Bridal Makeup Trends for 2026 | North East Wedding Makeup Artist
- Paula Pace
- Apr 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
As a North East Wedding & Bridal Makeup Artist with years of experience, I've witnessed countless Bridal Makeup trends trends come and go. But I have to admit, I really wasn’t a fan of that overdone, full glam look that dominated the 2010s - think heavy chocolate brown contour, thick black lashes, way over-the-top eyeshadow, overlined lips, and silver highlighters. At the time, I probably came across as a right old grandma for disapproving of the Kardashian-inspired trend, but I felt those "Kardashian wannabes" completely missed the mark. Thankfully, that look is long behind us! And for the past few years we have have been slowly returning to more timeless, natural beauty: glossy, healthy skin, soft lashes, perfectly curated brows, and blown-out liners. So, now we're into January 2026 let’s talk about those radiant bridal makeup trends you can expect this year. Read on to discover what North East brides will be craving in 2026 and how you can achieve that gorgeous, timeless, radiant glow!
Makeup is not about covering things up, it’s about enhancing and bringing out your best features. Lisa Eldridge
Let's Glow for 2026 - Radiant Bridal Makeup Trends
Radiant skin continues to be a major trend. And I love to see Brides showcasing luminous, hydrated skin with a natural, glowing finish for their Wedding Makeup. Try mixing an illuminating primer with your foundation to give a soft focus radiance and avoiding that overall heavy coverage that has dominated the first half of the 2020's.
Wedding Makeup ideas I love
Peaches and Cream Goddess illuminating primer.
The Glass Skin Look
Korean-style glass skin products have become a popular trend for brides seeking that radiant, flawless glow. However, this minimalist look requires some careful thought and is best suited for drier or normal skin types, which can benefit from a dewy finish. For those with oily skin, this look can become too shiny, especially when the weather heats up. To achieve the glass skin effect, opt for lightweight foundations, a 50/50 mix of foundation and moisturiser, tinted moisturizers, or BB/CC creams, all of which give the skin a fresh, healthy, and luminous glow.
3. Soft, Mythical Bridal Rosy Flush
I absolutely love a rosy glow on North East brides—it really enhances their natural radiance. This natural Bridal Makeup look can be achieved with soft peach, pink, and rosy tones in both creams and powders, giving the cheeks a youthful, radiant flush. Peaches and cream blushes are perfect for adding these fresh, flirty spring hues that beautifully highlight the bride's natural beauty
4. Soft, defined Eyes and Warm Mocha Tones
Instead of bold, dramatic eye makeup, 2026 will see softer, more natural eye looks. Neutral mocha eye shadow tones, soft brown eyeliner, and delicate 3/4 lashes will be popular. This natural look is all about brightening the eyes with light, shimmery shades and gentle diffused winged liner or subtle smudging.
The Natural Brow
Beautiful eye makeup always radiates when paired with perfectly shaped, defined brows. Natural, defined brows are still making a significant impact in bridal makeup. Just check out bridal makeup inspo on Pinterest or Instagram, and you'll see that full, shaped, and arched brows continue to be a top trend this year.
No brows? No problem! Salon treatments like microblading, tinting, waxing, and brow lamination can help you achieve that full brow look. For everyday maintenance, focus on using brow gels or pencils to create and hold a natural yet structured shape.
6. Natural, soft & Glossy Lips
While matte lips dominated much of the 2020s, it’s refreshing to see the return of soft, glossy lips in shades like soft peach, nude beige, and my personal favourite, the timeless natural petal pink. These glossy hues bring a touch of sophistication and freshness to any bridal look. And while these glosses don't last as long a a matte lipcolours, teamed with a long lasting lipliner (I love Cappucino from Rimmel or MUFE Lip Liners) they still exude that innocent beauty and last long enough for the ceremony and photographs Note: have a Bridesmaid carry your SOS touch up kit and to remind you when you need your lip colour reapplying.
Effortless Contouring
Who remembers when contouring was everywhere and if you didn't shove this brown stuff all over your brides face, you weren't a great makeup artist? Well I called time on that heavy contour look sometime ago and more than happy to see the back of it. Contouring hasn't really gone away, its just remained as that subtle sculpting of the cheek bone as it always was and should have been, without that harsh unnatural and obvious brown line. Keeping it light, natural and real will define that cheek subtly and gracefully while remaining beautifully fresh and natural.
8. Ditching the template Makeup
I'm pleased that North East Brides are now moving on from that one-size-fits-all look and embracing their own style and individuality. I've had requests for Vintage Glam, Halloween Bridal and the No-Makeup-Makeup. So if you want A Pop of bubble gum pink lip, then you can. Personalised makeup tailored to each bride’s unique features, skin tones, preferences, and style will take center stage in 2026.
You may find this blog post useful
9. Body Talking Sheen
It's time for the chest, shoulders and decolletage to be bathed in a radiant sheen like finish that will elevate the brides overall look to a soft, luminous glow that will will ooze romance and style. Try Powders, sprays, mosturisers, sprays or illuminating primers for that delicate sexy glow.
Final Thoughts...
I'm delighted that the 2026 bridal makeup trends in the Niorth East are all about achieving that ultimate glowing, dewy skin, with an emphasis on highlighting each bride’s natural features rather than masking them.
I can’t wait to create that fresh, radiant look for all my 2026 brides on their special day!
See you soon, 2026 is going to be a good one.
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