Sali Hughes on beauty: bridal foundation tips for a flawless big day

The Guardian

02-07-2025

I bristle at the expression 'bridal makeup', because it encourages the slightly weird idea that women's faces should look very different on their wedding days. Brides these days might be wearing black or red, hair up, hair down, hi-top trainers or Dr Martens boots. Similarly, bride-appropriate makeup is however one feels most attractive, comfortable, confident and oneself.
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But what I will concede is that the big day often calls for a new foundation. Rarely will you be photographed as much, over so many hours, and be faced with the outcome for so many years, so it's worth wearing something a little higher-coverage and longer-lasting than for a day at the office.
Something semi-matte is ideal, since the opportunities to powder down shine will be scant and the risk of colour transfer on to a gown is higher with dewy formulas. My most commonly recommended is Lisa Eldridge's Seamless Skin Foundation (£44), which comes in 40 thoughtfully chosen shades and gives a pretty eggshell sheen to the skin. I've never received any negative feedback after the big day.
Similarly versatile is Dior's Forever Skin Perfect Foundation Stick (£48). If your bridesmaid has room in her bag for anything more than mints and a lipstick, fill it with this, an exceptional medium-coverage solid foundation that melts silkily upon blending, laminating the face in soft, blurry, lasting coverage that can be sheered down or dialled up according to taste. It's also excellent for any fingertip touch-ups after the ceremony or wedding breakfast.
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On dry skins, it's hard to beat the makeup artist's favourite, Armani's Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation (£47), which makes skin even, glowy (without any flatness or sparkle) and is deceptively natural-looking. That price tag is hefty, but a very similar look is delivered by True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum (£14.99) from Armani stablemate, L'Oréal Paris.
For problem skins where redness, acne or scarring are an issue, proceed directly to Estée Lauder for the peerlessly camouflaging DoubleWear Stay-in-place Foundation (£39.50), which not only builds up seamlessly to cover anything, but has phenomenal staying power (add setting spray and it could outlast some marriages).
For oily skin types who'd like a soft matte finish with more vim, I enthusiastically recommend Anastasia Beverly Hills' Impeccable Blurring Second Skin Matte Foundation (£39, pictured above). I didn't expect to love this, but even my own parched skin looks great in it, thanks to its flattering, almost vellum paper-like finish.