Natural Woman

A woman who doesn’t normally wear makeup might make an exception and dip a fingertip into a pot of gloss to look especially pretty on her wedding day. Even with a flawless complexion and a sparkling smile, she risks looking washed out in photographs or in a keepsake video if she doesn’t use any cosmetics to define her features. When makeup is artfully applied, the bride’s status as a natural beauty won’t be threatened.

We asked makeup artist Jeanine Lobell, founder of Stila Cosmetics, to design a look for Betty Liong, who is getting married in June.

“A common mistake brides make is wearing too much makeup,� Lobell says. “You want to look like yourself on your wedding day. And you want to make sure not to get a facial too close to the wedding. You want to allow enough time for your skin to calm down after a facial.�

Although a makeup rehearsal isn’t as long-standing a tradition as the rehearsal dinner, Lobell suggests experimenting with makeup in advance.

Even if you’ve hired a professional to create your wedding face, it’s a good idea to check out cosmetics counters and familiarize yourself with a color palette you like.

If you don’t want to add a makeup artist to your prep crew, many department store cosmeticians will design a look for you and send you home with a map of your face and instructions on how to re-create the look for your special day.

All products are by Stila and available at Barney’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.