Do I need to hire a makeup artist if I'm doing a natural look?

This is entirely up to you. If you're confident in your makeup skills, go for it—just be sure to do several practice runs in advance. Also, consider a tutorial with a pro if you decide to DIY it.

How long will a natural makeup look take?

The barely there makeup look doesn't always translate to less time. An hour to an hour and a half is a good amount of time to budget. If your trial runs are consistently longer or shorter, adjust the time accordingly.

22 Natural Wedding Makeup Looks for Brides

bride and groom laughing — Photo by Olivia Leigh

There are two types of brides: those that want to go full glam on their wedding day and those that are after a more natural, effortless wedding makeup look. There’s nothing in between, and one isn’t necessarily better than the other. Once a bride figures out what camp she’s in (after taking into consideration things like dress, venue, and personal style), it’s time to start researching bridal beauty looks and find the one that completes her wedding-day vision.

A natural wedding makeup look may seem effortless, but any makeup artist will tell you pulling off the perfect natural glam look is more difficult than it appears. When meeting with your wedding-day makeup artist for your trial or on the day of your wedding, it’s best to come prepared with plenty of inspiration pictures to clearly demonstrate what you want to look like and, more importantly, what you don’t want.

Want to skip a winged liner for something softer and smokier? Are you curious about the coverage of airbrush foundation? These are all things to consider while planning your natural wedding makeup look, and photos are the best way to help you zero in on the elements you want in your bridal beauty breakdown.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite natural wedding makeup looks from real brides to help inspire your own.

01 of 22

Nude Lips and Fluffy Lashes

bride natural makeup — Photo by Ashlyn Cathey Photography

This bride nailed the elevated natural makeup look. Fluffy false lashes draw attention to the eyes, while the lips are outlined with precision in a brownish, pinky nude shade. Simple, elegant, and beautifully executed.

02 of 22

Amber Glow

This warm-toned natural makeup look is all about glowing skin, which you can achieve by layering a liquid or cream highlight under your foundation. Finding the perfect shade of nude lipstick to match your skin tone is the key to an effortless natural makeup look. Don't be afraid to try multiple shades until you find the one that's just right for you.

03 of 22

Pinky Natural

bride clinking champagne glass with bridal party — Photo by Cassandra Castaneda

Cheers to a beautiful life and equally beautiful bridal look. This bride went soft and simple with a barely there wing, flushed cheeks, and pinkish nude lip. The combination makes her look put together while still looking effortlessly beautiful.

04 of 22

Smoky Natural

Bride and groom bridal portrait — Photo by Katie Grant

This beautiful bride proves it’s definitely possible to make a dramatic eye look work with a more natural wedding makeup look. The key is in the soft, smoky execution of the eyeshadow. Everything else about this look is very minimal, including the eyebrows, contour, and lip color.

05 of 22

Chic Natural Contour

bride looking down, veil over shoulders — Photo by Robyn Rachel

For the ultimate subtle snatched cheekbones, blend the color up into the temples. And you can’t forget blush—the reddish pink tone in blush counteracts the cool undertones in contour to bring life back into your face.

06 of 22

Blushing Bride

Blush can be tricky. You can go from naturally flushed to circus clown-level rouge very quickly. To get that perfectly diffused blush effect, layer a powder blush over a cream or liquid blush. Cream products blend the easiest into the skin, while a powder helps set the cream for a long-lasting finish.

Apply cream blush with (clean) hands to the apples of the cheeks. Then use a blush brush to blend it in, using upward strokes.

07 of 22

Soft and Simple

bride getting ready — Photo by Olivia Leigh

Your wedding day makeup look doesn’t have to be complicated. Choose one or two features to highlight and keep the rest of your look very subtle. The full, flirty lashes and pinkish lip tint on this bride are pretty simple—emphasis on pretty!

08 of 22

All About the Eyes

bride in robe getting ready — Photo by David Salim

A little liner can go a long way when it comes to your bridal beauty look. This bride paired subtle liner with a perfectly defined pout and kept the rest of her look soft and subtle.

09 of 22

Sweet and Sculpted

This bride said "I do" with sharp, chiseled cheekbones that gave her that wow factor when she turned her face to the side, as pictured here. By keeping the focus on one element of her makeup, she creates a striking, subtle makeup look that doesn't feel like it's trying to do too many things at once.

10 of 22

A Hint of Pink

bride in pink dress looking down at flowers — Photo by Erin McGinn

If your wedding dress is non-traditional, playing with color in your makeup look is a fun way to further express your signature style. A pink wedding gown, like the one pictured here, calls for a rosy makeup theme. The pink eyeshadow, rouge cheeks, and bright pink lips add to the overall look.

11 of 22

Light and Fresh

bride spraying perfume — Photo by Everence Photography

This look is natural wedding makeup at its best. Every element is subtle in the most stunning way, from the lightly filled-in brows to the flushed cheeks and the glossy pink lips. The bride looks like herself but better, which is what every bride who loves a natural makeup look wants.

12 of 22

Soft and Defined

bride putting in earrings — Photo by Jonnie and Garrett

Trust us—you can wear a winged liner and still look natural on your wedding day. The winged liner on this bride takes her look up a notch, but by keeping the rest of her face luminous and minimal, the complete look isn’t too harsh or heavy.

13 of 22

Your Skin but Better

Barely there foundation is the key to nailing the elusive your-skin-but-better look. Whatever product you choose, make sure it’s long-lasting. You have hours of celebrating after you say "I do," so you want a natural-looking foundation that’s up for the job.

14 of 22

Fresh and Natural

Groom kissing bride's cheek — Photo by KT Merry

No fancy contouring or complicated eyeshadow techniques, here. Flushed cheeks give a radiant appearance, while a pale pink lip helps this bride’s natural beauty shine through.

15 of 22

Monochromatic Mauve

bride looking at camera — Photo by Kurt Boomer

A little bit of blush can make all the difference. Match your lip color to your blush for a simple, monochromatic makeup look that feels effortlessly polished.

16 of 22

Sunkissed Bronze

bride standing at altar — Photo by Lilly Red Creative

The trick to the perfect sunkissed bronze bridal look is to take the powder all over the face. The sun naturally casts its glow evenly across your face—not just on your cheekbones. Take the bronzer up toward the temples, on the apples of your cheeks, and on the jawline for the most natural sun-kissed look.

Don’t forget to add a touch of highlight to the tops of your cheekbones for a little extra glow.

17 of 22

No-Makeup Makeup

Bride holding glass of champagne — Photo by Nancy Ebert

Mastering the no-makeup makeup look is an exercise in restraint. Skip the lashes, contour, lip liner, and any other makeup steps you could do without. Keep it simple with just the basics: a light coverage foundation, a hint of concealer, and some color on the cheeks and lips. You’ll feel like the best version of yourself when you walk down that aisle.

Here’s How to Rock a No Makeup Wedding Look

18 of 22

Bronzy Glow

A natural glam look must contain the following: a bronzy complexion, a soft smoky eye, and a nude lip. This bride nailed it, defining and highlighting her best features with neutral tones and products with a natural, skin-like finish.

19 of 22

Nude and Natural

If you’re going for a more natural look, skip the black eyeliner and reach for a brown liner instead. The color looks more natural, especially on blondes who don’t have natural dark-colored lashes to begin with. The end result still makes your eyes pop but looks much softer overall.

20 of 22

Flawless Natural Glam

For the bride who likes wearing makeup but doesn't want to look like a completely different person on her wedding day, this flawless natural glam look is the solution. A full, fluffy brow feels modern and cool, especially when paired with a nice set of false lashes. Blush in the perfect pinch-me shade of pink and a mauve lip complete the look.

21 of 22

A Pop of Color

A stunning floral cape calls for a pop of color on the lips. This bride went with a punchy shade of pink, which accentuates her skin tone perfectly. She kept the rest of her makeup fairly light with barely there foundation, bushy brows, and no liner or false lashes. We love the way the unexpected shade of lip color plays with the fun earrings and the dress accents.

22 of 22

Subtle yet Defined

This subtle, toned-down bridal beauty look blurs the line between natural and glam. The defined eyes are balanced by the glossy nude lip color, giving the whole look an effortlessly chic vibe.

FAQ

Do I need to hire a makeup artist if I'm doing a natural look?

This is entirely up to you. If you're confident in your makeup skills, go for it—just be sure to do several practice runs in advance. Also, consider a tutorial with a pro if you decide to DIY it.
How long will a natural makeup look take?

The barely there makeup look doesn't always translate to less time. An hour to an hour and a half is a good amount of time to budget. If your trial runs are consistently longer or shorter, adjust the time accordingly.