28 Stunning Makeup Looks for Wedding Guests in 2023

Wedding Guest Makeup Looks

1. Brown Eyeshadow and Ombré Brown Lipstick

This ’90s style beauty look keeps things nice and neutral, which is just the way you want your makeup to look when you’re a wedding guest.

2. Sharp Cat Eye

The flattering, elongating effect of a sharp cat eye makes it a go-to makeup look for an array of occasions, weddings included. Creating a smooth-edged, sharp-tipped wing starts with a standup liquid eyeliner; we love the NYX Professional Vivid Liquid Matte Liner for its no-slip glip, long-lasting wear, and bold, skip-proof pigment.

3. Bronzed and Beachy

A radiant, sun-kissed visage is particularly appropriate for summer weddings. Get glowing with a cream contour stick like the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick Contour and Highlighter Stick, an all-over bronzer like the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Fresh Wear Soft Matte Bronzer, and something shimmery like the Giorgio Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow in Rose Gold.

4. Gradient, Light-Reflecting Lids

We’re enamored by this multi-dimensional lid look, which features pops of purple, sharp eyeliner and gradient blending. A tiny pop of chunky glitter shadow lends a luminous finish and enlivens the look all the more.

5. Reverse Cat Eye

Flipping a traditional cat eye to the lower lids proves just as striking as the traditional liquid liner look. Try the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip 30H Precision Felt Tip Liner, which offers liquid eyeliner with a precise felt tip in shades from classic black to trendy teal, or the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil if you want something to smudge out immediately after application for a smoky look.

6. Fluffy Brows

Capitalize on your face-framing assets by brushing your brows in place with a brow gel, like the NYX Professional Makeup Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler. Feathery brows need few additional makeup elements to complete the look. Try a lightweight foundation or BB cream, a liquid blush, and a swipe of mascara, like the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise Washable Mascara.

7. Soft Bubblegum Pink Makeup

Colorful makeup in soft shades like bubblegum pink and baby pink is a great way to play with color without going too bold. To get the look, try a bubblegum eyeshadow and a dab of rosy blush, like the Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Glow Blush in Ecstasy.

8. Peachy Soft Glam

Give soft glam a peachy, monochrome makeover with a two-in-one powder, like the Valentino Beauty Eye2cheek Blush And Eyeshadow in Orange Delight. According to makeup artist and Makeup.com consultant, Amrita Mehta, monochrome makeup is a great choice for weddings. “It’s subtle but still gives you that pop of color,” she says.

9. Velvety, Matte Glam

If you’re attending an outdoor summer wedding, velvety matte skin is a great way to ensure that your makeup can withstand the elements. Start by applying the Maybelline New York Super Stay Up to 24HR Hybrid Powder-Foundation for a transfer-proof, sweat-resistant base and finish with the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Full Coverage Concealer in the areas where you want more coverage.

10. Lashes for Days

Short on time? Skip the faux lashes and opt for an ultra-lengthening mascara that’ll deliver a similarly wide-eyed look. The Lancôme Le 8 Hypnôse Serum-Infused Mascara is lauded for its extension-like appearance and the formula even includes a lash-loving serum to strengthen lashes over time.

11. Powder Blue Eyeshadow

This soft periwinkle hue makes for a pretty wedding guest makeup look, especially if your outfit is in the same shade or a color (like orange or yellow), that contrasts particularly well.

12. Matte Red Lip

A red lip makes for an undeniably classic makeup look. Double down by choosing an ultra-matte formula and keep the rest of your makeup look simple to really make your pout stand out. We love the Valentino Beauty Rosso Valentino Refillable Lipstick in Red in Love Matte.

13. Berry Lipstick

To switch things up, go for a moodier plum or cranberry shade of lipstick. We love the YSL Beauty Bold High Pigment Lipstick in Undeniable Plum for an edgy, purple-meets-red hue. This lipstick imparts a subtle sheen, which gives lips a hydrated, healthy-looking glow.

14. Glitter Eyes and Glowing Skin

Pair a glitter-glazed eye (try the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow, or the Urban Decay 24/7 Moondust Glitter Eyeshadow Singles) with glowing, glass skin — made possible with hydrating skincare products and setting spray. Joseph Carillio, a makeup artist and Makeup.com consultant, recommends the Maybelline Facestudio Glass Spray, Glass-Skin Makeup Finishing Spray for luminous skin. “Even if you are wearing a matte foundation, it still gives a really pretty, soft glow.”

15. Heavenly Holographics

An iridescent shimmer pairs beautifully with glowy skin to craft an ethereal fairycore makeup look. Use the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum to provide hydrating, medium coverage where you need it, then use the Danessa Myricks Beauty Vision Flush Glow - Hyper Radiant Liquid Highlighter in Femme to give your cheekbones and lids a duo-chrome opalescent glow.

16. Shine-Proof Matte Skin

For oily skin types, a mattifying foundation like Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation keeps shine at bay, even for hours spent on a sweaty dance floor. Available in 40 shades, it makes it easy to find a suitable match for a natural-looking finish.

To keep your makeup looking fresh during the ceremony and well throughout the reception, makeup artist Amrita Mehta recommends stocking your clutch with a powder compact to keep the skin from looking oily, a lip gloss for easy touch-ups after you eat and a spoolie to keep your brows brushed into place.

17. Inner Corner Eyeshadow Accents

Create a graphic, modern play on traditional shadow application by dotting a pop of color on the inner corner of your eyes. We’re partial to this bright yellow look, but you can experiment with an array of colors. For a similar yellow vibe, we recommend reaching for the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Glow Shots Liquid Eyeshadow in Lemon Slayed. If you’re looking for a more neutral shimmer, try a liquid eyeshadow from the Giorgio Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Shadow line.

18. White Winged Liner

Wearing white to a wedding may be a faux pas, but sporting bright white liner on your lids is not. Instead of classic black, add a white wing to give your eyes a bright touch that’s reminiscent of mod, ’60s makeup.

19. Floating Shimmery Liner

A wedding is the perfect time to try the floating eyeliner trend in a light-catching, shimmery shade. Placing a curved line of eyeliner or shadow above your upper lid draws attention to your eyes and highlights extra fluttery lashes.

20. Starry, Studded Lids

Rhinestone makeup can be wedding guest-approved when you pair it with elements of timeless makeup like winged eyeliner and soft matte skin. The pink gems cover the lids in evenly-spaced formations to create a pleasing contrast with the sharp black wings in the inner and outer corners.

21. Smudgy Black Liner

Feel free to abandon any pursuit of makeup “perfection” and embrace a wilder look à la smudgy black eyeliner. We love rimming the eyes with a soft pencil, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Mechanical Gel Eyeliner and leaving it at that. However, you can soften the look with a satin, neutral shadow on the upper lids.

22. Pearl-Studded Eyes

Skip the pearl earrings and use teeny pearl face appliques to accent your eye makeup look. We love how @char_barker unexpectedly placed the delicate detail over lime green eyeliner.

23. Two-Toned Eye Makeup

For an outdoor summer wedding (perhaps in a tropical location?!), we love the idea of creating a two-toned eye makeup look using bright shades like hot pink and orange à la @isabelleikpeme.

24. Popsicle-Stained lips

If you’re worried about lipstick smearing on your teeth, but still want more color payoff than a traditional gloss, a lip tint is the way to go. We love the Maybelline New York Green Edition Balmy Lip Blush. Available in 10 shades, from sheer pinky nude to bright red, these lip balms deliver an impressive amount of pigment and glossy hydration, leaving your lips looking like you actually tried lip blushing.

25. Pastel Purple Eyeshadow

Play up your love for pastels with lavender eyeshadow and periwinkle eyeliner like @marvels.makeup. To get a similar look, try the matte shade in the Maybelline New York Shadow Blocks Eyeshadow Palette in Broadway & Prince St.

26. Rosy Cheeks

Instead of making your eyes or lips the focal point, give blush the attention it deserves. Try the lifted blush trend, which consists of blush applied on the upper corners of the cheeks and extended toward the temples. We like using a cream formula, (like the Violette FR Bisou Blush in Aïssa or the Urban Decay Hydromaniac Dewy Liquid Blush) for this type of look because it creates a natural-looking finish and is easy to apply with just your fingertips.

27. Smoke and Shimmer

Can’t decide between a matte smoky eye or shimmery eyeshadow for the black-tie wedding you’re attending soon? Do both — and use this creation by @theballerinabridemua as your source of inspiration.

28. Bronze Smoky Eye

If black or charcoal smoky eyes aren’t your thing, go for a subtler take on this timeless, sultry look and use bronze eyeshadow like the Kulfi Zari Eyes Long-Lasting Crease-Proof Cream Eyeshadow in Bronze Brocade. Finish off the look with a waterproof mascara, like the IT Cosmetics Superhero Volumizing Waterproof Mascara.