don’ts

One of the best parts of your best friend’s wedding? Getting ready, of course; toasting the day ahead with cold glasses of champagne while creating the dreamiest bridesmaid makeup. To make sure your look stands the test of time (those wedding photos are going to be around forever...), follow our round-up of makeup dos and don’ts for every bridesmaid-to-be...

1. DO... Be Inspired by Your Dress

Use your dress as the colour palette for your bridesmaid makeup look. If you’re wearing a spring-fresh pastel hue, opt for nudes, peaches, pinks and lilacs to complement your dress colour. Then, tie the shades together with a flush of blusher on cheeks, using Crème Puff Blush in Lovely Pink. If your BFF has chosen a rich, jewel tone for your dress, swathe lids in a soft brown or bronze shade to suit a glam winter wedding theme. Masterpiece Nude Palette in Cappuccino Nudes features warm, neutral eyeshadow shades to suit everyone, with a hint of shimmer to offset your dress perfectly.

2. Don’t… Try a New Trend

Now isn’t the time to experiment with a burgundy lip or green eyeliner... With a photographer documenting your every move for the next 12+ hours, it’s best to play it safe with your bridesmaid makeup. If in doubt, keep it simple and opt for a classic, glowing makeup look you know suits you best. Create a fresh-faced base with luminosity-building Radiant Lift Foundation, which will light up your complexion, instantly. Finish with a touch of Miracle Glow Pro Universal Highlighter on cheekbones to sculpt your angles - perfect for the (many) photo ops throughout the day.

3. DO... Have a Trial Run

Don’t wait until the wedding to wing your bridesmaid makeup routine. Whether you’re having a pro makeup artist or playing glam squad on your own, do a trial run ahead of time to make sure both you and the bride are happy with your look. To get inspired, create a Pinterest board of beauty looks you like, ready to show your BFF and build a compromise between you both. That’s one less thing to think about on the wedding morning...

4. DON’T... Spray Tan the Day Before

We all love a good glow, but a spray tan the day before the wedding is a little risky. Instead, use a gradual tanner over a couple of days before the wedding for a more natural, even tan. Then, on the big day, sweep our multi-tonal baked Crème Bronzer over cheekbones, up to temples and under the jawline to warm and contour your features. Using a bigger, fluffier brush, swirl into the shimmering compact and dust bronzer onto your décolletage and tops of shoulders for a natural, sun-kissed finish.

5. DO... Prepare for Tears

You already know it’s going to be a long, emotional day (tip: pack tissues!). Prep your bridesmaid makeup to ensure you get the most out of your look from day to night, starting with your base. Apply Facefinity All Day Primer to freshly-cleansed and moisturised skin to extend the wear of your foundation. Then, to avoid tear-stained makeup showing up in the photos (the speeches get us every. single. time.) finish with a sweep of Masterpiece Waterproof Mascara through lashes. It defines and separates while locking in curl, no matter how teary you may get.

6. DO... Take a Makeup-Friendly Clutch Bag

You know your BFF; she’ll want to touch up her makeup as the day ceremony moves from I do's to first dance (... as will you). Make sure to take a cute clutch with you to slot in the makeup essentials. Crème Puff Powder Compact is a must-have for keeping complexions fresh and will fit into the teeniest of bags, while a sweep of Colour Elixir Gloss in Pristine Nude will add instant polish to makeup for both bridesmaid and bride. Now, back to the dancefloor...

Want more makeup inspiration?

For a luminous, radiant glow, read our guide to perfecting your dewy foundation base. Hello, fresh skin.