The Traditional Bridal Makeup Look Is Out—How No-Makeup Brides Are Changing the Trend

      With each bridal season comes a range of notable trends that influence wedding discussions. This season featured soft glam, slicked-back buns, and minimalist manicures. However, among all these beauty trends, the no-makeup makeup look truly captivated my interest. As I dove deeper into my algorithm's recommendations, I discovered that many women might have been touched by a lesser-known movement—brides opting to walk down the aisle entirely makeup-free. I soon encountered numerous newlyweds who chose skincare to enhance their natural beauty instead of using makeup. I couldn't help but observe the varied reactions: some considered going without makeup to be socially unacceptable, while others felt inspired to do the same. Through my initial research, it was clear that there isn't one specific type of woman who makes this decision. Below, two brides with contrasting views on makeup share their stories.

      Stephanie Santana, widely known as Glamzilla, is a seasoned beauty content creator with a 15-year career behind her. Spoiler alert: her hard work has paid off immensely. The Toronto native engages with over five million followers across various platforms on a daily basis, offering insights on the latest beauty products and trends. Many might assume that a beauty influencer would want a glamorous appearance on her wedding day, but for Glamzilla, it turned into an impromptu decision after months of makeup trials. "My dream was to have the best celebrity makeup artist do my makeup," she shares. "I had trials with everyone from Patrick Ta to Beyoncé's makeup artist, and each experience was beautiful as I got to see myself through their eyes."

      While sharing her bridal journey on social media and pitching her wedding story to different media outlets, Glamzilla felt a wave of stress a month before her wedding. One night, while looking over at her husband, she realized she had lost sight of the true purpose of the occasion. "This was a moment to celebrate the love I share with my partner of 19 years," she explains. The following day, she made the decision to cancel her major media plans. Then, on October 1, 2025, just hours before her wedding, she experienced another change of heart that impacted not only herself but also those attending and watching online: she wanted to go makeup-free. Even though her husband was unaware of her decision beforehand, he had previously encouraged her to do what felt right for herself during the wedding planning. “I decided to do my own makeup, but when it came time to get ready, I looked in the mirror and thought, 'I'm going to marry him as I am, the way he sees me every morning. This is how my children will see me.'”

      Before the wedding, Glamzilla had booked appointments for Hydrafacial, brow lamination, and lash lifts. However, on her wedding day, she relied on skincare products that she knew would give her the glow she desired. Her essential products included Caudalie's face mist, Glow Recipe's Prickly Pear Serum, and Tatcha's Dewy Skin Cream. For finishing touches, she applied OleHenriksen's lip treatment, L'Oréal's Infallible Brow Lamination Gel, Huda Beauty's Easy Blur Primer, and Milk Makeup's Hydro Grip Dewy Setting Spray. Ultimately, Glamzilla realized that being makeup-free did more than streamline her bridal routine; it transformed how she engaged with her wedding day. She was free from worrying about makeup smudges or transfers during the ceremony, allowing her to fully experience every emotion without reservations. "I felt so empowered and beautiful just being loved," she reflects. "It wasn't about me; it was about the moment we were creating together. It surpassed full-coverage makeup, lashes, and lipstick—it was a celebration of our journey and the love we share."

      As a former bridal makeup artist, Glamzilla understands what drives newlyweds' preferences, but her own experience opened her eyes to a new viewpoint. "In the end, you’re going to cry and laugh," she notes. "What matters is capturing the joy, love, and happiness in those photos." She recalls how brides sought the perfect makeup look, believing it would result in flawless images. "But the reality is, the moment is perfect as it is," she emphasizes. "People saw me as a reflection of joy and love, and I think that’s what every bride should focus on: the feeling, not just the look. I would choose this path again; it was undoubtedly the best decision of my beauty journey."

      Samantha Wills from Ongarue, New Zealand, shared a similar sentiment about her experience. However, her relationship with makeup prior to her wedding on February 1 last year was quite different. The question was not whether she would forgo makeup but rather if she should wear any at all. "I'm not a makeup person, and I always have been," she states. "It was more about, 'Should I wear a bit of makeup since it's my