Even if you don’t use makeup on an every day basis, you should consider using some color on your wedding day. Not only will you be the center of attention on your wedding day, but you’ll also be in photographs and you’ll want to look your best. On the other hand, because it’s so important to feel and look beautiful for your wedding, you shouldn’t use heavy makeup that makes you look like someone else. Aim for a soft, romantic look and you’ll fit the part of the perfect blushing bride.

Whether you regularly use makeup or not, you can achieve a lovely wedding look with the following makeup tips:

Face

The first step of making up your face consists of concealer, foundation and powder. Your foundation will go on your entire face, then you’ll use concealer to cover up any blemishes or under-eye circles and you’ll follow with a sweep of powder. Make sure you use a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone and make sure your foundation and powder match your skin tone exactly.

For the softest look, use a mineral based foundation and concealer (like Bare Minerals or Neutrogena Mineral Sheers.) Mineral based foundations eliminate the powder step and will help to absorb any excess oil your skin may emit while you’re enjoying your wedding day. Mineral based foundation is very popular and you’ll find it in many drugstore and department store makeup lines.

For brides with naturally flawless skin, base is probably the makeup step that they usually skip. On your wedding day, no matter what, you have to use a base. Otherwise, your face will appear shiny and uneven in photographs.

Cheeks

Blush comes in gel, powder and even liquid forms. For your wedding day beauty, you should use a powder blush because it will be the easiest to blend. Blush also comes in mineral based forms, and if you use a mineral based foundation, it would be wise to use a mineral based blush.

Blush should go on the apples of your cheeks, so when you apply it, smile and brush the blush on the apples of your cheeks and then blend upward and slightly downward until it is properly blended.

If you don’t usually use blush, you may be inclined to use a tiny amount on your wedding day. Though you shouldn’t go overboard, you should use a tad more blush than you would use on a normal day, slightly rosy cheeks will give you a romantic glow at your wedding and in your wedding photographs.

Eyes

For your eye makeup, you should first prep your eyelids with a small touch of foundation – this will help your eye makeup stay put during all of your wedding festivities. Next, make sure your eyebrows are tidy by plucking any errant hairs and filling in any spaces with a light brow pencil.

Choose a tri-color makeup palette with soft shades that will compliment your eye color. Blue and green eyes look great with shades of brown and brown or hazel eyes work well with rosy shades. Highlight your browbone with the lightest color in the palette, sweep the darkest color into the crease of your eye and then apply the medium color to your eyelid until it reaches the crease.

Line your eyes with a dark brown or black pencil all along the rim of your top eyelid and then from the middle of your bottom eye out to the edge of your eye. Make sure your pencil is very sharp and you’ll be able to get a thinner line. Add dark brown or black waterproof mascara (in case you have some waterworks while saying your wedding vows) on your upper lashes.

Lips

Prep your lips by lining them with the same color as your lipstick and then use your finger to blend the line towards the opening of your mouth. Fill out your lips with a peach or pink shade and add a touch of lip gloss to the center of your lower lip. This will help you to have natural looking pouty lips.

Using soft makeup, you’ll look beautiful on your wedding day without straying far from your natural look. With these tips and with your natural assets, you can let your true beauty shine through on your wedding day.