Glow on Your Big Day With These Natural Wedding Makeup Looks
You’ve had your dream wedding dress in your mind for years, you’ve had the ideal bridal shoes and hair pinned since your proposal, but when it comes to choosing your wedding day makeup the options are endless. Ask any wedding makeup artist, and they’ll tell you it’s always best to go with natural wedding makeup on your big day. After all, you want to look like yourself (albeit the best version of yourself). But natural wedding makeup doesn’t need to be boring.
We reached out to wedding makeup artists Sheilynne Midili and Kristi Fiola to share their top bridal looks and tips for creating these natural wedding makeup looks if you’re going the DIY route on your big day. Ready for some wedding day makeup inspo? Keep reading to see all the best natural wedding makeup looks—get ready to screenshot!
Meet the Expert
Sheilynne Midili is a makeup and hairstylist of 16 years and the owner of Pacific Brides, which offers a personal, professional, and customized makeup and hair experience.
Kristi Fiola is a New Jersey-based hair and makeup artist. She also owns Weddings With Verve, a wedding planning service inspiring couples to ditch tradition.
1. Bronzed Goddess
Why We Love It: Midili shares that "a soft, natural, sun-kissed bronze glow" will be one of the biggest wedding makeup trends in 2021. And no one serves better inspiration for this trend than Chrissy Teigen. "This girl slays the glowing skin, fresh-faced, bronze beauty look," says Midili.
Recreate It: Midili notes that skin is the trophy of the season, with brides really wanting it to glow on their big day. Achieving that begins with a buildable foundation. Start with spritzing TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist all over your face, then use a damp beauty blender to press liquid bronzer onto the apples of your cheeks and cheekbones. Don't forget to apply bronzer to your temples and hairline to amp up the glow. Midili stresses the importance of using hydrating liquid and cream products over powder to create a healthy bronze glow. Finish with a glossy lip to complete this sun-kissed look.
2. Lengthy Lashes
Why We Love It: Brides have often shied away from bold lashes, though Midili notes that won't be the case anymore. This season's bridal makeup is all about making the eyes pop. Tossing on a pair of falsies is a fun way to elevate any natural makeup look. Just ask Lizzo.
Recreate It: For lashes that stand out yet still look realistic, Midili recommends LILLY LASHES Voluminous Lashes. "Spend the extra money on quality lashes, otherwise the light reflects off the plastic lashes and gives it away that you weren’t born with those babies. Also, too heavy, thick, or unnaturally shaped falsies can cause dark shadows under your eyes, make your eyelids droopy, or create an unflattering shape for your eyes," she says. Applying fake eyelashes is the last step in the routine. Once your eye makeup is complete, curl your lashes and add some mascara. Cut the falsies to fit your eyes before applying any glue to your lash line. Our step-by-step guide on applying false eyelashes will really come in handy.
3. Invisible Liner
Why We Love It: Embrace and enhance your best features through subtle makeup tricks. Rihanna's makeup is worth emulating, because "she knows how to naturally manipulate her makeup to pull her most incredible features forward and make them pop without even noticing there is actually makeup on her," Midili says.
Recreate It: Using heavy foundations to mask imperfections actually draws more attention to these areas, says Midili. You really want to focus on accentuating your best features, not hiding your insecurities. With Rihanna, she's always showcasing her stunning eyes. Using a technique called tightlining, you can do the same with your baby blues. Midili says to complete the eye look with a complimentary eyeshadow color. IBY BEAUTY's Enlighten Eyeshadow Palette features a range of hues that'll make any eye color sparkle.
4. Something Blue
Why We Love It: Don’t let your natural wedding makeup dreams stop you from playing with color. Your eyes are the perfect canvas for a bit of subtle drama. Swiping on a blue line for your something blue on your big day. The trick is to opt for a softer, hazy version of the hue to keep it from overpowering your look.
Recreate It: Waterproof blue liner or even a longwear shadow stick (we love TRÈSTIQUE's Mini Shadow Crayons, which come in a range of shades and last up 12-hours) will ensure your look lasts all through your ceremony and reception. Yes, even through tears. Just swipe it across your lash line (upper or both, like Mandy), then use your finger or a small shade brush to buff out any harsh lines.
5. Taupe Tones
Why We Love It: Fiola is all about Emma Corrin's red carpet looks, especially with the focus being on a clean, fresh complexion and beautiful brown shades.
Recreate It: Emma's dewy complexion is easy to recreate, so long as you have TATCHA's Luminous Dewy Skin Mist by your side. And if you can, Fiola recommends getting a hydrafacial before your big day to really hydrate your complexion. Apply a cream foundation and concealer as your base, then use CIATÉ LONDON's Dewy Stix to illuminate your favorite features. Swipe on a neutral lip color to bring this look together.
6. Soft Smoky
Why We Love It: Eyes are the window to the soul, so they deserve all the attention they can get. Given your partner will be staring lovingly into them during a majority of your big day, wow them with some subtle definition. Fiola adores Olivia Wilde's ability to make her eyes pop this way, while keeping the rest of her makeup natural.
Recreate It: "For a defined yet natural eye, skip the eyeliner and opt for eyeshadow," Fiola shares. "A deep brown with a touch of nude in the inner corner will shape your eyes and make them pop. Finish with a deep black mascara for added definition." We're big fans of the BENEFIT COSMETICS They're Real! Lengthening Mascara in Jet Black.
7. Allover Pink
Why We Love It: Natural makeup doesn't always mean a nude lip. Fiola points out that because we've hidden our lips behind masks for a while now, brides are embracing a more colorful pout. Selena Gomez's bright pink lip emphasizes how you can embrace color without it being overly dramatic.
Recreate It: In order for your pout to pop, Fiola mentions starting off with a lip salve to amp up the hydration before you apply any lip color. Sleeping in LANEIGE's Lip Sleeping Mask ahead of your big day will give you the softest lips, which will ensure better application. Next, apply the best bright lipstick for your skin tone and top it off with some sheer gloss for an extra dose of shine.
8. Peachy Keen
Why We Love It: Peach makeup is having a major moment. The shade is subtle yet bright, compliments every skin tone flawlessly, and offers something different than the typical nude and pink color palette natural makeup tends to stick to. Florence Pugh makes the case for the trend with this peachy red carpet look.
Recreate It: All you really need to recreate this look is a peach blush (our fave is BANG BEAUTY's Smoked Peach Blush), because it can double as eyeshadow. Fiola notes that "you can use coral on the eyelids with a deeper nude in the crease" to achieve a "natural and blended" look. "Top it off with a highlight on the cheeks and blend well, so it’s just a slight reflection for the perfect peachy glow," she says. MAKEUP GEEK's Peach Bellini Eyeshadow Palette also offers a variety of peachy shades to pull off this juicy trend.
9. Blush Bride
Why We Love It: For a fresh-faced look, go monochromatic with a single balmy, buildable color product that you can use all over your face. Check out our Blush 101 article for help finding colors that'll work for your undertones.
Recreate It: Start by applying BB cream with a damp sponge all over your face to give it a natural, airbrushed finish. Next, use BOBBI BROWN Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks (and eyelids) to add some color, blending it for sheer coverage or blotting it on for more impact. Define your eyes with KALEIDO COSMETICS Obsidian Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner (waterproof and smudge-proof for heat and happy tears) and finish with a waterproof, lengthening mascara.
10. Rose Gold Lids
Why We Love It: If you're not feeling inspired by your bronze and brown palettes, try giving some pink champagne eye makeup a try. We promise this color looks as fresh and pretty on your eyes as they do on your cheeks and lips.
Recreate It: Use a matte foundation to create a photo-ready base. Next, sweep LAURA MAKEUP LABS Moods Eyeshadow in Rose Gold Woman across your upper lid and crease, then blend it up and out into your brow bone. Lightly contour your cheekbones and along your jawline to add definition. For lip color, dab on a neutral stain that you can refresh with lip gloss throughout the day.
11. Glow With Glitter
Why We Love It: If there's ever an occasion for "your skin but better," it's your wedding day. This natural look is all about using highlighter to strobe out your favorite features and boost that natural, love-filled glow.
Recreate It: Use a tinted moisturizer to hydrate and smooth your skin. For a little more coverage, try a BB or CC cream to make any foundation look sheerer and dewier. Next, use OFRA COSMETICS Rodeo Drive Highlighter to give the high points of your face a sunlit glow. This universally flattering champagne shade photographs beautifully on all skin tones.
12. 24 Karat Liner
Why We Love It: Sometimes well-defined lashes and full brows are all you need to make your face look fully done-up. But if it's not feeling special occasion-y enough for you, try adding metallic eyeliner for a simple touch that's impossible not to notice when you pull your special someone in close.
Recreate It: Whether or not you wear foundation, it's important to keep your skin hydrated, especially if you're planning on multiple champagne toasts. PIXI BEAUTY Glow Mist Setting Spray is a great facial spray to keep on hand to 1) prime your face for makeup, 2) set it, and 3) refresh throughout the day. For your eyes, you'll get the most staying power and control from a gel liner. Use BEAUTY FOR REAL's 24-7 I-Line Gel Eyeliner in 24 Karat to line both lids all the way around the inner corners of your eyes and outward.
13. Minimalist Bride
Why We Love It: Bridal beauty is 50% skincare, and if retinol is part of your routine, your face might be a shade or two lighter than the rest of your body. This look is perfect for faking a healthy suntan in any season.
Recreate It: Exfoliating and moisturizing go a long way in boosting your lit-from-within glow. Add glycolic acid (a gentle exfoliant) and hyaluronic acid (a water-loving molecule) to your skincare routine a few months before the wedding to get a headstart. On the big day, you'll want to use makeup with skincare benefits. PIXI BEAUTY’S Beauty Bronzer is full of vitamin E to protect against free radicals. Use the bronzer on your eyelids for an extra dose of color and shimmer.
14. Monochrome Moment
Why We Love It: This look captures the feeling of smiling so much that your cheeks start to hurt. Don't be afraid to use a heavy hand with that blush brush—saturation is the name of the game for full-on romantic vibes.
Recreate It: To make this feel more like an editorial spread than your everyday makeup, sweep a pinky mauve shade on everywhere you'd usually apply blush and highlighter. THEBALM COSMETICS' Will Powder Blushes are perfect for this with tons of creamy colors for every complexion. Finish the look with a coordinating nude lipstick.
Want to know a beauty secret? All the products you’d ever need can be sent directly to your door with an IPSY Glam Bag, which makes recreating these wedding looks easier than ever! Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.
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