Ann Benjamas Liendo, I Heart Reps
When it comes to bridal beauty, only the best will do. Every bride dreams of having that perfect, radiant look on her big day, and no one better understands this than the top bridal makeup artists who've worked their magic on countless weddings around the world. Their expertise isn't just in technique – it's in knowing the products that really work. From skin-preparing essentials that leave your complexion glowing, to long-wearing foundations and eyeliners that can stand up to tears and all-night dancing, these pros have uncovered the holy grails of bridal beauty. In this article, we reveal 13 must-have beauty products that top makeup artists swear by for their brides. Whether you're preparing for your own wedding or just want to know the best of the best, these insider picks are your key to timeless, stunning beauty.
Chanel Beauty, Ann Benjamas Liendo
DMV Collective The Cleanser, The In Between & The Scrub Glove
Dana Vaughan, Australian makeup artist, recommends the products from her own brand, “My holy grail beauty products are the DMV Collective brush and sponge cleaning essentials. There are 3 products, 2-in-1 Makeup Brush & Sponge Shampoo & Conditioner, The In Between Sanitising Spray and The Cleanser & The Scrub Glove. Clean brushes, sponges and tools are essentials for a flawless makeup application and to stop the spread of germs and bacteria. It's just as important as skincare. A crucial step in your routine and one many people miss.”
Napoleon Perdis Lift Off Makeup Removing Balm Cleanser
The journey to a flawless bridal makeup look begins with a perfectly clean canvas. Cleansing the skin is an essential first step, creating a fresh foundation on which every product can shine. Without a thorough cleanse, even the best makeup can fall short, as remnants of oil, impurities, and old makeup can linger, dulling the skin and hindering the radiant glow every bride deserves. Kate Squires, hair and makeup artist from Sydney, also highlights the vital role cleansing plays in achieving flawless makeup and, with her expertise, swears by her favorite skin cleansing product to ensure a radiant, fresh canvas before any makeup is applied, “I always like to start the makeup with a good cleanse to polish and soften the skin. I love Napoleon Perdis Lift Off Balm Cleanser. It gently removes dead skin cells that make the skin texture look rough or uneven and it softens up the skin so the makeup sits smoothly on top for a flawless finish.”
The Cream by Augustinus Bader
Moisturizer is the unsung hero of a perfect bridal makeup look, serving as the essential step that breathes life into the skin before any makeup touches the surface. Just as a painter primes their canvas, a bride’s skin needs to be nourished and hydrated, creating a smooth, supple foundation that allows makeup to glide on effortlessly and last all day. “One of my favorite skincare products is The Cream by Augustinus Bader. It delivers unbeatable results with the ideal balance of moisture and hydration – perfect for prepping the skin before makeup,” shares Valeria Ferreira, british makeup artist and educator, who knows it all about creating long-lasting, flawless makeup for both celebrities and brides alike.
Yinger Beauty Pearl Skin Creamy Serum
The significance of hydrated and nourished skin for long-lasting makeup is beautifully emphasized by Madrid-based makeup artist, Jose Carlos Lora, who swears by the power of a nourishing serum to prep the skin to perfection, “The most important thing for me in bridal makeup is that the skin is very hydrated and very prepared, this way the makeup will last longer and will be more durable! Right now I'm using a lot of the Yinger Beauty Pearl Skin Creamy Serum, it makes the skin very hydrated and lasts for many hours.”
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
For a bride, primer is a very important step – it not only prepares the skin but also helps to balance its texture, whether it’s mattifying oily areas, hydrating dry patches, or blurring imperfections. Ann Benjamas Liendo, Thai makeup artist, knows how to achieve the perfect balance of hydration and skin prep with one essential product, ensuring the skin is flawlessly prepped for a bride’s radiant look, “One of my holy grail products for skin prep is the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer. This product is a game-changer, providing a perfect balance of hydration and priming benefits, ensuring the makeup stays fresh and radiant throughout the day. I truly believe that flawless skin prep is the foundation of any great bridal look – it creates a canvas that enhances and prolongs the beauty of all the layers applied on top.”
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Lip care is an important but often overlooked step in creating the perfect bridal makeup look. The bride's lips are one of the most expressive features of the face, conveying joy, love and emotion throughout the day, so it's important that they are soft, smooth and well nourished, creating the perfect base for lipstick. Valeria Ferreira, makeup artist of many celebrities and brides know the deal and recommend her ultimate lip care favorites, “I swear by the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – it’s a must for achieving perfectly hydrated lips. You have to have a perfect lip on your wedding day!”
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Chances are, you've already heard of this iconic product – and for all the right reasons! Australian makeup artist Franka Deluca proudly names it her top beauty essential, celebrating its radiant, glowing properties, and shares an effortless beauty hack for achieving a luminous body glow, “My favorite beauty product is Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter. What I love most is the product's versatility. A lot of people think it’s a tinted moisturizer or a foundation but it’s neither. It’s a glow booster and that’s how I use it. I layer it with different foundations, on top or underneath to create a lit from within glow. I’ve recently mixed it in with body moisturizer to give my bride a gorgeous all over body glow.” International makeup artist Katie Daisy is also a devoted fan of Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty essential, calling it the perfect companion for a “no-makeup” look, “This product is incredibly versatile – a true must-have in every makeup bag. You can wear it solo as a base, paired with a touch of concealer and powder, for a flawless “no-makeup” look. You can also mix it with any foundation to add a soft, natural radiance, or for an instant glow, dab it onto the high points of your face to achieve effortless, lit-from-within skin.”
Katie Daisy, Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
“A good translucent powder is always recommended but I like the skin to breathe and that's why I use a lot of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder because it's very fine and I love the effect it gives on the skin!” – another great recommendation from Jose Carlos Lora! Perfect for brides who want a matte finish without sacrificing that sought-after bridal glow, translucent powder blurs imperfections, creating a smooth, velvety canvas. Whether you're smiling for photos or dancing the night away, this invisible yet essential product ensures your makeup stays perfectly in place, letting your natural beauty shine through with every moment.
Charlotte Tilbury, Jose Carlos Lora
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder
Kate Moore, makeup artist from Sydney, knows exactly which product is ideal for brides, as it creates a flawless complexion that glows beautifully in the light – an essential for capturing those picture-perfect wedding moments, “For most of my bridal makeup looks, whether ultra natural or refined glam, I reach for Hourglass Ambient Lighting Finishing Powder. These powders are designed to diffuse light and emulate the look of skin under the most flattering light, like the soft, warm glow you get at a candlelit table. This product achieves that look without the candles.”
Sweed No Lash-Lash
International makeup artist Saskia Wright dispels common myths, confidently recommending faux lashes as not the most obvious, but a beautifully natural choice, “Some people feel hesitant about wearing false lashes, but they can actually look more natural than going without! False lashes let you use less mascara, keeping your lashes fluffy and enhancing the longevity of your look – especially helpful if you’re a crier! When applied correctly, they’re completely undetectable and beautifully open up the eyes. My go-to is the Sweed No Lash-Lash.”
Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush
“As always a cream blush like the Nars Afterglow Liquid Blush and then always set it with a powder blush,” says Jose Carlos Lora, and we can’t agree more! A liquid blush is the perfect touch for achieving a flawless bridal makeup look, offering a soft, natural flush that radiates warmth and youthfulness. Unlike powders, liquid blush blends seamlessly into the skin, creating a dewy, lit-from-within glow that enhances the complexion with a fresh, fresh-faced vibrancy. By setting your liquid blush with a powder one of the same shade, you’ll create the perfect balance for a long-lasting makeup look.
Makeup By Mario Softsculpt Multi-Use Bronzing & Shaping Serum
Celebrity makeup artist Kelly McClain also loves liquid makeup products, recommending them for their versatility and seamless blend with or without other makeup, “One of my current favorite products of the moment is by far the Makeup By Mario Softsculpt Multi-Use Bronzing & Shaping Serum. This product is not only beautiful on the skin but has a semi-dewy finish that creates a glass skin bronzing effect. It refreshes the skin creating a natural sun kiss to the face without adding texture to the skin. I am a strong believer in less is more! And this product does exactly that! I love this product with or without foundation and it has a super easy application which makes it a great go to product for everyday women.”
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof
Celebrity makeup artist and educator Valeria Ferreira unveils another must-have product for brides seeking a flawless look that endures through every heartfelt moment on their special day, “In my makeup kit, there are so many essentials, but a standout for bridal looks is waterproof eyeliner. One of my all-time favorites is the Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof; it comes in a wide range of colors and is truly transfer-proof.”
