Wedding planning requires endless Excel sheets and lists — beauty shopping for your bridal trousseau doesn’t need to be one of them. “For a bride's trousseau kit, the essentials should have a range of products that ensure a flawless, long-lasting look, which are easy to use, and allow the bride to create a look within a few minutes,” says Kajol R Paswwan, a celebrity and bridal make-up artist. We quizzed Paswwan, celebrity make-up artist Tanvi Chemburkar (you’ve seen her work on Isha Ambani at the Met Gala this year, along with recurring looks on Janhvi Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna), and bridal make-up artist and educator Shradha Luthra, to put together the ultimate shopping list to cover your every need for the post-nuptial events that follow and more.
Concealer
“A good concealer that perfectly matches your skin tone is a must have to cover all blemishes and [unevenness] on the face, forming a blank canvas for the rest of your make-up,” recommends Chemburkar. “Ideally, if you choose the right concealer, you can safely skip foundation and opt for a tinted moisturiser instead.” Her pick: The Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer.
Foundation
For the scale and longevity of events that call for more than just a dab of concealer or a veil of tinted moisturiser, it’s essential to have a foundation you can trust handy. The Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Glow Foundation has a hydration complex that ensures comfortable wear for long hours while allowing you to build on as much coverage as you need. Consider it that post-wedding glow, but bottled.
Setting Powder
A flawless base requires a little bit of assistance from a setting powder to come together for an even-toned, seamless finish. We recommend investing in the Too Faced Born This Way Setting Powder which is also infused with hyaluronic acid that gives your skin a natural, radiant finish. In fact, Paswwan recommends keeping a setting powder handy at all times in case you need to refresh your look.
Eyebrow Pencil
Well-defined brows are a no-brainer to frame your face, whether you’re creating a no-makeup makeup look or one for a high energy evening. Luthra suggests trusting in the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil for the perfect arches, every single time.
Eyeshadow Palette
Paswwan recommends picking an eyeshadow palette that offers a range of versatile, highly pigmented shades that can create both subtle and dramatic eye looks. Huda Beauty’s palettes will have you covered end to end, especially the Huda Beauty Empowered Eyeshadow Palette that combines warm hues with deeper tones and essential shimmers.
Waterproof Kajal
Luthra gives credit where it is due to the Bobbi Brown 24 Hour Waterproof Kajal Liner as a vanity bag staple. “Opt for a waterproof kajal to define your eyes. Whether you want a bold kohl look or a smoky effect, this product will add drama and intensity to your lids and is ideal for withstanding long days,” she says.
Mascara
No make-up look is complete without multiple coats of mascara and the M.A.C Cosmetics In Extreme Dimension Lash Mascara delivers on every level. Chemburkar loves that it adds volume and length without the clumpiness and gives a false lash effect.
Blush & Highlighter
We love a product that works double duty and palettes that cover multiple steps fit right into that category. The Smashbox Halo Contour Blush + Highlighter Palette comes equipped with a contour shade, a highlighter and two blush options, allowing you to go as subtle or as bold as you would like.
Lipstick
There is no better bullet than one from the limited edition Estée Lauder x Sabyasachi Lipstick Collection to include in your trousseau. They have a creamy matte formula that feels comfortable on your lips for hours, and it’s a tube that will look as beautiful on your dressing table as in your evening bag.
Setting Spray
We — along with Luthra — are betting on the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dewy Set Setting Spray as the product to reach out for your final makeup step. “A good setting spray is crucial to lock your make-up in place and keep it fresh all day. This one also hydrates your skin to maintain a radiant, dewy finish,” she explains.
