On your wedding day, you want to look your best, but also like the most radiant version of yourself. Soft glam bridal makeup is all about enhancing your natural beauty, not covering it. It’s a perfect blend of subtle sophistication and timeless elegance. This listicle will guide you through 12 steps to achieve the ultimate soft glam bridal makeup. Each step will provide you with expert tips, product recommendations, and techniques to help you look and feel your best on your big day.

1. Prep Your Skin

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Before applying any makeup, it’s crucial to prep your skin for a flawless base. Start by cleaning your face with a gentle cleanser, then exfoliate to remove dead skin cells. Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer and a good quality primer to smooth skin texture and ensure your makeup lasts all day. Choose products that are suitable for your skin type to prevent any breakouts or skin reactions on your big day.

2. Choose the Right Foundation

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A soft glam look calls for a natural-looking foundation. Pick a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly. Also, consider your skin type. If you have oily skin, you might want to go for an oil-free or mattifying foundation. On the other hand, if you have dry skin, a hydrating or dewy foundation would be ideal. Remember, the goal is to enhance your natural beauty, so avoid heavy coverage that can look cakey.

3. Conceal with Care

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Use a concealer to hide any imperfections and brighten up your under-eye area. Pick a shade that is one or two shades lighter than your foundation for a natural, brightening effect. Apply it in an inverted triangle under your eyes and blend it out using a makeup sponge or brush. Less is more here as you don’t want to end up with a heavy, overdone look.

4. Set with Powder

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To ensure your base makeup stays in place all day, set it with a loose, translucent powder. This will also help to eliminate any unwanted shine, without making your skin look too matte or flat. Pay special attention to your T-zone, under-eye area, and any other places where makeup tends to crease or slide off.

5. Natural Blush

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For a soft glam look, choose a blush that mimics your natural flush. Cream blushes are excellent for achieving a natural, dewy finish. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and blend it outwards towards your temples for a subtle, radiant glow.

6. Subtle Contour

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Contouring can add dimension to your face, but make sure it’s subtle. Use a contour powder or cream that’s only two shades darker than your skin tone and apply it to the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, and your jawline. Blend it well to avoid any harsh lines and to create a natural shadow effect.

7. Natural Brows

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Your eyebrows frame your face, so it’s important to fill them in, but keep them looking natural. Use a brow pencil or powder that matches your hair color to lightly fill in any sparse areas. Then, brush your brows with a spoolie brush to blend the product and create a soft, natural look.

8. Soft Eye Makeup

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For a soft glam bridal look, stick to neutral eyeshadow shades like champagne, brown, and rose gold. Apply a light shade on your lid, a medium shade in your crease, and a darker shade in the outer V of your eye for depth. Blend well to create a seamless transition between the colors. Finish off with a couple coats of mascara and, if desired, natural-looking false lashes.

9. Highlight with Restraint

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A little highlighter can give you that radiant, glowing-from-within look. Apply a subtle highlighter to the high points of your face: your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the cupid’s bow. Avoid anything too glittery or shimmery, as it can look unnatural in photographs.

10. Lip Service

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Choose a lipstick in a shade that’s close to your natural lip color, but a bit more enhanced. Pinks, peaches, and nudes are all great options. For added staying power, line your lips with a matching lip liner before applying lipstick.

11. Seal the Deal

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Ensure your makeup lasts all day by setting it with a makeup setting spray. This will not only lock your makeup in place but also get rid of any powdery finish, leaving you with a natural, skin-like finish.

12. Don’t Forget Your Neck

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Finally, don’t forget your neck! Make sure your foundation and contour blend seamlessly into your neck to avoid the dreaded ‘mask’ effect. Your face and neck should be the same color, so blend your foundation well into your neck and check it in different lighting conditions to make sure it looks natural.