You’ve imagined it a million times … you and your new husband, arm in arm, faces lit with emotion, flashes on, hands clapping … on your wedding day. You’ve spent so much time (and money) selecting the perfect wedding dress, the perfect bridesmaid dresses, the perfect hairstyle and veil, but have you thought about your wedding makeup? You will want to be the most photogenic you have ever been on your wedding day. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

First of all, don’t spend the day before your wedding playing volleyball on the beach! Tan lines, sunburn, and flaking are a girlfriend’s worst nightmare! If you’re feeling a bit doughy, try a light self-tanner and, for your face, a tinted moisturizer to keep your skin fresh with a bronzing powder to warm up your skin tone. When choosing a moisturizer and foundation, keep in mind that yellow undertones work best with flash photography.

Always keep that flash in mind for every makeup choice you make! Avoid makeups, powders, and colors designed for a shimmering, illuminating, or shimmering effect. These items, as well as light-refracting foundations, can turn your beautiful face into a glittering mess on film! Matte finishes photograph better because they do not reflect the camera’s flash. To set your look, a light brush dusted with loose powder is the perfect touch; do not use compact powders, sponges or pads as they can get on the dust or stain your face and can make it look chalky.

Keep your look fresh and natural …

For the eyes … Avoid “trendy” and choose natural contour and highlight colors with black, brown or navy blue eyeliner for a timeless look that will last in your wedding photos for years to come. Smudge and smudge your eyeliner for a smoother, more natural look.

For the lashes … First use an eyelash curler to lengthen and sweep those lashes, then a coat or two of waterproof mascara to extend the lashes. Keep your lashes clump-free by making sure your first coat of mascara dries completely before applying a second, and make sure to separate any sticking lashes. Avoid excess mascara, as this tends to make your eyes look smaller and can cast shadows on your cheeks.

For the eyebrows … Fill in the gaps or “over plucked” brows slightly with a good quality brow pencil and apply a brow gel or powder to finish the look. DO try using the brow pencil side and sweep up to create a “feathered” look for the fillers. DO NOT use a heavy eyeliner or eyeshadow to define your brows; These items are simply not designed for the brows and can give them a heavy or unnatural look.

For the cheeks … Pink, peach and rose tones are an excellent choice. Again, avoid powders or creams to highlight or shine as they can make your face look bright in photos. DON’T forget to lightly cleanse your forehead, nose, chin, and chest to achieve that finished look. Powder blushes are great for oily to normal skin, while cream blushes work well for drier skin.

For the lips … Choose a liner only one shade darker than the color of your lips. Always apply your lip liner along your natural lip line. Make lips fuller with your choice of color instead of extending your lip line beyond your natural line; “Surrounding” your lips with eyeliner just gives you a clown mouth. Avoid colors that are too neutral or frosty as they can make it look washed out in your photos.

And lastly, keep your face fresh throughout the day with a little touch-up here and there, especially before an important photoshoot. And don’t be afraid to ask your photographer to quickly check your face before taking important photos. There’s nothing worse than a mascara smudge in post-ceremony photos!

A clean, natural and “matte” look will create a wedding portrait that will bring you joy for years to come.