The Wedding Makeup Routine Every Bride Should Follow

It’s the biggest day of your life— and your wedding makeup look should feel like the best version of you. When the dress is just right and the details are in place, your makeup should be the finishing touch that ties everything together. But bridal beauty isn’t about following the latest trend or piling on layers of product. It’s about timelessness, confidence, and glowing from the inside out.

To help you look and feel your best, we turned to iconic makeup artist and founder of Sonia Kashuk Beauty, Sonia Kashuk, for her go-to tips on achieving effortless, radiant wedding makeup. From pre-wedding skin prep to choosing the right lashes, her advice will help you shine without ever feeling overdone.

Keep scrolling for the wedding makeup routine every bride should follow.

Start With Skincare

“The first step to looking beautiful on your wedding day starts long before your makeup artist arrives,” Kashuk tells Tulle. “Great skin is the best canvas.”

In the weeks leading up to your wedding, create a consistent skincare routine that focuses on hydration, gentle exfoliation, and improving skin texture. A mild exfoliating wash in the morning followed by a hydrating moisturizer will help keep your skin smooth and glowing. At night, Sonia recommends mini at-home facials with light steaming and enriched serums to deeply nourish the skin.

“You don’t want to wear a lot of makeup on your wedding day,” she says. “If your skin is looking gorgeous, you’re already halfway there.”

Keep in mind— this is not the time to test out aggressive peels or brand-new products. Focus on enhancing what you already love about your complexion, not hiding it.

Set the Stage for Long-Lasting Makeup

Once your skincare is in place, it’s all about proper prep. “After you’ve applied your moisturizer, always begin with a primer,” Kashuk explains. “My Vitamin Serum Primer beautifully preps the skin for a flawless application of makeup.”

Primers help to smooth fine lines, minimize pores, and create a silky base that holds makeup in place for hours— especially important for outdoor ceremonies or long celebrations. Another favorite from Sonia’s line is her Brightening Powder, which she calls a “secret weapon.”

“It can be used over almost anything to illuminate, blend, and brighten at the same time,” the iconic makeup artist says. A touch of brightening powder under the eyes or along the cheekbones can add dimension without heaviness.

Eyes That Sparkle

For many brides, the eyes are the focal point— and lashes can make a major impact. Sonia recommends opting for false lashes that naturally enhance, rather than overly dramatic ones that distract or feel costume-like.

“The goal is to add that wow factor without looking artificial,” she notes. “You want people to see you, not just your lashes.”

Soft, wispy lash styles can open up the eyes and photograph beautifully. If you’ve never worn lashes before, test them in advance to see what feels most comfortable and flattering.

Trial Runs Are a Must

“Always test the looks out beforehand,” Kashuk emphasizes. “Your wedding day is not the time to try something completely new.”

A wedding makeup trial gives you time to work with your artist (or yourself!) to perfect your bridal look, ensure the products work well on your skin, and see how the makeup holds up over time. You can even take photos in natural light to see how everything appears on camera— important to be ready for those wedding portraits you’ll have for a lifetime!

And while playing with trends can be fun, Sonia encourages brides to think long-term. “Can it transcend the test of time? When you look back on this day 10 years from now, you want to still look modern and relevant.”

Remember Less is More

In a world of contouring tutorials and full glam transformations, it’s easy to feel pressure to go all out on your wedding day. But Sonia reminds brides to stay grounded in what feels most like themselves.

“Oftentimes, I see people trying to make too much of a statement with their makeup that it overtakes the bride,” she says. “You want the statement to be less about the makeup and more about the person.”

With the dress, the hair, the accessories, and the overall emotion of the day, your wedding makeup should support the full picture— not steal the show. A soft flush, a polished brow, and a hint of glow can go a long way.

Be Cautious With Treatments

While facials and skin treatments can do wonders, timing is everything. Kashuk advises against trying anything new or intensive within a week of your wedding.

“Just in case the skin behaves irregularly, you’ll want ample time for your skin to recover,” she says. Stick to gentle treatments and products your skin already knows and loves, especially as the big day approaches.

When all eyes are on you, you want to feel not only beautiful— but comfortable, confident, and like yourself. With the right prep, a trusted routine, and a few pro tips from makeup legend Sonia Kashuk, you can walk down the aisle with a look that’s effortless, glowing, and forever timeless.