Celebrity makeup artists share tips on sweat-proofing your bridal makeup
Two ace Indian makeup artists tell you how to keep your wedding day makeup from melting into your mojito this summer
Your body’s natural cooling system (read: sweat glands) and your bridal makeup don’t make for the most romantic summer wedding story. In fact, the combination is decidedly one of the more dangerous ones you need to be wary of on your big day. From messy eye makeup to a patchy base, the sun’s heat can have disastrous effects on your bridal look if you haven’t taken the proper precautions during application. To help you understand what those are, we got two of Bollywood’s favourite makeup artists, Ojas Rajani and Shraddha Naik, to let you in on everything you need to keep in mind for a summer wedding makeup look. Whether you want a soft-smoky eye for your pheras à la Deepika Padukone or a peaches and cream finish like Anushka Sharma’s, these tips will ensure your bridal makeup doesn’t melt, crack, crease or cake in the heat.
Stay hydrated
Sweltering heat and humidity can wreak havoc on both your system and your skin, leaving them dehydrated and parched. Naik emphasises on the importance of drinking lots of water through your ceremony, and consuming fluid-filled foods to combat the inevitable moisture loss.
Prep perfectly
One of the non-negotiable beauty rules is to prep the skin before the foundation. “For your skin to stay hydrated all day long, it’s important to start with a good moisturiser—preferably a water-based one,” says Naik. The next imperative step for the perfect base includes primers. “Using a primer will help your makeup last longer, make your skin smoother, and also even out the skin tone,” says Naik. “The rule is to use a mattifying primer, and lots of it,” reaffirms Rajani. “Not just a face primer, but eyeshadow and lip primers are musts too.”
Opt for hydrating foundations
Foundation must always lend an airbrushed complexion, not create a mask-like effect. “Try avoiding a heavy base on your wedding day, as it tends to melt in the heat and makes the face look too cakey,” says Naik. “Liquid foundations work best. These formulas are light in weight, long-wearing and buildable enough to give you full-coverage as well. Set with a good translucent powder.”
Creamy concealers are your best bet in the heat
Even the most amazing foundation can be thwarted by a subpar concealer. “A creamy or a liquid concealer works the best in this heat,” says Naik. “It’s imperative that you seal the base with a translucent powder. You can also use a colour corrector before to camouflage any discolouration.”
Pick powder-based formulas for the rest of your makeup
Whether you’re want shimmering gold lids mimicking Sonam Kapoor Ahuja’s at her Anand Karaj, or matte lids like Deepika Padukone’s from her Sindhi wedding, “the texture of your eyeshadow needs to be powdery,” says Rajani. “Any formula that’s creamy wears off fasters and tends to become creasy or patchy. Powder shadows stay intact longer in the summer. Another major plus is that once they mix with the sweat, they give out a luminous sheen too.” She advocates the use of powder-based highlighters, blushes and contouring products for summer weddings too.
Remember, waterproofing is key
Rajani says a waterproof formula is the only answer to smudge-proof, sweat-proof and even tear-proof your mascara for your wedding day. “Several renowned brands have come out with exceptional waterproof mascaras that, even if you go underwater swimming, won’t migrate down to your cheekbones. Also, they can withstand heat, humidity, sweat and tears. Dior’s Black Out mascara is one of my favourites. Apply the brand’s mascara primer and you might be able to get away without fake lashes on your big day.”
Touch-up with caution
“Doing your touch-ups by yourself can do more damage to your look than you think. Avoid compact powders at all times; your skin may start looking haggard eventually. Ideally, when a good makeup artist completes a bridal look, you shouldn’t find the need to touch-up,” says Rajani. Luckily, there’s a solution in the form of “makeup sealers to lock your bridal makeup look completely. If you’re still keen, you can invest in blotting papers to get rid of excess oils or blush and highlighter papers to add a little flush,” she concludes.
Also read:
Your guide to planning your hair & makeup for your destination wedding
Pre-wedding facials: 3 celebrity dermatologists share the dos and don’ts
The chikankari lehengas your summer wedding wardrobe needs right now
