wedding day hair and makeup application for bride

Paige’s Guide to Wedding Morning Skin Prep

A well prepped face ensures that your makeup artist has a smooth and radiant canvas to work with, helping you look your most beautiful self for your wedding day.

Here is a step-by-step guide I have created on what to do the night before, and morning of your wedding for a flawless makeup application.

Hydrate
Achieving glowing skin starts the night before your wedding. Hydrate your skin thoroughly by drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to the big day. Dehydrated skin can appear dull, so keeping your skin moisturised is key. If you already have a skincare routine, stick to it; consistency will help avoid any unwanted surprises.

Sleep
A full night of sleep is essential for both your overall health and your skin’s appearance. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep the night before your wedding. This allows your skin to repair and regenerate, leaving you with a refreshed, rejuvenated look. Sleep also helps reduce puffiness under your eyes and minimises dark circles, ensuring that your face is glowing and bright.

Cleanse Your Skin Gently
On the morning of your wedding, start by cleansing your skin with a gentle, hydrating cleanser. This will remove any excess oils or impurities without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. Avoid using harsh exfoliators or strong cleansers that could irritate your skin or cause redness. Simply rinse your face with lukewarm water and gently pat it dry with a clean towel to avoid tugging on your skin.

Exfoliate Lightly
Exfoliating helps smooth out the surface of your skin, leaving you with a fresh, glowing complexion. However, avoid aggressive exfoliation the morning of your wedding as it can cause irritation. Instead, opt for a mild exfoliator to remove dead skin cells. This will ensure your skin is soft and smooth, creating a perfect base for makeup. If this is something you don’t typically do in your skincare routine, then leave this step out.

Apply a Hydrating Toner
After cleansing, a hydrating toner can help balance your skin’s pH and provide an additional layer of moisture. This step will help your skin absorb the moisturiser you apply next, ensuring it stays hydrated and refreshed throughout the day.

Moisturise
Moisturising is one of the most important steps in preparing your skin for makeup. A well moisturised face not only creates a smooth surface but also ensures that your makeup lasts longer. Choose a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser that suits your skin type. If you have dry skin, go for something richer, and if you have oily skin, select an oil-free moisturiser to help control shine. If you’re feeling extra dry, consider spritzing your face with a hydrating mist after moisturising to lock in even more moisture.

Don’t Forget Your Lips
Lips are just as important as your face when it comes to wedding makeup. Exfoliate your lips gently with a lip scrub to remove any dry, flaky skin. Follow up with a nourishing lip balm to keep them soft and hydrated. This will ensure your lipstick or gloss goes on smoothly and stays put for hours.

Avoid Touching Your Face
On your wedding morning, try to keep your hands off your face. Touching your skin transfers oils and dirt, which can interfere with your makeup application. Additionally, touching your face too much can lead to irritation or breakouts, so avoid rubbing your face or picking at any blemishes. I knows it’s hard!

Relax and Enjoy the Moment
The final step in preparing your skin is perhaps the most important: relax and stay calm. Stress can show up on your skin as redness, breakouts, or puffiness, so it’s important to stay as relaxed as possible. Take deep breaths, trust your skincare routine, and leave the rest to your makeup artist. When you feel calm and confident, your skin will naturally glow.

Your wedding day is all about feeling radiant, inside and out. By following these simple skin prep steps, you’ll give your makeup artist the best possible foundation to create a flawless bridal look. Hydrate, cleanse, exfoliate gently and moisturise. Remember, consistency in your skincare leading up to the big day and staying relaxed in the morning are the keys to looking and feeling your best when it’s time for makeup. With these preparations, you’ll be ready to glow on your wedding day!

Wedding
March 3, 2025

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BROWSE THROUGH MY

Welcome to my blog, a vibrant space where beauty, makeup, travel, and weddings come together in perfect harmony. As a professional makeup artist based in the stunning landscapes of Queenstown, New Zealand, I bring my passion for beauty and creativity to every aspect of this blog.

Dive into the world of makeup with expert tips, product reviews, and tutorials designed to help you achieve flawless looks for any occasion. Whether you're prepping for a big event, seeking everyday glam, or just starting your beauty journey, you’ll find inspiration and guidance tailored to all skill levels.

But beauty doesn’t stop at makeup. Here, we embrace the spirit of adventure, exploring breathtaking travel destinations that inspire the soul. From the serene mountains of New Zealand to exotic beaches and bustling cities, I share travel tips, hidden gems, and destination guides that cater to both the seasoned traveler and the dreamer planning their next escape.

For the brides-to-be, this blog is also your go-to resource for all things wedding. Discover stunning bridal makeup looks, behind-the-scenes insights from real weddings, and advice on how to make your special day as beautiful as it is memorable. Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, I’m here to help you look and feel your best.

WHY we're the perfect match

Paige was absolutely incredible to have as part of my elopement experience. I did a trial with her a couple of days prior and felt completely at ease. Paige is so professional, kind and detail oriented and she did the most beautiful natural look for me. As someone who loves a plan and can be a bit of a stress head, I felt so at ease seeing Paige at the door early on the morning of my elopement, making sure she was all set up and ready to go. I didn't have any family or friends with me on the day so Paige was really more than a make up artist for me on the morning of my elopement and I will be forever grateful to her for being part of day.

"PAIGE WAS REALLY MORE THAN A MAKEUP ARTIST FOR ME ON THE MORNING OF MY ELOPEMENT."

EMILY

Paige is an incredible makeup artist, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From the moment she walked in, she was calm and professional. I didn't have time for a makeup trial with Paige, due to travelling from Australia, but she listened to what I wanted and knew exactly what to do. I honestly felt so beautiful, I got so many compliments from guests at how flawless my makeup looked.

"FROM THE MOMENT SHE WALKED IN, PAIGE WAS CALM AND PROFESSIONAL."

ELLA

Where do I even begin. Paige was outstanding! Not only has she mastered wedding makeup but her overall presence blew me away. As many brides can relate, I was quite anxious leading up to the moment and her energy was soft and calming. She had a great sense of humour and she is genuinely someone I would want to spend time with. So having her there was the cherry on the top. The makeup lasted until the very end and I have never felt so beautiful and angelic. 

"My makeup lasted until the very end and i have never felt so beautfiul and angelic."

NINA

I was incredibly lucky to have Paige as my makeup artist for my wedding. She did such an amazing job not only on myself, but for my bridesmaids too. I had a trial with Paige a few months prior to the wedding, and all correspondence with Paige was easy and she put at ease all of my concerns. I absolutely loved my makeup on the day. If you need your makeup done for any special occasion or event, I would highly recommend Paige.

"all correspondence with paige was easy and she put at ease all of my concerns."

GEORGIA