The pros agree: When it comes to your wedding day makeup, stay true to yourself. ” Always wear your makeup in what you’re comfortable with, stay true to your likes and dislikes,” Sesnek says. “Today is probably not the time to experiment or try new looks.” That means sticking to what makes you feel your most confident no matter what. “If you love blue eyeshadow, wear blue eyeshadow,” Wolff says.
Feeling comfortable in your own skin is the most important factor, Pearce adds. “Be you: the most glamorous version of yourself,” she says. “The most beautiful thing anyone can wear is a smile, and every mother of the bride/bridegroom I have ever seen has been beaming from ear to ear.”
However there are some key products you’ll definitely want to include in your day-of lineup. “I’d recommend using primers before foundation and eye makeup,” Wolff says. “Avoid products with too much sparkle, as these tend to emphasize fine lines.” Pearce’s pro tip? “Use a lip pencil – the colour will last longer than a lipstick.”
Once you decide on a look, Sesnek says it’s crucial to schedule a makeup trial ahead of the wedding day. “That way, you can get the look and make sure you’re on the same page with the artist.”
Ortega adds one small note of caution: “It’s important to never outshine or distract from the bride.” Work with the guest of honor to ensure your makeup look works for the wedding. One idea is to coordinate the mother of the bride’s makeup look with the bridesmaid or wedding party makeup looks. Another approach? “Coordinate eyeshadow color to the dress,” Sesnek says. “I find this always looks modern and complementary.”
And finally, don’t forget to enjoy the experience. “Getting ready with your daughter is a wonderful moment,” Pearce says. “My advice is to stop and enjoy it together – and remember the tissues!”
Mother Of The Bride Makeup Ideas
Ready to get inspired? See a few of our favorite mother of the bride makeup ideas, below.
Bright Eyes
Make your eyes pop with a light-colored eyeshadow (think: light blue, light pink or light purple). It’ll brighten up your gaze and make your eyes the focal point of your glam. Pair it with a neutral lip color to balance it out.
Mauve Lips
You can’t go wrong with this classic mother of the bride look. Draw a thin line of eyeliner across your lashes and gently flick up to lift and open up your eyes. Then, swipe on a mauve-colored lipstick for a fresh, dewy look.
Tip: Use a lipliner to ensure the color stays put.
Natural Beauty
Embrace your natural beauty on the big day. Use a medium-coverage foundation, concealer and a touch of blush and bronzer for a fresh, minimal glow.Apply a layer of your favorite lip gloss for a final touch.
Bold Lips
If matte red lipstick makes you feel your most confident, wear it on the wedding day. It won’t feel too overpowering if you pair it with a fresh complexion and neutral eyes.
Rosy Cheeks
Blush is having a major moment in the beauty world – and with good reason. It adds a natural flush of color to the complexion and gives off a fresh, dewy effect. Apply a cream blush on the apples of your cheeks for a simple aesthetic, or blend it up along your cheekbone for a lifted look.
Bronzed Glow
Get that just-back-from-vacation glow without the sun exposure (or spray tan). Brush a bronzer along the high points of your face (forehead and cheeks) for a warm glow. You can also use it for contouring by swiping it right below your cheekbones.
Nude Lipstick
If you want to rock a bold lip but don’t love the idea of red lipstick, consider a nude hue instead. It’s equally as dramatic and will go with any outfit. Balance it out with eyeshadow, eyeliner and extra coats of mascara.
Smoky Eye
The key to keeping a smoky eye from looking too dramatic is to use neutral tones (read: brown or grey) so it doesn’t get too dark. Add a berry lip to the look for a pop of color.
Glamorous Cat Eye
Accentuate your gorgeous eyes. Apply eyeliner to your lash line, and then flick it upwards into a wing. Finish off the look with a few extra coats of mascara (or false lashes) for a dramatic, elegant look.
Warm-Toned Glow
Unleash your inner glow with a warm-toned makeup look. Apply bronzer to your cheeks and forehead, and then sweep on a coral-colored blush. As a final step, apply highlighter to the high points of your face (cheekbones and browbones).
Fresh Foundation
If you’re a beauty minimalist, this mother of the bride makeup look is for you. Focus on your complexion by applying a medium-coverage foundation, a dewy concealer and a cream bronzer for a flawless finish. Apply several coats of mascara for the finishing touch.
Lined Eyes
The eyes are the window to the soul, so make them stand out on the wedding day. Line the top and bottom of your eyes to make them pop.
Berry Lips
If bright red or bright pink lipstick doesn’t feel right to you, you still have options for a bold lip. Rock a deep berry color to make a statement in your own unique way.
Fluttery Lashes
Lean into the romance of the day with this pretty makeup look. Use eyeliner to create a subtle wing, and then use false lashes (we recommend individual ones for a more natural look) to create long, fluttery lashes.
Glossy Lips
If you don’t love the idea of wearing lipstick for the wedding day, use lip gloss instead. It’ll make your lips look hydrated and soft. Plus, it’ll give a plumping effect. Remember to keep it in your purse so you can reapply throughout the day.
Bright Lipstick
You don’t have to shy away from color. We love the idea of wearing hot pink lipstick for the wedding day. It’s the perfect balance of fun and elegant.
Sparkly Eyes
Make your eyes pop. Sweep a shimmery eyeshadow across your lids to brighten them up. To make them look even brighter, pop some of your highlighter in the inner corner.
Neutral Eyeliner
If you’re nervous about wearing dark eyeliner, consider using light brown instead. Lightly smudge it across the top half of your eyes to subtly define your gaze.
Defined Eyebrows
You don’t have to use heavy makeup to accentuate your eyes. Simply fill in your brows to help frame your eyes, and then use eyeliner and mascara as a finishing touch. You’ll look fabulous.
originally posted on theknot.com by Maddy Sims
About Author: As Associate Editor for The Knot Worldwide, Maddy produces a variety of content for The Knot. Before she joined the The Knot team, she was already in love with weddings. At a young age, Maddy spent her free time flipping through wedding magazines and watching Say Yes to the Dress with her mom. She now covers weddings full-time, focusing on beauty, sustainability, trends, planning and mental health.
A Chicago native (Go Hawks!), Maddy currently lives in New York City. She loves to stay active, as she spent over 20 years swimming competitively. You can find her doing anything outdoors (going on a hike, riding a bike, practicing stand-up paddleboard) or taking a spin class on her Peloton. She’s passionate about clean beauty products, delicious vegan food, and making the wedding industry a more inclusive space.
