I Did My Own Wedding Day Makeup

Let me just start by saying that Daniel Martin did my best friend’s makeup for her wedding—and, no, my best friend is not Meghan Markle. Like me, she’s a beauty director (here she is with Daniel on her wedding day (opens in new tab)). When I got engaged about a year after her, I probably could have asked Daniel if the Duchess would be able to spare him for a day, or I could have reached out to Erin Parsons or Rachel Goodwin, or any of the dozens of other high-profile makeup artists I've worked with over the years. But I didn’t. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to do things myself.

This decision was controversial. Almost every person I shared my plan with looked at me like I was crazy. Or, more accurately, they looked at me with a mixture of pity and confusion. Most people love having their makeup done by a professional, but I do not. I kept explaining that I knew my face better than anyone and that I actually had the skills to create the look I wanted. But people would tell me how stressful weddings are, and as my date drew closer, doubts started creeping in.

Then, two months before the big day in May, I had makeup artist Patrick Ta on my podcast, Fat Mascara (opens in new tab).

Patrick works with Gigi Hadid, Priyanka Chopra, Camila Cabello, Joan Smalls…basically everyone. While we were hanging out, I told him my plan to do my own makeup, and he immediately started nodding. He said some people find doing makeup stressful, but others find it deeply calming.

Finally, someone understood! It wasn’t just that I knew I’d be happy with the finished look, it’s that applying makeup actually relaxes me. The ritualistic motions, the satisfying click of the compacts, the smells of the powders and creams—it’s all deeply soothing. Plus, the fine-motor skills take so much concentration that it’s impossible to think or worry about anything else during the process. Patrick said he knew that feeling well, and completely supported my decision. Then he gave me his blessing—and one of his Major Glow Setting Fans (opens in new tab)—and sent me off to get married.

3 Things I Learned Doing My Own Wedding Makeup

1.Build in extra time.

It takes me about six minutes to do my makeup every morning. For my wedding, I did my usual look—glowy skin, major brows, a bit of brown eyeliner, red lips—and it took 35 minutes. The difference was the time I took to blend in the face products and really let them settle (with a little fanning to speed up the dry time) before I applied the next thing. The technique helps with longevity, sure. But it also creates a more dimensional look, so the makeup appears less mask-y. Here's what I used on my face:

2.Use gel eyeliner.

An eye pencil allows you to work the color between your lash roots, while a liquid liner lets you create a crisp, even line. Applying a gel eyeliner with a super-tiny brush is the best of both worlds. (My all-time favorite combo is Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Caviar Ink (opens in new tab) applied with the Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush (opens in new tab).) Plus, gel formulas last longer than any other type of liner, according to one of my makeup artist buds (hey, Sir John!).

3.Get a lash lift and tint.

I didn’t wear mascara at my wedding. There, I said it. I knew I was going to be crying, and I don’t like waterproof mascara (it always looks clumpy on me), so I got a Sugarlash Pro Lash Lift and Tint (opens in new tab) two days before. My lashes looked dark, thick, and curled and they stayed that way all day—and for the next 5 weeks. Check out the before and after:

Here's Everything Else I Used

When I think back to the weekend I got married, I only have one regret, and it has nothing to do with my makeup: I wish I had remembered to try some of the food at our Saturday night party at The Castle by Marlow Events (opens in new tab) because everyone said it was amazing. Plus, I know my long-lasting red lip combo (Beauty Pie Moisture-Lock Wondergel Lip Liner in Racy (opens in new tab) + Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Experimenté (opens in new tab)) would have held up just fine.

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