Bridal Makeup for Oily Skin
Be confident of long lasting bridal makeup on your wedding day, even if you have oily skin.
It might not seem like it, but oily skin is a blessing. . .once you get past the problems with breakouts and open pores. The one thing to remember is that you’ll stay younger looking for longer!
There are lots of skincare products out there to help you balance your skin. However, I’m not going to go into skincare on this page, as I like to leave that to beauticians and dermatologists.
My job as a wedding makeup artist is to work with your oily skin on the wedding day. I’ll be able to create bridal makeup that won’t look shiny or greasy. Plus I’ll make sure that your wedding makeup will last all day.

bridal Make up for Oily Skin
On your wedding day, it is important that your makeup lasts all day.
My advice, unless you’re going to have a makeup artist with you all day, is to – avoid the dewy look, full stop.
Oily skin has a tendency to shine, particularly on the T-zone. And sometimes the eyelids, cheek and chin can also become oily over the length of the day.
Your best friend will be either a loose or compact powder to retouch your makeup or blotting sheets. We’ll get onto which powder to use later, but for now, as far as blotting papers are concerned there really is no need to spend a fortune, you can get them from Superdrug or Boots for under £5.
They’ll help to keep any shine at bay without any build-up of product – which you’ll be glad about if you get married on a hot sunny day.

Bridal makeup – get ready – Get set – go!
Keeping your wedding makeup looking good all day starts at step one.
I usually recommend my brides to cleanse and moisturise as normal on the day of the wedding.
You want your skin to be perfect on the wedding day! So if you don’t have facials regularly – don’t have one the week before wedding – if there are any spots hiding under the skin – best to leave them there.
Primers should be light and oil-free – your makeup artists will have her favourite product. However, I love Laura Mercier Oil-Free Primer, this light, oil-free product will start the mattifying process. Rich, creamy products will make the foundation slip and slide.
Mattifying products – usually light gels, that smooth over the skin and absorb any excess oil. Best applied before you put your makeup on. I love matte miracle by a la carte, it is light and easy to apply and does the job.
Open pores : Benefit Porefessional is amazing, it’s easy to apply and does a great job when it comes to minimising pores and even fine lines. Apply just before the foundation.
Some of my favourite products are manufactured by a London based company, a la carte, they have a fabulous selection of products for oily skin.
- Light coverage, combination/gently oily skin – Sheer Balancing Foundation
- Buildable coverage, combination/oily skin – Velvet Tint Flawless Cream Foundation
- Acne-prone skin/oily skin – Cover Tint Flawless Touch Mineral Foundation
Each of these products can be used in combination.e.g. Sheer Balancing all over, Velvet Tint on the T zone and Cover Tint as touch up throughout the day.

Bridal Makeup for oily skin – Finishing Touches
When thinking about foundation – you can choose between light. medium or full cover.
The key is to look for light, oil-free formulations or even mineral powder. Avoid foundations sticks – as they tend to be oily in their nature – it’s just the way they are made.
One thing to remember about foundation – which ever one you use – is that generally speaking the more expensive the base – the more pigment it will contain.
This means you will be able to use less product and yet still get a flawless finish.
The key with foundation is to make sure you set it. Don’t get me wrong, the foundation is important, but powder is the key to making your wedding makeup last all day.
I love MAC Prep & Prime, it is colourless and works on all skin tones. Avoid using under the eye – especially if you have mature skin, as fine lines can end up looking like full-on wrinkles.
Try applying with a large powder brush or a powder puff. If you have particularly oily skin apply generously and leave it to sit on the skin for a couple of minutes before brushing away any excess with a brush.
You actually want your bridal makeup to start off looking a bit powdery and possibly a bit too matte .
Don’t worry, it takes around 30 minutes to an hour for the makeup to settle on the skin. So by the time you’re ready to get dressed and have your photos taken your wedding makeup will look natural and flawless.

Wedding Makeup Quick Fix
Mineral powders are a great option when it comes to creating flawless bridal makeup for oily skin e.g. matte mineral foundation by a la carte.
If you haven’t tried them before I would definitely recommend giving them a try. You can use them on their own or on top of your base if you want an exceptionally flawless finish.
They’re quick and easy to apply, and you can go for a light or full cover just by changing how much product you apply.
When you’re using your mineral powder on its own, just make sure to give your primer time to settle and dry on the face. So ensuring the mineral powder glides on effortlessly and doesn’t stick to the skin.
Alternatively, you can apply the mineral powder over your foundation. With this option you will need to set your foundation first with your translucent powder.
You can then apply the mineral powder with a big clean blush brush, using small, gentle, circular movement to almost ‘push’ the product into the skin.
Help is at hand even if you have any stubborn spots or blemishes that keep creeping through your makeup no matter what you do.
Try applying a touch of mineral powder as a finishing touch once you’ve finished your makeup. Then leave it to settle for a few minutes before brushing off any excess.
This is step is easy to repeat if needed throughout the day.
Avoid mineral powders with shimmer added as they will bring back the shine we’re working hard to get rid of.

Dewy wedding makeup
Ok, if you want a dewy finish you can have one.
The key is to start matte. So definitely use a setting powder.
There are a couple of options when it comes to achieving a dewy finish when creating your perfect wedding day makeup.
Careful use of highlight. The last thing you want is to look greasy or sweaty in your photos, and this is definitely a risk if you opt for a ‘dewy all over’ finish.
I would advise using a powder highlighter applying it carefully in the areas you want to shine. Apply just above the cheekbone, and a touch below the brow, and that’s it.
Definitely not down the centre of the nose or on your forehead, or you will undo all the good work you’ve put in with your primer, Mattifying products, foundation and powder.
Setting sprays are great, personally I love the NYX product. But avoid the dewy finish setting spray.
You have your own natural dewy glow, as the day turns to night you might find your self using a touch more powder or a couple of the shine-free papers I mentioned earlier, to make sure your makeup takes you effortlessly from day to evening.
If you’re not sure about what to do
with your hair or you’re worried about
what makeup would look best. . .
Just drop me a line – advice comes free!