I remember my sister’s wedding last year and how stressed she was about picking the right makeup colors with her white dress.
She tried so many different shades but nothing seemed to look quite right.
In the end, she went with a natural look that heightened her natural beauty without competing with her dress.
It got me thinking about what shades actually work best when you’re wearing white.
Did you know that white reflects light while other colors absorb it?
This is why wearing the right makeup tones with white is so important – you don’t want your face competing with the dress.
Nude Lipstick
Ah nude lipstick – it’s SUCH a staple for a reason when wearing white.
Nude shades mimic the natural color of your lips so they blend in seamlessly without being distracting from your gorgeous gown.
I love how a nude lip lets the dress take the spotlight while still making my lips pop.
MAC’s Blankety is my absolute go-to nude – it’s a beautiful barely-there beige that suits every skin tone.
Pro tip: dab a little in the center of your lips and blend outwards using your finger for a DIY ombré effect. This helps make lips look fuller without overlining.
Another flattering option is Nars Dolce Vita. It’s a gorgeous rosy nude that gives a kiss of color without being overly bright. Just lightly line your lips with similar colored pencil first to make it last all day and night.
Nude lips pair perfectly with white as they don’t demand attention the way a bold lip would. Your features will pop in all the photos without competing with that dreamy white dress – it’s makeup magic!
Peach Blush
Peach blush has got to be one of my top picks for wearing with white. It adds a healthy glow to the cheeks without being too vivid or domineering next to an all-white ensemble.
My desert island blush is Benefit’s Galifornia – the subtle shimmer in it makes cheekbones really stand out in photos too. Trick is to apply it lightly – use a brush to sweep it across the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards towards your temples in windshield wiper motions.
Too much blush and suddenly your face could overpower that ultra chic white number. Stay light handed and build the color up gradually if needed. Peach is just so universally flattering too – it works for every skin tone whether fair or deep.
Doesn’t the warmth of peach blush just make your complexion glow? It’s SO much more flattering than being completely makeup free in photos too.
Trust me, these subtle makeup colors are sure to become your new wedding guest dressing must-haves!
Champagne Eyeshadow
Oh man, Champagne eyeshadow is just perfection with white dresses – it adds such a romantic, bridal touch to your look without upstaging the dress whatsoever. I’m a big fan of MAC’s single shadow in shade Blanc Type.
It’s the prettiest subtle rose gold shade that acts as a perfect 1-shadow-look wonder. I like to start by sweeping it all over my lid and slightly above in my crease as a base color.
Then using a blending brush, diffuse it up and out towards my brow bone to create soft dimension.
The subtle pearl pigment in Blanc Type really makes eyes ‘pop’ in photos too without going over the top. Pro tip: run a small brush loaded with the shadow along your bottom lash line to make peepers appear bigger.
Another favorite is MAC Amber Times Nine in the crease alone for a more intensified evening look – blended out well, it adds warmth without going heavy handed. Champagne tones are so universally flattering on every eye color too!
Rosé Gold Eyeshadow
If you want to play up eye makeup a slight bit more, rose gold tones provide gorgeous glam with white without distracting too much from the dress.
A fantastic drugstore option is NYX’s single in Rose Gold. Its blendable, mid-toned shimmer shade applies seamlessly on lids for an effortless swept up look.
I also adore Huda Beauty’s Rose Gold Remastered Palette – it provides everything from mattes to toppers to create endless rosier looks.
A wash of light pink in the crease with a pearl shade on the lid is to die for elegance.
Remember – let your dress do the real “wowing” by keeping eye makeup in rose-champagne-gold tones. Your features will pop beautifully aside that gorgeous white masterpiece!
Soft Pink Eyeshadow
Oh my goodness, a touch of soft pink eyeshadow is just divine with an all-white ensemble.
It adds such a feminine glow and plays up peepers without competing with your dress.
Then take a fluffy brush and diffuse a tad of the shadow above your crease for subtle contouring – this opens up eyes beautifully.
For evenings, dip into your Favorite pink-toned palette like the Huda Rose Quartz.
I love pairing a matte baby pink like Snob in the crease with a light pearl on the lid and inner corner. Try using your ring finger to pat on shimmer shades for maximum impact – it really makes lids sparkle!
Don’t forget to gently blend a little shadow along your lower lash line too. This helps frame eyes in a really flirty way without being over-the-top dramatic.
Word of advice: go light if opting for darker liner or mascara so makeup doesn’t overwhelm your dream dress!
For a fresh daylight look, opt for a lighter, more sheer pink like MAC Blushbaby or Milani Bare Necessities. Sweep it all over the lids and blend well into the crease for a washed out effect.
For evening, amp it up slightly with a mid-toned matte baby pink in the crease. Huda Beauty Snob or ColourPop Lunch Money are beautiful options. Blend, blend, blend until there are no harsh lines.
Add dimension by layering a shimmery pink on the inner 2/3 of the lids. Try MAC Dollymix or ColourPop Tea Garden for sparkle. Use your ring finger to pat it on for max payoff.
Don’t forget under-eye color! Trace a thin line of pink along your lower lash line to help eyes pop even more. Soften it out well so there’s no harsh line.
Curl your lashes and add two coats of black or brown mascara. This opens up eyes without being overly dramatic like heavy liner.
Make sure to blend any shadow above the crease up towards your brow bone so color gradually fades into skin. This helps prevent a harsh cut-off look.
Set the look with MAC Fix+ or a mist to melt any shimmer pigment and make color intensely smooth and blendable on your peepers.
The right soft pink tones add such a feminine, romantic touch to white dresses. Subtle color is key – you want eyes looking fresh, not like heavy glam!
Pearl Highlighter
Ooh girl, a delicate pearl highlighter is like the perfect finishing touch to makeup with an all-white ensemble. It adds such a romantic glow without being in-your-face shiny.
My favorite is Becca’s Champagne Pop. Its subtle rose gold flecks melt flawlessly onto high points for an ethereal lit-from-within finish.
I like sweeping it across cheekbones and nose bridge with a fluffy brush.
For an extra photo-ready pop, dab some on the inner corners, cupid’s bow and brow bone. Pearl formulas reflect light beautifully – it makes features stand out in the most natural way!
So in summary – a touch of soft pink shadows blended out and soft pearl highlighter placed strategically is sure to make your features truly blossom alongside that white dream dress!
Champagne Pop Highlighter
Champagne Pop has warm rose gold undertones that look beautiful on a variety of skin tones. The subtle champagne hue creates an extra bridal glow.
The mix of gold and pearl pigments adds warmth and luminosity without being a stark glitter bomb. It reflects light beautifully for a multidimensional effect.
That multidimensional shine really makes features pop in photos against a white backdrop. It photographs extremely well for weddings and events.
Despite being highly reflective, it blends out seamlessly like second skin. Multiple thin layers are forgiving and create an ethereal lit-from-within sheen.
Whether you go natural or glam with your eye makeup, CP works as a universal topping to enhance. It ties cohesive looks together seamlessly.
You can easily buff any leftovers onto other areas like shoulders, arms and collar bones to diffuse the glow over more of your body.
The pale champagne flatteringly enhances features rather than competing with light-reflecting white fabric. Together you’ll look like an angelic radiant bride!
In summary, Champagne Pop creates a multi-dimensional soft radiance that photographs beautifully against white. The blendable formula and adaptable color make it a no-brainer highlighter choice for any white ensemble.
Milky Way Highlighter
Here are some key reasons why Milky Way Highlighter pairs so beautifully with a white dress:
Its very subtle white sheen adds a gorgeous lit-from-within glow without being shimmery or bold.
It blends seamlessly into the skin for an ultra-natural finish. Multiple thin layers enhance features without looking overtly makeup-y.
The pale tone works like a universally flattering primer or highlighter on most skin depths and undertones.
By catching light in a diffuse way, it makes cheekbones, brows, and eyes pop without demanding attention like your dress does.
The milky pearlescent glow looks especially romantic and lends itself perfectly to a wedding vibe.
Unlike some golden highlighters, the cool undertones don’t compete with the soft white of dresses but rather complement them.
The subtle reflectiveness enhances features beautifully in photos against a light-reflecting white background.
With just a soft wash, it catches light beautifully from every angle for an angelic radiant complexion next to white embellishments.
So in summary, Milky Way’s pale sheer formula looks extra bridal and enhances features seamlessly beside all-white attire. It elevates both your look and dress!
Terracotta Bronzer
Terracotta Bronzer is a great option for a white dress.
The reddish, muted tones of terracotta bronzer complement both fair and medium skin tones beautifully. It adds dimension without looking orange.
Used lightly, it contours and warms up the face in all the right places along the cheekbones, hairline and jaw without being too tan-looking.
Unlike some dark bronzers, terracotta is easy to blend out and build up color gradually for a soft sunkissed look that’s forgiving of mistakes.
On paler complexions especially, terracotta provides a more natural shadow versus stark contouring that can sometimes look harsh.
Its muted pigments blend seamlessly into skin regardless of texture, pores or fine lines for an airbrushed effect.
That subtle sculpted warmth really makes features pop in photos against a white backdrop without dominating the frame like some bronzers.
Whether you’re fair, medium or deep, its blendable pigment adds color where needed without leaving any unblended patches behind.
Soft Coral Lipstick
Why not to try a soft coral Lipstick with a white dress?
Look for a true coral shade like Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella. Its peach-pink undertones are universally flattering.
Apply from the middle of your lips inward using a lip brush or your finger for a mellowed ombre effect. Blend out edges softly.
Build up color in layers for an intense pop or blend out with your finger for a softer wash of color. Both work well with white.
A satin finish like MAC Powder Kiss Lipstick in Gigi gives lips a dewy look while still lasting, or gloss on top adds hydration.
Trace just the natural lip line very lightly with a similar-toned pencil for a muted defined look that doesn’t overwhelm.
The color may fade slightly, so reapply before photos so it still looks fresh hours later without feathering issues.
Make sure to really blend into the Cupid’s bow area as this makes your mouth look its plumpest and most kissable shape for photos.
Wear a peachy blush like Nars Orgasm to coordinate the cheeks for a warm, luminous monochromatic look beside white.
Carefully applied, a soft coral is romantic, youthful and makes teeth look dazzlingly white beside your gorgeous bridal ensemble. Play up your pretty pout!
Mauve Lipstick
A mauve lipstick can be a really lovely makeup match for a white dress.
Mauve has delicate blue-pink undertones that compliment both cool and warm skin tones beautifully without being too bold.
Unlike brighter shades, mauve provides a softer wash of color that enhances natural lip color against a white backdrop without dominating.
The muted berry tone feels polished but still carries a romantic bridal vibe that pairs nicely with an airy white ensemble.
Mauve’s creamy pigments photograph gorgeously and help make the face stand out in photos against light fabrics without seeming washed out.
Most mauve lip colors are versatile enough to flatter a variety of skin depths from fair to olive without swamping delicate features.
Whether you go for light makeup or glam, mauve meshes cohesively with whatever bridal vibes you envision while complementing white.
If desired, mauve also pairs beautifully with other related berry tones like plum blush & eyeliner for a coordinated colorful pop.
Used sparingly, mauve lips can really complement a white dress’ elegant simplicity with a polished yet romantic vibe that flatters any beauty looks or skin type. Go for it!
Milky Pink Lipgloss
A milky pink lip gloss is a beautiful makeup match for a white dress.
Unlike some bold colors, a milky pink gloss adds a sheer wash of color that enhances the lips without being overly distracting from the white dress.
The subtle hint of pale pink conveys a fresh, ethereal bridal vibe that pairs nicely with crisp white fabric.
Most milky pink glosses have cool-toned shades that complement both warm and cool skin complexions beautifully.
The glossy finish makes lips appear plumper and juicier while reflecting light nicely in photos against the white dress.
Lip glosses tend to be moisturizing, which leaves lips looking kissably soft instead of dry all day long.
A gloss glides on sheer and can easily be reapplied throughout the day if needed to maintain a fresh color pop.
It complements both natural and more glam makeup looks without demanding attention like the dress does.
Rosewater smoky eye
Rosewater smoky eye pairs beautifully with a white dress.
Stick to soft, rosy shades like MAC Rosewater that won’t clash and blend out seamlessly.
Sweep the lightest shade all over lids first to neutralize eyelids and act as a base. This lays down pigment evenly.
Deepen up the outer corners with a raspberry or mauve shade using a small tapered brush in the crease.
Windshield wiper motions are key to melding shades seamlessly together into the crease for a diffused effect.
Run the deepest shade gently along upper lashline using a delicate angled brush to frame eyes sexily.
Pop the lightest pink on inner corners to further highlight and open up eyes radiantly.
Curl lashes and load them up well so those smoky shadows stand out against all-white attire.
A peachy blush like NARS Orgasm fits the rosy color story and adds warmth next to crisp white.
Done right, a rosey smoked-out eye makes blue/green eyes pop beautifully beside an all-white wedding gown for romantic, feminine bridal vibes.
Gilded lids
Gilded lids can be a really lovely makeup look that coordinates beautifully with a white wedding dress.
Here’s why:
Flattering undertones: Golds, coppers and bronzes have warm undertones that complement both fair and medium skin tones without being too bold.
Multidimensional shine: The metallic pigments catch the light beautifully and add depth and dimension to complement the crisp textures of white fabrics.
Goes with any hair/eye color: Whereas some colors clash, metallic lids tie in cohesively with a variety of features from blonde to black hair and blue to brown eyes.
Photogenic: The multidimensional shimmer really makes eyes stand out captivatingly in photos set against an all-white backdrop.
Works day into night: Whether your event is midday or evening, gilded lids translate seamlessly and complement the ambiance at any time.
Pairs with all bridal vibes: From soft and romantic to glam and striking, metallic marry flawlessly with any bridal aesthetic while respecting the dress’s spotlight.
Flattering to all: When blended and buffed, gilded shades enhance natural beauty on every complexion from pale to deep without overwhelming.
So in essence, their luminosity and adaptability make metallic lids supremely bridal-appropriate and complementary to white. A dazzling choice!
Smoldering smoky eye
Here are some tips for how a smoldering smoky eye can complement a white wedding dress beautifully:
Use dark, rich tones: Choose deeper shades like charcoal, espresso or black to make a dramatic statement yet not clash.
Focus the depth: Heavily apply color primarily to the outer V and lower lashline, keeping inner corners lighter.
Blend, don’t swipe: Use small, precise blending motions to fuse shades seamlessly without harsh lines between colors.
Line top and bottom: Thicken up the upper lashline and tightline for fuller lashes. Enhance the lower with a dark pencil.
Layer and smoke: Build up pigment gradually, then softly diffuse edges up toward brows for a smudged, smoky effect.
Amp up volume: Use waterproof mascara in two coats to really make lashes stand out against such a dramatic shadow.
Warm up cheeks: A touched of bronzer along cheekbones helps provide balance to serious eyes.
Keep lips soft: Stick to nude pink tones like a lip balm to not distract from smoky eyes and dress.
With expert blending, smoldering eyes will look film-star glamorous next to an elegant all-white ensemble for your special day.
So in summary, its ethereal tint and buildable coverage make milky pink gloss a lovely bridal accent that flatters features alongside an all-white color scheme.
I hope this list of top makeup colors gives you plenty of options to complement your white dress beautifully without competing with it on your special day.
Play with shades of nude, blush, champagne and rose to let your features take center stage while your dress remains the focal point.
Have fun finding your perfect minimal makeup look!
