It's true, all eyes are always on the bride.  Unless your name is Gisele, you will be photographed more on your wedding day than any other day in your life.  Flawless, camera-ready makeup is a must.   While every bride dreams of a professional glam squad on her special day, budgets can dictate otherwise.  Whether you go pro or do it yourself, do an advance trial and take test shots.  Here are some pointers for a perfect bridal beauty.

Products to Avoid and Color Selection

Chicago bridal beauty guru Sonia Roselli insists that brides avoid products with SPF, seemingly counterintuitive advice based on years of experience.  Moisturizers and foundations with SPF contain high levels of titanium dioxide.  The same way it works to deflect the sun's harmful rays, it will make a camera's flash bounce right off of your face.  The result is an undesirable, ghostly white look.  Titanium dioxide is a key ingredient in mineral makeup, so if minerals are your mainstay then you will need a Plan B.

Top New York City makeup artist Leora Edut advises brides to avoid all non-waterproof products, including kohl eyeliners that are likely to smudge or run down a crying bride's face.  Timing is everything for Edut, who tells brides to schedule facials or waxing a week before the wedding to avoid redness.  Edut also encourages brides to look for inspiration photos of women with coloring similar to their own.  For brides with fair or medium complexions natural shades are best, while women of color can go bolder.  Edut loves deep plums and copper tones for African American women and golds and orange tones for Indian and Latina brides.  In general, neutral tones photograph better than pastels. 

Smooth Skin

Roselli tells brides to follow their regular routine on the morning of the wedding and apply light moisturizer and eye cream prior to makeup application.  A makeup primer provides a smooth base, filling in lines and pores for a look that lasts.  When it comes to photo-ops, matte foundation is your best bet, set with a light dusting of powder.  Once foundation is in place, apply eye primer sparingly, followed by two or three colors of powder eye shadow to contour and shade.

Eyes That Love the Camera

Roselli and Edut agree that liner and lashes make eyes pop.  Both favor cream or gel liners for their beautiful look and water-resistance.  Use a flat angled brush to tap the liner into the lash line or a skinny angled brush to apply in several small sweeps.  False eyelashes take practice but the effect is amazing.  You may want to spring for lash extensions a few days before the wedding.  If not, then your eye makeup sequence depends on your lashes - apply strip lashes before waterproof mascara, individual lashes afterwards.  DIY brides may have an easier time applying lashes looking down into a mirror on a table or enlisting a talented friend.  Concealer comes next, layered lightly for coverage with the appropriate brush, then dusted with powder to set. 

The Proverbial Blushing Bride

When it comes to blush, brides should wear more than they think they need, blending thoroughly with a great soft brush. Brides with drier complexions should apply cream blush before a final dusting of powder.  Lips come last.  If you have dramatic eyes then go for a toned-down lip using lip pencil and gloss, or for a vintage Hollywood look do bold lips with neutral eyes. 

Plan ahead.  The hours leading up to your wedding will set the tone for your day.  If you hire a makeup artist then make sure that you can communicate and connect with her, as she will be there with you and your family.  If you do your own makeup then schedule an advance run-through with a friend and ask her to be on hand when you primp.  Have a digital camera on hand for final test shots with flash.  Give yourself plenty of time, work in a well-lit area and get ready to wow the crowd.