Here Comes the Bride…in Turquoise Eye Liner?

The month just past is one of total opposites in the makeup business.

On the one hand, the emails landing in my inbox from all the major companies say things like:

MAC Pro Long-Wear Lipstick in For Keeps

Are You Camera-Ready for The Big Day?
Wedding Season Must-Haves</p>

While days later, the emails have subject lines like:

Let Your Beauty Soar With Our Summer Collection
Order the Summer Essentials Kit
Protect Your Summer Skin Today

(I especially like the last one, but you knew that already.)

Too-Faced Metal-Eyed Liquid Shimmer eyeliner in Brown Sugar

Wedding makeup tends to favor subtle, natural shades designed to enhance your features. The finishes are sheer or gently shimmering instead of glossy or sparkly, which can reflect light back to the camera and wash you out. Waterproof is probably also a good idea if you’re going to be outside in heat and humidity or are prone to crying tears of happiness on such occasions. And a long-wear lipstick formula should maintain your color through even the longest receiving line.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Some products to try for your wedding look:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
• Tarte Blushing Bride Cheek Stain
• Stila It Girl eye shadow palette – 3 neutrals including Kitten
• MAC Pro Long-Wear Lipstick in For Keeps
• Too-Faced Metal-Eyed Liquid Shimmer eyeliner in Brown Sugar

If you want to use your own favorites for your big day, Benefit She-Laq can be applied over your lips to make your lipstick last, or spray on Urban Decay All-Nighter Makeup Setting Spray lightly over everything.

Stila It Girl eye shadow palette

Conversely, beach beauty seems to be all about bronzing, high shine, extreme color and melting at the edges.

We know you’re protecting your skin from the ravages of the sun with sunscreens containing broad spectrum protection so you’ll be looking for bronzers to give yourself a “beachy glow”.

PPPs should look for golden shades to avoid looking dirty. The darker your skin tone, the darker the shade of bronzer you can wear. One to try: Too-Faced Aqua Bunny Crème to Powder Splash Proof Bronzer – $28 US

Along with waterproof mascara, long-lasting eye liners are a better bet to outsmart humidity than eye shadow. Bright colors seem to be a staple at all the major makeup companies, like MAC Float on By Eye Kohl (yes, it’s turquoise!) – $17.50 Cdn.

Tarte Blushing Bride Cheek Stain

Brights or bronzes are also in for the nails – take a look at OPI for Sephora Havana Nights nail polish minis – $18 US. The four colors contained in this set are bronze, bright orange, pale green and deep teal.

Lip stains last longer than lipsticks or glosses. Benetint is the grandmother of all stain products, but most makeup companies have one in their product line these days. The Italian company Tokidoki has the Fantastico Lip Stain that comes in five shades. Try Cactus Friends for $15 US at Sephora in North America.

For the less daring or those who prefer their summer beauty on the softer (bridal) side, DuWop has a product called Angel Washes – sheer tints for eyes, cheeks and lips, set of 3 (pink, peach and gold) for $27.