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Today I thought I’d share my favorite beauty finds that are perfect for your wedding day or even your shower and bachelorette party. I think it’s important to note that a professional make up artist can make you look phenomenal on your wedding day. Air brushed foundation will last and last and the pro’s know exactly how to highlight your best assets. So consider scheduling a consultation with one before you decide to do your own wedding day make up. If you do decided to do your make up yourself, I encourage you to practice, practice, practice. To make sure the look photographs well, have a friend or family member takes some photos of you outside in natural, but not direct, sunlight. This will help you get an idea of the way it will photograph. Now, on to the favorites!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

The EL website says: the formula has a 15-hour staying power which leaves you flawless all day. It stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity, nonstop activity. It won’t change color, smudge or come off on clothes. It feels lightweight and comfortable. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day.

Oil-free

Dermatologist-tested

Non-acnegenic

Fragrance-free

Here’s my take: This stuff lasts and lasts. It provides a great medium to full coverage. If you don’t wear foundation everyday, this product may feel a bit heavy. The finish is slightly dewy so if you are after a matte look, you’ll need a powder to set it. Overall this is my go to foundation for photographs and any special event. It’s safe to say I have thoroughly tested it since I have been using it for 8 years.

Image via Estee Lauder

Bare Minerals Powder Foundation

The site says: Our ORIGINAL SPF 15 Foundation gives you all the flawless coverage you want with a naturally luminous finish that won’t clump or cake. It’s clinically proven to improve the appearance of your skin over time. The creamy minerals diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles without drying out your skin. Its silky, soft texture looks like a powder, but feels like a cream and buffs on beautifully.

My take: This powder foundation is perfect for those of you looking for a light finish. The texture is quite smooth and leaves a dewy finish. They say it’s a buildable coverage and that is true to a certain extent, but it certainly won’t provide you will full coverage. I don’t feel I photograph well with this particular foundation on but that could be because I don’t like to be dewy in photographs. That’s a personal preference. I do, however, love this foundation for everyday wear. It doesn’t have the staying power of EL’s Double Wear so you’ll need to touch up through out the night or set it with a spray. This powder also comes in a matte finish. Please know that the matte finish is only for very oily skin. If you have just a little oil or are a combination with a little oil, go for the regular finish.

Image via Bare Essentials

Urban Decay All Nighter

UD says: Your makeup will last 16 hours! Perfect for all skin types, this ultra-fine mist holds makeup for brides, dancers, and ladies who just like lookin’ GOOD. In an exclusive partnership with SKINDINÄVIA, we developed this groundbreaking, hypoallergenic setting spray that keeps your makeup on for 16 unbelievable hours. Legendary enough that it’s already inspired imitations, All Nighter boasts a patent pending Temperature Control Technology that makes this weightless mist so powerful and sets it far above the competition. Your makeup won’t melt when it’s warm and humid or become dehydrated when it’s cold and windy. Yes, it actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to hold foundation, eyeshadow, blush and concealer in place. The sprayer, unlike others on the market, delivers a micro-fine mist that distributes product evenly over the skin.

My take: Add this to a mineral make up foundation like Bare Minerals and your good to go! This is a cult product and has even professional make up artists singing it’s praises. I haven’t had the opportunity to try it out but it is definitely on my wish list.

Image via Urban Decay

Nars Blush in Orgasm

Okay, I know the name is… odd… but the color is B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L! It’s got 15 beauty awards under it’s belt and I know why.

Here’s what Nars say about it: Consistently voted the best blush on the market by both beauty industry professionals and consumers alike. Orgasm blush from NARS is a must-have for all skin tones. Orgasm blush is made with transparent pigments for a soft and sheer look. It imparts a natural, healthy glow for any skin tone and may be worn alone or layered together for more depth and intensity.

My take: I can honestly say, I didn’t wear blush before I found this product. I hated the chalky texture, the colors, and basically everything about blush. This color is perfection. It really does look good on everyone. It has a slight sheen that is so pretty and the color glides on effortlessly. The product is well pigmented so you don’t need a lot but it’s sheer enough that you can build the color to the level you like.

Image via Nars

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

Drugstore brands have a bad habit of creating a good product and then discontinuing it after about a year. This stuff has been around for at least 11 years, well that’s how long I have been using it anyway.

Here’s what L’Oreal says: L’Oreal Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara is uniquely formulated to build lashes to 5X their natural thickness, for a full and dramatic lash look. The volume maximizing brush thickens lashes evenly and smoothly leaving them soft with virtually no flakes, smudges, or clumps.

• Opththalmologist and allergy tested.
• Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
• Clump-resistant.
• Fragrance-free.

My take: This is by far the best mascara I have found. I love the waterproof formula in Blackest Black. You’ll want to stick with a waterproof formula for your big day. You never know when you’ll be struck by happy tears and although raccoons are cute, you don’t want to be mistaken for one on your wedding day.

Image via L’Oreal Paris

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils

UD says: Creamy, forever-lasting, award-winning and waterproof, 24/7 pencils delight you with lush tropical hues, deep metallics, and unusually vibrant neutrals. The best Eye Pencil ever, ever, ever! Never before has a pencil this creamy and brilliant been waterproof, too. Velvety-soft, this never-before-seen formula stays soft and creamy for blending (about 30 seconds), then dries down to a long-lasting finish that WILL NOT budge. Line eyes with a hint of color or go for the full artistic, multi-hued effect with the wide selection of lush tropical hues, deep metallics and unusually vibrant neutrals.

My take: These pencils are a dream to work with. They glide on easy, blend beautifully, and last all day. My top color pics are Zero (black), Burbon (a dark bronze), and Crash (a dark plum).

Image via Urban Decay

Urban Decay Naked Palette

The perfect palette for any occasion.

UD says: Everybody wants to look good NAKED! Far from a group of boring beige shadows, Naked Palette’s long, lean, seductive case is packed with TWELVE gorgeous neutrals, including FIVE NEW shades, and includes our pro-quality Good Karma Shadow Brush. You can look great NAKED! This long, lean, seductive case is packed with TWELVE gorgeous neutrals. Shades range from delicate champagnes to dark, gritty gunmetal, and feature FIVE NEW shades with names like Darkhorse, Virgin and Buck. We’ve also included a range of textures: everything from glitter to shimmer to matte. The chocolaty velvet case is emblazoned with the word “NAKED” in gold foil lettering. (Just wait ’til your friends see you pull this sexy thing out of your bag. Jealous!) The mirrored case also includes a professional quality, cruelty-free Good Karma Eyeshadow Brush, AND a travel-size Eyeshadow Primer Potion in original formula. This is a shadow palette EVERYONE can use, and a truly spectacular gift. Experiment with office-appropriate neutrals, summertime bronzy looks, or sultry smokiness. With such a diversity of neutral shades at your fingertips, there’s more to neutral than meets the eye.

My take: These are beautifully pigmented shadows which means you won’t need a lot of product to make your eyes pop. The colors are beautiful and natural which will help create that timeless look you are looking for. Remember, quality shadows won’t wear off or crease so you’ll be looking stunning all day and night!

Image via Urban Decay

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Lipcolor

Lipstick that will last all day.

L’Oreal says: 16 hours of georgeous, comfortable, lightweight color that won’t flake off or wear out. The slim color stick glides on easily, applies quickly, and sets in just one minute. Inovative mirrored packaging makes it easy to apply- and check- your lip color anytime, anywhere.

My take: While no long wearing lipstick is as comfortable as regular lipstick, this one comes close. It lasts all day, doesn’t dry my lips out, and I don’t have to re-apply. There are only 12 colors so it may be hard to find one you like. I love the Crimson color!

Image via L’Oreal Pairs

MAC Viva Glam V Lipstick

The perfect shade on anyone I tell you… ANYONE and EVERY CENT of the sales price goes to HIV and AIDS research.

MAC says: In 1994, M·A·C introduced VIVA GLAM, an outspoken deep red that was universal in appeal and glamor. In 1997, a second lipstick was created VIVA GLAM II, a pinked mauve. VIVA GLAM III, a foxy brown plum launched in 2000. VIVA GLAM IV, a heartful rose charged with gold, introduced in March 2002. In March 2004, Viva Glam V makes its debut, a pure neutral pink with a delicious Lustre finish! VIVA GLAM VI, the newest member of the VIVA GLAM family, is a warm terracotta-plum with pearl finish. Wear it alone or finish it off with a coat of VIVA GLAM VI Lipglass. Every cent of the selling price of VIVA GLAM Lipstick and Lipglass is donated to the M·A·C AIDS Fund to support men, women, and children living with HIV and AIDS.

My take: This color looks good on anyone! Did I already say that? Well, it’s true. It is also worth saying it looks good over any color of lip liner. Red, hot pink, dark or light neutrals… It’s just a beautiful color. The texture is soft, moisturizing, and very comfortable. It has a vanilla smell with absolutely no flavor. Most lipsticks taste gross but not this one. I love it.

Image via MAC

Mary Kay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

With all those waterproof and say in place formulas you’re going to need a way to wash it all away at the end of the night.

Mary Kay says: Gently removes eye makeup, including waterproof mascara, without tugging or pulling the delicate skin in the eye area. Formula does not leave skin feeling dry

My take: This stuff ROCKS. It takes the toughest make up right off with just a few swipes. It’s not oily and it’s great for my sensitive skin.

Image via Mary Kay

*I was not paid or compensated in any way for this post. All opinions are truly my own and are a result of my many years of makeup obsession research.

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