6 Wedding Makeup Ideas to Steal From the Bridal Runways
Brush up on the latest bridal beauty trends with these wedding makeup ideas we spotted at New York Bridal Fashion Week.
Choosing your bridal makeup might not seem like it requires much thought—most people opt for a boosted version of their everyday routine, right? But if picking a look that feels current while also blending with your wedding season, attire, and hairstyle suddenly feels like a huge decision, the good news is that it doesn't have to be.There's no better time to get inspiration for your bridal beauty look than after New York Bridal Fashion Week, when designers debut a ton of new wedding makeup ideas along with their latest dress collections. We've picked six of our favorite new bridal makeup trends to try (or put your own spin on) for your big day, and we're giving you the deets on each one right here.
Use these trending wedding makeup ideas to achieve a runway-ready look on your big day.
Bare-faced
If you don't wear a full face of makeup on a daily basis, there's no need to suddenly flip the switch on your wedding day—unless you want to, of course! For anyone who prefers an au naturale approach to wearing makeup, the good news is that bare-faced looks are more celebrated now than ever. Instead of setting powder and full-coverage foundation, the point of a bare-faced look is to let your skin show through (that means freckles, if you have them) to give the illusion that you're hardly wearing makeup at all. Take a cue from the Duchess of Sussex, who achieved a dewy, fresh-faced look with subtle eyeliner, mascara, and a whisper of pink lipstick on her wedding day. Throughout your engagement, focus on amping up your skincare routine with regular facials, a healthy diet, and LOTS of water so that when the big day arrives, all you'll need is a touch of sheer coverage to look glowy and radiant.
'90s throwbacks
Before you write '90s-inspired wedding makeup ideas off, hear us out (and don't expect to see heavy lipliner or pencil-thin eyebrows making a comeback just yet). This trend isn't about the return of all '90s beauty looks—only the best of the best that will help you feel like a supermodel, à la Cindy Crawford or Tyra Banks. Matte eyeshadow, defined cheekbones, and lipstick with brown undertones are just a few ways you can create an updated '90s look on your wedding day.
Makeup by Christopher Barton for Fawn Monique
Rhinestones
Whimsical brides, we think you'll love this idea! We saw a handful of designers completing their models' makeup looks with hand-placed rhinestones, and this unexpected wedding makeup idea is turning out to be one of our new faves. The best thing about this fun trend is that you can make it as subtle or as bold as you want—BHLDN used miniature pearls (another major trend right now) as a spin on winged eyeliner, while at Pnina Tornai and Morilee by Madeline Gardner, models rocked glitter and rhinestones all over their faces for a cosmic, otherworldly effect.
Plum lips
Move over, reds and pinks. Dark purple (think plum and berry hues) is the lip color of the moment, and it couldn't be more on point for fall weddings. This dramatic lip color was used on the models at Anne Barge, Theia, Marchesa, and Isabelle Armstrong, proving that not only is it gorgeous, but it's also versatile for all different types of brides. If you're going for an overall romantic look, pair a plum lipstick with shimmering nude eyeshadow and a tousled hairstyle.
Makeup by Charlie Riddle for Stila Cosmetics
Silver accents
We saw pearlescent makeup in all forms on the runways at New York Bridal Fashion Week, from shimmery '70s-esque eyeshadow and metallic eyeliner, to silver highlighter accenting brow bones and cheekbones. Laure de Sagazan used winged liner on the lower lashes to enhance the models' eyes, giving them a mod, Twiggy-inspired look. We love this idea if you're keeping your overall makeup and attire sleek and simple but want to add a fashion-forward element (plus, it automatically makes your eyes look seem bigger and more awake).
Makeup by Amy Kate Palmer for Beautini
Pink eyeshadow
Pink lids were one of the prettiest wedding makeup ideas this time around—and we saw some version of them in nearly every designer's collection, from Watters and Hayley Paige, to Claire Pettibone, Rita Vinieris, and Lazaro. Mauve and blush eyeshadows will create a romantic, sun-kissed effect for your bridal makeup, especially if you opt for products with a glossy finish.
Makeup by MG Hair & Makeup
Makeup for main image by Fabiola Alarcon, hair by Kelly De Serio