Updated: November 2020
Forget the red carpet, all eyes will be on redhead brides and bridesmaids this season. Eager to discover ‘redhead friendly’ cosmetics that would have even Hollywood icon Rita Hayworth green with envy?
To prep for my wedding day, I did a makeup trial. I documented the day to make you all feel like you were with me. I am aspiring to achieve a 1930s-inspired look to complement the architecture of my wedding venue, a French Art Deco style historic hotel.
We explored products that highlighted the coloring and natural beauty of redheads, whilst adding a healthy dose of glamour.
Step 1: Eyeliner
Product used: MAC Cosmetics Eye Shadow X 9: Amber Times Nine, $40
Starting with the window to the soul, use an extra-fine precision eyeliner brush to work one to two of the darker eyeshadow hues in the amber-colored palette along your top eyelid. A variety of textures makes up this amber palette, from matte to satin to frost.
Step 2: Eyeshadow
Product used: Urban Decay Natural Basics, $29
My makeup artist used Pepper Please and Aromatic to frame my blonde upper eyelashes. The palette includes: Cozy Grey (coolgrey matte), Kitties (pale bronze frost), Georgia Peach (dirty rose pink matte), Ricepaper (peachy gold with shimmer frost), Creative Copper (light beige lustre), Cork (muted golden brown satin), Don’t Tell (sparkly brown lustre), Aromatic (brown matte) and Pepper Please (sparkly bronze copper brown velvet).
Step 3: Foundation
Product used: Temptu Airbrush Makeup (professional use)
Trusted by professional makeup artists, airbrush makeup is one of the most amazing advancements in the cosmetics industry since the mascara. My trusty makeup artist used Porcelain 001, for fair skin with pink undertones and Ivory 002, for porcelain to light skin with neutral/yellow undertones to achieve the pictured look. I truly felt as if I had skin as smooth as porcelain. My complexion was near flawless, whilst not heavy and weighed down by product. Use the online Shade Finder to select from twelve skin tone choices, from Porcelain to Espresso.
Step 4: Eyelashes
Product used: MAC 88 Stunner Lash False Lashes, $18
Nothing says glamorous quite like a fine pair of false lashes to bat. For dramatic lashes, first apply your everyday redhead friendly mascara. Trim the false eyelashes down to fit your eye shape, if needed.
READ: 7 Steps for Applying False Strip Eyelashes Perfectly
Step 5: Blush
Product used: NARS Cosmetics Super Orgasm, $30
This iconic blush is known for its ability to complement virtually any skin tone, this rouge packs a powerful punch. To achieve a healthy-glow, blend the micronized powder onto your cheekbones in an upward motion with a dual-ended cheek and contour brush. The matte peachy pink powder features gold glitter for a chic shimmer effect.
Step 6: Setting Powder
Product used: Ben Nye Classic Translucent Face Powder, Neutral Set, $6
The finishing touch-my makeup artist used a flared dome-shaped brush to apply Ben Nye’s Classic Translucent Face Powder. This magic fairy dust of the makeup world sets creme makeup, leaving a soft matte finish. Deterring perspiration, the formula is perfect for special events, like dancing the night away at wedding receptions. The face powder is available in a variety of skin tone options-neutral set is a great choice for redheads, as it is colorless and blends with any skin tone. In Neutral Set, Super White, Fair, Pretty Pink, Topaz, Sienna, Chestnut and Ebony.
Step 7: Lipstick
Product used: NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Red Velvet, $5
Red is synonymous with glamour, as we all know. Finish this easy-to-achieve look with Red Velvet Butter Gloss. With a delicious sugar cookie scent, you’ll want to wear this creamy sheer lip-gloss everyday. Apply lipstick beneath the butter gloss for even more drama.
Rock it like a Redhead!