How To Expertly DIY Your Wedding Makeup & Hair

In these days of social distancing, you may be wondering about your wedding hair and makeup beauty plan. This may be a great time to learn how to do your own. Not only will you pick up some mad pro skills, but you can save yourself a little on the wedding budget by DIY-ing your glam.

We spoke to Toronto-based editorial and celebrity makeup and hair artist Sheri Stroh (Tessa Virtue, Sarah Rafferty, Meghan Markle and Andie MacDowell are just a few of her famous regulars) for some advice on creating your own bridal beauty look. “Makeup can be stressful for so many people,” she shares. “They feel they are super inexperienced, and they also believe the old notion you need A LOT of makeup because it's a wedding day AND you are having your photograph taken. While those reasons are valid, it doesn't mean you have to pile it on and look like a different person.”

Less Really Is More The best thing to do when it comes to your bridal makeup is to keep it simple and an elevated version of your daily look. Stroh says if you don't usually wear a lot of makeup, less is always more. You want to look like a polished version of yourself, special but not unrecognizable. “If there are any make-up products that you absolutely do not like—foundation, lipstick, false lashes—do NOT feel as though you need to wear them!”

She also recommends finding a makeup artist you love on YouTube or Instagram and watch their videos, review their photos and emulate their style. Utilizing social media will help you narrow down your look and find someone who will show you how to apply certain products.

When it comes to actual product application, Stroh has several essential tips to consider. If you don’t love foundation, use a light tinted moisturizer or even just spot conceal where required to perfect your skin. When you are happy with the amount of coverage provided by your choice of base, use a bit of loose or pressed powder and a medium sized fluffy brush to take away shine where you may not want it. Do this initially and again when you are ready to leave for your ceremony and pack some blotting papers to take with you. Eye makeup can seem very complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. You want to define your eyes and make them pop—Stroh uses a medium-toned matte shadow all around the eye, from lash line to crease on top and also on the lower lash line as well, instead of eyeliner. This is easy and very soft looking. You can always add more on top by defining with a softer pencil liner (in either black or brown) smudged on the top lash line to make it appear thicker. Top with a bit of champagne shimmer in the middle of your eye lids and on the inner corner to add dimension.

“I also want to specially address the topic of lashes: there is no rule that you have to wear false ones,” Stroh explains. “While they can definitely add to the overall look, they are not essential and heavy, thick ones can be too much if that’s not your look. I recommend curling your own lashes and adding up to three coats of your favourite mascara. If you want a bit of a bump add individual lashes, not a full strip.”

Creating A Total Look Round out your bridal look with a flush of blush that is natural looking for your skin tone. Top with a bit of highlighter lightly dusted on top to give skin some bounce. Finish with a lip colour that you love—Stroh says there are no rules here! “Soft nudes can sometimes look washed out in photos and strong reds and bold shades require much upkeep throughout the day. A pink much like your lips but more intensified will be easiest to upkeep and look most naturally beautiful.”

Her top beauty buys for every DIY bride? A beauty blender sponge, concealer, mascara and lash curler, lipstick, balm and/or gloss and powder. If you want to DIY your hair also, she recommends styling as you usually dom but put a little extra time and effort into styling. “Social media again has amazing videos available for how to curl and wave hair and how to do cute detail accents that are quite easy by yourself,” Stroh says. “To lock any wave or curl in always let them cool before brushing hair. Make sure to spray to set your style, but don’t overdo it, hair should still move! Keep your accessories simple and not too trendy.”