Bridal Beauty Inspired by the ’25 Runways – Plus Pro Tips to Achieve the Look

Whisper-light: luminous skin, brushed-up brows, lips in soft rose or barely-there nude. On your wedding day, there’s often a natural instinct to keep things timeless – to avoid anything that feels too bold or fleeting. We understand. But across recent fashion and bridal weeks, beauty has taken on a more expressive turn – gently editorial, softly sculpted, yet effortlessly wearable. At the same time, there’s a noticeable shift towards skin-first, wellness-led rituals, with no-makeup makeup emerging as a quietly confident choice for the modern bride.

Take the models at Milla Nova during Barcelona Bridal Week this Spring, their cheeks dusted with a silvery highlighter that caught the light in all the right ways – subtle, but statement-making. It echoed the futuristic shimmer of Paco Rabanne’s new beauty line, the bold elegance of Isamaya Ffrench’s signature metallics, and even the soft gleam of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s silvery eyeliners. It was modern bridal beauty with a hint of edge – radiant, but unexpected.

Equally striking was the number of models on runways lately sporting thick, razor-sharp bobs – structured, graphic, and unapologetically modern. They offered a refreshing counterpoint to the softness that so often defines bridal styling. Against the fluid sheen of silk, the airy lightness of tulle, and gossamer-fine veils, the clean lines of these cuts felt almost architectural. The contrast brought dimension: softness heightened by structure, tradition offset by attitude. And then, of course, there was Vivienne Westwood at Barcelona Bridal Week. Romantic rebellion, perfectly undone – also when it came to beauty.

Always attuned to the shifting rhythms of bridal, beauty, and fashion, we turned to the backstage masters – the artists quietly shaping the looks behind the scenes – for their take on wedding-day beauty. What to lean into. What to let go of.

How to Reimagine Classic Bridal Hair

Hair first, everything else follows. For expert insight, we turned to Maximo Morello from Kevin Murphy. His highlight for bridal season? The hair at The Atelier by Jimmy Choo show at Barcelona Bridal Week. “It was a classic look, reimagined. We kept the shape, but gave it a modern twist.”

That twist? A banana bun – or more precisely, a textured French roll. “Not the old-school polished version. Worn lower, a little undone, almost like a banana tail. It gives elegance without feeling rigid.”

His biggest piece of advice? Start in time. “Healthy, elastic hair is the foundation of everything. People focus on hold, but it’s elasticity that gives you natural shape and movement. If your hair is nourished, it will bend and bounce the way you want it to.” Think moisture masks, scalp health, and quality products. The goal: hair that’s radiant, resilient, and ready.

According to Maximo, three key directions define today’s bridal hair:

The Bun, Reimagined

Whether sleek and sculpted or soft and lived-in. “It’s timeless, but open to interpretation. The best versions feel a little effortless – not overly fixed.”

The Ponytail, Elevated

Modern, confident, and increasingly bridal. “You can play with proportion, texture, and attitude. It’s adaptable to almost any dress or setting.”

Soft Waves

Not just for long, flowing hair. “There’s something universally flattering about gentle movement. It works on all textures – from natural curls to fine, straight hair – and brings a softness that always feels romantic.”

How to Get Luminous, Lit-From-Within Skin

“So far, the core focus has been all about real skin,” says Xabier Rodrigues, a lead make-up artist for MAC. “Not skin with heavy make-up, not skin where you see cosmetics sitting on top – but skin that looks like it’s breathing. Light, fresh, a glow from within.” This season’s beauty speaks in whispers, not shouts. “The trend is pure skin – natural beauty with a skincare touch. We use just enough make-up to enhance what’s already there. A little correction for a dark circle, a blemish – and that’s it. You don’t cover the whole face, you work with the skin you have in front of you.”

1. Skin-First Approach 

For Xabier, this less-is-more philosophy is a joy. “These are my favorite kinds of make-up looks. You’re perfecting the skin, but in a way that’s still realistic. The result is refined, luminous, and very alive – that’s the trend everyone is talking about.”

“That all starts with a solid foundation – solid skincare,” says Elena Pardo Lao, in charge of communications and pr for Sisley Paris. “Sisley is a French, family-owned brand.” At the heart of Sisley’s bridal prep this season is the iconic Black Rose collection. “The key ingredient is a rose grown in the south of France, with 40 velvety petals – rich, luminous, and perfect for plumping the skin.” She smooths a few drops of oil onto the back of a hand. “It starts as a silky oil, but sinks in beautifully. And the scent? All natural – aromatherapy is part of what makes Sisley special.”

2. Prep, Prep, Prep 

Her advice for brides: skin hydration, a good mask – like the masque cream with black rose – a few days before. “It preps the skin to really hold make-up. Without a great base, even the best foundation won’t show at its best.” She also recommends keeping a de-puffing product on hand and doing some facial massage. “Our cooling ceramic-tipped eye contour is ideal for early mornings.” Insider tip: just before models step onto the runway, her team often uses light shiatsu or kobido techniques. It boosts circulation for a natural glow – and offers a subtle lifting effect that enhances the contours of the face. A simple, powerful ritual worth borrowing for the moments before the ceremony.

3. Real-Life Glow and Camera-Ready Skin

When it comes to skin, Xabier is clear: “Yes, brides want glow – always. But glow in real life and glow in photographs are two different things.” Without a touch of powder, what looks beautifully radiant to the eye can end up reading as overly oily on camera. “So yes, powder – but only through the centre: the nose, chin, between the brows. Leave the glow everywhere else. Just refine, don’t flatten.”

“Beauty has taken on a more expressive turn – gently editorial, softly sculpted, yet effortlessly wearable. At the same time, there’s a noticeable shift towards skin-first, wellness-led rituals.”

How to Subtly Enhance Eyes and Lips

“When the canvas is good, you can play.” So says Xabier, who leans toward bridal beauty that’s a touch more editorial – still romantic, but with structure.

1. A Soft Liner Approach 

One of the looks he’s been refining involves a minimal stroke of black eyeliner, placed only at the outer corners of the eyes. “It’s not a full line, not a flick – more of a gesture,” he says. “From far away, it gives the eye shape and strength. Up close, it feels soft. Almost romantic. You see the structure, not the makeup.” It’s the kind of quietly expressive approach seen at Vivienne Westwood, where makeup blurs into something more emotional – moody, but always elegant.

2. A Subtle Ways to Define the Eyes

For brides seeking to subtly enhance the eyes, he suggests a simple but effective trick: use a matte eyeshadow just one shade deeper than your skin tone, swept from the middle of the lid to the outer corner and softly under the lower lash line.

3. The Power of a Bold Lip on Bare Skin 

A slightly more unconventional, but classic look he loves for brides: a deep lip on bare, luminous skin. “No mascara, no shadow — just one statement. The white of the dress, the colour on the mouth. It’s striking, and it doesn’t need anything else.”

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