Many brides favour nude lipstick when it comes to their big day – and it’s no surprise why.
Yes, the no-makeup makeup trend has infiltrated into bridal beauty, but it goes beyond that. On what many consider to be the most important moment of their lives, you want to look like yourself.
So, if you favour pink, peach or nude tones, you’ll want to follow suit at your wedding. These shades are also typically low-maintenance with a pout-perfecting finish.
Meghan Markle opted for the Dior Lip Addict Glow in 001 Pink, an innovative formula that adapts to the wearer’s pH levels to round off her soft, pinkish makeup look. Similarly, during the viral wedding of Sofia Richie in which the bride wore a runway-worthy selection of Chanel looks, she paired these with the Rouge Coco Baume in Pink Delight 928 from the luxury house. Both products are more balm-like in their finish, but this doesn’t have to be the route that you follow. You can opt for punchier, bolder shades.
Take a leaf out of Amal Clooney’s book. The human rights barrister went deeper in the colour spectrum back in 2014 when she tied the knot to husband George, calling on makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury’s Walk of Shame hue, a berry rose tone. Sofia Vergara echoed the look with a dark red, proving vibrant shades can be as appealing for nuptials, no matter the season.
The most important thing is to feel confident in whatever shade you choose – and that it has lasting power, so you need not leave the dancefloor for an impromptu top-up.
We consulted Amy Conway, Bobbi Brown Global Pro Artist to find out more.
How to choose wedding lipstick
Selecting the perfect lippie is not an easy task but Conway has a top tip to aid you in your search: “I love to teach women to apply three or four lip colours you like the look of on your fingertips. Hold each finger up in front of your lips to get a great guide of how it looks against your skin tone and eye colour. The one that looks most flattering, try that one on first and then go from there”.
How to pair lipstick colour with skin tones
“A great tip is to look at how your skin tans in the sun”, says the expert makeup artist. “If you naturally go pinker in the sun, opt for a blue or pink undertone lip colour. And if you tan more golden/ olive, opt for a warm pink/ coral or brown undertone lip colour”.
She also shares the shade that’s a new favourite in her kit. “I love how universal Blondie Pink Crushed lip colour is from the Bobbi Brown Jenny Packham collection, it just looks like your lips but better on so many brides”. To apply, she says “Press it into the lip for a subtle stain or layer up for a full pigment that will last from ceremony to dance floor”.
Should you wear red lipstick on wedding day?
Conway stresses it’s not the colour that’s important. “I love brides that wear whatever makes them feel beautiful on their wedding day. So if red lipstick is that for you, absolutely!”. It is important to note that these brighter shades may require more upkeep to avoid fading or feathering. She advises that for best application and to enhance longevity “use a lip liner and layer a touch of powder on top to make it kiss-proof”.
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Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color
You need not sacrifice a juicy pout for pigment. Bobbi Brown’s Crushed Lip Color has a balmy texture with an effortless swipe-and-go quality that will make it a stalwart in your bridal handbag. Cocoa is a cool brown hue that is fairly neutral to suit any occasion and any skin tone. You can build to enhance the colour payoff but no matter how many layers you apply, it holds in place for around eight hours. It comes in 28 shades.
Buy now £29.00, Bobbi Brown
Pat McGrath Labs LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick
As soon as it was revealed that Taylor Swift wore the Pat McGrath Labs LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick during her Eras Tour, the product flew off the shelves. The liquid lipstick was able to withstand a high-intensity, three-hour performance in the rain and still look as fresh as the minute it was applied, so it’s no wonder we were desperate to add it to our makeup kit.
Swift chose the Elson 4 hue but it’s just one of 14 shades available in a range that extends to Divine Rose, a soft plum pink, Pink Desire for a warmer tone and Nude Awakening that infuses shimmer into a bronze nude tone. Proven to be long-lasting, the formula is also smooth in texture and ultra-pigmented.
Buy now £32.00, lookfantastic
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipstick in Super Model
Charlotte Tilbury’s reputation for matte lipsticks proceeds it and the brand deserves every single bit of praise that it receives. They are lauded for their pigmented colour pay-off, long-lasting colour and for the seemingly miraculous way they flatter all skin tones. While Pillow Talk is the bestselling shade in the collection, it is closely followed by Super Model which is a slightly darker nude-rose hue.
This is a super matte texture but the formula is enriched with orchid extracts that have a hydrating effect. The combination of oils and waxes make it smooth right on and stay in place for up to 10 hours.
Buy now £28.00, Charlotte Tilbury
CODE8 Matte Velour Lipstick
There are three red tones in the CODE8 collection to give options to flatter all skin tones. Mambo - a fuchsia-red, Pop Art - an orange-red and Opera - red with blue undertones are all formulated with the same creamy texture that nourishes lips as it goes. It is a matte lipstick but goes against the typical descriptor as drying without sacrificing on staying power.
Buy now £29.00, CODE8
M.A.CXIMAL Silky Matte Lipstick
M.A.C. is home to some of the best lipstick colours and formulas on the market, but the brand is constantly evolving. The M.A.CXIMAL Silky Matte Lipstick has been upgraded with a new formula that glides onto the lips with an improved texture and even richer pigment. The colour range has also been expanded and there are now 44 shades across the collection.
Buy now £25.00, M.A.C
NARS Powermatte Lipstick
The hunt for the perfect red may have met its match with NARS and the label’s Powermatte Lipstick which comes in 15 shades. Ranging from deep plum (Night Moves) to peachy coral (Free Bird), the line-up also features our personal favourite, a vivid siren red known as (Dragon Girl).
The intense colour pigment is imparted onto your pout in one fell swoop and then stays firmly in place for up to 10 hours without budging. The formula dries to a matte finish and remains transfer-resistant throughout the day. This is long-lasting makeup at its best.
Buy now £26.50, lookfantastic
Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick
Every single launch to date of Gucci Westman’s eponymous brand has treated her loyal fan base to a luxury makeup hero. The Lip Suede Matte Lipstick is no different. One swipe of the velvety texture imparts a vibrant colour with 10 shades available across the spectrum of pinks, berries, nudes and reds.
But, unlike many of its matte lipstick contemporaries, Westman has infused the formula with hydrating and nourishing ingredients, namely vitamins C and E to treat parched pouts with antioxidant and plumping protection. There is also Hydro Suede Technology – a combination of hyaluronic acid and kaolin clay that prevents the shade from feathering.
Buy now £45.00, Westman Atelier
MAKEUP BY MARIO Ultra Suede Lipstick
Velvety smooth in its texture, the Ultra Suede collection from famed makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic is a matte lipstick that has lasting power without drying out the lips – two qualities that don’t tend to go hand in hand. The pigment is powerful yet it feels weightless on application, leaning into the hugely popular blurred lip trend with its soft-focus finish. There are 20 shades with Nicole providing a rich burgundy brown and Sierra offering a soft peachy nude pink.
Buy now £30.00, Sephora
DIOR Rouge Dior Forever matte liquid lipstick
DIOR’s Rouge Dior Forever matte liquid lipstick doesn’t hold back when it comes to providing a matte finish and, if you’re someone who likes a matte to remain matte throughout the day, this is the perfect choice.
Offering 12 hours of wear no matter how much you’re eating, drinking or kissing, this liquid lipstick is one that holds its own come day or night. Before launching, the brand wanted to spend some time refining its already vibrant shades into this ultra-pigmented matte blend, which offers a brilliant fusion of the two.
Buy now £37.00, Selfridges
Gucci Beauty Goldie Red, Rouge à Lèvres Voile Lipstick
The Gucci Beauty lipstick collection takes inspiration from the gilded era of Hollywood with each shade named after a famous face and character. No wallflowers here: the hues are bright, bold and lively and are housed in beautiful floral-adorned packaging, referencing the pieces in the Italian house’s fashion offering and vintage 1950s prints.
The Goldie Red has a sheer finish and the colour is semi-transparent, allowing you to get creative with application and forge different looks with just one product. You can also dab onto the cheeks to add rouge where needed. The formula is moisturising and delicately scented with floral-fruity notes and violet at the heart.
Honourable mention also goes to the 500 Odalie Red (vivid red), and 502 Eadie Scarlet (scarlet red).
Buy now £36.00, Gucci Beauty
