8 Hair and Makeup Tips for a Hot Summer Wedding
Our wedding was on June 25th, 2016. It was one of the hottest (and longest) days of the year. I’m also the type of person who is usually more hot than cold, and so is my husband. So naturally, we were concerned about the heat becoming a problem on one of the most important weekends of our lives. And let’s face it - as a bride, I worked hard to look a certain way and didn’t want my hair a frizzy disaster or my makeup running down my face as I’m saying “I do”.
If you’re also a summer bride, don’t sweat it. Here are some helpful tips to plan ahead so you can keep your cool on the big day:
1. Emergency kits are essential.
I personally made sure to have a larger emergency kit that stayed in the room with us when we were getting ready and then a smaller one on-hand (you can maybe have your maid of honor or close family member keep an eye on it for you - we had a bridal shed next to the main barn at our venue, so I kept it in there for last-minute touch-ups). Some of your emergency kit essentials can include:
Blotting wipes like Boscia’s green tea blotting linens
Powder foundation for touch-ups if the blotting wipes don’t eliminate enough shine
Lip liner, lipstick, and/or gloss (go for a long-lasting product like anything from the Revlon ColorStay Collection if your lipstick tends to wipe off easily)
Hair serum like Kérastase Sérum Oléo-Relax and/or Kérastase Travel-Size Spray Fluidissime. This stuff is magic. And it smells great too!
Travel-size deodorant and/or body wipes
There are plenty of other items you can include like bandaids, tissues, a tiny sewing kit, and more, but these are my go-to essentials for hot weather hair and makeup maintenance. Basically, it might be a good idea to take a Sephora trip before the wedding weekend.
2. Avoid moisturizers and body lotions.
Applying body lotion and/or moisturizer to your face and body will just add more hydration to your skin, which you definitely won’t need on a hot summer day. You can also use an oil-free primer before applying makeup to your face. Make sure you avoid oily products in general because you will certainly have enough shine from a little sweat with the hot weather alone (if anything, you will want to blot to get rid of extra shine).
3. Consider eyelash extensions.
If you’re anything like me, your mascara tends to run in hot weather, no matter which brand or how waterproof the product is. Bling Spa and Mink Lash Bar are fantastic alternatives to get that full and glamorous look without the worry of mascara running (I believe my makeup artist just touched my extensions up slightly with a hint of mascara but mostly just used an eyelash roller to make them “pop”).
4. Discuss airbrush versus traditional foundation.
Consider speaking with your makeup artist about an airbrush/spray foundation option to set and hold makeup in place in the hot weather. Every bride has different preferences and skin sensitivities, so it might be a good idea to try both airbrush and traditional makeup application in your trials with your MUA to see which you prefer. Keep in mind that airbrush application can also be more expensive and less versatile (might be difficult to naturally re-apply over streaks if crying) than everyday foundation.
5. Blast that A/C in advance.
Talk to your wedding planner or venues about blasting that A/C before you arrive so that you enter into cool places. Stress can also cause additional sweating, so you might want it cooler than normal (also, if you’re getting ready with a bunch of girls and/or guys, the additional bodies will keep everyone warm). Same goes for cars, buses, and other modes of transportation. If in a barn, make sure you plan ahead with the right fans (careful of fans that are too noisy and could potentially drown out speeches during the reception).
6. Keep hydrated at all times.
Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water (with ice) to keep your cool, increase energy, reduce fatigue, and get you focused and ready. Always make sure you have a straw to not ruin your lipstick. Even if it means running to the restroom a million times before the ceremony, it’s better to stay completely hydrated (and trust me, once everything starts, you won’t even have time to think about going to the restroom as often).
7. Have an emergency up-do hair plan for reception.
Keep extra hair ties and bobby pins in your traveling kit for an updo if/when needed. Once you start dancing the night away, it might not be a bad idea to take your hair up and off your neck. You can discuss ideas with your hair stylist during your hair trials on potential options and practice doing it yourself in front of him/her so you know exactly what to do on the big day if/when that time comes.
8. Less is more.
Unless you really have your heart set on hair extensions, you might not want the extra weight (or perhaps you can use them and pin everything up during the reception - see #7 for the emergency hair plan). The same rule applies to makeup. Avoid too much blush/bronzer or a smokey eye look. Keeping less makeup on your face decreases chances of creasing and smudge lines (the sun will also provide a natural glow).
The above tips are certainly useful so you can enjoy your wedding while still looking great on a hot summer day/night, but at a certain point, it’s important to remember to let loose and enjoy the experience. It’s better to prep in advance so that you can avoid stress on the actual wedding day. When I look back on our wedding day, I can’t believe how hot it was, but as you can see below, no one really cares once the drinks are flowing and the music and dancing get going:
