Congrats Bride! It’s Wedding Season!
You’ve recently got engaged and now it’s time to plan your ultimate bridal look. As a bridal hairstylist and makeup artist in the middle of the wedding season, I am seeing so many different beauty trends.
For bridal hairstyles, brides are asking for sleek, textured updos and long soft Hollywood waves. Bridal makeup is taking a step back from the heavy contour of 2016 into soft glam/natural makeup looks.
Brides are embracing good skincare to achieve the ultimate "bridal glow". Heavy matte powder is being replaced with highlighter in all the right ways. Let's not forget the nails! Gone are the days of French tips…or are they? Blended ombre' nails are still considered classic. Short all-white nails create a clean-looking bridal trend.
In this article, we will review wedding bridal beauty trends from top to bottom before you start walking down the aisle. I am so excited to talk about my favorite products to help you recreate each look.
Beauty Makeup Trends
Hairstyles:
Boho is a no-go!
This year brides are asking for elegant updos. Most of my brides are asking for soft updos. These soft updos consist of a low bun located closer to their neck. A little volume on the crown of the head and face-framing pieces dangling by their face. Another bridal hairstyle that suits many brides with long hair is the half/ half down hairstyle. Large sections by the face are pulled back gracefully hugging the sides of the bride's head while the rest of their hair is cascading down the back.
The style can be worn curly, straight, or wavy. Braids or textures can be added to give it more detail. Modern meets vintage with glamor waves. Waves can add style yet softness to a bride's look. More detailed waves are best achieved with extensions. Bridal hair accessories such as veils, combs, clips, or tiaras can be worn with the hairstyles mentioned above.
My favorite hair spray to keep the style in position all night long is the Amika Stronghold Hairspray.
Nails:
Bling is for the ring!
Bling is left to the wedding rings as brides start to wear more simple nail styles. Simple sophistication seems to be the new nail theme. All-white nails or pink-to-white ombre’ are the more popular colors. Nail shapes vary per person but I am seeing more almond to soft square shapes lately.
Wedding nails are long enough to add length to the fingers but not too long that the bride can't even put on her earrings. Brides are stepping away from harmful acrylic powders and are embracing dip powders or gel nails. To have the best nails I recommend a nail artist over a nail salon. A nail artist can offer more of a custom experience for each bride and help them plan their nail journey. Proper care of nail beds takes time, good products, and frequent manicures to prepare them for such a special occasion.
My favorite nail product is a good cuticle oil by Orly. Cuticle oil should be put on the cuticle every night before bed.
Makeup looks:
Insta-glam or Soft Glam?
My brides in the Pacific Northwest want a more natural bridal look. Soft glam also known as natural glam is a term I hear a lot. I truly believe this trend will carry into 2024. Brides are saying goodbye to the heavy contour of 2016 and requesting the ultimate bridal “glow”. The skin is dewy with a hint of pink on the cheeks and a highlight on the high points of the face. Eyebrows are kept simple yet defined. Lashes are lengthened with a few individual falsies. The eyeshadow consists of gold, brown, and pink colors.
I have seen brides pair the soft eyeshadow colors with some shimmer and a slight cat-eye liner. Lips are defined with a lip liner and topped with a shimmery gloss. The best way to achieve soft glam is not just with proper makeup application but with really good skincare.
One of my favorite hydrating creams is “Waterbalm” by Sonia Roselli.
Eyelashes:
Bat those bridal lashes!
Lashes are a small add-on that make a big difference in a bride's look. I love it when my brides say yes to lashes. There are so many types but I want to talk about my two favorite bridal lash options for 2023. Lash extensions are very popular and are a great idea to complete a wedding day look. They come in all types of thicknesses: Natural, volume, or ultra volume. Lash artists can even add colors to make your wedding theme. Purple lashes anyone? If done correctly they can last up to 6 weeks.
Lash extensions are a great way to feel beautiful on your honeymoon. I do not offer lash extensions, but I offer another option. Individual lashes are small thin lashes applied on the bride's natural lashes to add length and volume. They can last up to 16 hours and are very easy to take off. Just wipe it away with a warm compress. Individual lashes help my brides feel natural yet elevated for a special occasion. They are included in my bridal hair and makeup package.
My favorite eyelash brand is Ardell.
Eyeshadow:
Smokey or not smokey?
When talking to brides I will ask them how they want their eyeshadow done, what colors they like, and how they do their own eyeshadow at home. The most common words I hear are: “I want a smokey eye but natural. Is this possible?” As the Disney character Ursala says “My dear sweet child, that’s what I do!” Yes, you can wear a “natural” looking smokey eye. This is achieved using colors that will bring out the bride's natural eye color.
The most popular eyeshadow colors for 2023 are natural colors such as browns, tans, taupes, gold, and a pop of shimmer or glitter. Brides are bringing me photos of icons such as Haley Beiber and Jennifer Lopez. I am even seeing white shimmer eyeshadow coming back for 2023 and 2024 brides. This is a classic late 1990’s early 2000’s eyeshadow color coming back to be the new wedding eyeshadow trend.
My favorite shimmer eyeshadow brand is Colour Pop Cosmetics.
Eyebrows:
Thick or Thin?
Like the morning tide, eyebrow trends are always changing. The thick-painted brows of 2016 have evolved into softer natural “fluffy brows'' for 2023. Laminated brows help create a thicker and longer look by having the brows laminated temporarily on the skin in an upward direction.
In my experience, brows are a very personal decision. In 13 years I have worked with all types of brides and the most common question I get asked is, “I am a victim of the 90s, could you please fill in my brows?” Yes! If you are scarred from the thin brows of the 90’s I am happy to help! Filling in the brows is easy when you are using the right product and have time to practice. My favorite brow product for tiny strokes to help fill in is the Ardell eyeshadow pen. A brow pomade is a great way to help shape and fill the brows.
My favorite brow pomade is by the brand Anastasia. But news flash, the 90’s brows are making a comeback thanks to celebrities like Bella Hadid.
Contouring:
Contouring: The Evolution
Contouring has been a huge trend all over social media since 2016. We have all seen it evolve from drag queen artists and celebrity makeup artists to now everyday young women using it as part of their morning routines. But does it belong in wedding makeup? For 2023 wedding trends, my younger (age 25-30) brides are asking for it, and my older brides (35 and up) are stepping away from it. I believe bridal makeup should be custom for each individual.
This year I have seen bridal contouring more focused on adding a tan warmth to give the appearance of a “sun-kissed” face. It’s not used to create a whole new shape for the bride’s face but to accentuate her natural features. I love keeping the contour more natural. After all, your besties and fiance’ know what you really look like, so why try to change who you really are? If you are a bride, your professional makeup artist should ask you what you want the highlight and contour to do for you. Do you want it to help create a whole new face shape or accentuate your natural features?
My favorite contour palette is by Youngblood. It’s mineral-based and cruelty-free. Unfortunately, it is discontinued so another great palette is by Anastasia Beverly Hills.
Lips:
Pucker up!
Move over matte lips, glossy is back in style. For 2023 I am so excited to see this lipstick revolution as matte texture is taking a back burner. Glossy lips have been around since the 80s and are being combined with the darker lip liner of the 1990s.
In my opinion, lip liner is a must for all brides. Lip liner can be used to accent a beautiful natural lip line or help add the appearance of volume. On Instagram I am seeing a popular trend of a 3-part lip look: Liner, lipstick then gloss. Lip liner can act like a primer for lipstick, lipstick brings out a color and the gloss adds sparkle and the illusion of more volume. A matte or creamy lipstick can be worn on top of a liner. I recommend trying this look at your bridal trial. A dark liner, crème lipstick, and shimmery gloss are the perfect trio for the wedding day.
I recommend my brides purchase lipstick and gloss to take with them on the day of. If not, I usually provide them with a lipstick/gloss sample for touch-ups on the wedding day. My favorite lip gloss is “Simmer” by Lancôme’s Juicy Tubes.
Skincare and Scents
Love the skin you’re in!
I cannot express this enough: great makeup application must start with good skincare! The “glowy” bridal makeup look cannot be done without starting with appropriate skin care. When skin is loved with the right ingredients, it becomes clear of blemishes and the makeup goes on easier. When working with brides I always ask them about their skincare routine before we start talking about their bridal makeup look.
A great way to start is by making an appointment with a local/licensed esthetician. When you receive a cleansing facial, the esthetician can properly assess what products or services you will need to reach your skincare goals. My favorite moisturizer is “WaterBalm'' by Sonia Roselli. It’s great for all skin types. Brides are not only wearing good skincare but also choosing a signature scent for their big day. Often their perfume bottles will be captured by their wedding photographer when taking detailed shots.
This year, the most popular perfume I keep seeing is Miss Dior.
As technology changes, so do the trends. Though wedding trends tend to stay around a few years longer than YouTube trends, the most important thing is to be who you are. Bride, be true to you. Do you love glam? Then be a glamorous bride! I was a glam bride back in 2010. But if you are more natural or know nothing about makeup. That’s OK!
As an artist, I cater to my bride’s overall vision. A good makeup artist will never make you wear something you don’t want to wear. I love to offer my brides a free phone consultation before booking my services. It is easy to book one on my website: www.coreenecollins.com. This way I can get to know you before the bridal trial/preview.
If you are planning on getting married in Oregon or Washington, please reach out! I would love to help you find your ultimate bridal look.