By Robin Tolkan-Doyle, Beauty Editor
After a year of stagnation and solitude, what could more celebratory this spring than a wedding? And for any bride planning to tie the knot this season, it’s all about celebrating and having fun with your makeup look. Chances are you and makeup didn’t mingle too much during the pandemic, so now is the perfect occasion to dive in and have fun with your look. Whether you’re read to glam it up or present a less is more vibe, here are some trends making their way down the aisle these days.
Color is Back
“Bold pops of color are in, but not all over color,” says celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman. “Choose one area like the eyes or lips to make a statement. For eyes, look for emerald, navy, and slate eyes paired with the oh-so-subtle honey lips and cheeks. OR softly neutral eyes with vibrant berry, ultraviolet, or deep cocoa lips. It's all about picking one feature and bringing it forward.” For a flirty eye, try Dear Dahlia Garden of Light Palette in Dusk.
PC: Dear Dahlia
“Gone are the days when brides did an amped-up eye, cheek, and lip. Fashion-forward makeup looks will be winked toward this spring. A crisp, burgundy eye doesn't have the same drama if the lip is bold, too, “says Freedman. “I'm always a fan of giving the eye a rest somewhere on the face.”
If you tend to shy away from color and want to stick with more natural shades, you can still incorporate some hue into you makeup palette without looking like a Crayola colored version of yourself. “Trust me when I say a “natural” look does not mean barely wearing makeup,” says makeup artist Nick Stenson. “It means picking the right shades and right products to appear like you are not wearing makeup. Natural can look glam with pops of shimmer and flirty lashes. Glam can look more natural with a lightweight seamless application that looks touchable and soft. And a long wear lip color is imperative to make it through the big kiss, toasts, appetizers and cake! Clairins Water Lip Stain formula is 77% water feels more like a treatment that you can build to find the perfect intensity that will last all the way to the after party.”
PC: Clarins
Fluttery Lashes
If you’ve always wanted to experiment with flirty come hither lashes, your wedding could be the perfect time to pull this look off. Just make sure to schedule in some experimentation time before the big day. “For spring, nothing is more beautiful on a bride than seeing voluminous lashes,” says makeup artist Andrea Tiller. imayla beauty’s Unifeye Volumizing Mascara is a clean, hypoallergenic formula that instantly volumizes and lengthens lashes to make them appear fuller and lifted.
PC: Imayla.
For the braver bride, try accentuating the eye area with jewels or falsies. Bali Lash is a 2-in-1 eyeliner and lash adhesive that is vegan, toxic and cruelty-free. With either its black or clear liner, brides can easily apply false lashes, sequins and glitter.
PC: Bali Lash
No More Mylar Balloon Skin
When highlighting the skin, a little goes a long way. “Strobing is still huge, but brides are starting to see the downside of overdoing it when they get their photos back,” says Freedman. “A simple touch of champagne on the tops of cheeks, the center of the lip, and the tear duct adds just a little lift and glow. No more silvery shimmer or luminous formula foundations. You want to control what and where on the face the flash pops.” Harness the perfect glow with Aether Supernova Crushed Pink Diamond Highlighter.
PC: Aether Beauty
Sunkissed Glow Sans Sun
At this point, only JLo is sporting the uber bronzed bod. It suits her, but the tide is turning toward a more natural lift of color to the skin. Says Freedman, “Think Marcia Brady tawny. Warm, glowing skin with a touch of pink. This look always photographs beautifully and works for more skin tones than a peachy-based spray tan or body makeup.” To give your natural skin a lift or to glisten up a soft spray tan, try Farmhouse Fresh's Lustre Drench Instant Glow Dry Oil. It has the perfect warmth with the subtlest touch of shimmer.
PC: Farmhouse Fresh