Photo: Ana & Jerome Photography
As we know, wedding makeup is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone has a different idea of beauty. It’s the same with the climate of the place you’re getting married. A tropical Hawaiian “I do” requires a different approach than nuptials in the desert of Palm Springs or the mountains of upstate New York or Aspen. As celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty (who works with Freida Pinto and Rosario Dawson) says, “When having an outdoor wedding many times it can feel like your makeup is at war with the elements, but with the right products it doesn’t have to be that way.” Issues include direct sun, which can blow out your makeup, making it appear you’re not wearing any, and can also turn you bright red. According to Jenny Slate’s beauty guru, “The key to successful destination wedding makeup is to embrace the environment you are in and let it reflect where you are. If it’s hot, embrace the glow; if it’s cold, embrace a rosy cheek and matte lip.”
If you’ve planned your vows on an island or a beach, it’s critical you take sun care into account. (Supergoop’s setting spray provides protection and is mattifying.) “Even if it’s overcast you’re still vulnerable to the sun’s effects,” says Bhatty. “Because of the beach, skin and hair will be extra dewy because of the moisture in the air. If you are someone whose makeup tends to run, be on extra alert because it’s very hard to maintain in this climate if you have oily skin.” To combat that, prep properly. Start with a mattifying moisturizer by Kate Somerville, she says, then Smashbox Primer Light to control shine and force makeup to stay in place. Try a lid primer by NARS to keep shadow from budging, too. Waterproof eyeliners and cream-based shadows (set with a powder) are key — she likes Make Up For Ever’s. With those, “You cold jump into the ocean after and your makeup should be just fine,” says Bhatty. Seal everything in with Urban Decay All Nighter. Ultimately, she says, “Embrace the glow and don’t fight it.”
Good news for desert brides: “As far as destination weddings go, dry heat is the easiest to handle,” says Bhatty. “Though you can’t stop sweating with makeup, you can ensure it looks soft and is long-lasting.” In this climate highly moisturized skin is key, since you can easily wind up feeling-and looking-parched. (Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids leading up to the big day, too.) Bhatty’s prep go-to is La Prairie SPF 50, which will protect and also keep the complexion supple, bright and hydrated. Next, use Smashbox’s hydrating primer on the cheeks and orbital bones for glow, and primer light on the T-zone to reduce shine. Cream blushes, highlighters and waterproof liners and mascaras “will be your best friend,” and will ensure a “beautiful, healthy desert glow.”
See More: The Surprising Perks of a Destination Wedding
For a wooded, rustic wedding, sun care is also important (try Kate Somerville SPF 20, which protects sans white cast and is hydrating yet non-greasy) and primer is always critical. “Anytime you’re in the elements your makeup is fighting against them to stay on,” says Bhatty. Particularly if it’s cold, skin can chap, so she advises lots and lots of hydration. (And if it’s buggy where you are, remember to pack a natural bug spray that doesn’t smell too terrible.) Before any makeup goes on, she likes to use Cle de Peau’s sheet masks: “They are really helpful and give you an instant hydration starting point.” Afterward, apply creamy products and set them with a powder-based product in the same hue, which will give a one-two punch that should last through the big day. At the end, Bhatty recommends, seal and set the look with rose water and a dusting of Cle de Peau translucent powder in the T-zone. Ultimately, says the makeup artist, it’s all about “making your environment work with you, not against you, because the last thing you want is to be touching up every five minutes.”