The Best Wedding Makeup Brands (And What I Actually Use on Brides)
I get asked about my kit a lot. Which foundation, which blusher, what I use to make make up last from the first look to the last dance.
There are a handful of brands I come back to for every wedding. Not because they're the most talked about, but because they hold up under a fourteen hour day, photograph properly, and feel comfortable enough that my brides forget they're wearing anything.
Here's what's earned a permanent place in my bridal makeup kit.
Chanel
The ultimate luxury brand. Having worked for Chanel, I can say without hesitation that a face of Chanel on your wedding day is not a decision you'll regret.
The Healthy Glow Foundation gives a second skin radiance with a buildable formula and skincare benefits built in. It feels lightweight and breathable while still giving you proper coverage, with that glass skin finish everyone's after. The shade range runs from fair through to deep, so it caters to every skin tone, and it sits beautifully on mature skin too.
The Les Beiges Bronzing Cream adds warmth and a sun-kissed glow to the complexion. The gel formula is so light you can work it all over the skin, perfect for the bride who wants warmth without looking overdone.
The Chanel Highlighting Sticks give glow and shimmer to the high points without tipping into too much. And for the bride who wants glow without the glitter, there's a transparent option.
Charlotte Tilbury
My kit is increasingly full of Charlotte Tilbury and it's not hard to see why. The products and packaging ooze luxury, they perform beautifully, and my brides just love them.
The Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is one I use before and after application. It melts everything together, locks the make up in and leaves a gorgeous radiance behind. I've written more about whether setting spray is worth it here if you want the full breakdown.
The Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder is my favourite powder for brides. It's incredibly lightweight but still controls shine and leaves a smooth, blurred finish wherever you place it. Nothing cakey, which is the last thing any bride wants.
My favourite shimmer for the eyes is the Hypnotising Pop Shots. Swipe them across the lid with a finger for full impact, or pat them on for something more subtle. Either way they catch the light beautifully and open the eye right up.
I love a glam bridal eye, so my go-to mascara is the Exagger-eyes Volume Mascara. It coats and lifts the lashes from the root to tip, giving maximum volume and a proper curl. Even the smallest amount lifts, and while it doesn't claim to be waterproof, I've never had it transfer on a bride.
Pillow Talk is still one of the most requested lipsticks I get. I love the original formula, and the medium shade caters beautifully to medium and deeper skin tones.
Rare Beauty
I love Rare Beauty for the natural finish and clean formulas. The one product I can't stop using on my brides is the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. It gives an instant healthy flush that's buildable without ever looking heavy. Layer it under a powder blusher and it holds all day while keeping that luminosity.
Too Faced
I've tried a lot of under eye concealers and I always come back to the same one. The Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer is one I've used on myself for years and on my brides without fail. It's self setting and gives a flawless finish.
A little goes a very long way. Even the smallest amount covers under eye darkness instantly, which is exactly what you want on a morning when your eyes have barely opened.
Booking your wedding day make up
If you're looking for professional make up for your wedding in Kent, London or somewhere further afield, take a look at my bridal make up experience and get in touch.
Mother of the bride? I've written a separate guide just for you.
