Preparation

Every woman can agree that smudged, smeared eye makeup is nothing short of a nuisance on the average day, which is why it’s especially frustrating on your wedding day. As you smile for photos and greet family and friends at cocktail hour and the reception, the last thing you want to be thinking about is whether or not your eyeshadow is still in place. As far as big-day beauty goes, waterproof products are the gold standard, and that goes for your eyeshadow, too.

After all, a wedding day is a day like no other: There are a lot of factors to consider, including the very real possibility that tears (happy ones, of course) will be shed, the elements you’ll be exposed to, and the fact that you’ll want to hit the dance floor without worrying about ending up with raccoon eyes. Waterproof eyeshadow, expertly applied by a professional makeup artist, will help ensure your beauty look remains flawless from the beginning of the day to the end. If you can book your beauty team to stay throughout the day for makeup touch-ups, that’s even better.

If we’ve sold you on the importance of waterproof wedding-day eyeshadow, the great news is there are so many options, from a wide variety of beauty brands, to choose from. Talk to your makeup artist about your desire for a long-lasting option or consider some of our top picks, which we’ve outlined below. One note? Eyelid primer is a must, even when using products that promise long-wear. Applying a primer, which essentially holds the products on your skin longer and prevents creasing, is a simple way to help ensure your look lasts.