Whether in the spirit of a themed wedding or a traditional ceremony, Asian weddings are much different from contemporary American ceremony. Brides are intended to look radiant, yet are not the same focal part of the wedding as their American counterparts. Instead, the bride is not expected to be overdressed or over glamorized to the extent that is usually anticipated. Makeup for the bride (or bridesmaids) must accentuate features and cover blemishes without appearing too fabricated.
Like most weddings, it is recommended to invest in the Asian wedding makeup procedures well ahead of the ceremony. A few weeks or even months in advance, the bride and bridesmaids should all prepare for the big day by coordinating their treatments and products. Ensure that every person’s skin, hair, and teeth are all in good condition via facials, highlights, and whitening.
While it is best to have makeup applied by a professional (especially an Asian makeup artist), not every wedding can afford the best preparation, and makeup artists can command top dollar. As such, have trial sessions of all makeup arrays and ensure each woman in the procession has the right procedure. Above all, make sure the makeup colors do not clash with the outfits, which are often more colorful and at a higher risk of “clashing” than traditional American all-white wedding gowns.
At the big day, moisturize all affected areas of skin, especially the lips and eyebrows. Pluck any excess hairs from the brows and color to accentuate the framing of the eyes. Make sure concealers blend with skin color and the sheen is not too revealing under the brightest lights. If a professional photographer is taking pictures, ask him or her what the best applications are to avoid looking artificial in the pictures. In many Asian weddings, brides use skin patterns of floral or lacy arrays, which may not show on photos. These patterns are called henna, and are arranged to show respect to a family or symbolize an event.
Regardless of the complexity and budget of the wedding, the best Asian makeup tips are to prepare for the realities and limitations of the details of an Asian wedding, plan out your makeup to look lovely but not draw undue attention to yourself, and get help from a makeup technician with experience in catering to Asian needs.