The Best Wedding Day Foundation For Every Price Level
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There are tons of decisions that come with a wedding. From choosing a date to choosing your dress, there is so much to think about. That includes deciding what makeup to wear on your wedding day. Whether you're doing your own makeup or having a professional come in, there's a good chance that you'll at least need to have some idea of what you'd like. Don't panic, though. We've got some of the greatest wedding-day foundations at every price point, so at least one wedding decision can be easy.
If the first thing that comes to mind when you think "wedding makeup" is full coverage, think again. Makeup Artist Kelly Dawn tells Harpers Bazaar that it's all about getting a natural look that lasts. "For weddings, I don't believe a bride should pile on more makeup than they are used to, just [to] stand out in photos," Dawn explains. "Makeup can be fresh, natural and still stand out beautifully if you use the right products and techniques. Wedding photography usually doesn't have the same harsh lighting as studio shoots so makeup doesn't need to be amped up so much." That's right, a natural look will work!
Here's a list of some of the top, makeup-artist approved wedding foundations to choose from. Because you have enough things to worry about, and your foundation shouldn't be one of them.
High-end favorites
Brides have all kinds of budgets for their weddings. If you're looking to invest in a high-end foundation to love even after the celebration, there are plenty of options. Two specific foundations have incredible ratings and are said to last through your entire day — Armani Beauty's Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation and Koh Gen Do's Aqua Foundation.
Armani Beauty's foundation is a longtime favorite that's a no-brainer for your big day. "This is the OG of foundations for a flawless complexion," Kendall Jenner's makeup artist Aidan Keogh tells Brides. "The formula works on every skin tone...and stays in every climate, and the pigment diffuses any imperfections and/or fine lines while evening out the skin like a soft veil. I really like to use this when I know I don't have a lot of time to hang around and do touch-ups."
The foundation is a cool $65, which is slightly less than Koh Gen Do's foundation. According to Brides, Koh Gen Do's foundation is a throw-on-and-go option for your big day. "This foundation is water-based, so it's sheer and gives your skin just the right amount of glow without looking too shiny," makeup artist Fabiola tells the publication. "Just one coat of this and skin looks flawless."
The latter would be a great option if you're looking to do your wedding makeup on your own. It rings in at $77, which is a hefty investment, but you'll have the bottle for all your upcoming events.
Middle-of-the-road finds
If you're looking to get a photo-ready finish without breaking the bank, there are plenty of options out there for you. According to Harpers Bazaar, you can't go wrong with Bobbi Brown's Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation. While it's not exactly drugstore cost, the $50 price tag is middle-of-the-road as far as foundation goes. But that's not the only reason that it has high acclaim.
It turns out that this foundation hits the big three of wedding foundation — great shade range, photo-approved finish, and decent price. "I love Bobbi Brown's Skin Long-wear Weightless Foundation, it looks amazing in photos. It has 16-hour wear, offers a medium-to-full coverage and comes in 42 'skin tone-correct' shades so it always looks flawless and natural," makeup artist Amy Conway tells Harpers Bazaar.
Another great option is Ilia Beauty's True Skin Serum Foundation. Not only is it reasonably priced at $54, but it's also a clean, gluten-free, cruelty-free, vegan option that stays all day long. According to customer reviews, this foundation gives you a true-to-you look, and application is a breeze. All the aspects you want in a great wedding foundation.
Super affordable standouts
Just because it's your big day doesn't mean you have to spend a ton on your wedding makeup. There are many incredible options for you sitting right at your local drugstore. Two in particular are ranked high among the rest — CoverGirl's Outlast All-Day Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation and Maybelline's Fit Me Matte + Poreless Oil-Free Liquid Foundation. Both of which ring in at under $11.
If you're skeptical about buying a drugstore foundation for your big day, you'll be happy to know that even celebrities choose these makeup items. According to Byrdie, for Sofia Vergara's wedding, makeup artist Kayleen McAdams readied the celeb with the CoverGirl foundation.
Maybelline's is just as good, too. "Maybelline's best-of-the-best formula offers a variety of shades, undertones, and finishes, which I appreciate as a makeup artist. ...it comes in two different formulas, mattifying and hydrating," makeup artist Denise Madrigal tells Who What Wear. She prefers the Fit Me Dewy + Smooth version of the product. "This foundation is more medium coverage but still allows for buildable coverage without calling up or setting into fine lines, and it's actually my personal go-to backup foundation for myself."
Whether you're looking for a great investment or opting to save some cash, you can't go wrong with any of these standout options.