Planning your perfect wedding day beauty look can be daunting. But who better to look at for inspiration than the celebrities you admire? They work with the best makeup and hair artists in the business, so you can bet their looks are foolproof. We’re rewinding to 2017 to take notes from Anushka Sharma’s memorable bridal beauty looks. From rethinking eyeliner to simplifying hairstyling—here are our five key takeaways.
Instagram content
Could you sum up the look you’re after in a couple of words? That’s a good start. In Sharma’s case, “The idea was ‘pretty in pastels',” her trusted hairstylist Gabriel Georgiou told Vogue India. “Like an Indian fairy-tale princess, but with a little western influence. The beautiful pastel-coloured flowers and the way they were placed really added to the look, in harmony with everything else.” Creating a virtual moodboard, with visual representations of the colours and textures you’re interested in, will also help you narrow down on the right hair and makeup look.
Instagram content
Do you usually steer clear of eyeliner? Then skip it on your wedding day. Love a bright lip? Then maybe add it to your bridal look. It’s always a good idea to choose what you’re comfortable with and avoid any drastic choices. “I wanted her to look like herself on her wedding day, that was the aesthetic,” Sharma’s long-time makeup artist, who was also behind all her bridal looks, Puneet B Saini explained. “We wanted (the makeup) to enhance her natural beauty.”
Instagram content
It’s natural to want to load up on liner when you want your makeup to stand out. But if yours is a daytime wedding like Sharma’s, consider a softer, liner-less look. Alternatively, choose a taupe or chocolate-toned eyeliner, instead of a stark black one. “On her wedding day, the outfit was so beautiful and royal and the entire setup was a page out of a princess' diary. We didn't want the makeup to be too smoky or with heavy liner. I kept it very soft, we used a brown kohl and smudged it, shadows in peach-pink tones and lots of mascara,” Saini explained.
For evening events, consider shades of deep purple and copper. “For the ring ceremony, which was a night event, we wanted to keep the lips nude and eyes smoky,” the makeup artist elaborated. “I wanted her eyes to be striking but not have a whole lot of black around the eyes. We used a gradation of colours, my favourite aubergine and a brown with red undertones. I didn't want the entire eye to be covered—just till the crease of the eyes.”
Instagram content
Anything too trendy or experimental is best avoided for wedding-day beauty—but this is especially true when it comes to hair. Choose something timeless, instead. “Anushka wanted to look simple and elegant at the same time,” Georgiou said. “When her hair was open, we kept it easy and not too set. Even when it was up, we went for a simple and chic look without having to worry about it, knowing it will last all night.” For her Delhi reception, too, Sharma opted for a middle part and classic low bun, adorned with mogras.
Instagram content
Just like it isn’t always advisable to pair a bold eye with a bold lip, you have to balance your makeup with your clothing. If your outfit is simple and monochromatic, a bright lip could be a good idea. If it’s a colourful riot, nude and neutral colours are safer picks. “For the mehandi, she was wearing a lot of colour so we kept the makeup fairly basic,” Saini explained. “Very wintery with cream blush, minimal makeup and lots of mascara.”
Also read:
14 celebrity looks to inspire you to go dramatic with your bridal makeup
9 Indian bridal makeup artists you should follow on Instagram for some serious inspiration