It’s thanks to 20 or so blushing brides in Provo, Utah, that Spencer Barnes became a celebrity makeup artist. Back in the early aughts, he was a film student at Brigham Young University with a knack for cosmetic special effects. But a series of wedding-makeup side jobs led him to cross over to the beauty realm.
Now a premier face painter, Barnes, 38, works with stars like Angie Harmon, Vanessa Hudgens and fellow Utahn Julianne Hough, who got engaged to hockey player Brooks Laich in August and has already booked her longtime buddy for her big day.
“I always recommend going with something timeless,” says Los Angeles-based Barnes. “No one wants to look back at photos and say, ‘Why did I use that lip liner?’ ”
In other words, save the trendy makeup for a night out and focus on creating a look that’s as gorgeous at the altar as it will be in wedding photos. The first step is to perfect the skin, rendering it camera-ready. Matte foundation can look flat in pictures, and dewy can photograph with exaggerated hot spots, so Barnes recommends formulas with subtle sheen.
Next, subtly shade cheekbones with a contour powder or a bronze. “That will give back structure to the face that you lose with a flash,” he says. Don’t forget blush on the apple of the cheek.
Eye makeup needs to be turned up a notch with brow liner and individual or soft false lashes. “It’s about the lash density for photos,” says Barnes. Many brides cry tears of joy, so waterproof mascara and eyeliner are a wise choice. As for shadow, Barnes suggests a base, followed by dimensional color. Smoky eye makeup can appear “too clubby.”
Plush lips are the finishing touch. Lip liner will give “a crisper edge” for photos. Top it off with a lip color “that balances out your makeup, brings your face to life but doesn’t overpower it, and is good for the overall tone of the wedding,” advises Barnes.
And don’t worry if it smudges when it’s time to kiss the bride.
Barnes’ Big Day Picks:
Beautiful brows
“It’s phenomenal — you can pen-stroke hairs or fill in gently.”
Kevyn Aucoin The Precision Brow Pencil, $26 at sephora.com
Blemish-free bride
“This concealer is oil-free, waterproof and it doesn’t break down easily with tears.”
Lancôme Effacernes concealer, $31 at saksfifthavenue.com
Easy on the eyes
“Pick a neutral one and it really helps the eye color to stay in place.”
Eye Silk, $25 at beautybypiret.com
Sleek and smooth
“It’s a cream treatment and makeup in one. I like to apply it with a sponge.”
Chantecaille Future Skin foundation, $76 at nordstrom.com
Pretty peck
“This has a really nice berry tint that can be layered underneath lip colors as a base. If the lipstick wears off, you still have color left behind.”
Benefit Benetint Cheek Lip Stain, $30 at sephora.com
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