One of the most copied wedding makeup looks of the last few decades was done by the bride herself. In April 2011, PEOPLE reported that Kate Middleton had taken a few private lessons with London makeup artist Arabella Preston so she could do her own makeup for her wedding at Westminster Abbey. Her wedding planner told the magazine she wanted to keep some normality in her life. What people remember is how much it looked like her: glowing skin, defined eyes, soft cheeks and a lip close to her own color.

That is still the brief for wedding makeup, whether you do it yourself or hire someone. It has to last twelve or more hours, survive tears, hugs, kisses and a dance floor, and look like you in daylight, under reception lighting and in flash photos.

The work is mostly in the base. A gripping primer, a long-wear foundation, a concealer that does not crease, then powder only where you shine and a setting spray over everything. Waterproof formulas matter more on your wedding day than on any other day.

The first grid is long-wear base, from primer to setting spray. The second is eyes, cheeks and lips that last. My tip: do a full trial run at least a month before, wear it for a whole day and take flash photos at night, so you know what moves before it matters.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is the most reviewed product in this edit, and it earns it. It brightens and corrects with medium, buildable coverage and a natural radiant finish that lasts up to 16 hours. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat is the lighter option, a click pen that adds radiance and smooths fine lines without shimmer, which is what you want under the eyes in photos.

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer is a gel that grips makeup for up to 12 hours and hydrates with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. For foundation, Estée Lauder Double Wear now comes in a lightweight natural-matte version with up to 36 hours of wear and oil control. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear is medium to full coverage for up to 24 hours, waterproof and resistant to sweat, humidity and transfer, and it ties for the best rating in this grid.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Powder is finely milled and mattifies, blurs and sets. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is waterproof and made to stop makeup from melting or settling into lines for up to 16 hours. Urban Decay All Nighter is the classic spray, with up to 24-hour wear and a transfer-resistant finish.

What I would skip: a heavy matte foundation if your skin is dry. Use the Milk primer under a thin layer and set only the T-zone.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion is the most reviewed product in this grid and the reason eyeshadow stays put through a long day. It is a nude base that keeps color vibrant and crease-free. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick goes on in one swipe and is waterproof for up to 24 hours, and a soft shade like Blushing Peach reads well in photos. Benefit Fan Fest mascara fans lashes out side to side and adds volume.

For cheeks, Benefit Benetint is a waterproof lip and cheek stain that gives a buildable flush and does not fade or transfer. Huda Beauty Blush Filter is a liquid blush with micro-pearls for a soft-focus glow, and it ties for the best rating here.

For lips, a stain is the smart choice. Clarins Water Lip Stain is matte and kiss-proof for up to 24 hours. Huda Beauty Lip Contour is a lip stain and liner hybrid that stays smudge-proof and transfer-proof for 12 hours, and it is the other top-rated pick here. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Hollywood Vixen is the classic lipstick option, long-lasting and hydrating, and easy to touch up from a clutch.

What I would skip: a glossy lip for the ceremony. A stain or matte lipstick holds up through kisses and photos, and you can add gloss later for the reception.

I think the best wedding makeup looks like you on a very good day. Build it on a gripping primer, a long-wear base and a setting spray, keep eyes soft and cream-based, and put the lasting color in stains instead of glosses. Do a trial run, take photos with flash and pack a small kit with concealer, powder and your lip color. Kate Middleton practiced before her own wedding in 2011, and that trial run is still the best tip I have.