Your wedding day is one of the most special moments of your life, and every person deserves to feel confident, beautiful, and celebrated. For Black women in particular, finding a makeup artist who understands the nuances of melanin-rich skin is essential to achieving a flawless look. As an inclusive makeup artist with years of experience serving Black women, I’m here to share my top tips and trends to help you shine on your big day!
1. Start with a Flawless Base
The key to a stunning makeup look is a perfect base. Begin by prepping your skin with a hydrating routine tailored to your needs. For melanin-rich skin, choosing the right foundation is critical. Opt for formulas that have shades catering to your undertones (ex: olive, golden, red, cool, neutral, etc.) to avoid looking ashy or overly warm.
Trending for 2025 is the “lit-from-within” look, achieved with luminous foundations and creamy concealers. These products enhance your natural glow while providing coverage that lasts through every photo and heartfelt moment.
Products: Danessa Myricks Beauty. I can’t get enough of her base products…well, any of her products really! Some of my favs are the Vision Cream Cover, Serum Skin Tint, and Blurring Balm Powder (depending on the look you are going for of course).
Pro Tip: As a professional makeup artist, I ensure every bride’s skin is perfectly matched and prepped to shine beautifully in both natural light and photography.
2. Enhance with Bold Yet Timeless Eyes
Your eyes are the window to your soul—and your emotions! For Black brides, jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, or deep purple are trending and complement deeper skin tones beautifully. For a softer glam look, smoked-out liner paired with shimmering neutrals creates a romantic effect.
Products: CXC Beauty because they have such a variety of colors and formulas, plus the performance is unmatched. If you happen to be near Merritt Island, FL then you can visit their store in person and have them create you a custom wedding palette.
Pro Tip: Use matte and shimmer shadows for a balanced and dimensional look. Always choose waterproof products to ensure your makeup stays flawless through happy tears and late-night dancing.
3. Choose Lip Colors That Pop
Your wedding lip color is a personal statement. For Black clients, warm nudes, terracotta tones, or deep reds and berries are must-try shades for 2025. A properly lined lip enhances fullness and prevents smudging, while long-wear formulas ensure your look stays flawless through every toast and kiss.
Products: I really love the lip products from The Lip Bar, Mented Cosmetics, and Black Opal!
Pro Tip: Pair lip colors with your overall wedding palette for a cohesive look that feels timeless.
4. Accentuate Your Natural Features
Blush and contour are the secret weapons for adding warmth and dimension to your look. For tan, dark, and deep skin tones, vibrant blush shades like orange, coral, and deep rose create a radiant flush that looks natural. Contouring and highlighting with the right shades will beautifully sculpt your features while maintaining a soft finish.
Products: I love to use a combination of Danessa Myricks Beauty and CXC Beauty, depending on the style and intensity of the look. If you’re going for the monochromatic look opt for Danessa Myricks Beauty, particularly the ColorFix because that product is incredibly multipurpose.
Trending Tip: Monochromatic looks, where your blush, eyeshadow, and lip color are in the same family, are gaining popularity and work wonderfully!
5. Lock It In for the Day
Your wedding makeup should last as long as your celebration! Setting your bridal look is essential. Avoid translucent powders! In the wrong lighting they will show ashy. Instead opt for a skin tone-colored powder, but make it one shade brighter than your shade family for a brightening effect. Finish with a setting spray that complements your preferred look—whether it’s dewy or matte.
Products: I would recommend KimChi Chic Beauty Stage Proof Matte Setting Spray, because I only carry fragrance-free products in my kit so my sensitive skin clients are cared for. For setting powders, I would recommend Danessa Myricks Beauty Evolution Powder if you prefer a loose powder or NARS Soft Matte Advanced Perfecting Powder if you prefer a pressed powder.
Bonus Tip: Airbrush makeup is another great option for brides who want a flawless, lightweight finish that lasts through every moment.
Your wedding makeup should celebrate your individuality and enhance your beauty. As a makeup artist specializing in inclusive services for Black clients, I take pride in creating personalized looks that last through every moment of your big day.
Ready to create your dream wedding look? Contact me today!
