Building Your Bridal Makeup Kit: Primers

As a professional makeup artist, your kit is one of your most prized possessions! Each product is carefully researched and selected, and you take a great deal of pride in the performance of each one.

When it comes to bridal makeup, primer is one of the most important products in your makeup kit. Your bridal client wants to look as radiant as possible on her wedding day, and the right primer will act as a barrier between the skin and makeup, ensuring that products go on smoothly and last throughout the whole day.

Build your bridal makeup kit with this helpful guide to primers that will stand the test of time on your client’s wedding day!

What is Makeup Primer?

Moisturizer may be the first step to a glowing, beautiful look, but primer is truly where the look begins. Primers create a flawless base for makeup, smooth fine lines, minimize pores, and prep the skin for what comes next. As a bridal makeup artist, it’s your job to ensure that your client’s makeup not only stays put for the entire day, but continues to look stunning as the day progresses. Primer is an absolute must for your makeup kit!

Types of Primers

As with any makeup product, it is essential to choose the best option for your client’s skin type. It’s also important to keep in mind that each bride is different, and will have unique ideas on how they want to look on their wedding day. Here are some common skin types, and a primer recommendation for each:

• Combination skin: A bride with combination skin will need a primer that is, literally, a combination of different features—a great choice is a primer that won’t create a matte finish but also won’t create excess shine. Recommendation: Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer


• Oily skin: Matte is the name of the game for brides with oily skin! Primers with mattifying features will ensure makeup goes on smoothly and will prevent skin from becoming greasy as the day progresses. Recommendation: Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Foundation Prime


• Dry skin: Brides with dry skin will need a primer that is hydrating and light in order to brighten skin and create a dewy, soft finish. Recommendation: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Prime>


• Sensitive skin: If your bridal client struggles with acne or sensitive skin in general, primer is a god send. As a product that smooths imperfections, minimizes pores, and softens skin, it is the perfect base for any makeup look, and certain primers actually contain anti-acne treatments to help troubled skin underneath makeup. Recommendation: bareMinerals Blemish Remedy Mattifying Prep Gel

We recommend keeping different types of primers in your kit (3-4) to suit different skin tones and preferences. This will ensure you are prepared and organized when creating your bridal client’s long-lasting wedding day look!

Applying Primer

When it comes to bridal makeup, you need to select products that can work some serious overtime. As mentioned above, your client wants to look and feel her best throughout the entire day, and that means that makeup needs to stay put as much as possible (small touch-ups can be made throughout the day, as needed).

Beginning with a cleansed face, apply a moisturizer that suits your client’s skin type, and wait several minutes for the skin to absorb the cream. Then, using your fingertips, start in the center of the face and use a pea-sized amount of primer for the whole face, creating a light coverage. Again, wait several minutes before applying foundation, as the primer will need to set properly on the skin in order to act as a barrier between the skin and makeup.

Voila! Your bridal client’s skin is fully prepared for the gorgeous look she’ll wear on the most important day of her life, and it’s all due to the right type of primer.

Now that you know the importance of primer for bridal clients, find out how you can become a bridal makeup artist!