12 Beauty Products That Should Be in Your Wedding Day Makeup Bag

By
Katherine Santana
Katherine Santana

Katherine is an experienced beauty and celebrity writer who has previously served as an associate digital editor at Brides.

Brides's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on 03/27/22
Wedding day makeup

@laura_makeup_and_hair / Design by Zackary Angeline

Your wedding day is going to be the most photographed day of your life, and those photos will last a lifetime. Achieving a flawless bridal beauty look is all about what's in your makeup bag. In an effort to put your best face forward, we suggest upgrading your bridal makeup kit well before the big day. To help you find the best cosmetics for your wedding-day look and beyond, we came up with an editor-approved list of products.

Keep scrolling for our list of makeup must-haves for the bridal beauty look you've been dreaming of.

Essential Wedding Makeup Products
Michela Buttignol/Brides 
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Foundation

Bride having makeup done

Photo by Bokeh Photography; Makeup by Mooi Studio

Your foundation will depend on your skin type. However, most brides tend to purchase a liquid foundation, as they're easily blended and give the most "natural" of finishes. Of course, if you happen to have a go-to, you need not switch it up on your big day.

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Concealer

Bride getting ready

Photo by Lauren Baker

Think of concealer as your little multitasking BFF. When applied, it can brighten target areas, hide a pimple or dark spot, and even out your complexion. But when it comes to your wedding day, you may want a more heavy-duty one, meaning it will stay put from your first look to your evening reception. Whether you need this baby to cover dark circles or just hide a pesky pimple, we did some homework for you already.

To ensure that you have your makeup routine down pat, be sure to pencil in a wedding makeup trial a month or two ahead of your wedding day. Doing so will allow you to refine your makeup look and make any necessary product swaps.

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Blush and Bronzer

Bride getting blush put on

Photo by To The Moon

A quick flush of rose or soft pink can bring life back to your face. When choosing a bronzer, aim for one that's at most two shades darker than your skin color. Anything above two shades, and you run the risk of looking a little artificial. For busy brides, we recommend NARS Blush and Bronzer Duo. This all-in-one cheek duo delivers the perfect bronze glow with a natural-looking flush of color.

Nars Blush and Bronzer Duo

Courtesy of Sephora 
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Primer

Bride getting ready

Photo by Sara Lobla 

You'll want your makeup to stay in place from ceremony to reception, so it's absolutely necessary to have a primer in your bridal beauty stash. If your skin is on the dry side, there's a primer for that. A little bit of discoloration? There's one for that, too. One of our favorites is the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. Its silky, airy texture feels amazing on the skin, plus it works overtime to reduce the appearance of redness, pores, and wrinkles.

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer

Courtesy of Sephora 
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Makeup Sponge

Bride getting ready

Photo by Pat Furey

Simply put, these guys are a game-changer. When used right (never use your sponge dry), your skin will look just like those flawless Snapchat filters. Naturally, we love the OG of makeup sponges, the Beautyblender, as it promises impeccable coverage with minimal product waste.

Beautyblender

Courtesy of Sephora
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Setting Powder

Bride getting ready

Photo by Laura Gordon 

Lock in your concealer and foundation with a pressed or loose setting powder. Make Up For Ever's Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder blurs and reduces shine with one swipe of a brush, and its lightweight formula absorbs excess oils to give a visibly flawless finish.

Makeup Forever's Ultra HD Microfinishing Pressed Powder

Courtesy of Sephora
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Mascara

Bride getting mascara put on

Photo by JFK Imagen; Makeup by Lorena Carbajal

Whether you're looking for length or a bit of volume, mascara is an absolute necessity in your makeup bag. Add a few swipes of your go-to before applying false lashes (if you plan to), and softly darken your lower lashes for an extra hit of definition.

To avoid any smudging or flaking in between photos, be sure to invest in a good waterproof mascara.

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Eyeliner

Bride getting ready

Photo by Juan Trijillo 

Define your eyes with a waterproof yet blendable liner. Try to stay away from black (unless your eye look demands different), as it can appear a bit harsh around the eye area. Opt for brown instead. We like Charlotte Tilbury's Rock 'n' Kohl liner in Barbarella Brown.

Charlotte Tilbury "Rock 'n' Kohl" Liner
Courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury
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Eyeshadow Palette

Bride getting ready

Photo by Ke-Lie Photography

Whatever eye look you're going for, chances are you're going to use an eyeshadow palette. Typically, brides aim for a natural eye look, combining shimmery champagnes and soft pinks with matte browns. A perfect palette to achieve this look? Bobbi Brown's Nude Drama II Eyeshadow Palette. Containing a range of rich matte browns and shimmery pinks, these eyeshadows blend seamlessly for the perfect nude eye.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette

Courtesy of Sephora
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Lipstick

Bride putting on lipstick

Photo by Katie Ruther

Your lipstick serves as the finishing touch to your makeup look, so this is a staple in your bridal beauty stash. Unfortunately, given that there are so many formulas to choose from—matte, satin, gloss, etc.—it can be difficult to choose just one. We're here to help with that, too. 

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Highlighter

Bride getting ready

Photo by Addison Jones 

There's absolutely nothing like a good highlighter to give you that lit-from-within glow. Seriously. It's all about choosing the formula that's right for you, whether it be a powder, balm, or liquid.

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Blotting Paper

Bride getting ready

Photo by Madeline Broderick Photography

Last but certainly not least, blotting papers are a must-have for touch-ups throughout the day. Small enough to keep in your purse, a quick swipe will lift away shine without smudging your makeup.

Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Paper
Courtesy of Sephora 
FAQ
  • How do you find makeup for your wedding-day beauty look?

    If you're stumped on makeup recommendations, a professional makeup artist specializing in weddings will be able to point you in the right direction. Beyond finding products that are a match for your skin type, they will also be able to assist with application tips.

  • What are some factors to consider when selecting makeup products for your bridal look?

    Be sure to check the weather as humidity or rain may require you to switch to waterproof products. When determining your wedding makeup look, you should also take into consideration your wedding dress, personal style, and how much makeup you typically like to wear. 

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