The Wedding Makeup Trends Every Bride Will Love
On your wedding day, you want to look and feel beautiful so you can look back on photos and smile. Other than the most obvious importance of your wedding dress, most brides want to make sure that their makeup not only can stand the test of the day, but also the test of time, so they can feel beautiful and modern on their big day.
Wedding makeup trends continually evolve year by year, influenced by fashion, social media and global beauty culture, and 2026 is no different. 2026 brings a blend of timeless and elegant, with its fresh and modern take on timeless makeup. But how do you achieve the 2026 makeup look?
This article aims to explore the biggest makeup looks that brides will be embracing in the next year, from skin to colour placement to statement features and new techniques fresh out of the beauty world. These trends can be for all brides, whether you enjoy a minimalistic vibe or a glamorous look.
Flawless ‘glass’ skin takes centre stage
The rise of luminous, hyper-natural compassion, inspired by healthcare-driven beauty and skin care trends all the way over from Korea, has found its way into wedding makeup looks. However, in 2026 theres less emphasis on the dewy looks form 2025 and more of an emphasis on a refined glow that looks natural, healthy and polished, which is great for photos.
To achieve this look, you can use a mixture of skin tints, serum foundations, strategic highlighting and skin prep rituals that prioritise hydration and feature hydronic acid, to all achieve the glow from within. This look is both great for indoor and outdoor weddings as it looks great in all lighting, whilst being durable and enhancing natural beauty without being too heavy or cakey in real life.
Romantic, rosy colour pallets
In 2026, brides are opting for soft and feminine colours such as rose, mauve, peony and dusty pink to reflect natural occurring colours in nature and the natural rosey tones of the face. These colours look amazing on a wide range of skin tones, with fairer brides opting for more pinky colours and darker skin brides opting for richer colours like mauve for cream blushes and lipsticks.
Additionally, you can opt for an extra trendy look by following the 2026 monochromatic trend, where brides match their blush, lips and eyes for a more modern editorial look. These colours are perfect for weddings all year round, with rosy pallets complementing spring and summer weddings and darker pinks suiting autumn and winter weddings.
Statement eyes: drama meets glam
Soft metallics- Champagnes, golds and pear metallics have taken over the glam scene, adding a subtle but glamorous touch in the corners of the eyelids, without overpowering like glitter can.
Wispy but realistic lashes- With the focus on more natural beauty in 2026, lightweight lash clusters replace heavy strip lashes for an impactful but natural glam finish.
Watercolour eyeshadow washes- Soft pastel tones such as lavender, peach and soft blue are placed onto the eyelids, offering more alternative brides with a dreamy and ethereal touch.
Smudged liners and soft wings- Following on from the natural trend, brides are embracing brown or charcoal eyeliners for subtle definition and a sultry look without the more intense effects of a sharp black eyeliner.
The rise of satin and glossy lips
Matte lips are taking the back seat in 2026, with stain and glossy finishes becoming a new bride staple. Unlike matte lipsticks and liners, glosses are easy to apply throughout the day, leaving you with plump and hydrated lips to last through the night. Popular colours are soft roses, peach and berry stains for a natural but resilient look that lasts all day.
Bring on 2026
2026 bridal makeup brings a blend of natural radiance with soft glamour, offering a trend that feels fresh yet timeless. Just remember that no matter the trend, the best bridal look is one that makes you feel confident and authentically you!