Bridal Makeup for the Mature Bride

The key to achieving a beautiful bridal glow no matter what your age is to understand how to bring out your best features with makeup and play down the features you aren't as keen on.


Tip 1: It's true when they say "less is more as you age." Not to say you can't rock a smoky eye or pop your lips with a bright colour but in general, the older we get, the less makeup we should be wearing. What you could get away with in your 20's, simply put, won't work for you when you're 40+. 

Tip 2: When it comes to making skin look radiant and glowing, use liquid or lighter foundations that provide a light to medium coverage rather than heavy coverage foundations such as creams or foundation sticks. Try using tinted moisturizers or foundations that contain silicone. Think of silicone as you would a little bit of "topical filler for the skin." Silicone helps to diminish fine lines and provides your skin texture with a more smooth and even consistency. 

Tip 3: Be purposeful with whatever makeup product you place on your face. For example, if you want a little sparkle on the eye, place the product directly on the eye lid area only. Frosted/sparkly products have a tendency to wander on the skin and really love to settle into fine line and wrinkles making you look older than you are!  If you love a little glitter or frost on your eye be careful, use sparingly and be precise with the application. 

Tip 4: Try using cream blushes rather than powder blushes and again stay away from anything too shimmery. Remember too much shimmer/frost/glitter is not going to make you look glowing and beautiful and it will not photograph well either. You're best to stick with matte products and use shimmery products in precise small amounts.  

See the image of Catherine Zeta Jones below.  As much as I normally love her makeup this is a perfect example of 40+ makeup gone very very BAD!  Too much frost, shimmer and shine.  Avoid this!

Tip 5: Experiment with some colour in one area of your face. For example, use neutral colours on your eyes and cheeks but pop your lips with some bright coral, red or burgundy coloured lipstick. The neutral colours will work to keep you looking fresh and photo ready while the pop of colour will add an element of glamour.

Final thoughts...

Embrace your looks no matter what your age is!  Let's face it, you've earned those lines/wrinkles and you shouldn't be ashamed of the aging process. Instead of trying to look 20 years younger on your wedding day let people see you looking the best you possibly can with beautiful skin, gorgeous eyes and a sexy pout! 

About the author:  Vicki Millar is a well known award winning bridal makeup artist and hair stylist based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  She writes weekly for the popular blog Beauty For Brides where she shares wedding fashion, makeup, hair and trends in the industry.