Whether they’re brown, blue, hazel, green, or somewhere in between there’s no doubt you want your eyes to look amazing on your big day! Below you’ll find some of my favorite tips for getting stand-out wedding day eyes. Regardless of whether you’re a makeup minimalist or are going for the glam, these pointers will get you moving in the right direction!

1. Start with your brows- well-groomed brows are the perfect frame for your face so take some time in getting them ready. Finding the right shape for your face is essential since too thick brows can make you look tired while brows that are too thin can leave you looking constantly surprised! If you’re a tweezing pro then just follow your normal routine as you prepare for your wedding. If you’re a novice then you might want to let an expert get you started. Schedule a session with a reputable salon and have your eyebrows professionally shaped and waxed. Make sure that you do this several weeks before your wedding just in case your skin takes a while to recover! As your hair starts to grow back, simply pluck them away with tweezers following the arch that was created for you. Another option is to use an eyebrow pencil to draw in the shape you’d like for your brows then tweeze away any hairs that are outside the line. Make your eyebrows look flawless by filling them in with a brow pencil or powder in a color that matches your hair.

2. Take care of your skin- While many women use moisturizers for the rest of their face, the sensitive eye area is often forgotten. There are many great eye creams on the market that do everything from lessen the look of crow’s feet to removing dark circles and you should definitely take advantage of them. Even if you don’t have any special eye needs you should still be using a serum that will help keep your skin looking fresh, firm, and awake for your big day. I like to apply one about 3 times a week just before bedtime. Drinking plenty of water and getting as much sleep as possible are other great ways to keep your eyes looking bright and well-rested. If you wake up on your wedding day to find you still have circles or bags despite all of your efforts, don’t despair! There are a few things you can try that often work wonders! Pressing cold tea bags (the caffeinated kind work best) against your eyes for a few minutes helps to decrease puffiness. There are also eye-lifting creams you can purchase at a drug store or makeup counter that can reduce some of the swelling. If you end up with dark circles from a sleepless night a good concealer that is well-blended can help erase them. Don’t forget to dab it in the corners of your eyes too; it’s a spot many women tend to miss. Be careful not to apply too much concealer or pick one that is too light as this will leave you with an obvious difference between the area around your eyes and the rest of your face.

3. Use the right eye shadows- A great way to make your eyes look open and awake is to use a pale eye shadow as a highlighter. Creams or off-whites work really well for lighter skin tones and peaches look great against darker ones. Apply the shadow along your brow bone just beneath your brows. You can also dab a small amount under your eyes, beneath your lower lashes as long as you don’t go crazy with it! Worn correctly this can help reduce any dark patches and make your eyes really pop! Of course finding the right eye shadow for the rest of your lids is important too. If you’re going with a bold, stand-out color make sure that you only apply it below the crease so you don’t look like something from the ‘80’s and use a more neutral shade on top. If you like the smoky-eye look but don’t want to go with the charcoal hues consider using browns or dark greens instead. They give you the same great look with a twist! Choosing bronzes or golds can be a beautiful way to play up the natural look. They draw attention to your eyes without using lots of color.

4. Play up your lashes- Using the right mascara will give your eyes a finished, picture-perfect look. Black mascara is great for adding drama if you have dark hair or are looking for an extra pop. There are also browns, black-browns, and even auburns available so you’ll be able to find the perfect shade for your coloring. If you’re afraid of smudging or smearing, try a waterproof mascara that will stay in place throughout your wedding activities. You can add a layer of this over regular mascara if you’re not a big fan of the waterproof stuff; it will still help create more staying power. Another important tip: don’t forget to use your eyelash curler! Curl those lashes to make them look longer, thicker, and open up your eyes. I like to place the curler close to the base of my lashes first and then move it up about half way and do it again to really make them stand-out. Fake lashes are another alternative and can come in handy if yours are short or thin. They can also be the perfect touch for a neutral eye since they’ll add drama without making the whole look seem over the top.

Prevention is always best so do what you can pre-wedding to keep your eyes looking beautiful by drinking plenty of water, getting as much sleep as possible, and using the right products. By doing so your eyes will be something he can’t take his eyes off of!

- Kelsey Gonzalez