Brides Are Loving Minimal Makeup Looks For Their Weddings. Here's Why
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From the puffy sleeves and pearls of the '80s to the sheer fabrics of the 2020s, wedding fashion has undergone a serious evolution. Bridal makeup, too, is witness to constant change. While early 2000s brides sported smokey eyes and nude lips, Meghan Markle "spawned a movement of sheer, dewy wedding makeup" when she tied the knot with Prince Harry in 2018, per Allure. Today's makeup trends are marked by said minimalism, with celebrities like Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber opting for simple, glowing looks.
#cleangirlmakeup has amassed nearly half a billion views on TikTok, and the comparable #nomakeupmakeup is even more popular, earning well over 700 million views. The goal is to emphasize natural features while still looking like you're not wearing anything at all. The bottom line? Use the right products and use them sparingly.
When it comes to your wedding day, your makeup's staying power is key — after all, you'll need it all to last through the ceremony, pictures, and whatever happens on the dance floor. Here's why today's brides are loving minimal makeup looks, and how to expertly achieve this refreshing aesthetic yourself.
Today's trends focus on skincare
In the months leading up to your wedding, work with a dermatologist to find the skincare regimen that will tackle everything from redness and blemishes to dry skin. As the day gets closer, treat yourself to a calming facial, making sure your face is fully prepped. Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin told Vogue that brides should use water-based rather than oil-based skincare products on the day of. Ultimately, the more glowy your skin, the less you'll need to rely on makeup — plus, you won't need to worry about underlying dryness causing your foundation to crack.
It's best to skip the mattifying foundation on hot days
Most weddings occur between early June and October. Keeping the inevitable heat in mind, steer clear of a high-coverage foundation. As editorial makeup artist Erin Green told Vogue, "In hotter climates, it's best to strip back as much as possible, otherwise you'll just be fighting the humidity — a good facial a few days before with good prep the morning of can give the illusion of a sheer foundation." If you're still looking for a bit of coverage, choose a high-quality tinted moisturizer instead.
The skin positivity movement is all about embracing imperfections
Just as the body positivity movement did years before, skin positivity is working towards creating a culture of acceptance. That means embracing your unique features, whether that means freckles, hyperpigmentation, or scarring. So, if you wake up with a surprise blemish on the day of your wedding, don't panic. Instagram's @nightmaring uses rhinestones to decorate her blemishes, per Allure, but you can always opt for something more subtle like an elegant beauty mark. Like Meghan Markle, let your freckles show underneath a lightweight foundation or no foundation at all.
Cream products give that natural finish
Cream products will help you achieve that coveted no-makeup makeup look. Michaela, a beauty creator known under the TikTok handle @yhkayla, suggests choosing products that aren't too pigmented. A deep pink blush, for instance, will distract from your natural look. Instead, choose a subtle flush and bring that same color down to your lips — check out this Milk multi stick or the viral Glossier Cloud Paint. For a super minimal look, use a hint of blush on your eyelids too. Alternatively, find a warm-toned cream shadow and use it to ever-so-slightly line your eyes.
Curl your lashes rather than applying falsies
Rather than apply false lashes as you would for a more dramatic bridal look, use an eyelash curler to add that extra flair. Best of all, you won't need to worry about anything coming unglued throughout a long day of greeting in-laws. Since wedding days are notorious tear-jerkers, it's best to go with waterproof mascara. And, if you have a lighter complexion, consider brown mascara. To go the extra mile, add a hint of sparkle to your middle lids with liquid highlighter, also applying a touch to the corners of your eyes.
Brush out your brows
Eyes might be the window to the soul, but brows frame the face. For your wedding day, avoid a heavy-handed look. Instead, brush up your hairs and set them with a clear brow gel. Next, as advised by beauty TikToker @daniellemarcan, use a brow pencil to lightly fill them in, adding extra hairs as needed with a brow pen.
If you're looking to grow fuller eyebrows in the months prior to your wedding, consider natural treatments like olive oil or vaseline. Alternatively, invest in professionally-crafted growth serum.
Photos are forever
In a bridal makeup tutorial, beauty YouTuber Alexandra Anele recommends applying foundation to your neck and chest, especially if the shade is a step or two off from your natural skin. Remember, mismatched colors will show up more clearly in photographs, so make sure your look is blended and consistent.
Makeup styles have changed drastically over the past 10 years — the early 2010s were dominated by extreme contour, "baking," and over-lined lips. Minimal makeup is timeless, meaning you won't regret your wedding day look when perusing photo albums down the road.