How Mishti Rahman Embraced 5 Wedding Beauty Styles With Both a Dark and Ethereal Twist

      Have you ever thought about how Instagram's top beauty and fashion influencers prepare for their big day? Sydney-based newlywed Mishti Rahman shares that it's all about clever planning and staying true to oneself. We asked her to highlight the five breathtaking beauty looks she wore for her wedding, starting with the bold, vampy lip color for her engagement party that would impress even Christine Daaé from The Phantom of the Opera, to the effortlessly tousled curls that matched the venue's enchanting garden, which could easily belong in a fairy tale. Below, discover Rahman's insights on wedding beauty, and shop her selection of the makeup and fragrances that helped turn her vision into reality after a year-long engagement in Australia.

      Looking at Pinterest reveals endless wedding beauty inspiration, and your presence is felt across many boards I've seen. How did you develop your unique approach?

      I wanted to feel authentic! Being in the makeup industry, I struggled to find what suited my features and skin tone, making me nervous during makeup trials. I found it challenging to locate an artist who truly understood what worked for me. I wanted softer bridal tones while still incorporating my signature look: a lip liner that creates a natural makeup appearance while being easily enhanced.

      As a Dior Beauty ambassador, it was a natural choice for them to do my bridal makeup. I was also concerned about layering, so I opted for soft, lightweight, and comfortable makeup. Since our wedding was in summer with a garden ceremony, I had to consider the climate. All my makeup was from Dior Beauty, right down to my lips (which I applied myself), as I love and frequently wear their products.

      I've been following your wedding journey, from the proposal in Tokyo to your candlelit engagement dinner, rehearsal dinner, and more. How did the modern yet ethereal style of your wedding influence your beauty looks?

      My wedding designer was Paolo Sebastian, who creates magical and unique gowns. Stepping into his atelier, I knew it was the perfect match. He accompanied us from engagement to wedding, which was a great honor. For the engagement party, my friends suggested I wear white, so I chose a fairy-like, ethereal swan dress and decided to elevate it with a plum lip to create a different vibe.

      I always intended to keep a softer look for the wedding day, avoiding dark makeup, so the engagement party provided a chance to experiment. It began with [Sebastian's] dress, which was light, sheer, sparkly, and featured wing-like details. I loved playing with a more avant-garde appearance using darker shades of eyeshadow for a gothic-style makeup twist.

      I also created a cultural look for my nikah, which was significant for my mom. In Bengali weddings, brides typically wear lots of makeup! When I visited Bangladesh, I noticed how traditional bridal makeup often drastically lightens skin tone, which I don't support for myself. Although I was told I wouldn't look like a bride unless I wore significantly more makeup, I was determined to stick with my natural tones.

      My nikah makeup also adapted to complement the sari and jewelry I wore. (The large necklace was a family gift.) Instead of matching earrings, I asked the jeweler to create small studs, and I chose to limit the amount of wedding jewelry I wore, feeling like there should be only a few divas. Since my necklace was the focal point, it guided my makeup decisions.

      I recall scrolling through your photos and noticing how you maintained your identity while looking even more stunning in each wedding look! It was essential for me, although culturally challenging. When I released my nude, brown-toned lip color, some in my Bangladesh circle mentioned, "Girls love fuchsia pink and bright colors!" However, I’ve observed a shift in the Brown community regarding makeup; we’re embracing our true beauty rather than concealing it. I adore our skin tones! The melanin in our skin is beautiful.

      For my wedding, I focused on enhancing who I am instead of trying to change. Brown is one of my favorite colors for eyeshadows, blush, lip colors, and eyeliners. Learning about my natural color palette has helped me grow as a creator and in building my makeup line. The best advice from Paolo Sebastian was to be authentic on my wedding day. Be entirely yourself to feel like the best version of yourself.

      I've spoken with several brides who come to a similar realization about the importance of feeling like themselves, particularly regarding hair. What was your experience?

      To be honest, I wish I'd devoted more thought to my hair. I naively assumed everything would fall into place and wasn't very particular. I was more focused on my makeup and gowns, allowing my hair to take a back seat! If I could alter one thing, I’d have preferred an updo or half-up style rather than keeping it so simple with bouncy, blowout curls.

      Did you take any additional steps in your beauty routine during