Getting married outdoors or attending an outdoor wedding? Avoid a makeup meltdown with our tips to make your look last through photos, cocktail hour, hugs and kisses, food and drink, and don’t forget the dance!

Maybe you’re doing your makeup a pro, or maybe you’re more of a DIY gal, but regardless of which route you choose, we’ve got a few tips to help you get through your special day without a makeup malfunction.

1. The importance of the primer:

Whether you wear foundation or not, primer is an important foundation for anything you put on your face. It will help keep you shine-free while preventing your makeup from caking, creasing, and sweating. A couple of our favorites are Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing $16-39; and Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer $20 – this one is great for long-wear eyeshadows!

2. Let your face breathe:

For outdoor weddings, try to avoid heavy foundation and moisturizer unless absolutely necessary. Painting your face won’t reflect the real you, and it’s also more likely to leave you blotchy, oily, and uneven. Sometimes all you need is a thin veil of lightweight mattifying powder foundation. Using a kabuki brush, apply this powerhouse player from Make Up For Ever for a flawless finish: Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation, $36. And ladies, please stick with shades that match your skin tone. Remove the too-dark two-tone foundation and orange bronzer so your neck isn’t a distinctly different color than your face.

3. Be careful with blush:

If it’s hot outside, your cheeks will tend to be naturally rosy, especially if you’re a nervous wreck. A single swipe of powder blush or a small drop of tint on the cheeks can be an option, but then again, a little goes a long way in natural light! If you like powder blush, try Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush, $26. If you like the dewy, illuminating look of a blush stick, we love The Multiple by Nars, $39. And for a unique and truly low-maintenance experience, try (in moderation) Benefit’s Cheek Stain, Benetint, $30.

4. Protect your face from the sun:

Decorative paper fans or small umbrellas are a creative way to block the rays, and they look cuter in photos than sunglasses (which also mess up your makeup). This could be one of your gifts for your bridesmaids! Go the extra mile by applying a non-greasy SPF under your foundation, or find a lightweight BB cream that includes SPF (like Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45, $39). Nobody wants to look like a tomato in photos.

5. Blotting papers:

Oil Blotting Sheets are a must to have on hand, and they are compact enough to fit in your clutch. If the sun is starting to heat things up, be sure to check your compact before taking pictures, and if it’s looking brighter, take an oil blotting sheet and dab it onto trouble spots. You’d be surprised how quick this solution is (and so much better than baking with extra powder). There are many varieties of blotting papers – you can get them anywhere from Sephora to CVS (Clean & Clear brand) – and they cost anywhere from $5 to $10.

6. Hairspray works wonders for settings:

You may not expect to see hairspray on a list of makeup tips, but you’ll be amazed at what it can do, from removing stains to setting makeup! See article no. #11 on StyleCaster Beauty Blog Post, “20 Makeup Tricks That Will Make Your Life Easier.”

7. Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner or Cake Liner:

Liquid eyeliner used to intimidate me, partly because my hand was shaking and partly because it looks so bold and I was afraid of going wrong (I still haven’t quite mastered the elusive cat eye). I always preferred pencil liner until I realized how much longer it takes and how much harder it is on the delicate skin of the eyelids. Then a friend introduced me to cake liner. It’s dry until you wet a small brush and swirl it in the pastel liner, then it instantly transforms into something like a wet dry eyeshadow. Easy to apply, longer lasting, and more smudge resistant than pencil liner, pastel liner is a great way to go. We love Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Liner, $24.

8. Tearproof Mascara: Save

You may think your eyes won’t mist over, but don’t risk it: someone might make a soulful toast that will leave you in tears! Admit it: it’s going to be an emotional day. Our favorite affordable waterproof mascara is the CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara (in the orange tube), $6.99 from Target. Or, if you like the look of false lashes without the hassle and weight, try Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Mascara, sold by independent consultants for about $30 (and worth every penny!)

9. Smudge Proof Lips: Save

Lips are complicated. Despite all the talking, drinking, kissing, smiling, and licking their lips (does anyone else do that when they’re nervous?), it’s downright hard to find a lip color that won’t run, dry, chip, smear, fade, or fade. run. , or transfer. Whether you prefer to keep it simple with balm or glam it up with gloss, it can be a pain to reapply throughout the day. Lucky for you, we have some enduring favorites. Stains and stains like Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint, $24, followed by YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain, $36, are a great way to go back and forth in a variety of colors and finishes, so you don’t have to compromise on shine. . And don’t worry, if you’re an au-naturel girl and these products don’t appeal to you, article #9 in this StyleCaster Beauty Blog post will give you some solid advice no matter what type of products you want. prefer.

10. Nails and toes:

A manicure/pedicure may not count as ‘makeup’, but it should last anyway! For evening weddings, many women will have their nails and toes done on the same day. It’s part of that spa-like female pegging experience and one of the package services ladies enjoy doing together. The only problem is that if she has chosen a salon that you are not used to and is overwhelmingly busy, she may not always be able to trust the quality of your service. I’ve heard sad stories of toenail polish that’s applied too thick to dry completely, and then as soon as the dress shoes slip on, the polish smears everywhere. Or no protective top coat is applied and a bridesmaid’s nail polish falls off as she helps the bride with her hair clips. Do not let that happen to you! We recommend that you get a manicure/pedicure at least one day before the wedding. Whether you love the classic look of a French manicure and pink and white nails, or you’re looking for a solid color that will complement dresses and bouquets, both gel and acrylic nails are great options because of their durability and less chance of staining. chipping and cracking. Whatever you choose, it’s probably best to avoid overdone designs (well, maybe an accent nail if your dress is pretty simple). And if you really want to do it yourself, try Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel, available at stores like CVS and Target for less than $10.

your checklist

1. Bring a small tote bag containing the following items for quick touch-ups: (your bridesmaid can keep this when needed:

– a compact

– blotting sheets, such as Clean & Clear or Sephora brand

– lipstick and/or gloss (see item #5)

– cotton swabs or cotton swabs

two. About the face

– Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Oil Free Foundation Primer Pore Minimizing $16-39; Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer, $20

– Foundation or primer: Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation, $36

– Blush: Urban Decay 8 Hour Afterglow Powder Blush, $26; The Multiple by Nars, $39; Benefit Cheek Stain, Benetint, $30

– Sun protection: Dr. Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm with SPF 45, $39; decorative fans golden umbrellas

3. keep power– Regular hairspray

Four. Cry Proof Eyes: Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Liner, $24; CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara; Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lash Gold Mascara, $30

5. Pie-, kiss-, and sip-proof lips: Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint, $24; followed with YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain, $36

6. Nails and toes:

– Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

And as a last pro tip: cosmetics stores like Sephora and Ulta will usually give you sample sizes of whatever product you want to try, so it’s very inexpensive. Don’t be scared off by the prices of high-end cosmetics when you’re on a tight budget. Good luck and congratulations on your special day!