Be sure to bring a mini kit of additional powder (pressed is preferred for touch up), lipstick, and tissues for touch ups during the day. I would assign your maid or matron of honor the task of holding on to the kit and keeping tabs on your face for shine and disappearing lip color. Key times to check for touch up needs is just before, and after the ceremony before photos are taken at the ceremony site. During the day, check again after food consumption, and any time there is high level of activity such as a receiving line, dancing, kissing and hugging, etc. Remember, your photographer and videographer will be snapping photos throughout the day, so at minimum, be sure to touch up at these key times.

Dear Suzanne~
I have a combination skin type that is dry and oily. Should I use a facial powder right before the photographer takes my pictures or should I apply all makeup right before I walk down the isle?
Denise

Hi Denise:
The trick to continuity and durability in your makeup application for wedding photography is how you prepare your skin, and apply makeup initially, and touch up during the wedding day. Unquestionably, you need to apply all your makeup BEFORE you make that walk down the isle, and use high performance products that are formulated for these needs. Powder will not last long on your skin without some kind of foundation to adhere to. Also, using a primer or an anti-shine product before you apply your foundation will also further boost the adherence of foundation and help minimize interaction with skin oils that tend to fade makeup.

Even though you have combination skin, and use good makeup application techniques as suggested, you will invariably experience an increase in moisture activity due to the level of emotions and excitement that is generated on one of the biggest days of your life. You most certainly will need to touch up your makeup application throughout the day to keep the moisture (shine) under control, as well as keeping your lip color application fresh. This is crucial for continuity in your pictures, as the photographer will be snapping photos of you at the key moments of your wedding celebration. Be sure to keep tissues and touch up powder close by, or assign someone in your wedding party the task of keeping you in check.

Dear Suzanne~
I have acne prone skin, how can I cover my blemishes? Sonja

Hi Sonja~
Acne prone skin is a special needs condition. I hope you are using a skin care regimen that is suited to keeping breakouts to a minimum and improving the texture of your skin. Invariably, when hormone activity and emotions interact, breakouts can occur in spite of the care you give your skin. I would suggest that you definitely stay away from makeup products that contain isopropyl myristate, mineral oil, and other petroleum based products that have been shown to aggravate acne breakouts. It is difficult to find a concealor product, however, that doesn’t contain one of these ingredients as a vehicle for the pigment. My suggestion for covering blemishes that may arise is to use a concealor type product AFTER you have applied your foundation and powder (I prefer to use a product that is also used to cover tattoos). Take a small nylon tipped brush ( like a #2 filbert that you can purchase at any craft store) and take up a small amount of concealor on the brush. Wipe any excess on the back of your hand from both sides of the brush, and then apply sparingly to the areas you wish to conceal. Follow that with additional powder applied sparingly on top of the concealed areas to keep it in place