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The Beginner's Guide to the Perfect Bridesmaid Makeup

Look amazing on your friend's big day
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It's your big day! Well, technically, it's your friend's big day — but you still have to walk down the aisle. And no, you don't get to pick out the dress, and the bride(zilla) may or may not tell you how to do your hair... but your makeup? That's usually all up to you.

So, where to start? It can be daunting, especially if you don't usually wear much makeup. First off, remember that you'll be in a lot of photos, so you'll probably want to wear more makeup than usual, even if you want to look natural. Also, lips and eyes tend to disappear in photos without the proper technique. Keep reading to see some of our wedding makeup tips for looking your best as a bridesmaid.

Image via Imaxtree

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Prep + Prime
Start with a clean, moisturized face. Don't forget a cream with SPF, especially if you'll be outside — which you probably will, at least for pictures. Then, slather on the pore-erasing, line-filling, makeup-smoothing wonder that is primer: This will let your makeup last through dancing, partying, eating, drinking and pictures. You'll also want to look into eye makeup primers, which are super beneficial when it comes to preventing smudges, creases, and other eyeliner disasters.

Pro tip: Wear a button-down shirt while you do your hair and makeup so nothing gets mussed up when you change into your dress.

Try: Dr. Brandt Pores No More Luminizer Primer, $38

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Foundation
Foundation is a must for an all-day affair like a wedding. Even if you don't usually wear it, it's a good idea. You'll need one that is a perfect match for your skin tone, so go somewhere that you can try them on, and bring a friend who will be honest. Look for "long wear" or "all day," and for finish, try for somewhere between dewy and matte. We recommend using a BeautyBlender (or similar makeup sponge) to make sure it is applied perfectly — it should look like your skin on its very best day.

Try: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, $35

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Concealer
Next comes the concealer, because everybody's got baggage — undereye bags (or dark circles), that is. For the undereye, choose a tone that's just a shade lighter than your skin. Pat the concealer on, then blend with your handy sponge.

Try: Huda Beauty The Overachiever Concealer, $30

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Blush + Contour
It's time to get a little cheeky: You've got to add some sun-kissed depth and dimension to your cheeks. Choose a bronzer one to two shades darker than your skin tone. A good rule of thumb here is to find a bronzer with multiple shades, so you can build. Sweep the bronzer along the cheekbones and on the forehead just above your eyebrows — or, where the sun naturally hits.

Next, say cheese: See the two round spots that stick out on your cheeks? Those are your apples — and that's where you add blush, in a circular motion. Start light and build until you're happy with the color.

Try: It Cosmetics Confidence In Your Glow, $32

BY RACHEL WHITE | MAY 20, 2019 | SHARES
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