Every bride dreams of looking radiant and feeling confident on her wedding day, and timeless makeup is the secret to a look that stands the test of time. In this guide, professional hair and makeup artist Jen Ho shares her expert tips for selecting the perfect colors and techniques to create a fresh, glowing bridal look that celebrates your natural beauty.
Meet the Expert
Jennifer Ho is a highly respected professional hair and makeup artist with over a decade of experience in the industry. Through her brand, Jen Ho Makeup Artistry, she offers services mainly in Hong Kong, Paris, and Vancouver.
Known for her signature styles of ‘Natural glow but photogenic makeup’ and ‘Wearable Western makeup,’ Jennifer has garnered a loyal client base who often request her sought-after looks. She enhances her clients’ features to bring out their best version of beauty.
Understanding Your Skin Tone and Undertone
Your ideal makeup colors aren’t one-size-fits-all—they depend on your skin tone and undertone. Skin tone is the color of your skin’s surface, while undertone is the subtle hue underneath. Skin tone is determined by the amount of melanin in the skin. There are six complexions generally: fair, light, medium, olive, naturally brown, and very dark brown/black. Undertones affect how your skin interacts with colors, whether it’s about makeup, jewelry, or clothing. There are three primary undertones:
Warm Undertones
Characteristics: Golden, yellow, or peachy cast.
Vein Test: Veins appear green.
Jewelry: Gold jewelry complements your skin better than silver.
Sun Reaction: Skin tans easily and rarely burns.
Best Colors: Yellow, golden, orange, rust, red, brown, and warm green shades.
Cool Undertones
Characteristics: Pink, red, or bluish hues.
Vein Test: Veins appear blue or purple.
Jewelry: Silver jewelry looks better than gold.
Sun Reaction: Skin burns easily and tans minimally.
Best Colors: Jewel-toned colors like emerald, sapphire, ice blue, silver, lavender, purple, pink with blue undertones.
Neutral Undertones
Characteristics: A balance of both cool and warm tones.
Vein Test: Veins may appear both green and blue.
Jewelry: Both silver and gold jewelry look equally flattering.
Sun Reaction: Can tan or burn depending on other factors.
Best Colors: Wide range with an easy blend of cool and warm colors
Creating Timeless Wedding Makeup
Skin
Achieving radiant, timeless bridal makeup starts with enhancing your natural skin tone and undertone. The key is to choose shades that harmonize with your complexion, creating a luminous glow that feels effortless and fresh. By matching your makeup to your unique undertone you’ll achieve a look that flatters and feels authentically you. A refreshed, glowing complexion is the foundation of every stunning bridal look, ensuring you feel confident and beautiful on your big day.
Eyes
Daytime Elegance: Feather neutral beige hues across the eyelids to brighten the eyes. A sweep of dark eyeliner along the waterline adds subtle definition.
Dramatic Depth: For a grounded yet glamorous look, go for an earthy, smoky eye. Apply darker shades at the outer corners for definition and dimension.
Brows
Use a brow pencil or gel to fill in sparse areas. This helps balance facial features, enhance the eyes, and create a more polished look, especially if you have naturally thin brows or have overplucked them in the past.
Lashes
Wispy lashes are a bridal classic. Opt for natural, lightweight false lashes to add glamour without losing the soft, romantic feel of your look.
Cheeks
Neutral blush tones such as soft pinks, rosy shades, peaches, and light browns are universally flattering. These colors complement a range of skin tones and can create a natural, radiant look that enhances the bride’s features without overshadowing them.
Lips
A nude pink lip is a romantic choice perfect for timeless bridal beauty. It enhances your natural lip color and creates a healthy, polished appearance that won’t feel dated in photos.
More Tips for Brides
To love your wedding makeup decades later, first, match your makeup to your style. Whether you prefer soft, minimal glam, or a bold smoky eye, choose a look that aligns with your personal style to feel confident and beautiful. Also, keep in mind that a neutral color palette—nude, beige, and earth tones—ensures your wedding makeup will look elegant and timeless.
The next piece of advice is to focus on enhancing, not masking. Bridal makeup should enhance your features rather than hide them. Even if heavy contouring or bold glitter is trendy, think more about a natural look that transcends eras. Stick to lightweight foundations and concealers that allow your skin to breathe.
Last, but not least, schedule a makeup trial and take photos in natural light to see how the colors translate. Don’t be afraid to ask for adjustments to ensure you’re comfortable with the final look.
