The terms "natural makeup" and "bridal beauty" go together like bread and butter—it’s hard to imagine one without the other. But of course, asking your makeup artist for a "natural look" isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Natural makeup comes in many forms, with different products, techniques, and overall outcomes for every style. As you’ll soon learn, some makeup artists lean towards a more plump, doll-like look, while others, a more warm and bronze up style. So, to avoid an unfortunate miscommunication with your makeup artist on your big day, it’s best to understand a bit of the specifics of the deceptively simple "natural makeup."
Here are 10 celebrity-inspired ways to wear natural bridal makeup:
1. Barely There
Arguably the best kind of natural makeup is the type that leaves people wondering why you look so good, when there’s “nothing” on your face. The not-so-secret secret to mastering this look is simple: emphasize what’s already there. You’re not introducing any colored pigments that aren’t already on your face–just darkening the brows, coating the lashes, and wearing a lipstick that’s closest to your natural color.
2. A Subtle "Snatch"
Nadine Lustre knows a thing or two about the “snatch,” or that lifted face effect that’s coveted by many. For this look, she dons feathered brows shaped in a straight, barely-arched line, and a bit of eyeshadow brushed upwards and outwards. It’s possibly the subtlest take on the lifted look that we’ve ever seen, perfect for a bride who wants a barely-there type of glam, but one that gives her a good facelift.
3. Glowing from Within
This look is all about the glow, done in a beautifully radiant way that’s perfect for your big day. It’s less about the blind-the-haters type of highlight, and more of a subtle glow. To get the look, ask your makeup artist to add illuminators to your base products for that true glow-from-within type of sheen. If you’re wearing a gown that reveals your collarbones or shoulders, be sure to dab a little shine there too.
4. Monochrome
When in doubt, go monochrome. It feels timelessly natural, but out-of-the-ordinary enough for your special day. Sarah Lahbati has this makeup look mastered, looking as though she swept one tone over her eyes, cheeks, and lips. For a little dimension, we suggest a little shine: Sarah does this with a slight hint of shimmer at the center and inner corner of her eyes, and layers of gloss on her lips.
5. K-Beauty-Inspired
Though K-beauty trends are very of-the-moment, the light and natural approach of it all is undeniably timeless, especially for wedding makeup. Erich Gonzales’ look is a study on quintessential Korean beauty, with elements that are central to the style. Here, she sports illuminated glass skin that’s barely touched with blush, bronzer, or other complexion products, straight feathery brows, "idol" eyes that focus on long, separated lashes, and gradient lips for that softly blurred effect.
6. Blushing Bride
We’re in love with this radiant look on Elisse Joson that takes the term “blushing bride” to its literal meaning. She starts with an illuminating base, a perfect canvas for the pretty pigments to come. Blush is swiped liberally on her cheeks, focusing more on the cheekbones (instead of the apples) for a slightly sculpted effect. The look is finished off with the slightest wash of eyeshadow and glossy lips, creating a dreamy look for walking down the aisle.
7. All Warmed Up
As natural as Ivana Alawi’s makeup look is, there’s a certain warmth to it that sets it apart. That’s thanks to the carefully-chosen tones she wears, which come from a selection of soft, buttery browns. She wears light brown tones on her eyes, a blend of bronzer and blush on her cheeks, and a shining nude gloss on her lips. We can definitely envision this warm makeup look for a beachside wedding.
8. Bronzed Goddess
Fans of the bronzed goddess glow will love this lighter approach. It’s as simple as swapping out your favorite techniques for ones that look more natural. Instead of a hard-line sculpt, focus the contour near the ears and blend it out; and instead of a bold smoked-out eye, brush a light brown eyeshadow and top with a thin layer of shimmer.
9. Slightly Defined
Jess Wilson does natural makeup in a way that’s glam yet barely noticeable. Her look introduces more definition to certain parts of the face, with her cheekbones a little more sculpted with matte bronzer, and her lips forgoing the blurred look in favor of something slightly overlined and well-pigmented. If you’re a bride that’s uncomfortable with going too natural, this would be your perfect look.
10. A Dash of Color
Just because you’re going for a natural makeup look doesn’t mean you have to be devoid of any color at all. If you want a little oomph through say, a vibrant lipstick, you should go for it. For Kim Domingo’s look, a bright pink lipstick with high-shine gloss is the lip of choice, but everything else is kept low-key. Her base products are light enough to let skin texture peek through, her brows are brushed up and lightly filled in, and her blush picks up from the baby doll hues of her lip.
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