Summer weddings are one of the most popular seasons to get married. It's not surprising when you consider the beautiful weather, sunshine, blue skies, and long days. Of course, summer weather can make it challenging for your makeup. The last thing you need is to have your makeup start melting off and staining your beautiful dress! Keep reading to discover our top makeup tips to have a successful summer wedding.

1. Hire a Wedding Makeup Artist

When it comes to your wedding day, it's best to hire a wedding makeup artist who has the skills, training, and products to create your perfect look that lasts all day. You may be tempted to do your own makeup or let your friend, however this will likely lead to makeup that will melt off before you say "I do." Hiring an expert is a worthy investment that will make all the difference, especially for one of the biggest days of your life. You want your makeup to look as good as it did when first applied – an expert makeup artist can achieve this and much more.

2. Prepare Your Skin for the Hot Weather

Like any outdoor wedding, it's important to plan your wedding according to the possible weather conditions. While it's impossible to control the weather, you can take the steps to prepare your skin and makeup for the hot and/or humid conditions. Some brides-to-be may forgo applying a face moisturizer due to the hot weather. However, this is not recommended. It's crucial that you apply a light-weight moisturizer that will give your skin the hydration it needs without feeling heavy. As your artist applies different layers of makeup, your makeup will look more natural if your skin is properly moisturized. Indeed, this will help avoid the dreaded cakey makeup look that no bride wants. For normal skin types, a cream-based moisturizer is a great option. For those with oily skin, consider a gel moisturizer that is light-weight, yet hydrating. 

Once you apply your moisturizer of choice, it's a good idea to use a mattifying primer to create a base for your makeup. Think of this as a fresh blank canvas for painting. This prep work will take your makeup look to a whole new level. The preparation steps are worth it!

3. Use a Minimal Amount of Makeup

To achieve makeup that lasts all day in hot weather, it's best to use a minimal approach for makeup application. By only using what you need, your makeup will be less likely to appear cakey and melt off as you sweat in the sunshine. Makeup artists will take their time to work each product into the other products, so the layering effect doesn't happen.

Consider using a color correcting foundation that doubles as a concealer. This 2 in 1 product will be light-weight and work well with your foundation. After the foundation is applied, your artist will likely use a blush cream or powder to create dimension and a pop of color. It's important to point out that blush fades quickly, which is why it's a good idea to layer your cream and powder.

4. Remember to Set and Blend Your Makeup

After you apply and blend in your base makeup, it's time to set and blend your makeup. This is an essential step to keep your makeup in place for all day wear. It's recommended to use a high-quality setting powder, so it looks natural and works well. 

Once the setting powder is applied, the next step is to apply a soft powder blush and bronzer. Use a setting spray over all of these layers to help maintain your makeup look for as long as possible. Setting sprays are a great product, as they soften and blend your makeup, as well as produce a natural glow to add subtle dimension to your makeup. Most importantly, setting sprays will help prevent your makeup from melting and caking. 

5. Do Touch-Ups As Needed

Your professional makeup artist likely has a team to help on your special day. Your artist may have their team on deck to do any makeup touch-ups as needed. It's a good idea to avoid touching your face, which can cause your makeup to smudge or look unnatural. If you want to assist with keeping your makeup fresh, you can pat powder or oil blotting sheets onto your skin. This can reduce the amount of oil or sweat on your face during a hot afternoon.

6. Keep Cool and Hydrated

For outdoor summer weddings, it's important to keep cool and hydrated. Consider using a handheld fan to stay refreshed outside. When possible, be in an air conditioned building or vehicle. It's essential that you stay hydrated by drinking enough water, especially when you are feeling stressed from the big day and heat. These tips can help prevent you from sweating and overheating. The last thing you want is to feel sick on your wedding day, which can happen on hot days. 

We hope you found these tips helpful as you start to plan your summer wedding. By hiring a wedding makeup artist, you can ensure that your makeup will be long-lasting and look great. Since your wedding day involves lots of pictures and precious moments, why not invest in a beautiful makeup look to match your wedding dress, theme, and location. If you are looking for a Charleston makeup artist near you, look no further than All Dolled Up. We look forward to meeting you and finding out how we can help create your perfect makeup look!