“I’m getting married; what are my makeup essentials?”

dear apricot,

As you know, I’m getting married in August. It’s an outdoor civil ceremony with lots of quirkiness. I plan on going to Sephora next week to pick up the affordable essentials to supplement my existing drugstore makeup. My question for you: What can I not leave Sephora without purchasing for my big day?

For some inspiration: My dress is a white satin tea-length halter with a royal purple fluffy petticoat underneath. The flowers will be an assortment of Gerber daisies. My hair will be curly and down with a daisy or two tucked in it. The boy will be in a grey suit with a purple shirt.

— Renee, from Belle Renee.

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Renee,

Firstly, congratulations on your wedding! I love the way your wedding sounds; very simple, intimate, & heartfelt (the way it should be). & your dress sounds gorgeous!

You said in your letter that you needed some “affordable essentials” from Sephora to add to your makeup collection for your big day. Keep in mind: Sephora isn’t the most cheapest place to shop. But they do have some amazing must-have products that don’t break the bank. So here are some of my favorite makeup things, at a reasonable price (for Sephora):

(for product information, click here.)

1.) NARS blush in Orgasm – $25

Quite possibly the best blush ever made (& a top seller, at that!). Orgasm is an apricot color, with flecks of gold inside, & it gives your skin a natural, healthy glow. This shade is universal & pretty much works with every kind of skin tone — even dark shades! (I would know; this is the only blush I wear.) & the pigments are rich, so you won’t need to put a lot on. Just a quick dab of your brush into the compact will do, & you’re good to go.

Now, you might be thinking, “But $25 for blush? Doesn’t that seem a little outrageous?!” I thought this too, until I just took the plunge & bought it, just to see what all the fuss is about. & I am so very glad I did because I’m hooked. I will never buy drugstore blush again.

2.) Lorac cheek/lip stain in Sheer Emotion – $20

If you’re not a big lipstick wearer, a water-based stain would be perfect for you. You can use a stain for your lips or cheeks, if you’re feeling extra rosy. Just apply a thin layer, let it dry, & your lips (or cheeks) will be stained for hours. Stains are very, very lightweight & there is no residue, so you won’t need to worry about reapplying, or if the color will come out on anyone else’s cheeks. It stays put. Typically, stains are much more natural looking than lipsticks & the color comes out ultra sheer. But if you want the color to be more dramatic, keep applying layers.

3.) Sephora by OPI nail polish – $9

I’m sure you’ll want your fingers & toes looking just as pretty on your wedding day (perhaps in a lovely shade of purple?), & this nail polish is divine. OPI is one of the best nail polishes out there, because the pigments are true to color & they don’t wear off as easily as cheap drugstore brands. Just make sure to apply the polish in very thin, even coats, letting each coat dry completely before adding another. Doing that ensures that your polish will last for days & won’t chip (because chipping is caused by gloppy polish).

4.) DiorShow Mascara in black – $24

This mascara is a top seller, as well, & has created quite the cult-like following. DiorShow will make your eyelashes thick, long, & curly, all at the same time. Just a few coats & you’ll look like you’re wearing false lashes! If you’re applying more than one coat, don’t wait until the first coat is dry before applying another one. Your eyelashes should be slightly damp still from the previous coat before you layer on another. Doing this while your lashes are still a little wet will prevent from getting clumpy. Also, you may want to get it in waterproof to keep those tears of joy at bay!

5. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Crash & YDK – $16

I wasn’t sure if you wear eyeshadow, but I think on your wedding day, a beautiful shade of purple — to compliment your wedding dress & your (soon to be) husband’s shirt — would look beautiful! But… if the idea of wearing purple eyeshadow gives you the willies (& that’s quite alright, because it makes me a little nervous as well) try a golden, nude color. A perfect amount of subtle color will give your eyes a beautiful, shimmery glow, & won’t be too overpowering.

6.) bareMinerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer – $16

& before you apply your eyeshadow, put a primer on your lids to give the powder extra staying power. Not only does a primer keep your eyeshadow in place, but it pronounces the color even more, making it vibrant. This primer is lightweight, oil-free, fragrance-free, & won’t interfere with any shade of your eyeshadow. Perfect for your wedding, because it lasts all day.

7.) Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 – $42

I know you said you wanted affordable products, but I couldn’t help but add this one to the list. It’s a bit pricey, yes, but for good reason. This is one of the best tinted moisturizers out there (another top seller in Sephora). It gives your skin just a hint of color, with a healthy, radiant glow, but it’s so lightweight that it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing anything. This is perfect if you don’t want to apply a thick layer of foundation & powder for your wedding day, & would rather keep your skin looking natural & illuminated. & it’s formulated with SPF 20, so you’ll be protected from the sun. I prefer tinted moisturizers because they feel so wonderful on my skin & they really allow my natural skin complexion to shine through on its own, while still hiding the blemishes.

Keep in mind, you don’t need ALL of these products for your special day, but getting a select few for would suffice, I think.

I hope you have a beautiful wedding. Relish in every moment.

— apricot.

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