Wedding Hair and Makeup Dos and Don'ts

There’s no doubt about it, getting ready for a wedding can be oh-so-exciting. After all, it should be one of the best days of your life! But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to worry about too, especially when it comes to ensuring your beauty look is as perfect as can be on the big day. If you have concerns about making sure your wedding hair and makeup are just right, we can’t blame you. What we can do is share a few of the biggest wedding hair and makeup don’ts—and dos—that you may want to keep in mind. From whether or not to change your hair color to what kind of eye makeup to wear, everything you’ll need to know is below.

WEDDING BEAUTY DON’T #1: WING IT

In the past, you may have pulled off not studying for a big test or waiting to pick out an outfit until the last minute, but it’s always better to prepare ahead of time. That means it’s a definite don’t to try and wing it on your wedding day. Even if you spend time researching your favorite hair and makeup looks, you’ll run the risk that what made for a pretty photo doesn’t work in real life.

WEDDING BEAUTY DO #1: TAKE IT FOR A TEST DRIVE

Always test out the hairstyle and makeup you want to wear ahead of time. That way, if you aren’t happy with how it turns out, there’s still time for adjustments, and you won’t have to scramble for a fix minutes before the ceremony.

WEDDING BEAUTY DON’T #2: WEAR THE WRONG OUTFIT

What you wear while you get ready for your wedding may not seem like a big deal, but throwing on the wrong top in the morning could have unexpected consequences. If you wear anything that has to be pulled off over your head later, you’ll risk messing up your hair and makeup. Play it safe and get ready in a robe. This wedding beauty don’t is part of the reason you’ll see so many brides gifting their bridal party with robes and wearing them in the getting ready photos!

WEDDING BEAUTY DO #2: START WITH YOUR HAIR

Wondering if you should do your hair or makeup first on your wedding day? The answer: your hair! Think about it—you don’t want a perfectly applied face of makeup to be ruined after spraying your style with gallons of hairspray and other styling products, right? To avoid that, do your hair first, then cleanse your face prior to applying makeup. Problem solved!

WEDDING BEAUTY DON’T #3: COUNT ON NOT CRYING

No matter how stoic you consider yourself, let’s be real—there’s a solid chance you’re going to shed a few tears sometime between walking down the aisle and picture time. That means you shouldn’t do your makeup based on your bet that you won’t cry. Even if you think the odds you’ll cry are extremely slim, it’s best to plan as if you're going to. Better safe than sorry!

WEDDING BEAUTY DO #3: OPT FOR LONG-LASTING PRODUCTS

Expecting makeup to last through a lengthy ceremony and reception, and even a tear or two, is a lot to ask. Thankfully, it isn’t an impossible feat. To combat crying, be sure to wear waterproof mascara and eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Original Waterproof Lengthening Mascara and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner. As for helping your makeup endure the entire day, use setting spray and primer to lock in your look. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray and the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Lock Makeup Primer or L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Lock Makeup Primer.

WEDDING BEAUTY DON’T #4: TRY EVERY TREND

Trying a new beauty trend is always exciting—except maybe on your wedding day. You won’t want to look back on your pictures and wonder why you’re sporting 10 different trends at once. If you are so inclined to add a trendy touch to your hair or makeup, choose just one new trend and have everything else be classic.

WEDDING BEAUTY DO #4: LOOK LIKE YOURSELF

It’s all too common to wear way more makeup than you ever have on your wedding day, assuming you need to do something really special and different. In reality, you should look like the best version of yourself—not someone totally new. You’ll want to recognize yourself in the pictures to come, not stare at someone who looks like a beautifully made up stranger. Instead of straying too far from your everyday look, take it up a few notches. Adding false lashes, sweeping on a blinding highlighter, and breaking out a liquid lipstick should be enough to upgrade your typical look.

WEDDING BEAUTY DON’T #5: COMPLETELY SWITCH UP YOUR SHADE

Remember how your makeup shouldn’t leave you looking like a new person? The same goes for your hair—if you’ve been tempted to change your hair color, hold off until after the wedding. If you’ve had blonde hair all your life, you most likely won’t want your wedding photos to be the one time you’re a brunette or vice versa.

WEDDING BEAUTY DO #5: ENHANCE YOUR HAIR COLOR

Just because we recommend sticking close to your current hair color doesn’t mean you have to avoid updating your hue altogether. If you aren’t happy with your hair color, make a subtle change, like adding highlights or lowlights. You can even do it at home with the L’Oréal Paris Touch-On Highlights.

WEDDING BEAUTY DON’T #6: FORGET ABOUT HAIRSPRAY

If there’s one day to make sure you use hairspray, it’s your wedding day! Skipping that last step could make all the difference in whether your curls drop or your updo stays put. Definitely worth a few spritzes.

WEDDING BEAUTY DO #6: SPRAY YOUR BOBBY PINS, TOO

If you’ve chosen an updo, as so many brides do, you’ll surely have a hairstyle filled to the brim with bobby pins. To give them a little extra hold, try this trick. Spray the pins with the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold before slipping them into your style and ta-da! They’ll grip onto your hair better and keep your updo firmly planted when you hit the dance floor.

WEDDING BEAUTY DON’T #7: BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP

Getting your hair or makeup (or both) done by a professional? Make sure to voice your opinions and thoughts during the trial period—and on the day of! Don’t be afraid to speak up about any concerns you have or tweaks you’d like made. It’s your special day; you deserve to look and feel your most beautiful!

WEDDING BEAUTY DO #7: TIP FOR GETTING IT RIGHT

Speaking of professionals doing your wedding hair and makeup, don’t forget to tip. Just as you would tip your hairdresser after a great cut, it is standard (at least in the United States) to tip for wedding hair and makeup services.

Need more wedding day beauty inspiration and ideas? One of the hottest wedding trends right now is adorning your ‘do with a hair accessory. Get plenty of inspo in our article, 10 Trending Wedding Hair Accessories.