Claire McGowran
You’ve booked the venue and found the dress. Now it’s time to start researching your dream wedding makeup. But what happens if the majority of images you find of blushing brides look nothing like you? For black brides, this is often the case. But if you look in the right places and ask the important questions, you’ll discover you have just as much choice as every other bride. As a black woman living in Ireland, Yvette Poufong found this to be her experience. So if you’re struggling to find makeup inspiration or are not sure what direction to take with your look, read on as these are Yvette's top 5 wedding makeup tips for black brides. Darker skin tones can pull off rich, bold colours - just pop ‘Nigerian bridal makeup’ into Pinterest to see what I mean! But that doesn’t mean you need to go full on glamour for your wedding day. If you prefer the natural look, then stick with that. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in your own skin. I kept my look very understated for the day, but wore my go-to red lippie for the evening reception. If you’re not sure what you like, check out our feature on 29 beautiful wedding makeup looks for black brides and see what looks you’re drawn to. When it comes to finding makeup inspiration, social media is your friend. There are dozens of bridal makeup tutorials on YouTube and endless photos on Pinterest and Instagram to get you started. But to make them useful, remember to be specific with your search terms. ‘Black bride makeup’ or ‘dark-skinned makeup’ searches are going to deliver more relevant results than ‘bridal makeup’. Don’t be afraid to look outside the box, too. Search for images of your favourite black female celebrities, and you’ll find some gorgeous looks that can easily be worn on your big day. If you haven’t already come across YouTuber Jackie Aina, I recommend checking her out. She showcases diverse looks for black women on her channel and shares honest product reviews. When you’re researching makeup artists, don’t be afraid to ask the professionals whether they have experience working with darker skin tones. It’s important that their makeup kit includes pigments that complement your skin tone, and they can make suggestions that will flatter your features. The makeup industry has come a long way in diversifying foundation shades. Brands like Fenty, MAC, Lancome, and Estée Lauder offer black women plenty of choice, but it can still be tricky to get an exact colour match. Collecting foundation samples from department stores is a great way to discover what formulas and shades work best for you before committing to the price tag. They’re also super handy for mixing, which is useful if your skin tone tends to change between seasons. Always consult your makeup artist to see what their recommendations are, but if you’re drawn towards a certain brand, let them know. If you’re having flash photography on your wedding day, try to avoid products containing SPFs as these can cause flashback, i.e. that annoying white glow that’s only visible in photos. This effect is especially obvious when contrasted against dark skin. Always take a photo after your makeup trial to test the final look under flash. If you’re not satisfied with the results, talk to your makeup artist about using products without silica, the SPF ingredient often found amongst others in foundations and HD powders. Be inspired by some of our favourite makeup looks for black brides!5 Wedding Makeup Tips for Black Brides
Image by Craig & Eva Sanders via One Fab Day1. Stay True to Yourself
Image by Peter Carvill via One Fab Day2. Turn to Social Media for Inspiration
Image by Alexandra Barfoot via One Fab Day3. Ask the Pros about their Experience
Image by Peter Carvill via One Fab Day4. Collect Makeup Samples
Image by Elijah & Susannah via One Fab Day5. Beware of the Flash
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