Simple Wedding Guest Makeup: My Step-By-Step Look

How nice is it that things are getting back to normal following the pandemic? We’ve had lots of weddings delayed because of Covid19, including our own. Last weekend, we finally attended a wedding that had been postponed a few times. This is the first large event we’ve been to since the pandemic started, so I was really excited to create a wedding guest makeup look and get dressed up and find try on some lovely wedding guest dresses. I picked a dress that’s been hanging in my wardrobe still with the tags for months.

Wedding Guest Makeup

As I’m getting married myself in April and have decided to do my own makeup for my big day, I’ve been looking into wedding makeup ideas and I’ve watched a few tutorials to get some hints and tips. I’m not going to lie here and pretend I am an expert in makeup, but I did go through a big makeup phase at one point. Some of you may remember those days on my blog where I often posted makeup looks and reviewed the latest eyeshadow pallets and mascaras regularly.

All these lockdowns, restrictions, shielding and having a baby have meant I’ve been a bit neglectful on the makeup front, so I needed to brush up and get some ideas together.

I’m sure I’m not the only one in this situation, which is why these wedding guest makeup ideas are perfect for anyone who wants to make a big impact with their makeup. This wedding guest makeup tutorial focuses on creating beautiful eye makeup that works for any wedding. I’m going to take you through a step-by-step guide of exactly what you need to do to achieve this wedding makeup look which is focused on the eyes.

Why This Wedding Guest Makeup Look Works

Before we get into the step-by-step tutorial, here’s why this wedding guest makeup is perfect for weddings:

• Elegant enough for formal weddings but not overdone
• Photographs beautifully (important for all those wedding photos!)
• Lasts all day without needing constant touch-ups
• Focuses on the eyes while keeping lips subtle
• Works with any wedding guest outfit or colour scheme
• Can be adapted for day or evening weddings

The key to great wedding guest makeup looks is finding that balance between looking polished and not outshining the bride. This tutorial gives you a sophisticated finish without being too dramatic.

Easy Wedding Guest Makeup Look

As I said, this makeup tutorial is easy to do. I would recommend practising before getting ready for your actual event as if you put too much product on without building up slowly, it can be hard to correct.

Here are the eye products I used for this look, they are all available at Boots:

Eye makeup

• L’Oreal Paris Volume Million Lashes Feline Mascara
• Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Palette
• Max Factor Kohl Eyeliner Pencil – black
• Eylure Naturals No. 035
• Real Techniques Everyday Eye Essentials Set

Step One: Prep Your Skin

We start with a cleansed and moisturised face.

Moisturiser is essential for me as I really struggle with dry skin and it can cause makeup to cling to the dryer patches. I’ve found exfoliating can help bring the dry skin away to help prevent this.

Step Two: Prime and Base

Next is all about the base, I prime my face with Benefits Porefessional and also use this on my eyelids.

I then used a BB cream on my face and eyelids and used a bit of eyebrow pencil to fill in any patchy parts of my brows.

My personal preference is to keep my brows quite natural as when I have them fully done, I just don’t feel like myself. I know the trend is about bold, dark brows that are perfectly set but I don’t think it suits me. I much prefer a softer look and I already have brows that are quite thick and dark. Just a quick touch-up is enough for me.

Step Three: Base Eyeshadow

Now it’s time to start applying the eye makeup. Using the Morphe 35C Everyday Chic Palette, I applied the shade ‘everyday chic‘ to my lid and under my brow as the base, making sure I tapped any excess eyeshadow off the brush before applying. I used the Real Techniques 308 brush for this. It was the perfect brush to sweep across my lid and under my brow.

Step Four: Build the Crease

This is where I started adding shading to the crease of my eye.

I used the Real Techniques 310 brush as it has soft, tapered bristles. I started with a light shade: ‘love it’. Again, I made sure I tapped off any excess powder before brushing it across my crease line, slowing building up the colour. I then used the shade ‘cute shoes’ and repeated, but applied this with a much lighter hand.

I then switched to the 304 brush which is more tapered and better for a bit of definition. I applied the shade ‘total mood’ to my crease, started to build it up slowly until I was happy.

Step Five: Add Shimmer to the Lid

Now time for the lid. I used the 307 brush for this and used the shade ‘on my way’ This is a lovely shimmery gold colour that I patted onto my lid to build up the colour.

Step Six: Define the Corners

Now for the corners. I used the 332 brush for this as it’s much smaller and easier to work with the corners of my eyes. I first added ‘heads turn’ to the sides of my eye. Starting with a small amount, I built it up bit by bit. Then I added a bit of ‘heels on’ to the very corner, being careful not to apply too much as it’s a dark shade.

Step Seven: Lower Lash Line

Now on to the lower lash line.

Using the same colours as my crease, I took the 313 brush and slowly built the colours over my lower lash line. I started with ‘love it’, then moved on to ‘cute shoes‘ and added a tiny bit of ‘total mood’.

It’s so important to start light and slowly build the product up on the lower lash line, rather than jumping straight in with a dark shade. It’s very easy to end up with too much product and it can look a bit messy!

Step Eight: Eyeliner and Mascara

I used the eyeliner to draw a very fine line close to my upper lash line and then applied mascara. I decided to use a pencil eyeliner but liquid eyeliner also works very well for this.

Pencil has always been my preference as I have more experience with pencil eyeliner so feel confident I can control it more.

Step Nine: False Lashes

Now it’s time to add the false eyelashes. I already have naturally long lashes, as you can see in the photo above. Alongside false lashes, another great option I’ve explored is a lash lift kit, which offers a beautiful curl to natural lashes. I don’t like to add anything too dramatic, I just need more volume as my lashes are quite thin and they don’t hold a curl for long. I’ve found that lash serum for my lashes is starting to help my thin eyelashes look thicker.

Step Ten: Complete the Look

Now it’s time to finish the rest of the makeup look.

For this wedding guest eye makeup, I used XX Revolution Hi-Glow Palette Luminosity on my cheeks and my t-zone as I love a bit of shimmer. For the lips. I used L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Satin Lipstick in 303 Rose Tendre. As I wanted to keep the focus on the eye, I stayed away from a red lip and went with something more subtle.

Wedding Guest Makeup Ideas: Adapting This Look

This wedding guest makeup tutorial is versatile and can be adapted for different wedding styles: 

For daytime weddings:

• Use lighter application of the darker shades
• Skip the false lashes for a more natural look
• Use a nude or pink lip instead of the rose tone

For evening weddings:

• Build up the darker shades more intensely
• Add a touch of shimmer to the inner corners
• Consider a slightly bolder lip colour

For different colour schemes:

• This neutral palette works with any wedding colour
• If you want to coordinate, add a subtle pop of colour on the lower lash line
• Keep the main look neutral to avoid clashing with your outfit

And there you have it – simple makeup for wedding guests that/s perfect for any wedding. I’m so happy with the final look! I usually very quickly do makeup and just use one or two eye shadow shades, but taking the time to sit down and make sure I was blending and building the colours up has made such a difference. I still feel like this makeup look is ‘me’, but just more like an upgraded me.

Final Thoughts on Wedding Guest Makeup

Whether you’re attending a spring garden wedding or a winter evening celebration, these wedding guest makeup ideas will help you look and feel your best. The key is practice – try this look before the wedding day so you know exactly how long it takes and how the products work with your skin.

Remember, the best wedding guest makeup is makeup that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Use this tutorial as a guide, but adapt it to suit your personal style and the wedding you’re attending.

I actually think I’m going to do this eye makeup look for my own wedding in April. The only changes I’m going to make to the look is I want to go to the Boots and get some advice on what foundation would be best for my skin and get colour-matched.

What type of makeup would you wear as a wedding guest? I hope you liked this make-up look for wedding guests.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Guest Makeup 

What makeup should a wedding guest wear? 

Wedding guest makeup should be polished and elegant without being too dramatic. Focus on one feature (usually eyes or lips) and keep the rest subtle. Neutral tones work best as they complement any outfit and won’t clash with the wedding colour scheme. 

How do you do wedding guest eye makeup? 

Start with a good base, then build up neutral eyeshadow colours gradually. Focus on blending well, add definition to the crease, and finish with mascara or false lashes. The key is to create a look that’s more polished than everyday makeup but not as dramatic as bridal makeup. 

Should wedding guest makeup be natural or glam? 

Wedding guest makeup should fall somewhere in between. You want to look your best and have makeup that photographs well, but you shouldn’t look more made-up than the bride. A polished, enhanced version of yourself is perfect. 

Can you wear red lipstick as a wedding guest? 

Yes, but keep the rest of your makeup subtle if you choose a bold lip. For this tutorial, I used a subtle lip to keep the focus on the eyes, which is a safer choice for most weddings. 

How long should wedding guest makeup last? 

Your wedding guest makeup should last 8-12 hours, from the ceremony through to the evening reception. Use a good primer, set your makeup with powder or setting spray, and choose long-wearing products. 

What’s the difference between wedding guest makeup and bridal makeup? 

Bridal makeup is typically more dramatic and designed to last even longer. Wedding guest makeup should be elegant but slightly more understated – you want to look beautiful without competing with the bride.

Should I do my own wedding guest makeup or get it done professionally? If you’re comfortable with makeup, doing it yourself (following a tutorial like this) can save money and means you’ll feel like yourself. However, if you’re not confident or want to feel extra pampered, a professional makeup artist is a lovely treat. 

What are the best colours for wedding guest makeup? Neutral tones like browns, golds, champagnes, and soft pinks work beautifully for wedding guest makeup. These colours complement most skin tones and outfits, and they photograph well.

#AD. This post is in conjunction with Boots UK but all thoughts are my own

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