Makeup Artist Daniel Martin on How to Get Glowing Skin for Your Wedding Day
September 15 | 5 minute read
Words by Arabella Roden
There’s a few celebrity makeup artists whose tips we’d give anything to know – and Daniel Martin is one of them, with his artistry gracing the faces of everyone from Barbie director Greta Gerwig to the iconic Michelle Yeoh, Zoë Saldaña and 2000s It-girl Olivia Palermo.
He’s also the man responsible for his close friend Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s timeless 2018 wedding look, which has become his signature: natural and effortless, elevating and embracing each individual's features instead of covering or changing them.
All of which brings us to today’s topic: wedding day skincare (and yes, we asked about the grooms too!). As Tatcha’s Global Director of Artistry and Education, Martin believes beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin; here’s how he puts that principle into action for his clients on their special day – and how you can, too.
He’s also the man responsible for his close friend Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s timeless 2018 wedding look, which has become his signature: natural and effortless, elevating and embracing each individual's features instead of covering or changing them.
All of which brings us to today’s topic: wedding day skincare (and yes, we asked about the grooms too!). As Tatcha’s Global Director of Artistry and Education, Martin believes beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin; here’s how he puts that principle into action for his clients on their special day – and how you can, too.
What should brides focus on in terms of skincare on their wedding day?
DM: “On their big day, there are two areas that I recommend brides focus on: keeping their skin hydrated under makeup and also ensuring their makeup can last for hours under bright lights. My winning duo for this is moisturising with The Water Cream and locking down foundation with The Liquid Silk Canvas Primer. This should keep their makeup lasting for hours!”
Are there any skincare ingredients, devices or treatments brides should use – and any they should avoid – on their wedding day or the night before?
DM: “Stay away from harsh exfoliating acids on the day, because it can be sensitising to the skin when makeup is layered on top of it. Make sure you’re doing a good cleansing and moisturising routine, always; one of my favourite cleansers to recommend is The Rice Wash, which helps cleanse the skin without stripping it.
“If you want to do some [de-puffing or] lifting the day of the wedding, take the time to do a gentle hydrating facial and incorporate massage techniques using a face roller or gua sha.”
On the day of the wedding, how do you prep a bride’s skin for makeup?
DM: “I treat this day like I would treat it for my clients on the red carpet. As a first step, I gently exfoliate the skin with Tatcha's The Texture Tonic on a cotton pad, followed by the hydrating Essence to replenish the skin and Violet-C Brightening Serum to soften and smooth skin for a more radiant and even complexion.
“Then, I go in with a moisturiser that is suited to their skin type, like The Water Cream or The Dewy Skin Cream. I finish off using either The Silk Canvas or The Liquid Silk Canvas primer to ensure any makeup I put on top will stay put!
“If makeup starts to break up on the skin throughout the day, I use The Luminous Dewy Skin Mist to refresh and replenish moisture. These steps leave the bride glowing for hours.”
“Then, I go in with a moisturiser that is suited to their skin type, like The Water Cream or The Dewy Skin Cream. I finish off using either The Silk Canvas or The Liquid Silk Canvas primer to ensure any makeup I put on top will stay put!
“If makeup starts to break up on the skin throughout the day, I use The Luminous Dewy Skin Mist to refresh and replenish moisture. These steps leave the bride glowing for hours.”
For grooms, what would you recommend in terms of skin prep and facial hair grooming on their wedding day?
DM: "Trim and tidy up any facial hair with an electric trimmer (don't forget the nose hair too!). You could definitely use the same skincare sequence I mentioned above, and finish with The Liquid Silk Canvas; this formula is perfect for normal-to-combination skin types to help blur large pores and mattify, where needed, on camera. Using it right after moisturising makes this product the best finishing touch on skin, and it doesn't feel like makeup.
"It is also important to make sure your lips are hydrated and nourished for the big moment – a thin layer of The Kissu Lip Mask will keep them soft!"
"It is also important to make sure your lips are hydrated and nourished for the big moment – a thin layer of The Kissu Lip Mask will keep them soft!"
Are there any skincare ingredients, devices or treatments grooms should use – and any they should avoid – on their wedding day?
DM: "Blotting papers like The Aburatorigami Blotting Sheets are the best to invest in – they cut the shine from your face throughout the day, and they are discreet and fit in your pocket. If you need to cover a blemish, there's some great flesh-toned pimple patches.
"If your skin is suffering from 'wedding rehearsal hangover', a great pick-me-up is a hydrating face mask, such as The Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask."
"If your skin is suffering from 'wedding rehearsal hangover', a great pick-me-up is a hydrating face mask, such as The Luminous Deep Hydration Lifting Mask."
