While you might have a detailed breakdown of what your wedding party will wear as they join you down the aisle, the bridesmaid makeup plan has probably not been the first thing on your priority list. And while your bridesmaids should always wear makeup that helps them feel their best while standing by your side, it’s perfectly fine for a couple to curate some direction around the wedding party’s beauty aesthetic.
“Planning bridesmaid’s makeup looks for the big day should be just as fun as selecting color schemes and florals! It’s always helpful to have a vision in mind to create a cohesive and harmonious look for the bridal party,” says makeup artist Alexandria Gilleo, who does makeup for stars like Ali Krieger in addition to bridal beauty. “This isn’t to say that everyone should get the same exact makeup look because everyone has different skin tones, textures, and features. However, having a general theme can help guide everyone towards a stunning result.”
Makeup artist Lucas Bowman advises that while bridesmaid makeup can go glam, it should shy away from outdoing the bride. “It could come off attention seeking as well as just imbalance taste levels,” he says. “If the bride is full glam, then the bridesmaids could follow a few notches behind if they enjoy a heavier glam as well. When communicating with makeup artists and hairstylists, I would ask them to do what people ask within the boundaries of not going over the top.”
If you aren’t hiring a makeup artist for your wedding party, it’s important to make sure your bridesmaids feel comfortable executing the beauty looks themselves or have a trusted friend to pull off the style. If you are working with a professional, Brittany Lo, founder of wedding hair and makeup company Beautini and Beia Beauty, says it’s helpful to provide information that can prepare the team ahead of time. For instance, you should share the group’s beauty habits. “Do they generally not wear a lot of makeup? Do they wear full glam 24/7? This will help determine the team that is sent as some artists are heavier-handed than others,” says Lo.
She also says to let artists know about any skin concerns like allergies and the range of skin tones in the group to bring the right products. “I think it is very important in order to ensure every person in the bridal party in addition to the bride feels beautiful and comfortable in their own skin. The more the bride can communicate the group’s overall beauty preferences and skin tones, the better the team can prepare and be set up for a successful wedding day!”
