Planning your wedding look is about more than just choosing a lipstick shade – it’s about creating a beauty ritual that helps you feel radiant, confident, and most importantly, like yourself.
Scarlett Burton, Celebrity Makeup Artist and founder of BÆR, shares her and her team’s ultimate bridal beauty guide, on how to prepare your skin, choose your makeup look, and keep your glow going strong from the ceremony to the dance floor.
Whether you’re a minimalist bride or love a full glam moment, the BÆR beauty team’s signature approach is rooted in enhancing your natural beauty and feeling amazing in your own skin. Here’s their bridal beauty guide.
Pre-wedding skincare routines and timelines
BÆR Senior Makeup Artist and Beautician Maya recommends beginning your skincare journey at least six weeks before your wedding. “Visit a trusted skin specialist early for a tailored skincare plan,” she says. “At BÆR, we offer a full consultation to help your skin thrive ahead of your big day.”
Maya also emphasises the importance of lip care: “Don’t forget to wear a good lip balm at
least every day for a week or two running up to the wedding. We recommend 19/99 Lip
Treatment Ointment as it’s super-hydrating, and sleep in it to help remove any chapped or dry
bits.”
Charlotte, BÆR Makeup Artist, suggests incorporating regular facials into your routine: “Begin around six months in advance, scheduling them every two to four weeks to clear congestion, enhance your glow, and sculpt the contours of your face.” Charlotte adds, “Don’t underestimate the power of rest and hydration – sleep and water are skincare essentials that will show up in your complexion.”
How to prep skin for makeup that lasts all day
To make makeup last from morning to midnight, skin prep needs to be smart and strategic, says Scarlett.
“Use light layers – what I call ‘patchwork’ skin prep. That means applying targeted products depending on your skin’s needs: the key is to use the correct products for different textures of skin or areas of different concerns, for example, mattifying skincare on the T-zone to avoid shine and more hydrating skincare on the cheekbones for natural glow.”
Scarlett also advises doing as much beauty prep as possible before the wedding day: “Get your lashes lifted and tinted, and your brows shaped before the day. These makeup elements of the face will last all day, and even weeks, into your honeymoon!”
Choosing the right bridal makeup look (especially if you’re not usually a full-face
wearer)
“Booking a bridal makeup trial is non-negotiable,” says BÆR Senior Makeup Artist Maya. “This is the most important appointment and at BÆR, we offer expert advice on what tones will suit your skin, or make your eyes pop, as well as taking into consideration your theme, colours and season of your wedding.”
Maya also recommends coming to your trial with your hair styled the way it will be on your wedding day. “It will help you to truly see how the full look will come together,” she explains.
BÆR Operations Manager Steph adds the importance of a spray tan at your trial. “If you’re planning to be more tanned on the day, make sure you replicate that look during the trial to get a true preview of how your makeup will appear.”
Products or techniques to avoid on the Big Day
BÆR Makeup Artist Charlotte cautions against trying anything new too close to the wedding: “Avoid introducing new skincare products or treatments in the final two weeks leading up to the wedding to avoid any unwanted reactions.”
Scarlett advises against drastic last-minute changes to your makeup look: “Your wedding day isn’t the time to try new makeup looks. I’ve seen brides go from not wearing much makeup to requesting a smoky eye or a bold red lip because they see bridesmaids wearing a heavier glam.” The key is to stick with what feels like you – you’ll feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin.
Another crucial tip: “Avoid makeup products with SPF on the day. They can cause flashback in the camera as a white glow on the skin.”
How to manage touch-ups, shine control, or mid-wedding tears
BÆR Operations Manager Steph suggests opening any emotional letters or gifts before your makeup is done, or at least before your artist leaves: “Tears are inevitable, and need little makeup touch ups!”
For BÆR Makeup Artist Maya, it’s vital to keeping essential products close throughout the day.
“Purchase the same lip products used during your trial so you can top it up before photos and during the evening. And carry a translucent powder and a brush to keep shine under control. A favourite of ours is the Danessa Myricks Yummy Skin Powder as it’s blurring and mattifying on the skin.
So there it is; your ultimate bridal beauty guide. Your wedding day beauty should feel effortless, timeless, and entirely your own. With thoughtful preparation, the right products, and expert guidance, you can achieve a look that not only photographs beautifully but also makes you feel confident from the first look to the last dance. Scarlett Burton’s approach blends professional technique with personal comfort—ensuring every bride glows with authenticity. After all, the most beautiful makeup is the kind that lets you shine through.
