If you’re getting married soon, your summer wedding makeup look should be the easiest thing to check off your list. Unlike deciding on seating arrangements, narrowing down the invite list, or picking the perfect cake flavor (hot take: It’s strawberry pavlova), you can complete your wedding makeup trial in a single day—if you have the right wedding makeup tips, that is.
Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or something cute in your backyard or local bar, there are a few basic steps that will ensure your makeup stays locked in, fresh, and photo-ready through your reception and after party. While these pro tips apply to weddings at any time of year, they’re especially useful when it’s hot outside. “The heat and humidity can be the biggest enemy on wedding day,” says Sara Wren, Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. “Sweating can seriously disturb the finish of makeup, so it’s important to remember that when selecting and layering products for the big day!”
Easy Summer Wedding Makeup in 5 Steps
To get your summer wedding makeup in photo-ready, stay-all-day shape, we asked our experts to share their best makeup advice that can be adapted to work for any look, from smoky eyes to a super flushed glow. Not the ones getting married, just there for the vibes? Take note of these tips for your wedding guest makeup, too. Below, Sara and Tearra Cardona, Sales and Events Specialist at Milk Makeup, help you summer-proof your wedding looks with this step-by-step makeup tutorial.
1. Build a skincare + primer + setting spray + powder sandwich.
“A good skincare routine is the foundation of a flawless makeup look,” says Tearra, who recommends using oil-free moisturizers (and sunscreen, if you’ll be outside) that won’t grease up in heat and humidity. After applying moisturizer, she likes to sandwich all following makeup products with layers of primer and setting spray. “You want your makeup to last through all the activities without looking like it's melting or caking,” she explains. “To achieve this, create light layers on the skin, tailored to your skin type.”
If you have normal, dry, or combination skin—or even if you have oily skin but want a dewy finish—go for our award-winning Hydro Grip Primer. Sara also swears by this as a base for locked-in wedding makeup. “I’ve done a lot of wedding makeup in my career and this primer holds makeup the best and looks the smoothest on all skin types,” she says.
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For a soft-matte beauty look (or to control shine on oily or combination skin), swap Hydro for Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer. Tearra likes to “press it into the skin to improve the look of texture and large pores.” We also made it in a portable form with Pore Eclipse Matte Blur Stick, which is great for absorbing oil in your T-zone or doing a mid-ceremony touch up. It’s better than blotting papers, so put this in your makeup kit instead.
To complete your sandwich, go in with setting spray. “I love doing a few spritzes of Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray both before and after I powder the skin for an extra boost of glow while locking in makeup,” says Sara. Try combining it with Pore Eclipse Matte Translucent Setting Powder for a semi-matte base that doesn’t budge, cake, or crease. “This powder is perfect for layering,” says Tearra. “It has a talc-free, finely milled formula that melts into the skin.” Sara specifically recommends this formula for your wedding photos because it won’t mess up your photos with flashback or a white cast.
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2. The more concealer shades, the better.Remember this ratio when creating your wedding-day base: light on the foundation, heavier on concealer. “I always suggest a long-wear, natural finish foundation,” says Tearra. “A natural finish is ideal because you can make it more glowy or mattify it.” Apply a thin base layer of your favorite foundation, then go in with a full-coverage concealer like Future Fluid Creamy Hydrating Concealer only where you need it, which Tearra loves because it gives “a smooth finish without creasing.” For a second-skin look, Sara says you should always use multiple shades in different areas of your face. “By using this technique, you get the coverage where you need it in the perfect shade,” she says. “Try using a slightly lighter shade for your under eyes to help correct dark circles and a separate shade to cover redness or blemishes.” Your under-eye area also needs a little extra setting powder. “For the under eyes, set with a powder puff,” says Tearra. “This is my best-kept secret for all-day makeup! Pressing the powder into the skin with a powder puff will guarantee a smooth, creaseless under-eye area.” Thin layers are key, and so is mixing your finishes to create a base that truly looks like your skin. “You don’t want everything in your routine to be matte, as you'll feel cakey and tight,” says Tearra. “You also don’t want everything dewy, as your skin may feel over-saturated. Balance is key.” |
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3. Layer your blush (and bronzer. And highlighter).
The layering theme continues with your blush, highlighter, and bronzer application. Pro tip: Cream formulas are your friend here, especially for outdoor weddings. “I find that powder can look very visible in bright natural daylight, showing every pore and line,” says Sara. “Using creams to layer and create a seamless blend under powder is my favorite way to do bridal makeup.” (This tip works well for summer brides, grooms, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and wedding guests alike.) Tearra also swears by this method, which “ensures longevity and prevents fading or patchiness throughout the day.”
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For a healthy flush that melts into skin and doesn’t sit on top of it, grab Lip + Cheek in your favorite shade, along with Highlighter for a radiant shimmer and Matte Bronzer for sunkissed warmth. “The key is to keep the layers light and to do that, I like to apply with a brush rather than taking the stick directly to the skin,” says Sara. “Try using the back of your hand as a palette to help warm the product so it’s easier to blend and gives you more control.”
You can also swap out Lip + Cheek for a longwear sheer stain like our viral Cooling Water Jelly Tint. “This formula creates a beautiful sheer stain on the skin, ideal for wedding season as it stays put for hours,” says Tearra. Just remember to blend fast! It dries down in seconds, so work one cheek at a time.
4. Don’t cry off your mascara.
I have yet to attend a wedding where people weren’t crying—and if you’re the one getting married, chances are you’ll be one of the attendees bawling. To keep your eye makeup a smudge-free no-flake zone, “water-resistant and waterproof mascaras are the only way to go,” says Sara. “Even if you think you won’t need them for tears, the humidity will get you!” Her favorite formulas are KUSH High Roll Tubing Mascara and KUSH High Roll Brow Tint, which stay locked on for 24 hours, so you won’t need to touch up no matter how late you stay up dancing. “They contain water-resistant tubes that wrap around each brow and lash hair, creating definition that won’t budge,” she explains.
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The rest of your eye makeup depends on your personal preference, whether you’re going full glam or keeping it minimal. Two additional essentials our experts suggest are Hydro Grip Eye Primer and Infinity Long Wear Eyeliner. “Even if you aren't doing much with eyeshadow, an eyeshadow primer like Hydro will ensure smooth application and longevity for your eyeliner,” says Tearra. You’ll also want to make sure your eyeliner is waterproof and long-lasting. “I love using Infinity in Outer Space as my go-to black liner,” says Sara. “It’s waterproof but glides on lids and over your lash line smoothly without tugging. So when the wedding reception turns into the after party, your eye look will be all set!”
5. Keep your Jelly Tint on hand.
Rather than cream or liquid lipstick, “lip stains are the way to go,” says Sara. Think of all the talking, eating, drinking, and kissing your lip color has to last through and take her advice. “I love the fun, sheer, buildable Cooling Water Jelly Tint for creating a stain to wear alone or under your favorite gloss,” she says. “They wear all day and can be paired with Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss to add more color and shine.”
For a more defined lip look, you can also start with a layer of lip liner locked in place with setting powder, says Tearra. Sara and Tearra are both obsessed with Odyssey Gloss in Werk Trip for summer weddings, which Sara says layers beautifully over Jelly Tint in Burst. “It’s the perfect subtle wedding lip,” she says. “And perfect for kissing!”
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Meet the Experts
Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.
Tearra Cardona (she/her) is a self-taught makeup artist with eight years of experience. At Milk Makeup, she works on our field team as a Sales and Events Specialist. Tearra is dedicated to spreading good vibes and educating the Milk Fam about all our launches. In her free time, when she's not with her fur babies, she’s a huge sci-fi and anime enthusiast who enjoys cosplaying. If you see her in-store or at Comic Con, don’t be afraid to say hi!
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