Your wedding is perhaps the most important day of your life and you want to look the best on your big day. And of course, you’re willing to spend money on professional styling as your makeup and hair determine how good you look in the wedding photos!
The Knot states that the average cost of bridal makeup and hair in the US is $290 as of 2025. That’s the same as last year’s average. Brides are willing to shell out this much and even more because they trust the skills, experience, and expertise of professional stylists.
Besides hiring the best stylist, you must also follow the latest trends to steal the show on your big day. Bridal makeup in 2025 embraces a blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The current approach focuses on enhancing natural beauty while allowing brides to express their unique personalities.
Let us highlight the bridal makeup trends making it big in 2025 and likely to shine in the years ahead.
Minimalistic Makeup with a Barely-There Look
According to Cosmetics Business, minimalist beauty is taking over consumer behaviors and brand strategies in the cosmetic industry. From skin-first routines to barely-there makeup, the trend proves that less is actually more. The approach was driven by the pandemic with women prioritizing skin health and inner wellness.
Minimalism is here to stay, and it is dominating the bridal makeup market too. This trend is all about flawless, glowing skin that looks effortlessly natural. Contemporary brides want light-coverage foundations that enhance their complexion without masking it. They pair with the base with soft contouring and sheer blush.
Makeup professionals note that this “barely-there” makeup style highlights the bride’s natural features. This ensures she looks like the best version of herself rather than a heavily made-up mannequin on her big day.
Shimmer at the Right Places
Strategic use of shimmer and glow is a key makeup trend in 2025, and this applies to bridal makeup too. Brides are opting for luminous foundations, reflective highlighters, and softly shimmering powders rather than opting for heavy glitter.
According to Wendy Rowe, glitter has a bad reputation because it contains microplastics. These tiny particles are bad for the environment, specifically marine life. Even worse, they can be ingested and pose health hazards. In fact, some variants of glitter have been banned by the EU, discontinuing its sale in 27 countries in the region.
As a bride, you can use shimmer powers and reflective highlighter on cheekbones and brow bones to create a celestial, radiant complexion. These products add a subtle cosmic aura that catches the light beautifully without overwhelming the natural look.
Love for Eco-Friendly Products
Microplastics are not the only harmful ingredients that need to be avoided when it comes to makeup products. ConsumerNotice suggests avoiding ones with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as these “forever chemicals” are highly toxic. Revolution, Inglot, and Urban Decay are some brands that use PFAS in their products.
Over time, these chemicals enter your bloodstream and accumulate there, causing a risk of serious health issues. TorHoerman Law highlights the link between PFAS exposure and various types of cancer. Many consumers have even taken the legal route to name brands that have failed to warn them about the risk.
The ongoing PFAS lawsuit indicates the severity of harm they can cause. Besides awareness regarding harmful chemicals, a green mindset has made sustainability a beauty trend. Many brides are choosing eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and clean beauty products that align with their values. These products support environmental responsibility and tend to be gentler on the skin.
Focus on Monochromatic Appearances
Monochromatic makeup is an extension of the minimalist bridal makeup trend. No one wants the flashy, multicolored look that brides flaunted a few years ago. To the modern woman, that seems too loud and quirky.
With monochromatic makeup, stylists use the same color tone on eyes, cheeks, and lips. Soft pastel hues like lavender, peach, and pink offer a fresh, cohesive, and feminine appearance. You can experiment with these hues and pick the one that blends effortlessly with your skin tone.
This trend allows for a harmonious and polished look that complements the bridal outfit and overall wedding theme.
Floral and Breezy Hairstyles
When you follow up on the latest bridal makeup trends, you cannot overlook hair styling, right? Hair styling is an equally important element of the bridal ensemble. Brides recommends choosing a style that is unique to you and matches your overall look for the event. Whether you choose a classic updo, bouncy curls, or a simple braid, you must invest some effort into the selection.
When it comes to the latest trends, hairstyles in 2025 complement the makeup trends with soft, romantic styles. For example, relaxed beachy waves adorned with pearl pins look Instagrammable. You can try delicate floral clips, sleek low buns, or ponytails for a minimalist vibe. Braided crowns that add a whimsical, dreamy touch.
Natural textures are celebrated, with voluminous curls or half-up, half-down styles that enhance the bride’s unique hair beauty. The best advice? Choose what looks the best on you and makes you feel confident.
FAQs
How to get glass skin makeup?
Glass skin makeup creates a luminous, translucent, and ultra-hydrated complexion. To get this look on your big day, you must invest in a thorough skincare routine that focuses on hydration and exfoliation. The makeup is kept minimal to let the skin’s radiance shine through.
Should a bride overdo styling?
Overdoing makeup or styling is not a great idea for brides as it can detract from their natural beauty and may not photograph well. The 2025 bridal trends are all about enhancing natural features and feeling comfortable in your own skin. The goal is to look timeless and radiant rather than overly made-up.
What makeup makes your skin glow?
The right makeup products and application can make your skin glow. Dewy foundations or tinted moisturizers offer hydration and light coverage. You can use cream or liquid highlighters with reflective pigments to catch the light naturally. Opt for soft blushes in warm, flushed tones to add life to the complexion. Follow the magic mantra of “less is more”.
Bridal makeup in 2025 is about what works for you and enhances your natural beauty. Focus on nourishing your skin deep down to achieve the healthy glow that gets you all the attention you deserve on your special day. Barely there is the best way to wear makeup as a bride.
This is a guest post.
