After you’ve bought the dress, the shoes, booked the venue & photographer…it’s time to book hair & makeup! This is a fun time where you get to experiment with a bunch of different makeup looks until you find what is just right for you. There are lots of things to consider when choosing a perfect bridal makeup look:

Venue – will your wedding be outside in the hot sun or indoors in the AC? Is it a barn wedding where your makeup will be soft and natural or a grand ballroom where you can go for a more glammed-up look?

Dress – is your dress a slim Old Hollywood style or a gown fit for a princess? Perhaps you’re getting married at city hall and choose a simple, elegant shift? Your makeup look should compliment your dress style.

Photography – chances are, you’ll be taking loads of photos on your wedding day, and you’ll probably be shedding a few tears of happiness so lasting coverage is a must. Here are some great tips to long lasting wedding makeup from Ali Hart (@PILthe salon), make-up artist and esthetician at Public Image Limited in Wayne, NJ:

“It’s very important to prep the skin for a long lasting makeup application. The key is to start with a clean face. Wash and exfoliate to completely get rid of all dead skin, dirt or makeup residues. Moisturize so your skin is hydrated. This will prevent makeup from looking cakey or blotchy on the skin. Follow with a primer to create a flawless canvas to begin the process.

Layering is important to add dimension, and allows the makeup to last for hours. For example, using a cream blush and then applying a powder blush over it gives it that long-lasting effect brides are looking for.”

Here are some great examples of an array of makeup looks for all styles of brides. What’s your favorite?

All images copyright 2015-2017 Erin Usawicz Photography