The Magic of Natural, Effortless Bridal Hair & Makeup
Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of decisions, from the venue to the flowers, and of course, the dress! Amidst all the excitement, one of the most important elements is how you'll look and feel on your big day. While dramatic transformations can be fun, there's an ever-growing trend that has never gone away, one that we adore: natural, effortless bridal hair and makeup.
Why the shift towards a more understated look?
Because your wedding day is about celebrating you. And what better way to do that than by enhancing your natural beauty, allowing your genuine joy and personality to shine through?
The Beauty of "You, Only Better"
Think of natural bridal hair and makeup as "you, only better." It’s about feeling comfortable, confident, and utterly radiant without feeling like you're wearing a costume. The goal is to highlight your best features and create a timeless look that you'll enjoy in photos for years to come.
Imagine, in your future, cringing at all those professional shots of makeup and hair that were fashionable for a certain period but look so dated and didn't work for you anyway?
Here's how Monica likes to achieve that beautifully effortless vibe with hair:
Forget stiff updos and overly worked styles. The natural hair trend embraces softness, movement, and a touch of "undone" elegance. A far cry from those hair loops that many clients asked for a decade ago, remember those?
Loose Waves & Curls: Whether you have long flowing locks or a chic bob, soft, deconstructed waves or curls are universally flattering. They add volume and texture without looking too "done."
Braids with a Twist: Think delicate fishtail braids woven into a half-up style, or a loose, romantic plait. Pull out a few face-framing pieces for an even softer effect.
Textured Buns & Chignons: If you prefer an updo, opt for a low, textured bun or a relaxed chignon. Allow some wisps to escape around your face and neck for a romantic, organic feel.
Embrace Your Natural Texture: If you have beautiful curls or waves naturally, work with them! A good stylist can enhance your natural texture, making it look polished yet effortless. Monica has been following a version of the curly girl method on her clients for years now. And she's had Sharon to give ideas back and forth with!
Minimal Accessories: A delicate floral sprig, a simple pearl comb, or a shimmering headband can add the perfect touch without overpowering your natural style. Even better? Fresh flowers. Monica's fantastic at adding these into the styles that she creates.
Makeup: Fresh, Luminous & True to You
The aim is to look fresh, radiant, and like yourself, just a little more polished for the camera!
Flawless, Luminous Skin: This is the foundation of a natural look. Focus on skincare in the months leading up to your wedding. Sharon adores skincare; she qualified 30 years ago as a beauty therapist and has worked with companies and learned techniques for facial massage with Espa and Clarins. Not only will she forward you some tips, but you could schedule in a facial or 2 with her.
On the day, a light-to-medium coverage foundation or tinted moisturiser will even out your skin tone, allowing your natural complexion to glow. A touch of highlighter on the high points of your face will add that coveted luminosity. Sharon loves a mix of highlighters from Vieve to Bobbi Brown.
Soft, Defined Eyes: Instead of heavy liner or dark eyeshadow, opt for subtle definition. A wash of neutral eyeshadows (think soft browns, taupes, or champagne tones) will enhance your eye shape. A delicate flick of brown or black eyeliner with shadow on top softens that look. You may have noticed the variety of brown pencil liners out there, some have gorgeous golden tones to them. Favourites are currently from Kiko, check them out!
Rosy Cheeks: A natural flush of blush on the apples of your cheeks instantly adds a healthy, youthful glow. Sharon likes to lightly layer both a cream and powder blushers for longevity. Glossier paint blush is in a handy, cute paint pot and works well.
Natural Brows: Your brows frame your face, so keep them looking well-groomed but not overly sculpted. A little brow gel or a brow pencil to fill in sparse areas is usually all you need. Soap & Glory and NYX have some excellent brow products.
Subtle Lip Colour: Think "your lips but better." The favourite application Sharon loves to use on a client who isn't used to wearing much on their lips is to use a natural lip pencil all over the lips, followed by a balm or gloss. Mac dervish or soar are fantastic. Otherwise, a lip stain in a shade close to your natural lip colour, perhaps a soft rose or berry.
Fenty and Benefit are great for this.
Finding Your Perfect Natural Look
Communication is key because everyone's idea of natural is different. The Madeup Team encourages you to look through their backlog of work on Pinterest and Instagram to see real, unfiltered shots of their clients and pick out the styles that you enjoy the most. You'll find us on most platforms under The Madeup Team.
Ultimately, your wedding day is about celebrating your love story and embracing the joy of the moment.
By opting for natural, effortless hair and makeup, you'll feel authentically beautiful, allowing your inner radiance to shine through and create memories that truly reflect the real, wonderful you.
