4 Steps to Looking Flawless in Your Engagement Photos

 
Photo: Alison Conklin Photography

You've taken the perfect #EngagementRingSelfie, you've screamed "I"m engaged!" from the loudest social media rooftops, and now it's time to announce your happily ever after to the world with the perfect engagement photo session. But what about your makeup for those photos? Sure we all know that wedding day beauty is of the utmost importance, but these photos should also stand the test of time — and that starts with your beauty look. Lucky for you we've partnered with our friends at Pixi Beauty to get you engagement photo-ready in four easy steps.

1. Get Started on That Bridal Glow

We'll never tire of saying this: The bridal glow all starts with taking great care of your skin! Upping your water consumption should be first on your list, but after you schedule your engagement photo session it's time to get serious about skincare. Enter Pixi's iconic Glow Tonic ($29) — the glow is in the name! — for a healthier and firmer complexion by photo shoot date. Ginseng and glycolic acid help tone and firm, while Aloe Vera makes this alcohol-free toner soothing and hydrating. Add this product to your day and night routine, after cleansing, to see glowing results. Finish off with the all over Glow Mist ($14).

2. Show Off Your Skin With Barely-There Foundation

Wedding photos and lighting can be more intense, but engagement portraits are often shot during the day, with nothing but natural sunlight to highlight your features. Take advantage of that lighting and go for a foundation that makes you look and feel as natural and easy as possible — after all these portraits won't feel as formal as your big day photos. Forget a face full of caked on makeup; the idea here is to let your natural beauty shine through. It all starts with prepping the skin (aka the glow), and adding coverage slowly, as needed, so that you look more au natural. Skip the powder and start with a redness reducing primer (Redness Reducing Primer, $22), followed by a light beauty fluid (Flawless Beauty Fluid, $30) to even out the skin tone with a barely-there look. A dab of a concealer and highlighter combo (Illuminating Tint & Conceal, $24) in all the right spots (read under the eyes — don't forget the corners — the brow bone, and cupid's bow) should be the final touch.

3. Be the Blushing Bride

The glow is the first step, and now you want to add that "I'm so in love" rosy flush. They'll never know you aren't a naturally blushing bride with a gel based cheek color. Dab on a hint of Pixi's Sheer Cheek Gel ($14) in Rosy or Natural for a look that hydrates and soothes while giving off that subtle radiance every bride craves.

4. A Natural Lip

While you want some color, a bold lip could be the difference between timeless photos and something that looks trend-driven and outdated 10 years from now. A light tinted balm (Tinted Brilliance Balm, $14) crayon should do the trick — giving you a dewy lip, without any stickiness, and just a hint of color.