The Best Wedding Makeup Products, According to Real Brides

Take it from us: These beauty products are must-haves for your wedding—and beyond.
Collage of favorite wedding makeup products.
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by
Lauren Whalley
lauren whalley headshot
Lauren Whalley
Fashion Editor, Beauty & Inclusivity
  • Lauren writes and edits articles for The Knot Worldwide, with a specialty in fashion, beauty and size inclusivity.
  • Prior to The Knot Worldwide, Lauren worked in wedding editorial for Brides, Style Me Pretty and Enaura Bridal.
  • Lauren studied public relations and advertising at the University of Central Florida.
Updated Mar 27, 2023
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As with anything wedding-related, deciding on the best wedding makeup for your big day can be overwhelming. You want to make sure you pick products that make you feel good and look good. After all, this will likely be one of the most photographed days of your life. Needless to say, choosing the best wedding day makeup can make all the difference, whether you're going for a natural, romantic look or all-out glamour. And who better than real brides to tell you about the best bridal makeup products that actually work?

Below, we've got the inside scoop from 12 real brides about the makeup they loved for their big day. From iconic lipsticks to pigmented blushes that give the perfect bridal glow, we've got your wedding day makeup routine covered.

Picks from Real Brides: The Best Wedding Makeup Products

1. Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Voile Sheer Lipstick

TL;DR: What's not to love about this sheer Gucci lipstick with its lightweight and luminous finish? Not to mention, the packaging is everything. The pink rosebud print on ivory was inspired by vintage makeup and 1940s dressing tables.

"The color is subtle, which is exactly what I wanted. Plus, the packaging is adorable and very photogenic, it went well with all of my other wedding day details." - Sydney

2. Saie Dew Blush Liquid Cheek Blush

TL;DR: Saie comes in clutch with a liquid blush that comes in six beautiful shades for a lit-from-within glow. Its made with ingredients like evening primrose and mulberry that will leave your skin feeling smooth and dewy on your wedding day.

"The Saie blush is my favorite because of the glowy finish it gives and does not budge. It's so pretty that I even wear it by itself!" - Judi

3. Avène Moisturizing Melt-In Balm

TL;DR: What is the best primer for wedding makeup? Believe it or not, it's often moisturizer. This velvety, rich balm from Avène is key for a glowing bridal makeup look, as it rapidly absorbs into your skin for long-lasting, 24-hour hydration.

"My makeup artist put this all over my body and my skin felt so soft and glowy with a nice sheen but wasn't too oily looking for the entire day. I didn't know what she put on me at first, so the day after my wedding I emailed her and asked because I was so obsessed. I am now on my fourth tub." - Arielle

4. Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette

TL;DR: This Tarte palette has over 1,500 five-star reviews on Ulta, and it's easy to see why. Formulated with Amazonian Clay to prevent smudging, Tartelette In Bloom comes with 12 essential shades arranged in coordinating rows of three to make creating your wedding eyeshadow look a breeze.

"I bought this palette for my wedding and was so happy with the results. It has the perfect brown neutrals which can be used for everyday makeup or dressed up for a more glam look. Its great for beginners like me and works great with my cool skin tone." - Robin

5. LES BEIGES Chanel Powdered Bronzer

TL;DR: For those who want to take a minimalist approach to their wedding makeup but still want a healthy glow, this Chanel bronzer offers a lightweight alternative to harsh contour that leaves skin with a natural-looking, sun-kissed finish.

"This product is very photogenic and as a wedding photographer myself, I wanted my makeup products to blend with the overall aesthetic of the day. This did just that." - Sydney

6. Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush

TL;DR: The TikTok famous blush from Rare Beauty went viral for a reason. Between the weightless consistency, long-lasting formula and pigmentation pay-off, this blush is perfect for brides who want to add a bold pop of color on their big day.

"This blush is so beautiful, I had to use it on my wedding day! I wore Bliss, a soft matte pink that gave a pretty flush for my light-to-medium skin. I use one dot for each cheek and have used both a sponge and brush to blend out- they both work well, so use whatever is your usual go-to." - Tiffany

7. The Ordinary High-Spreadability Fluid Primer

TL;DR: The best primer for wedding makeup is one that will glide on effortlessly while also creating a gripping canvas for your foundation. The Ordinary primer does all that and then some by increasing the spreadability of your makeup so that it looks even and natural around your eyes and fine lines.

"The key to great makeup that lasts is the base you put it on. This primer is unlike any other in that it creates almost a glassy barrier between any product and your skin, giving you an ultra-strong grip on your foundation (even through sweat, oil, and tears!) while truly protecting your skin underneath. My makeup goes on incredibly smoothly, gliding right over any imperfections and avoiding creasing, cracking or caking in my makeup throughout the day." - Nic

8. Kosas Cloud Set Baked Setting and Smoothing Talc-Free Vegan Powder

TL;DR: You may have spotted this fan-favorite vegan powder on TikTok once or twice. That's because it instantly creates blurring, photo-ready skin without drying you out. Not to mention this pressed powder is clinically tested, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

"My makeup artist used this powder to set my foundation on my wedding day. It worked so well and held my makeup for over eight hours. It also did not irritate my combo-sensitive skin. Love love love." - Sophia

9. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

TL;DR: This best-selling foundation is beloved by real brides, The Knot editors and makeup artists alike. The iconic oil-free liquid foundation delivers buildable medium coverage and a luminous, glowy-skin finish for the best wedding day makeup look.

"I never I loved a face product so much that was so light, airy and still stayed on through the entire night. Of course I went out and bought some as soon as I got back from my honeymoon!" - Arielle

10. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

TL;DR: The Charlotte Tilbury setting spray is a must-have if you want your wedding makeup to last all day. This hydrating, alcohol-free and oil-free spray keeps your makeup in place for up to 16 hours without melting, fading, or settling into fine lines.

"I am so glad I found this in time for my wedding, totally a holy grail product for me! This is the only setting spray I've ever used that truly made my face transfer-proof and my makeup last all day." - Christina

11. Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit

TL;DR: You don't need to be a professional makeup artist to achieve a sculpted bridal look. Smashbox makes it easy with this step-by-step contour kit that comes with a powder brush and three velvety matte shades: a deep contour, a complementary bronzer and a bright highlight.

"I had to do my own makeup for a wedding and purchased this contour kit to get a more professional look. I practiced with it for a week following the steps included as well as some guides that I found online for my face shape. This kit made it so easy and my makeup looked amazing at the wedding. I love how this shaped and defined my face." - Larissa

12. Lancôme Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Mascara

TL;DR: For a mascara that does it all, check out this one from Lancôme that gives both volume and length (no clumping or flaking here!). With its insane 24-hour lasting power, this mascara will hold up through sentimental vows, emotinal toasts and dance floor breakdowns.

"I am so glad I found this in time for my wedding, totally a holy grail product for me! This is the only setting spray I've ever used that truly made my face transfer-proof and my makeup last all day." - Christina

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