28 Stunning Makeup Looks for Wedding Guests in 2023
December 07, 2022
Wedding Guest Makeup Looks
1. Fantastic Face Gems
For what it’s worth, face gems are relatively simple to apply. This look, which incorporates the twinkling trend with its scattered, stylized sunburst of yellow gems, is decidedly dazzling. With all the possibilities this look inspires, it has us dreaming of fantastical face gem formations for our next wedding guest look. It’s worth noting: Face gems, while perfect for loud, statement-making makeup looks, can also deliver a subtle sparkle that glints only when the light hits. This stylistic variety can be adjusted, depending on the number of gems, placement and how they’re incorporated into a makeup look. A clear, crystal-colored duo placed at the inner corner of each eye can work wonders (and quell any fears about upstaging the bride!).
2. Sharp Cat Eye
The flattering, elongating effect of a sharp cat eye makes it one of the go-to looks for an array of occasions, including weddings. Liner precision — both along the lid and beyond, when pigment passes into wing territory — often separates a mediocre cat eye from one that’s truly awe-inspiring. Naturally, creating a smooth-edged, sharp-tipped line-wing combo starts with a standup liquid eyeliner; we love the NYX Professional Vivid Liquid Matte Liner for its no-slip glip, long-lasting wear, and bold, skip-proof pigment.
3. Bronzed and Beachy
A radiant, sunkissed visage is particularly appropriate for summer weddings — though the “I-was-just-at-the-beach” look is always in season. Get glowing with a cream contour stick like the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick Contour and Highlighter Stick, an all-over bronzer like the Maybelline New York Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer, and, of course, something shiny to top it all off. Craving more glitz? A shimmery rose-gold eye pairs perfectly with the beachy aesthetic.
4. Gradient, Light-Reflecting Lids
We’re enamored by this multi-dimensional lid look, which features pops of purple in so many of its possible forms. Play with liner on all planes of the lid, including above the crease — a space that lends itself to drawing razor-thin lines in any color imaginable. Blend multiple tones of a single color onto the lid for a seamlessly diffused, dimensional effect. A pop of chunky glitter shadow lends a luminous finish and enlivens the look all the more.
5. Reverse Cat Eye
In beauty, very few rules apply. Case in point: flipping a traditional cat eye to the lower lids — and maybe even doing so in an untraditional hue — proves just as striking as the traditional liquid liner look. Bonus points if you snag a liner that matches your outfit. Try the range from L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip 30H Precision Felt Tip Liner, which offers liquid liner in shades from classic black to trendy teal, or the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil if you want something to smudge out immediately after application for a smokier look.
6. Fluffy ’90s Supermodel Brows
Thick brows? Lucky you. Capitalize on your face-framing assets by brushing your brows upward with a spoolie. Set the look in place with a brow gel, like the NYX Professional Makeup Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler, for an extra dash of ’90s supermodel gorgeousness. Feathery brows need few additional makeup elements to complete the look. Try a lightweight foundation or BB cream, a liquid blush, and a swipe of lip gloss in a pared-down shade of pink for a fresh-faced finish that’s sure to wow.
7. Soft Bubblegum Pink Makeup
Wedding guest makeup lends itself to beauty-trend experimentation; why not dabble in the all-pink frenzy? To get the look, try a soft bubblegum eyeshadow (or two), a peony-hued gloss, and a dab of rosy blush — we recommend trying the Giorgio Armani Beauty Neo Nude A-Line Liquid Blush.
8. Mint Accents
Monochromatic makeup is marvelous — doubly so when mint-hued accents are involved. This color, an unexpectedly flattering pick for an array of skin tones, delivers a modern edge that’s exceptionally fun to boot. Deeper skin tones look especially striking in minty, seafoam-adjacent shades. Time on your hands? Swipe polish of a similar shade in a thick line across each nail for a finish that’s understated yet intentional.
9. Brick Red Perfection
Attending an autumn wedding? Consider swiping a perfectly fall-forward brick red shadow from the Maybelline New York Shadow Blocks in West 4th & Perry St along your top and bottom lash line. This color is particularly striking on green and blue eyes.
10. Lashes for Days
Short on time? Skip the faux lashes and opt for an ultra-lengthening mascara that’ll deliver a similarly wide-eyed look. The Lancôme Le 8 Hypnôse Serum-Infused Mascara is lauded for its extension-like prowess; what’s more, the formula is infused with lash-loving serum to support strong, glossy lashes over time.
11. Powder Blue Eyeshadow
This soft, sweet periwinkle hue makes for a pretty wedding guest makeup look, particularly if your outfit is in the same shade or a color that contrasts particularly well. Unsure about powder blue? Consider playing around with the best blue eyeshadow shades for your eye color.
12. Matte Red Lip
A red lip makes for an undeniably classic makeup look. Double down by choosing an ultra-matte red lipstick and paring down the rest of your makeup look to really make your pout stand out. We love the Valentino Beauty Rosso Valentino Refillable Lipstick in Red in Love Matte.
13. Berry Lipstick
Instead of your classic red or a poppy magenta, go for a moodier plum or cranberry shade for your lips. We love the YSL Beauty Bold High Pigment Lipstick in Undeniable Plum for its, well, undeniably sexy appeal. This lipstick imparts a slightly sheeny finish, which gives lips a hydrated, healthy looking glow. Just short of glossy, the slight sheen straddles the line between soft and vampy.
14. Glitter Eyes and Glowing Skin
Glittery eyeshadow is having a moment—but why stop there with the sheen? Pair a glitter-glazed eye (try the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Glow Shots, or the Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Shadow) with glassy, glowing skin — made possible with hydrating skincare products and setting spray, like NYX Professional Makeup Dewy Setting Spray, which locks your look in place while adding to overall skin sheen.
15. Heavenly Holographics
Save for music festivals, there’s hardly a better occasion than a wedding to experiment with holographic makeup. The iridescent sheen can play it safe, if that’s your preference, via products that announce themselves only as the light hits. If you’re looking to create your own light, try the light-reflecting Maybelline New York Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter Powder, which is virtually guaranteed to garner compliments from other guests.
16. Shine-Proof Dancefloor Skin
For oily skin types in particular, a mattifying foundation like Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation keeps shine at bay, even for hours on a sweaty dance floor. Available in 40 shades, it’s a breeze to find your exact match for a natural-looking finish.
17. Inner Corner Eyeshadow Accents
Who says you need to stick to traditional means of eyeshadow application? Create a graphic, modern play on traditional shadow application by dotting a pop of color on the inner corner of your eyes. We’re partial to this bright yellow look, but you can experiment with an array of colors. For a similar yellow vibe, we recommend reaching for the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Shimmery Eyeshadow in Lemon Slayed. If you’re looking for a more neutral shimmer, try a liquid shadow from the Giorgio Armani Beauty Eye Tint Liquid Shadow line.
18. White Winged Liner
Wearing white to a wedding may be a faux-pas, but slicking a bright white liner on your lids? Totally fine if you ask us. Better than fine, in fact: Adding a white winged look is a stylish way to give a wink to mid-60s mod style.
19. Floating Shimmery Liner
Want something different than your go-to cat eye? A wedding is a perfect time to try the floating eyeliner trend in a shimmery shade. Placing a curved line of eyeliner or shadow above your upper lid draws attention to your eyes and highlights extra fluttery lashes.
20. Starry, Studded Lids
Face gems star in yet another must-try eye look. Flanked by onyx liquid liner — drawn into a sharp point at the inner corners of the eye — these pink gems cover the lids in evenly-spaced formations. The result: a symmetrical, stunning statement.
21. Smudgy Black Liner
As far as beauty looks go, you can hardly get more rock-n-roll glam than smudgy black liner — and lots of it. Feel free to abandon any pursuit of makeup “perfection” and, instead, embrace a wilder look that’s sure to wow. We love rimming the eyes with a soft pencil and leaving it at that; you can, however, soften the look with sheeny, neutral shadow on the upper lids.
22. Pearl-Studded Eyes
Skip the pearl earrings and use teeny pearl face appliques to accent your eye makeup look. We love how @char_barker unexpectedly placed the detail over lime green eyeliner.
23. Two-Toned Eye Makeup
For an outdoor summer wedding (perhaps in a tropical locale?!), we love the idea of creating a two-toned eye makeup look using bright shades like hot pink and yellow à la @isabelleikpeme.
24. Popsicle-Stained lips
If you’re worried about lipstick smearing on your teeth but still want slightly more color payoff than a traditional gloss, a lip tint is the way to go. We love the Maybelline New York Green Edition Balmy Lip Blush. Available in 10 different shades, from a sheer nude pink to a bright red, these lip balms deliver an impressive amount of pigment and glossy hydration, leaving your lips looking like you actually tried lip blushing.
25. Pastel Purple Eyeshadow
Play up your love for pastels with lavender eyeshadow and periwinkle eyeliner like @marvels.makeup. To get a similar look, try the matte shade in the Maybelline New York Shadow Blocks Eyeshadow Palette in Broadway & Prince St.
26. Rosy Cheeks
Instead of making your eyes or lips the focal point, give blush the attention it deserves. Try the lifted blush trend, which consists of blush applied on the upper corners of the cheeks and extended toward the temples. We like using a cream or liquid blush when creating this type of look because it creates a natural-looking finish and is easy to apply with just your fingertips. One of our favorites is the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Lip + Cheek Tint.
27. Smoke and Shimmer
Can’t decide between a matte black smoky eye and shimmery eyeshadow for the black-tie wedding you’re attending soon? Do both — and use this creation by @theballerinabridemua as your inspiration.
28. Bronze Smoky Eye
If black or charcoal smoky eyes aren’t your thing, go for a subtler take on the trend with a bronze or gold shade.
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