Here’s How to Get Natural Wedding Makeup in Five Steps
You spent four months trying to nail down a wedding venue that feels like home (before eventually settling on your own backyard), then three more on the hunt for a dress that makes you look like the best version of yourself. So it only makes sense that you would take a similarly personal approach to your makeup — and sometimes, that means keeping it as natural as possible.
Minimalist bridal makeup is much more than a trend set into motion by Princess Kate Middleton who also did her own makeup for her wedding day after a lesson with a true professional. It was simple, classic, and doing it yourself is the best way to get the look YOU want. Ahead, all the inspiration you need to perfect the look , so you can feel confident in looking like yourself — but better — on the big day.
What is Natural Wedding Makeup?
Natural wedding makeup means different things to different people! For some brides, it means false lashes and lots of rosy blush, for others, it means the faintest hint of neutral shadow and a clear lip balm. Most brides want to look polished on the big day, so makeup artists might assume that you want a full-coverage base, a stunning eye look, a pretty lip color, and perhaps some contouring, highlighting, and bronzing, too. And actually, you might genuinely want these things, just a subtle version of them! There's no one formula for natural wedding makeup, which is why, in this feature, we're aiming to help you figure out exactly what kind of makeup you want, and, crucially, how to create it!
How to Get Natural Wedding Makeup in Five Steps
1. Find a Look you Like
The first step to getting natural wedding makeup is to track down a handful of examples of the kind of makeup look you're hoping to achieve. You can choose looks that you may like one feature or another and experiment with recreating the exact look or pieces of several looks.
2. Gather Some Photographic Inspiration
As far as we're concerned, photographs are the single best way to identify your likes and dislikes. Don't overwhelm yourself. Narrow it down to about 5 looks and start practicing different features. Don't try to do it all at once. Try lip colors, then blush colors. Then start combining your favorites. Take pictures in front of natural light and with a flash. How does it photograph? Do you still love it or do you want to keep practicing?
3. Know the Lingo and Your Favorite Feature
As well as having photographs prepared, it's a good idea to nail down some words and phrases that sum up your ideal wedding makeup look to Google. Use terms like natural, barely-there, subtle, minimal, understated, and fresh. "Makeup that looks like you're not wearing any makeup" is another way to phrase it. If you love a certain feature about yourself or better yet, if your groom does, make sure that is a focal point. For example, if he loves your freckles, make sure they are visible or if you always wear eyeliner, make sure to utilize your favorite eyeliner when practicing!
4. Start Practicing your Wedding Makeup Look
A makeup trial allows you to see exactly how your makeup will, look, last and photograph. If you've picked certain products it's time to practice, practice, practice. Then get dressed up in white or ivory. Do your hair, wear it out for the evening and evaluate how it wore and how you liked yourself in pictures. After 1 hour, 2 and 4 hours. Even try on your wedding dress after you have practiced your makeup if you can get an appointment. There's a good chance that you'll adore the look you’ve created because it is uniquely you. But, if not, a small tweak or two is usually all that's needed. Natural wedding makeup is all about subtlety, so an ever-so-slightly thinner eyeliner, or a lip color that's one shade closer to your natural lip color, can make just the the difference needed.
5. Develop a Solid Skincare Routine
It's easier to keep your makeup looking fresh and natural if your skin is in peak condition, AKA healthy, hydrated, not sun-damaged, and treated for any skin issues. The only way to do this is to develop a foolproof skincare routine and be consistent with it! This means drinking lots of water, using SPF, cleansing your skin thoroughly, and using products that suit your skin. There are more in-depth tips in the bridal makeup and bridal skincare prep episodes of the One Fab Day Wedding Podcast, and it's also a good idea to ask around for a good facialist, who can provide not only a skincare routine but also advice on how to prepare your skin for the big day.
Need more ideas, check out our pre-made wedding looks that have been curated and perfected over 25 years and on over 5000 brides at bridalbeautykits.com/pages/bridal-look-collections