Professional Makeup Artists Reveal Their Favorite Tips for Flawless, Long-Lasting Makeup

These products and nuggets of advice are perfect for your wedding day, or any day!

February 03, 2023

By: Jessica Butler

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Photo By: Courtesy of Peretti Hill Glam Squad

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Photo By: Artem Varnitsin / EyeEm

How to Make Your Look Last

Whether you’re getting glammed up for a special event, a night out, or your walk down the aisle, you’ll want your makeup look to last as long as possible. We talked to professional makeup artists who shared some of their favorite tips and products for achieving gorgeous results that won’t budge. Click through their expert picks and find out what the professionals do!

Know Airbrush Versus Traditional Makeup

These two makeup styles are very different and everyone has their own preferences. So before you get all dolled up, it’s important to know which one you like. Haley of Peretti Hill Glam Squad explains, "When I have a bride unsure of what application she prefers, I use the trial to sample both traditional and airbrush makeup on a portion of the bride’s skin type to determine which makeup is best. The feel is just as important as the flawless look. If you are a bride who does not like makeup or the feel of it, airbrush may be for you. If you love all the makeup, traditional may be more your speed."

Always Prep the Skin

In order have the best makeup application and wear, skincare prep is essential. Anitra of Peretti Hill Glam Squad suggests, "Before applying makeup make sure that you have a clean face that is moisturized and primed based on your skin type. Making sure you have the correct moisturizer and primer will ensure a longer lasting look for the special day. My go-to moisturizer is by Embryolisse, which can be found on Amazon! I love this product because it can be used as a regular moisturizer or mask for dryer skin."

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Skip the Sunscreen, Just This Once

As important as sun protection is in our everyday lives, this is the one day you won’t want it on. Some formulas just don’t sit well under makeup and SPF can be problematic when combined with flash photography. "SPF Sunscreen on the day of may cause flashbacks when photos are taken," Anitra warns.

The Perfect Eye Look Starts with Your Base

Margie from Truly Happy Beauty recommends using an "eyeshadow primer or paint pot to make sure the eyeshadow goes on smoothly, doesn't crease, and lasts all night." Some of her favorite eye primers are the MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot, Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize, and Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base.

Turn to Cream Contour for a Chiseled Look in photos

Margie adds that "brides still want a more chiseled look, especially for photos. For that reason, I love cream contour products, which can be blended into the skin and diffused so that the look is without harsh lines." She recommends Tom Ford's Shade and Illuminate Cream Contour Duo and the NARS Laguna Bronzing Cream to achieve the look.

Set Cream Blush with Powder Blush

"For that 'blushing bride' look, I love to use a cream blush on the cheeks, followed by a powder blush, which helps to intensify the color and sets it so it lasts longer," says Margie. Her favorite long-lasting blushes are the Rare Beauty Stay Vulnerable Melting Cream Blush, NARS The Multiple Cream to Powder Stick, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks, and Patrick Ta Major Beauty Headlines — Double Take Creme and Powder Blush.

The Power of Powder

Anitra lives by the rule, "More is always less. For example, use a setting powder in areas where you need it the most. These areas include the T zone, and lightly under the eyes. If you are in the market for a great setting powder, I highly recommend Laura Mercier’s Translucent Setting Powder."

Stain Your Lips for All-Day Color

Margie explains, "Wearing a lip stain or longwear lip gloss is also a great idea if a bride wants to avoid having to do touch-ups all the time," noting that there has been a rise in the use of these products since the beginning of the pandemic, when brides needed something that wouldn’t rub off on their masks. Her lip stains of choice are the YSL Vinyl Cream Lip Stain, Fenty Beauty Hydrating Lip Stain, and Wonderskin Lip Stain. But before you apply, Margie says to "exfoliate and hydrate lips" because that extra prep "guarantees that the application will go smooth and it will last longer."

Setting Spray Is the Cherry on Top

To lock in your makeup all day (and all night), opt for a setting spray with awesome stayin power. "Long days such as wedding days should always end with a couple spritz of setting spray. This helps with longevity! Some setting sprays even help keep your face matte throughout the day," says Anitra. Some popular sprays are the Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist, Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray, Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, and Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray.

Never Skip a Trial Run

Most importantly, to ensure that your makeup looks exactly how you envisioned, try it out before your big day. If you’re doing it at home, create and test out your look a few days before you’ll be wearing it so you can tweak any techniques or play around with different products. If you’re getting your makeup done, a trial run is a must. Margie stresses, "It's important to meet with your makeup artist prior to the wedding for a makeup trial run, so that you have a clear idea of what you will look like and won’t go into that emotional and busy day with any reservations."

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