A Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Makeup

As the big day gets closer, you may find yourself checking your wedding planning timeline over and over again, ensuring you get all the final details. Though the work towards your dream bridal look doesn’t stop the moment you purchase your wedding dress, the following steps can be just as much fun. One element to think about for the special day is how you’ll style your bridal makeup. Choosing whether to do a smokey eye or a dewy, natural look can make or break your overall theme. Begin your journey to find your ideal combination by exploring our helpful tips and trending styles for wedding makeup inspiration.

Popular wedding makeup looks

There are some bridal makeup ideas that remain trending for various reasons. Whether it’s because they don’t require many touch ups or go with a wide variety of bridal styles, uncover the unique aspects of some common makeup looks below.

Natural wedding makeup

Natural makeup is best for brides searching for a low-maintenance look that suits the theme of a more relaxed wedding day. This style focuses heavily on your natural features, without using heavy or bold shades. Some may have a dewy finish to create a soft gleam as the light gently hits your face. Choose a pink lipstick and subtle eyeliner to accompany your beach wedding look for a relaxed yet elegant ensemble.  

Simple wedding makeup

Similar to the natural look, simple, or neutral makeup, is a step up by using only neutral tones. Though the colors are simple, this look can consist of more foundation, well-defined contouring, and more layers of mascara or false eyelashes. It may feel like a lot of makeup to normally non-makeup wearers, but the overall style is still meant to emphasize your natural features with a flawless finish. For those searching for wedding makeup ideas for a bridal look for small ceremonies, this may be best for you. 

Soft glam wedding makeup

Hoping to achieve a vintage bridal look? Consider soft glam as an even more elevated version of the no-makeup or natural makeup trend. Some distinctive features include a striking cat eye with long lashes and a shimmery eye shadow. Add vintage flair to complement your 90s wedding dress style by outlining your lips in a darker shade, or opt for a vibrant red lip for a Hollywood soft glam wedding makeup look. 

Wedding eye makeup

Knowing some of the most popular trends can help you narrow down what you’re hoping for on your big day, but you may already have features you wish to highlight over others. For brides searching to draw attention to their eyes, consider focusing on wedding eye makeup tailored to your eye color. Then, you can curate the rest of your look based on your eyeshadow and eyeliner. Here are some helpful ways you can emphasize your favorite feature. 

Wedding makeup for blue eyes

Simple makeup tips, like lining your eyes in a lighter shade or choosing a warmer color for your eyeshadow, can help showcase your blue eyes. Create a beach bridal makeup look complete with a royal blue eyeliner as a subtle twist that ensures your light eyes remain the center of attention. Similarly, a bridal makeup look structured around eyeshadow with warmer tones, such as gold or orange, creates a striking contrast against your cool eyes. 

Wedding makeup looks for brown eyes

Highlight your warm, brown eyes on your special day by opting for a smokey-eye wedding makeup look. The dramatic, ombré effect adds a dimensional element for a visually stunning contrast. Alternatively, for those who prefer a more neutral bridal makeup look, line the inside of your eyes with a subtle copper or bronze eyeliner to bring out the natural sparkle of your eye color. 

Wedding lipstick looks

For brides who prefer to draw attention to their luscious lips, curate a makeup look for your wedding day centered around the shade of lipstick. By picking out the hue first, the rest of your makeup can elegantly complement your preferred lipstick color. Below are a few helpful tips on choosing the right tone for you. 

Selecting a lipstick for the time of year

Effortlessly create an unforgettable fall bridal makeup look by opting for a deeper hue, such as plum or dark red. The darker shade will complement the season’s palette and easily pairs with a neutral eyeshadow. Alternatively, for spring or summer ceremonies, consider a light pink for a natural look, or showcase your bold style with a vibrant color that ensures your lips remain the focal point. 

Finding a bridal lipstick that complements you

Instead of selecting a wedding lipstick based on the time of year, pick out a hue that best pairs with your skin tone. For those with cool undertones, some fair skin wedding makeup that may suit you best consist of lipstick with blue or purple undertones. Brides with warmer tones should choose lipstick or gloss with a warmer hue, such as bold orange or deep brown. Alternatively, for those with neutral undertones, wedding makeup that best complements darker skin can include a variety of lipstick, including deep wine or a warm pink, allowing you to have your pick. 

Overall, your dream bridal look can depend on your wedding makeup preference. Whether you prefer to go for a popular style or are hoping to create your own, consider doing your full makeup look at your bridal hair trial appointment to make any adjustments before the big day. With these helpful tips in mind, you can begin curating your unique makeup style and get even closer to finalizing the remaining details of your wedding day look.