You’ve booked your destination wedding and things are starting to take shape with your plans. Next on the checklist? Hair and makeup. Figuring out the right beauty look for a destination wedding can be tricky; there is no doubt that you want to look your best all night long. Ideally, your makeup should last beyond the first toast, and your hairstyle should still look great during the final dance of the night.
In your usual day-to-day climate, you probably know what works well for your skin and have your hair products. However, for your destination wedding, you may need to change your usual routine and purchase products that work well with the environment.
To shed some light on the best hair and makeup for different destination weddings, we turned to celebrity hairstylists and makeup artists, Matthew Sky and Sabrina Rowe, and asked them to share some of their top tips and favorite products.
Meet the expert
Matthew Sky is a New York-based freelance hairstylist and makeup artist whose work has been in commercials, editorials, and television. Sabrina Rowe is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of NTRL by Sabs.
Photo by Kelly Giarrocco / Design by Tiana Crispino
hot and humid climate
If you’ve ever been in hot, humid weather with a full face of makeup, you already know that your makeup can start to sweat pretty quickly. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending a lot of time perfecting your makeup, only to have it melt in the sun.
According to Rowe, the best way to ensure your makeup holds up in hot weather is to keep it to a minimum. “Less is more”, says the artist. “Stick to a light foundation that is buildable and really take your time applying it. Also, priming is absolutely essential for hot and humid weather. Do not skip this step.”
Skin
For skin, Sky says she loves using Jones Road Beauty Face Pencils, a lightweight foundation pencil that helps cover redness, correct discoloration, and cover dark spots, while remaining virtually undetectable. “In hot, humid weather, I only use foundation where it’s needed,” she says. “These face pencils are great as they come in a variety of colors, are very easy to blend, and you can put the foundation right where you want it.”
Once you get your base correct you’re halfway there, just make sure to blend as you don’t want hard edges. Next, you’ll want to set your foundation with a good setting powder like Huda Beauty Easy Bake Setting and Baking Loose Powder or Ben Nye Luxury Setting Powder. Setting powder can help extend the wear of makeup, especially in hot weather, by reducing shine, preventing wrinkles in wrinkle-prone areas like under the eyes or around the mouth, and giving skin a smoother appearance.
If you’re prone to a shiny T-zone, Sky recommends bringing powdered blotting paper like Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Paper. “I recommend using these booklets as they don’t create texture and help mattify.”
Eyes
When it comes to your eyes, there’s one word you’ll want to make sure you see on most of their products: waterproof. Your wedding day is sure to be filled with tears of joy, potentially mixed with beads of sweat from the heat. The last thing you want is dark circles under your eyes from makeup. “Definitely go for a black eyeliner like L’Oreal Pro-Last Waterproof,” says Sky. “I apply the pencil on top just because it helps open up the eyes and create definition. So, I am going to use Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara, it is a good affordable option. I apply it about three times, but let each coat dry in between. I wouldn’t do the bottom lashes as it can end up under the eyes even though it’s waterproof.”
Cheeks
Adding a hint of color to the apples of your cheeks can help brighten any smile, but in scorching temperatures, it’s important to find a blush that doesn’t look cakey or melt. Nars Blush provides a weightless, natural-looking burst of cheek color in matte, satin, and shimmer finishes and has high-quality, lightweight pigmentation, meaning one swipe of blush lasts a long time.
Lips
If you really want to make sure your lipstick stays put all day, Rowe says it’s important to base your lips with a pencil or foundation before applying gloss or lipstick on top. Once you have your foundation in place, Sky recommends using a matte lipstick. “I like to use Mac Cosmetics lipsticks in a rosy beige or a berry color for darker skin tones,” she says. “Once the lips are tinted, I apply ELF Lip Plumping Gloss – the lips should look kissable, so a little bit of gloss is enough.”
Hair
Braided hairstyles and updos are great for staying cool and looking stylish in hot weather, but if you prefer your hair to look loose, be sure to use some anti-humidity spray or cream. “Anti-humidity products are now huge and this is exactly what you should look for if you’re styling your hair in hot, humid weather,” says Rowe. “Some of my favorites for curly hair are NTRL from Sabs Nourishing Collection. The shampoo and conditioner are great for creating a flexible base for styling, and the nourishing oil helps with unwanted frizz. I have also used Kérastase Discipline Anti Frizz Smoothing Spray and Lottabody Wrap Me Foaming Mousse on textured hair for years and they have never let me down.”
Photo by Kellie Francis Photography / Design by Tiana Crispino
Cold or snowy weather
If you’re planning a scenic wedding in a destination known to have colder weather, the key to flawless makeup is humidity. “Humidity is your friend in this weather, so pack dewy and you’ll be set for a long day of fabulous makeup,” says Rowe.
Skin
“I like to use Zo Skin Health on my clients in cooler climates,” says Sky. “They have amazing products to moisturize your skin. If you’re trying any new products before your wedding, I always recommend trying them no less than two weeks after your wedding, just in case your skin doesn’t react well.”
When it comes to foundation, both makeup artists recommend sticking to a light coverage to avoid dry patches and a cakey-looking finish. Set your look with a lightweight setting powder like Makeup Forever Ultra HD Matte Setting Powder.
Eyes
“Waterproof, waterproof, waterproof, I can’t say it enough, cold weather brings tears to the eyes,” says Sky. “The L’Oreal Pro-Last waterproof pencil is amazing and doesn’t budge. If you’re a fan of false lashes, cooler weather is the perfect environment to wear them, as they’ll definitely stay in place, says Sky. “I like to use Ardell lashes with gray lash adhesive as it blends better with the eyeliner, then I apply a lot of waterproof mascara.”
Cheeks
In colder climates, you’ll want to use products that help give a more hydrated appearance. Rowe recommends using a cream blush, as most brands contain moisturizing oils that lock in moisture and provide extra shine and reflection on dry skin. “Try Ilia Multistick Cream Blush + Lip Tint, Glossier Cloud Paint or Tarte Cheek Stain.
When it comes to colors, Sky says she likes to recreate the look of a flushed bride by applying pink or coral to the apples of her cheeks for lighter skin and burgundy blush for darker skin tones.
Lips
Satin finishes are great for this weather, but be sure to moisturize with a natural lip balm like Sabs Natural Lip Balm NTRL. If you don’t want to think about reapplying your lipstick, opt for a lip stain—these products tend to have more staying power. “Mac cosmetics are fantastic for lip tinting,” says Sky. “I would go with a color similar to her own lip color or two shades brighter, and top it off with ELF Lip Plumping Gloss.”
Hair
If your destination wedding has a cold climate, you’re in luck when it comes to styling your hair. The lack of moisture and fresh, invigorating air means your curls will hold up and your style will stay in control. “If you wear your hair down, a good styling with Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray will give you a bouncy finish that will last in any weather,” says Sky. “I think in general, regardless of the temperature, it’s very important to make sure your hair is secured and that you don’t blow in your face when you say yes. Meghan Markle looked gorgeous with her hair up for her wedding and I loved how Solange wore her natural hair on her wedding day. She looked stunning.”
Photo by Jillian Mithcell / Design by Tiana Crispino
beach wedding
If you’re getting married on the beach, it’s important to make sure you have a good layer of SPF on your skin. You don’t want to get burned on your wedding day. “I like Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector Water-Light Lotion For Face and Body,” says Sky. “It’s a light moisturizer that sinks into the skin.”
Skin
Tinted moisturizers, light foundations, or a spray tan with a good sunscreen are best for beach weddings as they allow the skin to breathe. “I like to use Mac Studio Radiance Face & Body Radiant Sheer Foundation, Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector SPF 30, or Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, as they keep skin hydrated and radiant while providing light coverage and natural. Rowe says.
An all over gold shimmer is key to any beach wedding look. Try Chanel Illuminating Dry Oil for Face, Body and Hair and Chanel Les Beiges Oversize Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder for a radiant body glow.
For your overall finish, you want to look effortless. “If you have freckles, let them show,” says Sky. She “she Apply a setting powder just once on the forehead and nose. I like Ben Nye’s luxe powders because they have so many shades and they dry really well.”
Eyes
For a beach wedding, Sky recommends keeping your eye makeup simple and applying dark brown eyeliner. “Stick to a dark brown pencil as the beach lighting is so unforgiving – the brown will look soft but still define your eyes,” she explains. She finishes the eye makeup with a waterproof mascara.
Cheeks
To get that beautiful bronzed look, bronze highlighter and a light blush are the way to go. Rowe loves using Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush, a silky powder blush that contains long-wearing Amazonian clay, so the pigment looks freshly applied all day. Mac Cosmetics Powder Blush is also great for providing long-lasting color.
Lips
“Minimalist lip color always has a more beachy vibe,” says Rowe. Have fun with soft nude and matte shades like Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick or Mac Cosmetics, Please Me.
Hair
“Beach weddings tend to have a bohemian vibe, so enjoy feeling free,” says Rowe. “Some of my favorite beach styles are soft and flowy, playful with braids, half up and half down, and flower crowns.”
Sky adds that she loves creating textured hair for beach weddings and swears by Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil. “This oil works on Caucasian and natural hair. It is amazing as far as the spray is concerned. You don’t want your hair to look sticky or heavy, this spray helps you hold your style but is lightweight.”
Seaside weddings tend to be a bit breezy. To avoid having to brush your hair every minute, add weight to your hair by wearing hair accessories. This is a great way to keep your hair intact, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Source: www.brides.com