5 Essential Beauty Products for Wedding Day Glow

Olivia Hawthorne Beauty Favorites
Makeup guru Olivia Hawthorne shares her favorite products for a flawless finish.
Written by
Chelsea Gibson

Published:

Oregon Bride Spring/Summer 2021

Looking for a way to enhance your wedding day glow? While radiant skin is something we all strive for on a daily basis, there's nothing that demands a beautiful glow like your wedding day. Makeup guru, Olivia Hawthorne of Olivia Hawthorne Beauty, shares her favorite products for a flawless finish, from first look to last kiss.

1. EXFOLIATION

The first step in any seamless makeup look is the right preparation of your skin. Exfoliating regularly in the months leading up to your big day will help remove dead cells from the skin’s surface and improve texture.

Pro tip: Less is more! Don’t overexfoliate— once or twice a week is plenty and will avoid dryness and irritation.

My pick: Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Gentle Exfoliating Treatment

2. HYDRATION

Starting with a lightweight hydrating serum plumps the skin and gives a youthful glow without adding excess oil. Follow with a moisturizer that suits your skin type, but don’t overdo it. Too much product can cause your makeup to slide off prematurely.

Pro tip: Start a good skincare routine at least six months before the wedding. If you have specific concerns, such as acne or hyperpigmentation, see a professional aesthetician or dermatologist.

My pick: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5

3. CONCEALER

I love a good multiuse stick foundation because it fits easily in your bag, won’t spill and fixes myriad issues. It’s great for touching up any part of the face that needs it, including under the eyes.

Pro tip: Rather than applying concealer straight to the face, warm a small amount on your ring finger and press into the skin. It helps control the amount of product on the skin and ensures that it’s not too heavy.

My pick: Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

4. POWDER

Every bride needs a pressed powder in her bag! Even if your skin is dry, chancesn are that after mingling and dancing, you will have some unwanted shine. I prefer formulas with little to no pigment because they reduce shine without adding any cakey buildup.

Pro tip: Don’t overload the puff with powder. Pat lightly into the compact and then tap off the excess before applying to the face. Focus on areas where you want to avoid shine, like the forehead, nose and chin. A little glow on the cheeks is nice!

My pick: RCMA No-color Pressed Powder

5. LIPS

With all of that kissing, champagne drinking and talking, your lip color will wear off faster than any other part of your makeup. And long-wearing formulas tend to be drying; instead, opt for a creamy formula that will keep your lips soft and kissable.

Pro tip: If you choose to use a lip liner, apply it after your lipstick. It will glide on and create a softer line.

My picks:
Neutral: Nars Audacious Lipstick in “Deborah”
Rosy: Nars Matte Lipstick in “Schiap” Reds: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Cherries in the Snow”