17 Bridal Makeup Essentials for Your Wedding Day

what should be included in bridal makeup essential products

Not every bride wants to be in the hands of a professional makeup artist on her wedding day. Whether you’re on a tight budget or you’re simply confident in your own abilities, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing your own makeup.

That being said, your wedding day will likely be the most photographed day of your life, so it’s important to choose cosmetics that will have you looking drop dead gorgeous. But, what should be included in bridal makeup? What do you need to truly look your best?

If you’re on the hunt for makeup for your wedding day, our guide not only lists the essential products every bride should have, but some of the best brands to try based on your individual needs.

what should be included in bridal makeup cosmetics for your big day

Wedding Makeup Essentials

Just like every other aspect of your wedding, you should plan your makeup in advance. Even if you’re an old pro at doing your face, you should take things up a notch for your wedding day. And that means planning out which products you’ll use and practicing with them beforehand.

The key to any successful look is emphasizing your God-given beauty so that you look like the best version of yourself. Whether you go glam or opt for a more natural look, choose your favorite feature to highlight and go more natural with the rest of your face. If, for instance, you want to do a smokey eye, you should opt for a more neutral lipstick.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the products you should have on-hand for your wedding day.

1. Daytime Moisturizer

Using the right moisturizer for your skin type is an essential first step to having a flawless face. It not only levels the surface of your skin for a smoother application of your foundation, this important base layer can help the longevity of your makeup and brighten your complexion overall.

Here are some of the best daytime facial moisturizers you can buy for less than $20 plus our fave high-end product.

Overall best moisturizer: CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Best for oily skin: The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Daily Moisturizer
Best for dry skin: Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream
Best for acne-prone skin: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Pink Grapefruit Facial Moisturizer
Best for sensitive skin: Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion for Face
Best natural moisturizer: Embryolisse Lait Créme Concentré Face Cream
Best splurge: Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream
Best bargain: Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Fragrance-Free Prebiotic Oat Face Cream

2. Sunscreen

While some say sunscreen is a huge no-no for brides because it can cause a problem for the photographer when he or she tries to use a flash, this is not advice you should listen to. If your wedding ceremony or reception is outdoors, sunscreen is a must, especially for the warm weather.

While you will need to choose your sunscreen carefully, it’s not a step you should skip.

Your best bet is to test a few sunscreens before your big day to see how they look on your skin in pictures. To help you find some good options, here are some of our favorite face sunscreens for brides.

Overall best: Dermalogy by NEOGENLAB SPF50 Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen
Best for sensitive skin: COTZ Sensitive Non-Tinted Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen
Best for acne-prone skin: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen
Best for darker skin tones: EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
Best tinted sunscreen: Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Tinted Face BB Cream
Best natural sunscreen: Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen with Niacinamide
Best splurge: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA
Best bargain: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion

3. Makeup primer

Primer is a cream product that can be applied to your skin after your moisturizer and sunscreen to even out skin tone, hide imperfections and improve the effectiveness of your foundation or tinted moisturizer and concealer. Because it holds to the makeup you apply on top, it will increase the overall longevity of your cosmetics.

Here are some of our favorite primers based on both price and skin type.

Overall best primer: NYX Professional Makeup Marshmellow Smoothing Primer
Best for oily skin: Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer
Best for dry skin: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
Best for darker skin: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Mini Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
Best for sensitive skin: The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer
Best for minimizing pores: e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer
Best for combatting redness: COVERGIRL Trublend Base Business Face Primer 200 Color Neutralizing
Best natural primer: Honest Beauty Everything Primer Matte
Best splurge: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
Best bargain: Maybelline Master Prime Primer Base

4. Foundation

Not only does foundation serve as the base for your bridal makeup, it evens out your skin tone, makes pores appear smaller and blemishes less visible. We recommend a liquid foundation simply because it blends easily and offers a more natural-looking complexion.

Here are some of the best foundations to have in your cosmetic case:

Overall best foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Best for oily skin: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup
Best for dry skin: ColorPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Hydrating Foundation
Best for combination skin: Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Best for darker skin: Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation
Best for sensitive skin: Almay Skin Perfecting Comfort Matte Foundation
Best natural foundation: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Full Coverage Water Foundation
Best splurge: Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Matte Foundation
Best bargain: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Liquid Foundation Makeup

5. Concealer

While concealer has a similar purpose and texture, it’s slightly different. More dense than foundation, concealer is used on top of it to hide things your foundation can’t such as dark circles under your eyes, sun spots and blemishes. Essentially, it is used as a spot corrector for any areas that require a bit of extra coverage.

If you’ve yet to find the perfect concealer, here are some good options to choose from.

Overall best concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Best for oily skin: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Waterproof Concealer
Best for dry skin: Catrice Cosmetics True Skin High Cover Concealer
Best for combination skin: Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Buildable Coverage Crease Proof Concealer
Best for darker skin: Ami Cole Skin Enhancing Concealer
Best for sensitive skin: Almay Skin Perfecting Comfort Concealer
Best splurge: Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer
Best bargain: NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer Wand

6. Setting powder

Setting powder should be applied after foundation and concealer but prior to bronzer, blush or a highlighter. A setting powder not only keeps these moist products in place, but minimizes shine and oiliness while also keeping your face looking fresh for as long as possible.

Here are some of our favorite setting powders for brides.

Overall best powder: Hourglass Cosmetics Veil Translucent Setting Powder
Best for oily skin: Beautyblender BOUNCE Soft Focus Gemstone Setting Powder
Best for dry skin: Smashbox Halo Fresh Setting & Perfecting Powder
Best for dark skin: Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Soft Radiance Setting Powder
Best for hiding pores: Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Powder
Best for sensitive skin: Honest Beauty Invisible Blurring Loose Powder
Best natural: Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects Soft Focus HD Setting Powder
Best splurge: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
Best bargain: Nyx Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Setting Powder

7. Bronzer

If you choose to use bronzer, it goes on after your setting powder, but before blush and highlighter. Bronzer should be used just below your cheekbone, but you can also dust a shimmery bronzer on your collarbone if you want to achieve a sun-kissed glow.

While there are a lot of great bronzer products, here are some of the best for your wedding day.

Overall best pick: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder
Best shimmer: L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Bronze It Bronzer
Best matte: Milani Silky Matte Bronzing Powder
Best for darker skin: NARS bronzer powder
Best for sensitive skin: Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer
Best natural: Huda Beauty GloWish Soft Radiance Vegan Bronzing Powder
Best splurge: Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer
Best bargain: Rimmel Natural Bronzer

8. Blush

Unless your cheeks are naturally rosy, using blush is an essential part of a perfect wedding day face. Not only does it add warmth to your complexion, it will make you appear more youthful and will give your skin a healthy, happy-looking glow.

Blush, which is used on the apples of your cheeks, should be chosen based on your skin tone for a natural look. To help you put your best face forward, here are our favorite blushers.

,Best overall: Milani Baked Blush
Best powder: Nars Orgasm Blush
Best cream: Honest Creme Cheek Blush Plus Lip Color
Best liquid: Saie Dew Liquid Cheek Blush
Best for darker skin: MAC Cosmetics Powder Blush
Best mineral: Glo Skin Beauty Blush
Best natural: Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Blush Powder
Best splurge: Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Blush
Best bargain: CoverGirl Instant Cheekbones Contouring Blush

9. Highlighter

A highlighter, while not an absolute must, will enhance the beauty of your complexion and accentuate your bone structure, making it a worthwhile addition to your wedding day beauty routine. A highlighter should be used on the top of the upper cheekbone as well as the other high points of your face such as the temples, brow bone and, possibly, on the cupid’s bow on the bridge of your nose.

Here are some of the best products for achieving a healthy glow.

Overall best pick: Smashbox X Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector
Best multi-use: Chanel Baume Essentiel Multi-Use Glow Stick
Best for oily skin: Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter
Best for dry skin: RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
Best for sensitive skin: Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Highlighter
Best natural: Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter
Best splurge: Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter
Best bargain: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder

10. Eyebrow pencil

Using an eyebrow pencil is the perfect way to fill in sparse brows, add definition and shape or even make them darker. Having a well balanced brow not only draws attention to your eyes, but acts as a frame for your face. Need some product suggestions? Here are some of our faves.

Best overall: Too Faced Super Fine Brow Detailer Eyebrow Pencil
Best for thin brows: Charlotte Tilbury Refillable Eyebrow Pencil
Best waterproof: NYX Professional Makeup Eyebrow Pomade
Best shade range: Kosas Defining Eyebrow Pencil at Amazon
Best natural: Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyebrow Liner
Best splurge: Chanel Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil
Best bargain: e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil

11. Smudge-proof eyeliner

Eyeliner is a multi-purpose product that every bride should have in her makeup bag. Not only does eyeliner make your lashes look more lush and full, but it draws attention to your eyes and pairs well with eyeshadow.

Eyeliner is used on your upper eyelid at the base of your lashes and can also be used along the waterline of each eye. If you choose to line your lower lashes, do so sparingly. Heavy eyeliner all around the eye will make your eyes appear smaller.

Need a new eyeliner for your special day? These are some of your best choices.

Best overall: Huda Beauty Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil
Best pencil: Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil
Best gel: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Best pen: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
Best liquid: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Best for smokey eye: Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner
Best natural: Naked Poppy Clean Liquid Eyeliner
Best splurge: Milk Makeup Infinity Long Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Best bargain: Rimmel Kohl Kajal Waterproof Eye Liner

12. Eyeshadow

Eye shadow is used to draw attention to the eyes. You can do this by using shadow to compliment your eye color. Brown and bronze eyeshadows make blue eyes pop while shades of purple accentuate green eyes. Brides with brown eyes should gravitate to the blue family while hazel-eyed gals can experiment with greens, pinks or coppers.

Whether you want to add depth and dimension to your eyes, do a smokey eye or something natural, an eyeshadow palette is often your best bet because it will not only give you a range of shades to flatter your eye color, but it will include colors that can be used for your lid, crease and brow bone.

Here are some amazing eyeshadow palettes to consider for gorgeous, ceremony-ready eyes.

Best overall: L.A. Girl Beauty Brick Eyeshadow
Best for blending: NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette
Best neutrals: Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette
Best matte/shimmer combo: Urban Decay Naked Reloaded Eyeshadow Palette
Best color range: Fenty Beauty Snap Shadows Mix & Match Eyeshadow Palette
Best natural: Pacifica Beauty Mineral Eyeshadow Palette
Best splurge: Dior Backstage Eyeshadow Palette
Best bargain: CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Eyeshadow Kit

13. Waterproof mascara

If there is one makeup item no bride should be without on her wedding day, it’s waterproof mascara. Unless you have eyelash extensions, this is an absolute must for your makeup bag.

Waterproof is more durable and long-lasting than traditional or even water-resistant mascara and will hold up even if you shed a few tears during your vows. Waterproof formulas can also help your eyelashes to hold a curl longer and tend to be more resistant to smudging and sweat.

If you’ve been searching for the perfect wedding mascara, here are some of the best out there.

Best overall: Chanel Le Volume de Chanel
Best lengthening: Lash Princess False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara
Best volumizing: Rimmel Scandaleyes Volume on Demand Waterproof Mascara
Best lash extension look: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara
Best natural: Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water-Resistant Long Lash Mineral Mascara
Best fiber mascara: EM Cosmetics Pick Me Up Volume + Length Mascara
Best no-clump mascara: CoverGirl Clump Crusher by LashBlast Water Resistant Mascara
Best splurge: Byredo Waterproof Mascara
Best bargain: Maybelline Volum’ Express The Colossal Waterproof Mascara

14. Lip balm

You probably already know that lip balm is used to protect and hydrate the lips. But why do you need it on your wedding day if you’re already wearing lipstick? Lip balm will not only keep your lips soft and kissable, but it can help your lip liner and lipstick to apply smoothly and evenly.

For a perfect wedding day pucker, we suggest adding one of these lip balms to your makeup routine.

Best overall: Burt’s Bees Lip Balm Moisturizing Lip Care
Best for winter: Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm
Best natural: eos 100% Natural & Organic Lip Balm Sticks
Best hydrating: Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Lip Balm
Best SPF lip balm: Sun Bum Lip Balm, SPF 30
Best basic: Vaseline Lip Therapy
Best splurge: Jones Road The Lippie Stick
Best bargain: NIVEA Smoothness Lip Care

15. Lip liner

Lip liner may seem like an unnecessary step, especially if you’re not accustomed to wearing it. It is, however, a good way to ensure your lipstick will last a long time without bleeding or smudging.

Your lip liner should be in the same color family as your lipstick, but one shade darker and should always be applied before your lipstick.

For luscious lips, here are some of our favorite lip liners.

Best overall: MAC Lip Pencil
Best long-lasting: Revlon ColorStay Lip Liner
Best natural: About-Face Matte Fix Lip Pencil
Best hydrating: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Liner
Best definition: Victoria Beckham Beauty Lip Definer
Best splurge: Makeup by Mario Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil
Best bargain: NYX Professional Makeup Slim Lip Pencil, Long-Lasting Creamy Lip Liner

16. Lipstick

Whether you wear lipstick on a daily basis or not, it is an essential for your wedding day because it gives your face a more polished look. Even if you opt for natural makeup, lipstick can still be used in a shade that is just slightly deeper than your natural lip color.

If you have cool undertones in your skin, opt for cool rosy and mauve shades as well as purplish shades of wine or red. You can also do nude lipstick as long as it has cool pink undertones. Ladies with warm undertones should stick to warm shades of lipstick such as peach, coral, rust, orangey-reds, terracotta and nudes with warm hues.

Brides with neutral undertones can wear a variety of colors. Those with fair skin tend to look gorgeous in shades of pink or peach while medium-skinned brides can wear mauve or coral. Brides with deeper skin look phenomenal in berry or wine shades.

To help you find a wedding-worthy lipstick, here are some of the best to consider.

Best overall: Even Better Pop Lip Colour Foundation
Best long-lasting: Beauty Bakerie Lip Whips
Best natural: Fruit Pigmented Cocoa Butter Matte Lipstick
Best hydrating: Sephora CollectionSatin Hydrating Lipstick
Best matte: Revlon ColorStay Matte Lipstick
Best shiny: Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick
Best satin finish: L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick
Best liquid lipstick: Maybelline New York SuperStay Liquid Lipstick
Best splurge: Dior Addict Shine Lipstick
Best bargain: COVERGIRL Continuous Color Lipstick

17. Setting spray

Setting spray is typically used once you’ve finished applying your makeup to keep it in place and looking fresh. You can choose from a matte or a dewy finish depending on your preference. To apply, simply hold the bottle about six inches from your skin and mist it evenly onto your entire face until your skin is slightly damp.

If you don’t already have a setting spray you love, here are some great choices.