Planning · 1 min read
Bridal Makeup Timeline: When to Start Planning Your Wedding Makeup
Updated
The calmest brides on the wedding morning are the ones who planned their beauty months earlier. Here’s a realistic month-by-month timeline. Adjust it if your engagement is shorter, but keep the order.
6–12 months before
- Decide whether you’re hiring a makeup artist or doing your own makeup.
- If you’re hiring, book now. Good bridal artists are often booked up a year ahead for popular dates.
- Start a mood board of makeup looks you love.
3–4 months before
- Settle into a consistent skincare routine and wear SPF every day.
- See a dermatologist about any ongoing skin concerns.
- If you’re doing your own makeup, start practising the techniques now. Our course is designed for this window.
1–2 months before
- Hold your makeup trial, ideally with your hair done and a white top on.
- Shape your brows professionally, then maintain them yourself.
- Have your last facial or peel no later than 3–4 weeks before the wedding.
- Buy your touch-up lipstick and powder.
The final week
- No new products, treatments or tanning.
- Exfoliate gently, at the latest 2–3 days before.
- Pack your touch-up kit and confirm timings with your artist and photographer.
- Clean all your brushes if you’re doing your own makeup.
The night before and the morning of
- Sleep, drink water and go easy on salt and alcohol.
- Do a gentle cleanse, then hydrate, moisturise and let it absorb before any makeup.
- Finish your makeup 30–45 minutes before the first photos.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book my bridal makeup artist?
Six to twelve months before the wedding. Popular artists book up early for peak dates.
When should I start my bridal skincare routine?
About three months before the wedding, which gives your skin several renewal cycles to improve.
How long does bridal makeup take on the wedding day?
Allow 45–60 minutes for the bride and 30–40 minutes for each person in the bridal party.
For the full skincare plan by skin type, see our lesson on the bridal skin-prep timeline.
