I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in my friend’s wedding, and I chose to do my own makeup. Our dresses were dusy blue, so I opted for a cool-toned makeup look using my tried and true products.

My makeup successfully lasted for more than 10 hours in 100-degree heat, so I’m sharing my top tips for longwear, special occasion makeup.

• Skin prep is critical. Your makeup will only ever look as good as your skin feels, so take the extra time to cater to your individual skin type.
• Setting spray is your best friend. Find one that works for your skin type, and apply it before, during and after applying your makeup. You can also spray it onto your beauty sponge while blending out products for extra longevity.
• Work in light layers. If you want your makeup to show up in photos, you have to apply more than you normally would, but you have to be strategic about it. I was wearing a lot of makeup, but instead of applying each product in one thick layer, I worked in multiple light layers to gradually build up the intensity. For example, I applied a thin layer of foundation all over my face and then applied a little more just to the areas where I needed it. I layered power blush and bronzer over my cream blush and bronzer, and used multiple blushes to add dimension.
• Practice makes perfect. I did my own makeup trial ahead of the event to ensure all the skincare and makeup formulas layered well together and wore well throughout the day. This prevents issues like pilling and patchiness as well as looking too dry or oily by the end of the day.

To prep my skin for the wedding, I exfoliated the night before to avoid any cakiness or dry patches, and I did my usual hydrating skincare routine the morning of. Then, about 15 minutes before I started my makeup, I added the Rhode Glazing Milk and the iNN Beauty Extreme Cream Moisturizer, allowing them to fully melt into my skin. I have dry skin, so between the more full coverage foundation and the layers of setting power, extra hydration was really critical for me. If you have oily skin, this would look different.

Instead of using primer, I applied the Saie Glowy Super Gel in Starlight for added grip and glow and then sprayed my first layer of the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray.

For special occasions, I have been loving the Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Foundation. It’s medium-to-full coverage with a longwear, satin finish. I wear N9 and pressed it into my skin with a dense brush to maintain coverage. This was key to makeup lasting as long as it did.

The Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer is just as amazing as the foundation. I applied N7 to my under eyes as well as the center of my forehead and chin to brighten.

For cream bronzer, I applied the Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Transforming Skin Enhancer in Medium Dark to the perimeter of my face, and then for cream contour, I used the Morphe Shapelifter Micro Contour Stick in Refined.

Blush is always the first to fade and I wanted a more blush heavy look, so I worked in layers. I started by applying a muted rosy beige, the cream from the Patrick Ta Major Headlines Creme & Powder Blush Duo in She’s Seductive, more broadly over my cheeks and temples. Then, I popped the Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Hope, a brighter pinky nude, to the apples of my cheeks.

Once I was done with all of the cream products, I sprayed my second layer of setting spray.

I then applied my L’Oreal Infallible Blur-Fection Loose Setting Powder in Light Pink. I started by using a small fluffly brush to add a light layer to my T-Zone, and then I used a powder puff to lightly bake my under eye area for extra brightness.

Layering powders over creams really helps build intensity and lasting powder. For powder contour, I used the Biscuit shade from the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks + Face Trace Sculpting Powder Duo.

I used the powder from the Patrick Ta Blush Duo as well.

I also used the pink shade from the Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette in 001 Universal as a blush topper, and the tiniest amount of the white shade to the high points of my cheekbones.

For added definition, I applied a small amount of concealer and then setting powder under my cheekbones. This small step makes all the difference for photos.

At this point, I used my third and final layer of setting spray.

The Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette in The Neutrals is essential for a cool-toned makeup look. I gradually added dimension to my crease and lower lashline using the more mid-tone beige shades and to my outer corner using the darker browns and the blue-gray. I patted the lightest bone shade in the palette onto my inner corner and the center of my lid for more contrast.

I then applied a light layer of the white shade from the Dior Backstage Glow palette to the center of my eyelids for a subtle shimmer.

For a soft, winged eyeliner, I used the new Maybelline Sculpting Stix Eyeliner in Smooth Espresso and then smudged it out with the darkest brown shade from the Mario palette.

I paid the makeup artist to apply waterproof mascara and fake eyelashes, so I’m not sure which ones she used.

I lined my lips with the Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Toasty, a pink brown, filling in the outer corners and then overlining in the center. The formula is more stiff, so it’s extra long lasting but still comfortable.

In my clutch, I kept the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stix in Blaz’d Donut and the Lawless Forget The Filler Lip Gloss in Skinny Dip to touch up throughout the evening. These are both pale pinky nudes, and the contrast with the lip liner photographs beautifully.

Thank you to Makeup By Kelli Anne for inspiring this look! I incorporated techniques from the Longwear Makeup Cool Tone tutorial on her platform, and my makeup looked flawless all night despite the heat wave and all the dancing.

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