Trendy Makeup Looks Perfect For Brides

Being a bridal makeup artist for over a decade now, I have to say most brides stick to a safe bridal look which is completely normal because we want to look like the best version of ourselves on such an important day! Having said this, I also think there is room to play when it comes to your wedding day look and think outside of a classic bridal beauty vibe and have your artist create a bespoke, creative look to suit your style and personality. Summer is my favourite season to experiment with bridal looks and I wanted to share a few I’ve been playing with.

Bright colour washes on eyes are hot this season, and for weddings I love the look because it creates such a dreamy, watercolour effect. Colours like soft purples and soft pinks (I love DIOR Trioblique Palette in Rosy Canvas) and even soft emerald greens (try Charlotte Tilbury The Icon Palette) look amazing! Because colours are soft, it still allows you to wear a natural look. Just add lashes and a flawless base and you’re ready for the chapel!

Another look I’m loving and we’re seeing on models and celebs is the glassy, glittery eyes—I find it adds a glam boho and ethereal vibe to your wedding day beauty. To transition this into your bridal beauty routine is brilliant! I love using a highlighting palette (Stila Little White Lies Heavenly Highlighting Palette is my current fave) to create this look and works best when applied with fingers. You can use it on top of any eye shadow colour to add glimmer or to top your nude lip shade.

When it comes to lips, pretty neutral shades are so often the choice but if these tones are not your go to, don’t force the subject and stick with a brighter, bolder colour! I love rich jewel tones, and silky wine colours for brides—they look elevated and luxe. The key to rocking a statement shade lies in the lip prep and application. Lips need to be conditioned before you apply (try Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm), then I line lips with a long wear lip pencil, apply a thin layer of lipstick, then top with end with a long wear liquid matte lipstick like MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Lipstick. Colour will be locked and loaded for the day and totally smooch proof!

Nikki Strachan has been working at a professional makeup artist for over 14 years and is currently the key makeup artist for Your Morning, The Social and an instructor at Toronto’s George Brown College with a focus on bridal makeup. She has beautified numerous celebrities and brides and loves to bring a trend-focused eye to all her clients’ beauty looks.