As the mother of the bride, all eyes will be on you during your daughter’s special day.
Finding the right makeup to complement your dress and flatter your features can be tricky.
You want a look that is elegant and polished but still age-appropriate.
Today I’ll provide tips on colors, techniques and products so you can recreate these looks and feel confident and beautiful on your daughter’s wedding day.
So grab your makeup bag and read on for amazing gorgeous mother of the bride makeup ideas you can totally rock!
Soft and Natural Beauty
For many mothers, a soft and natural makeup look is the perfect choice for their daughter’s wedding.
This enhances your features in a subtle way without looking overdone.
Start by evening out your complexion with a light layer of liquid foundation or tinted moisturizer.
Look for formulas that offer light to medium coverage with a luminous satin finish.
Avoid anything too matte or heavy.
Next, apply concealer just where needed to camouflage spots, dark circles or redness around the nose and eyes.
Pat out gently with a damp sponge for seamless blending.
Use a light dusting of translucent loose powder to set concealer and reduce shine on the t-zone.
Too much powder can look aging, so focus just on the center of the face.
Swirl a rosy pink blush onto the apples of the cheeks and blend up towards the cheekbones.
This gives a healthy, lively flush.
Fill in brows with a powder or pencil in a soft shade that matches your hair color. Define the shape lightly without over-drawing.
Sweep a shimmery champagne eyeshadow across the lid and into the inner corners to awaken the eyes. Line the upper lashline with soft brown eyeliner, smudging the line for definition. Finish with two coats of brown mascara.
Line lips with a rosy pink liner to prevent feathering, then fill in with a creamy rose lipstick.
Blot to remove excess. Finish with a clear gloss in the center of lips for dimension.
Set it all with a misting of rosewater setting spray for long-lasting yet natural radiance.
Let your own beauty shine through!
Pretty in Pink
Nothing says femininity like pretty pops of pink! This monochromatic makeup look is ultra flattering on mothers of the bride.
Prime lids with a pigmented pink cream eyeshadow all over.
Press shimmery pink shadow across the lids. Deepen the crease with muted berry and pink tones.
Swipe pearly highlight under the brows. Curl lashes and coat with black mascara.
Use a luminous pink foundation or mix liquid foundation with a few drops of pink pigment adjustor. This creates a healthy glow against mature skin.
Apply pink cream blush to the apples of the cheeks and blend back towards the hairline. Sweep a satiny highlighter along cheekbones for radiance.
Groom and fill brows with a taupe pencil. Brush pink brow gel through hairs for polish.
Line lips with berry pink liner, then fill in with hydrating pink lipstick. Layer shiny pink gloss on top. Finish with setting spray.
Amp up the pink flush on cheeks and eyes before photographs. This look photographs beautifully and brings out your inner radiance!
Bold Red Carpet Glam
For an elegant evening wedding, channel Hollywood glamour with a bold red carpet makeup look.
This pulls out all the stops while remaining timeless.
Start with a velvety smooth foundation applied all over.
Set it in place with powder foundation for long wear. Contour cheeks with cool brown cream contour.
Sweep gold cream eyeshadow across lids up to the brow bone.
Deepen crease with muted brown shadow. Darken outer corners with a touch of black shadow. Highlight inner corners with shimmery ivory.
Line upper lash line with black liquid liner, extending the line slightly at the outer corner.
Apply black mascara, layering until lashes are full and dramatic.
Groom and fill in brows with a dark powder, sharpening the arch slightly. Brush clear brow gel into hairs to set.
Dust cheeks with vibrant pink blush, extending it back towards the hairline for dimension. Sweep gilded highlighter along cheekbones.
Line and fill in lips with classic red liner and lipstick. Blot gently before applying glossy red lip gloss to the center of lips.
Finish with setting spray for lasting luminosity. Feel like a star as you support your daughter saying “I do”!
Elegant Smoky Eyes
Smoky eyes may seem intimidating but this modern take is polished and elegant, perfect for a mother of the bride.
Prep lids with an eye primer to prevent creasing and fading. Dust light beige shadow over the primer to set it.
Sweep shimmering taupe shadow across lids to the crease. Use a fluffy brush to diffuse the edges for a soft effect.
Deepen the outer corners and crease with a medium brown shadow, blending as you go to avoid harsh lines.
Darken just the outer v area with a charcoal shadow. Dab on with your finger for intensity. Leave the inner corners lighter.
Curl top and bottom lashes. Apply black mascara to top lashes only. This keeps the under eye area soft and bright.
Fill in brows with short, feathery strokes, extending the arch slightly. Brush clear gel through hairs to groom.
Apply pink blush to the apples of cheeks, extending towards temples. Sweep golden highlighter along cheekbones.
Finish with a rosy pink lip. Line and fill in with lip liner and lipstick. Apply gloss just to the center of lips.
Set with a makeup setting spray. Your gorgeous smoky eyes will remain in place all evening!
Fresh-Faced Glow
This dewy, lit-from-within makeup is elegant in its simplicity. By letting your natural beauty shine through, you’ll glow with grace.
Even out skin with a hydrating tinted moisturizer and concealer just where needed. Buff in gently with a damp sponge.
Powder lightly with translucent powder, concentrating on the t-zone. Avoid too much powder for a flat matte effect.
Sweep a shimmering champagne shadow from lash line to browbone and inner corners. Skip liner and mascara for wide open eyes.
Fill in brows slightly with soft, feathery pencil strokes. Brush clear brow gel through hairs.
Apply liquid illuminator along cheekbones, blending outward with fingers or a damp sponge. Mist face with rosewater spray.
Swipe on a sheer peach lip tint. Finish with clear lipgloss down the center of lips.
Flaunt your inner radiance with this quick, minimal makeup! A bit of highlighting and gloss lets your natural beauty take center stage.
Bright Grape Smoky Eye
Make a vibrant style statement with a bold grape smoky eye paired with a fresh, glowing complexion.
This eye-catching look is perfect for a winery wedding.
Even out skin with liquid foundation, blending outwards with a damp sponge.
Brighten under eyes with peach color corrector and concealer. Set with translucent powder.
Dust a matte cream shadow over the lid as a base.
Sweep shimmering grape shadow across the lid up to the crease.
Deepen the crease and outer v with eggplant purple shadow, using small circular motions to diffuse edges. Connect the upper and lower lashlines with purple shadow.
Highlight the inner corners with cream shimmer shadow. Also glide some along the lower lashline.
Line upper lashline with black liquid liner, extending the line slightly at the outer edge. Apply black mascara.
Fill in brows with short, hair-like strokes. Brush through clear brow gel. Avoid anything too sculpted or harsh.
Sweep rosy pink blush onto the apples of cheeks, blending back. Dust highlighter along cheekbones.
Finish with a neutral rosy lipstick topped with clear gloss. Let the vibrant eyes take centerstage!
Mist setting spray over the finished look. The bold grape shadow will truly pop against bright, glowing skin.
Bronzed Goddess
Channel sun-kissed radiance with a bronze goddess makeup look. Warm metallic tones flatter mature complexions for a glamorous mother of the bride style.
Prep lids with a shimmery bronze cream eyeshadow. Layer metallic copper shadow across the lid and into the crease, extending it subtly at the outer corner.
Line upper lashline with dark brown liner, smudging it for a sultry effect. Apply black mascara.
Sweep brown pencil through brows, combing it through with clear brow gel. Avoid harsh shaping for a softer look.
Apply liquid bronzer or luminizer along the high points of the face for glow. Dust bronze blush onto the apples of cheeks.
Play up the bronze theme with coppery highlighter along cheekbones and the cupid’s bow. Leave the under eyes bare.
Finish with a hydrating nude lipstick layered with bronze shimmer lipgloss. Mist setting spray to blend it all together seamlessly.
The warm metallic tones give off an otherworldly glow in photos while remaining subtle in person.
Feel like a golden goddess as mother of the bride!
Radiant Coral
Vibrant coral is such a flattering, uplifting shade on all complexions. Embrace this cheerful color for a radiant mother of the bride look.
Even out skin with liquid foundation and concealer. Set with translucent powder only where needed to avoid looking flat.
Sweep shimmery champagne shadow over lids. Apply coral cream shadow along the lower lashline, smudging it slightly.
Curl lashes and apply black mascara top and bottom for definition.
Use brow powder to fill in any sparse areas, brushing it into place with clear gel.
Dust bright coral blush onto the apples of cheeks, blending towards temples. Sweep golden highlighter along cheekbones.
Line and fill in lips with coral pink liner and lipstick. Top with clear gloss for dimension.
Finish with setting spray. Feel confident and radiant in cheerful coral tones perfect for a summer wedding.
Golden Hour Eyes
Channel the gorgeous golden light of sunset with this glowing makeup look. Metallic golds and peaches create a glamorous mother of the bride style.
Start by evening out skin tone with liquid foundation and concealer where needed. Avoid powder for a dewy finish.
Apply a champagne shimmer cream eyeshadow all over lids and up to the brows. Pat metallic gold shadow across lids.
Deepen the crease and outer corners with a muted peach shadow. Use small circular motions to diffuse edges.
Highlight inner corners and brow bones with cream shimmer highlighter.
Fill in brows with short, hair-like strokes and tinted brow gel. Avoid harsh sculpting.
Sweep peachy blush onto the apples of cheeks, extending it towards temples.
Apply liquid highlighter along cheekbones and blend for a lit-from-within glow.
Finish with a neutral peach lipstick and clear gloss.
Set with makeup setting spray. Bask in the golden glow, just like the radiant mother of the bride you are!
Taupe Smokey Eye
For an elegant, understated look, try this modern taupe smokey eye paired with a hint of warmth on cheeks.
Start by evening out skin tone with liquid foundation and concealer blended outward with a damp sponge. Avoid excess powder.
Sweep a shimmery cream shadow over lids up to the brow as a base. Pat a silvery taupe shadow across lids and lightly into the crease.
Deepen the outer v and lashline with a charcoal shadow, smoking it out at the edges. Keep the inner corners bright.
Line upper lashes with dark brown liner. Run brown shadow along lower lashline, smudging with a brush.
Apply black mascara top and bottom. Fill in brows with short feathery strokes and tinted brow gel.
Sweep coral blush onto the apples of cheeks. Apply gilded highlighter lightly along cheekbones.
Finish with a rosy nude lipstick and clear gloss in the center. Mist setting spray to blend.
The taupe smokey eye adds definition while remaining soft and understated for an elegant mother of the bride look.
Luminous Lavender
Make a statement with fresh, luminous lavender tones. This unique color flatters all complexions for a stylish mother of the bride look.
Start by evening out skin with a hydrating foundation or tinted moisturizer. Conceal any imperfections, blending outward with a sponge.
Sweep a pearly cream shadow across lids up to the brow bone to awaken eyes. Press a shimmery lilac shadow over the cream base.
Deepen the crease and outer v with a muted purple shadow, diffusing edges as you go.
Line upper lashline with deep purple liner. Smudge slightly before applying black mascara top and bottom.
Fill in brows with hair-like strokes using a gray pencil. Brush lavender tinted brow gel through hairs for a unique pop of color.
Sweep bright lavender blush onto the apples of cheeks, blending back. Sweep highlighter along cheekbones.
Finish with a creamy nude lipstick and shiny fuchsia gloss in the center.
Mist face with setting spray for lasting luminosity. Feel radiant and refreshed in on-trend lavender hues!
Romantic Rose Gold
Embrace romantic rose gold tones for a pretty mother of the bride look. This pairs beautifully with blush gowns and décor.
Even out skin with liquid foundation and concealer blended outwards with a damp sponge. Set center of face lightly with powder.
Apply metallic rose cream shadow across lids up to the crease. Blend the edges well so they don’t look harsh. Add rose shimmer along lower lashline.
Sweep taupe shadow lightly through the crease and outer corners for subtle definition. Highlight brow bones with cream shimmer.
Brush black mascara over curled top lashes only. Fill in brows with soft, hair-like strokes.
Sweep rose powder blush onto the apples of cheeks. Dust rose gold highlighter along cheekbones.
Line and fill in lips with muted rose liner and lipstick. Apply shiny lipgloss to the center of lips.
Finish with setting spray for lasting radiance. The romantic glow is perfect for a blushing mother of the bride!
Vintage Cat Eye
Channel retro Old Hollywood glamour with a striking cat eye and bold red lip. This vintage makeup never goes out of style.
Start by evening out skin with full coverage matte foundation, concealing imperfections. Set with translucent powder.
Sweep medium taupe shadow over the lid up to the crease. Extend the shadow slightly past the outer corner.
Apply black liquid liner across upper lashline. Flick liner dramatically up and outward from the outer corner.
Fill in brows with short, hair-like strokes and clear brow gel. Avoid harsh, sculpted arches.
Dab vibrant red cream blush onto the apples of cheeks, blending back. Sweep highlighter subtly along cheekbones.
Line and fill in lips with classic matte red liner and lipstick. Apply gloss to the center of lips for dimension.
Set makeup with rosewater spray. Feel glamorous yet timeless with a bold cat eye and red pout.
As mother of the bride, find a makeup look that makes you feel confident, radiant and undeniably beautiful
Play with glamorous tones, pops of color or soft natural hues.
Flaunt your unique beauty, style and elegance as you support your daughter on the most important day of her life so far.