Every bride dreams that everything goes perfectly and precisely as planned for her big day. There is a lot to worry about right from the catering to the guest list. If planned well in advance, makeup should be the least of your worries. Once you have chosen the right outfit for the day as well as the correct type of jewellery and accessories, focus on the latest Indian Bridal makeup. This may make your look or break it. So, your makeup looks carefully selects which one is suitable for you. Whether you want a South Indian makeup or a Kashmiri bride makeup, there are trends in various types of makeup styles and bridal wear, read here to know more.
1. Indian Christian Bridal Makeup:
Our idea of a typical Christian wedding revolves around the frothy white dress, subtle and elegant makeup and tons of flowers. Although the basic rituals remain the same in a traditional Christian wedding, there is a host of difference when it comes to making up of a North Indian Christian Bride and a South Indian Christian Bride.
North Indian Christian Bridal Makeup:
In this particular type of Indian wedding, bridal makeup look is amazing White wedding gowns at church weddings in North India and Meghalaya. The North Indian Christian Bridal Makeup is not a loud one; especially the effects with the base are subtle and natural as possible.
- Lips: For the lips, bright pink shade can use if the bride has thin lips. If the bride has thick lips, use matt pink in the middle with a touch of white shimmer.
- Eyes: A mixture of light brown and black kohl pencils on the upper and lower lash line rim with an angular brush should be used to smudge them for a sultry effect to come through.
- Jewellery: With this look, fragrant fresh flowers and pearl jewellery would look super delicate and refreshing.
- Hairstyle: Indian Christian bridal hairstyles are Twisted Bun, Simple Accessorized Wavy Pony, Twisted Top Notch Bun, and the crown look, bouffant back bun, milkmaid braid, bouffant bun, and low run pony, etc.
- Mehndi: Mehndi is not a part of their tradition.
South Indian Christian Bridal Makeup:
Saris are preferred in most southern Indian Christian communities as wedding attires rather than gowns, while Christians in Goa and Konkan prefer to wearing gowns to saris. These saris are usually silking ones with heavy thread work of gold zari, often paired with a blouse of gold brocade. These sarees with white or gold or beige colour. Kerala Christian brides usually wear pure white Kasavu saris with broad golden boundaries coupled with white or golden blouse. They may pair it with a veil, or they may not.
- Lips: In South Indian bridal makeup, the lips highlights with colours like a peach, pink or light red.
- Eyes: The focus is on the subtle shades of gold and pearly white to set the eye makeup to make the bridal makeup look elegant and lovely.
- Jewellery: Gold and diamond jewellery matched with the outfit – traditional neckpieces, armbands, waistbands, bangles, and jhumkas.
- Hairstyle: In the South Indian bridal look, often the veil is pinned to the head where the bride usually sports a tiara.
- Mehndi: Mehndi is not a part of their tradition.
2. Indian Hindu Bridal Makeup:
According to the Hindu mythology marriages are decided in heaven and once married, the bond is going to last for seven lives. So, to celebrate this bond of love, let us see how a Hindu bride gets ready for the same.
South Indian Hindu Bridal Makeup:
Here are the 4 south Indian states bridal makeups are there. These South Indian Hindu ( Telugu, Karnataka, Tamil, Kerala) bridal makeup styles are mostly like similar.
1. Kerala Bridal Makeup:
Kerala brides wear Kasavu saris of white and gold with a lot of gold jewellery. Elegance and grace are defined by a Malayali bride clad in a pristine sari, flowers and temple jewellery. Brides from Kerala don a distinct South Indian bridal makeup that looks natural and flawless. Kerala Hindu bridal makeup is very subtle. Brides adorn their forehead with a gorgeous red bindi as no Kerala bridal makeup is complete without a red bindi.
- Lips: Kerala bridal makeup involves the use of the subtle shade of peach or shades of peach, and try a mixture of pink or red colour shades.
- Eyes: Smokey Kohl or Kajal use to the highlight and decorate the eyes. And at least two to three coats of mascara to give it that special smoulder.
- Jewellery: Poothali, Elakkathali, Thalikoottam, Kuzhiminni, Manonmani, and Dhalamin are some of the traditional long chains.
- Hairstyle: Kerala Hindu bridal makeup includes long hair braids decorated with beautiful white flowers or other floral accompaniments.
- Mehendi: For Kerala weddings, both traditional and contemporary designs are equally popular. Crystal mehndi and tattoo mehndi are also gaining momentum among Kerala’s brides.
2. Telugu Bridal Makeup:
The culture of Telugu involves much simplicity. As for Telugu bridal makeup, the jewellery, hairdo, and costume are very rich and elegant, so the facial makeup has to be very light to avoid a very flashy look. Kanjeevarams are the best silk saris for a Telugu wedding, and it will give you a perfect look by adding temple jewellery with gold bajuband.
- Lips: It is not preferable to use very dark shades as they do not go with traditional Indian bridal makeup.
- Eyes: Using eyeliner to highlight and decorate the eyes. Mascara uses on top and bottom lashes of the eye and finishing the eye makeup with Kajal.
- Jewellery: The jewellery is a simple design, and their culture has a preference for uncut diamonds.
- Hairstyle: The bride’s adornment begins from her head where her hair divides from the centre, and a beautiful Papidi Billa has placed along with that partition in such a way that the accessory’s circular bell lies just above her forehead.
- Mehndi: Different designs adorn the Telugu Bridal Mehndi.
3. Tamil Bridal Makeup:
The Tamil community, as we all know, believes in simple living and that is well reflected in the rituals of marriage they follow. Hence, the Tamil bride and groom opt for a simple look. The Tamil bride usually wears a zari border bright-coloured sari. They choose bright and vibrant colours such as red, green, yellow, etc. The eyes are highlighted the most, keeping the rest simple. Jewellery is heavy gold.
- Lips: Tamil brides mostly prefer red or coral shades.
- Eyes: In this Indian bridal, choose eye makeup colours are a shimmering golden or shimmering eye shadow of copper. For areas near eyebrows, a paler colour looks well.
- Jewellery: The brides are usually laden with pearl, gold jewellery, and waist lock, an ornament worn around the waist. It is the signature mark of all the Tamil brides.
- Hairstyle: In this tradition, the hair decorates with a bunch of jasmine flowers and other accessories.
- Mehndi: Paisley print, floral architecture, peacock, elephant, etc. are various mehendi designs as a part of Tamil bridal makeup.
4. Karnataka Bridal Makeup:
Wedding in the State of Karnataka is mostly a simple affair, and There is less show of pomp and glamour and more focus on the traditional rituals. When it comes to weddings, the Kannadians prefer to stick to the age-old rituals as well as traditional attires. The wedding attire of a Kannadian bride is highly ornamental, which is paired with the traditional 9-yard saree called the Navvari.
- Lips: In the Karnataka bridal makeup, red and similar colour lip shades are mostly using.
- Eyes: In this Tradition eyes of the bride are bright looks. You can use eyeliner and dark shade of eye shadow.
- Jewellery: The bride wears a lot of gold jewellery such as Maangtika, several gold necklaces, Kamarbandh around the waist, jhumkas in the ears and also green glass bangles in her hands similar to that of a Maharashtrian bride.
- Hairstyle: Traditionally a Kannadian bride does her hair in high bun or plait style and decorates it with a lot of flowers.
- Mehendi: Mehendi / henna has become an integral part of the makeup of a bride over the years irrespective of the region or religion she belongs to. And so even a Kannada bride applied henna on her hands and feet before the wedding.
North Indian Hindu Bridal Makeup:
Here is the North Indian Hindu bridal makeups are there. These are the different styles and culture for a separate state.
1. Odisha Bridal Makeup:
Traditionally, the bride is adorned in a yellow sari known as BoulaPatta with a red border. Modern Oriya brides, however, prefer to wear elaborate saris such as Benarasi or kanjeevaram or even local red Ikkat silk saris or similar colours with ornate zari or sequin work. She pairs the sari with a gorgeous brocade blouse. The dupatta or the Uttariyo is another necessary part of the wedding attire of the Oriya bride. The bride wears a matching headwear like the groom.
- Lips: In the Odisha bridal makeup, mostly pink or red colours lip shades are using.
- Eyes: In this tradition, eyes are bright looks, you can use eyeliner, glittery or dark shade eye shadow.
- Jewellery: Bride usually wears beautiful jewellery, preferably made of gold, including necklace, earrings, bangles, and rings.
- Hairstyle: Various kinds of hairstyles are long braids, Fancy braid propelled sock bun, Messy low bun, jewelled hairdo, etc.
- Mehendi: Mehendi / henna has become an integral part of the makeup of a bride over the years. Traditionally, Alta uses to colouring the hands and feet of an Odisha bride.
2. Gujarati Bridal Makeup:
Weddings in Gujarat are enjoyable, fun things. Gujarati people enjoy the wedding in a very traditional manner, with traditional wedding attire and rituals symbolizing the culture of Gujarati. A bride from Gujarat would wear a red and white sari called the Panetar. Makeup for Gujarati brides is generally kept simple, with emphasis on enhancing their features and brightening up the face. Bindis framing the eyebrows will help to make the look of the bride extra special.
- Lips: A deep colour shade enhances the lips.
- Eyes: Dark colour eyeliner, false lashes, Kohl and lots of shimmer on the eyelids use to finish the eyes, which will give a striking look.
- Jewellery: Traditionally, the Gujarati bride wears a lot of Kundan jewellery, maangtika, bracelet, ethnic earrings, necklaces, and bangles.
- Hairstyle: Usually the hair is swept up in a classic bun, and elegant hair accessories complete the look.
- Mehendi: Mehendi designs such as floral and peacock designs, simple motifs, symmetric design, bangle style mehndi or bracelet mehndi constitute the Gujarati bridal look.
3. Rajasthani Bridal Makeup:
There’s something real about a Rajasthani woman’s bridal attire. Usually, the Lehenga or ghagra is made of silk and embossed with embroidery. The Odhni or Veil is a significant part of the tradition of Rajasthani and is used to cover the bride’s head. A Rajasthan bride would probably wear the Borla (ball-shaped hair parting ornament) with a more colourful lehenga. The bride is seen with the heavy jewellery and Lehenga with light makeup with tied back hair.
- Lips: Pale light lip colours, pink, red colours mostly uses in the Rajasthani Bridal look.
- Eyes: Kohl and mascara use to the dark and highlight the eyes.
- Jewellery: The Rajasthani bride’s important jewellery pieces are the ‘Bor,’ the ‘Timanniya’ and the ‘bajuband.’
- Hairstyle: Top knot bun, classic braid, fishtail braid, puff, side Juda, simple pony are all Rajasthani bridal hairdo.
- Mehendi: Together, the paisleys, floral patterns and fine lines make this design an evergreen and popular bridal choice in this Indian wedding look.
4. Marathi Bridal Makeup:
A Marathi bride is defined by simplicity, elegance and a sparkling smile. The Marathi wedding makeup’s subtleness emphasizes her inner beauty that brightens her simple attire. A traditional Marathi bride adorns a PaithaniSaree (a two-tone silk fabric), hand-woven for a few months by artisans. A Marathi bridal PaithaniSaree is made of pure silk and is usually of a leafy green, golden yellow or aubergine colour with unusual zari borders and traditional motifs of a parrot, peacock or flowers.
- Lips: The go-to choices in Maharashtrian bridal makeup are subtle shades of red and coral.
- Eyes: A full line of dark kohl liner uses along the waterline and lash line, bringing out the eyes’ natural shape.
- Jewellery: Pearl jewellery uses Marathi brides, which is why all the pieces of jewellery wear by the bride are the perfect mixture of gold and pearls.
- Hairstyle: Marathi bridal hairstyles are making out by the accessories with which they decorate – Bridal bun with mundavalya is one such type.
- Mehendi: Patolazari work Marathi mehndi design, peacock-inspired Marathi Mehandi designs, motif Marathi mehendi designs are latest Marathi bridal mehendi types.
5. Punjabi Bridal Makeup:
While red is the traditional wedding colour for all Indian brides, it is known that Punjabi brides also choose other colours such as green, gold, fuchsia and orange. The bride wears a lehenga with a matching dupatta with which she covers her head. Brides wear a lot of jewellery, some of the gold, while some may be modern jewellery. The bride’s sister-in-law ties a Kalire set to her wrists. These are dome-shaped gold or silver ornaments with multiple danglers attached to them.
- Lips: Punjabi bridal makeup has vibrant bright lip colours such as red, pink, brown, etc. that matches the overall wedding attire.
- Eyes: Punjabi bridal makeup look incorporates smokey eyes, add glitters and glam, eye extensions, long-winged eyeliner for enhancing the beauty.
- Jewellery: Bridal Kalire, Mangtika, bangles, Nath, Chooda (a traditional coloured red and ivory bangle set in multiples of four), Kamarbandh and Paijaniya are some of the necessary components.
- Hairstyle: Punjabi hairstyle has come up with many variations, such as worn up, down, or formal.
- Mehendi: The bridal designs of Punjabi Mehndi have rich floral motif work and beautiful ornamental designs that make them unique in their own way.
6. Bengali Bridal Makeup:
If you were a Bengali bride, you would be draped in the traditional Atpoure style in a red Benarasi silk sari with zari work all over. A Bengali bride makeup look features a bold red lip, blush, and sharp-winged eyeliner to highlight the bronze-hued eye shadow, definite, well-defined eyebrows, and dense, luscious eyelashes to accentuate those famous Bengali almond-shaped eyes. The traditional makeup compliments beautifully with traditional Bengali bridal decorations such as the Chandanbindi designs of white shola material – worn for prosperity and good luck.
- Lips: Bengali bridal look has a quintessential from celebrity brides to real brides adding the bright red colour pop on lips.
- Eyes: The Bengali wedding makeup features large and bold eyes with shimmering eye shadows and large kohl-lined eyes.
- Jewellery: Bengali brides usually wear all-gold jewellery, while a matha Patti, a small crown of gold, two necklaces, white and red bangles.
- Hairstyle: Stylish low Juda or bun, tied up hairdo, open hairstyle is different hairstyles. Flowers, bun chains, Matha Patti, and hair clips are using for hair accessories.
- Mehendi: Bengali mehndi or red Alta uses by Indian women to decorate their hands and feet.
3. Indian Muslim Bridal Makeup
Islam is one of the prominent religions in the world and has more than 1.6 billion followers. Wedding being mentioned as a mandate in the Holy Quran is an integral part of the Islamic culture. Let us see how a Muslim bride decks up for her D-Day.
South Indian Muslim Bridal Makeup:
On the main wedding day or the Nikah ceremony day, the bride wears a heavily pleated lehenga in a bright colour, traditionally in red shades, with a long golden embroidered blouse. The dupatta is draped over her head and styled around her shoulders and waist to keep up with the age-old traditional sentiments while showing the exquisite gold embroidery of the bride’s clothing and jewellery. The maangtika is placed under the hijab.
- Lips: In this tradition, using Lip makeup only the subtle shades, which match the bride’s attire.
- Eyes: Kohl is to enhance the look, along with glittery eye shadow.
- Jewellery: The South Indian Muslim bride wears neckpieces, studded earrings, head jewellery, bangles, and waist belt. Kerala Muslim brides mostly these 3 necklaces are wear – Padi Mala, Aalochana Mala, and Chakrakanni Mala.
- Hairstyle: Wavy open hair and buns with accessories are among the fashionable hairstyles of South Indian Muslim Brides.
- Mehendi: In the Muslim wedding makeup look, intricate designs of mehndi creates on the bride’s palm, hands, and legs.
North Indian Muslim Bridal Makeup:
The Muslim bridal makeup has also evolved, like the attire, and has come a long way from traditional techniques of makeup. The bride in Kashmir looks like an angel in the Lehenga. Instead of conventional golden eyes and red lips, Muslim brides are also seen opting for more glamorous makeup. The focus is on intense smokey eyes and colours of soft lips ranging from pinks, corals, and peaches.
- Lip: In this tradition, using lip makeup shades are red, pink, brown, which match the bride’s attire.
- Eyes: The eyes are smokey and dark. You can also use crisp, exaggerated graphic eyeliner to complete the look. A couple of thick mascara coats and false lashes match this look.
- Jewellery: Earrings called Kundals, anklets are known as Nupura, and the moon like a head ornament, of which variations you can see in almost every Indian wedding, called Dekdaman, are all essential parts of bridal jewellery.
- Hairstyle: Buns and braids decorated with shimmery accessories are in trend.
- Mehndi: Floral, intricate, leafy, motif, geometric are the different kinds of mehndi designs.
4. Indian Buddhist Bridal Makeup
A Buddhist wedding is very different from weddings in other religions. It is essential it does not agree with the path of salvation as preached by Lord Budhha. Here is how a Buddhist bride gets ready.
South Indian Buddhist Bridal Makeup:
Like religion, Buddhist weddings are deeply spiritual, where more emphasis is placed on vow fulfilment rather than strict religious practices. Buddhist weddings are markedly different from weddings in any other cultures in India, without any pomp and show. The bride wears saree that is usually a white shade along with NalalPata that is a head ornament, pendants, jewellery style karma band, bangles, and works.
- Lips: Light shades of lip colour uses for the South Indian Buddhist bridal makeup.
- Eyes: This South Indian wedding makeup is simple and sober. In this traditional eye makeup using only kajal and mascara.
- Jewellery: Jewelry includes pearl, gold jewellery with Maangtikka/ Nalalpata that goes with the overall dress. The bride also wears golden Kamarband.
- Hairstyle: Hairstyle includes bun with gajra and other decorative hair accessories.
- Mehndi: Elegant Henna design makes starting from palm up to the elbows.
North Indian Buddhist Bridal Makeup:
Tai Phake Buddhists community is a type of North Indian Buddhists; these people have a simple style marriage. The bride and the groom wear traditional clothes in Muga silk set, hand-woven at home. The bride usually wears a white sari with a golden border, also called Mekhela Chador. An Assam bride would wear the muga silk mekhela white and gold, a wrap-around skirt with a blouse and a chador shawl.
- Lip: The lip shade uses mostly a decent red, or a lighter shade.
- Eyes: Kajal, Kohl, mascara, eyeliner, and eye shadow uses to give the eyes a defined look. Broad dark look is provided to enhance the eyes of the bride.
- Jewellery: Simple kind of Gold traditional look jewellery uses by the bride-necklace, earrings, and bangles.
- Hairstyle: In this tradition use bun hairdo style with some accessories.
- Mehendi: The mehendi design covers the palms and is elegant and simple.
5. Indian Jain Bridal Makeup
Considered as one of the prominent religions in India, Maharashtra has the highest population of Jains. The weddings in this peace-loving community are rather simple and governed by a lot of intricate rituals as marked in their religious texts.
South Indian Jain Bridal Makeup:
Mainly in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the Digambar Jain communities are found, and thus the Digambara marriage rituals influence by South and Western India’s. The bride wears traditional saris with a golden border along with the traditional kind of jewellery. The look of the bride is simple, natural and flawless. The bride also wears an elegant bindi that completes her look. South Indian gold jewellery is what adorns this bride along with Payal. The South Indian bridal makeup highlight is the eyes. The eye makeup creates the drama necessary for the outfit. Use gold and yellow light shimmer shades for eye makeup.
- Lips: Most of the Jain brides are preferable red and similar colours lip shades generally.
- Eyes: Best Indian bridal makeup for Jain brides are using false eyelashes with mascara. And eyes are cover with Kajal, and winged eyeliner will make the eyes even more captivating.
- Jewellery: The jewellery is an amazing, a combination of traditional looks and contemporary style, making perfect accessories. Nath, Bajuband are wearing to add an extra charm to the entire look of a South Indian bride.
- Hairstyle: A hairdo with a gajra and maangtikka are on the go for this bride.
- Mehendi: Intricate traditional mehndi designs are using a South Indian Jain bride’s hand.
North Indian Jain Bridal Makeup:
The ShwetambarJains concentrated mainly in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, North India, hence, this type of Rajasthani bridal look involves the bride in the Lehenga and choli. Preferably Red and similar colours are generally. Lehengas often features heavy embroidery work with beads and gold threads. Sometimes they are embroidery work with stones and crystals. She pairs her lehenga choli with an Odhni that has to be equally heavy and quite opaque as the Marwari bride may have to keep her face covered throughout the wedding.
- Lips: The lip colour usually is red, or complements the outfit of the bride
- Eyes: The use of Kohl and mascara is a little deliberate and generous to mark the existence of those big eyes that on a particular day, need a little pampering.
- Jewellery: Most of the jewellery using by the bridal is elaborate work by Jadau, Meenakari, and Kundan, which is a Marwar region speciality.
- Hairstyle: The North Indian Jain bridal hairstyle involves a beautiful braid. Usually, the hair, look, includes a comfortable bun or head back hairstyle to keep the Rakhri well.
- Mehendi: The design includes peacocks, mangoes, flowers and net beads. These designs are unique because they cover the entire hand, from the tips of the finger to the elbow.
Additional Tips:
The following are some other tips that a bride should consider so that she can look at her very best in her D-Day:
- Cleansing, toning and moisturizing are regularly without fail from at least three months before the wedding.
- Exfoliate the skin regularly and wash your face 2-3 times a day.
- Start with regular facial and hair spa at least once in a month and start at least 6 months prior.
- Start with home remedies to improve skin tone and skin quality.
- Massage your hands and feet regularly with olive oil to keep them soft and beautiful.
- Meditate regularly. A happy mind results in glowing skin.
- Drink ample water and detox your body regularly.
The Indian wedding look defines by the unique customs and rich history of the region. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Indian bridal looks and their significance. These are some of the most elegant Indian bridal looks. So who stole your heart from one of these? Leave your comments in the below and tell us – we’d love to hear from you! Share this article on her wall. She’s going to love you forever!
