Cry-Proof Makeup

I confess: I'm as sappy as they come. Greeting cards, commercials, even adorable animals can make me cry -- and the ultimate in tear-inducing occasions? Yup, weddings. I'll sob even if I've never met the bride and groom. So I can only imagine the mess I'll be on my own wedding day. 


And while there's nothing wrong with expressing your feelings (or so I tell myself), it does pose a bit of a problem for wedding-day makeup: The last thing you want is to immortalize a streaky face in photos. 


There's help for all of us over-emoters yet! Waterproof formulas are about to become your (and my) new best friend, especially since today's formulas are a far cry from the old waterproof mascaras that clumped and lingered on your lids for a week. These new
products are lighter, easier to take off, smudge-proof, and sweat-resistant. Plus, there's everything from foundation and concealer to blush, eyeshadow, and eyeliner. 


To help us navigate this new waterproof world, I asked Wende Zomnir, co-founder and creative director of Urban Decay cosmetics, to share her favorite tips. "Wearing waterproof makeup on your wedding day is like beauty insurance," she says. "Tears of joy are bound to happen, so be prepared." She also adds that since waterproof makeup stays put, you won't have to touch up your face throughout the night (a nice bonus). 


Here are Wende's top tips: 


No. 1: Read the label
When looking for a waterproof product, make sure it actually says, "waterproof" not "water-resistant." There is a difference. With water-resistant makeup, a slight misty eye and your makeup will stay put, but a deluge of tears and you're almost guaranteed to smear. 


No. 2: Put 'em through the ringer
Testing your makeup (either in a professional trial or if you're doing your own makeup) is a must no matter what. This is especially true if you'll be wearing new formulas. So do a dress rehearsal a few weeks before your wedding to see how your skin reacts. Wende also suggests wearing your makeup in the shower so you know just how much water it can withstand. 


No. 3: If you only wear one waterproof product ...Make sure it's mascara! Giving those lashes a raincoat is the single most important thing you can do. When you cry, mascara is typically the first product to run. And non-waterproof mascara does not hold back when it gets wet, so you can count on black tracks running down the length of your face. (Try Urban Decay Cannonball Ultra Waterproof Mascara, $20.)


No. 4: If you only wear two waterproof products ...
Waterproof eyeliner comes in as a close second to waterproof mascara, because once you wipe a damp eye you end up smearing your eyeliner. Check out Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner, $18. It was formulated for water ballerinas, so it'll stay put even if you decide to plunge into the pool post-wedding. 


No. 5: Plan an exit strategy
There is one catch to wearing waterproof shades: No matter how much you scrub with a cleanser, they won't budge. So, make sure you invest in a good makeup remover, particularly one that's made for waterproof makeup. (One to try:Sephora Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, $6.)