2 Make-Up Artists Highlight The Balancing Act Behind Nailing the Bridal Look

Navigating bridal makeup in a country as culturally multifarious as India can often be daunting.

From the intricacy of white sandalwood-paste motifs to sandalwood-paste motifs for Bengali brides to the whimsically exaggerated hennas on the hands of Rajasthani brides—bridal attires in our country are steeped in a rich tapestry of regional traditions.

But today's brides fearlessly opt for D-Day looks that calmly straddle the ornate excesses of their cultural roots while still exuding a contemporary glow.

What Does Bridal Make-Up Look Like In 2025?

Modern minimalism

Vishakha Jain, a Mumbai-based celebrity and makeup artist, is all for embracing this change. “It’s my kind of blend. I love the modernity that comes with evolving traditions,” says Jain. Today, she finds herself increasingly working with bridal clients who eschew the glamorous, yet

demanding excesses of traditional bridal attires to embrace their authentic, natural beauty.

She points to a growing trend among brides choosing to sport non-smoky, minimal-kohl eyes, neutral-shade lips and a fresh, dewy, skin palette — with just a hint of blush.

“There’s a rise in personalised, bespoke bridal looks. Brides want their makeup to feel like ‘them’ but elevated. There is also a preference for using sustainable beauty products.” Describing her style as one rooted in “soft glamour”, Jain has a roster of bridal clients who entrust her with creating a radiant, dewy glow that never outshines their natural features. “Whether it’s a smoky eye or a subtle, glowing complexion, I always aim for a look that makes them feel like the best version of themselves,” says Jain.

The bridal regimen

For Jain, the perfect bridal look is far from a magician’s trick that materialises overnight. She insists brides follow a regimented skincare routine three to six months before their nuptials — with a steady rotation of hydration, gentle exfoliation, and SPF. Plan facials in advance, to avoid any last-minute allergic reactions. Most importantly, sleep plenty, hydrate to the best of your capacities, and eat food that is beneficial to your skin’s health.

“Prioritising skincare helps your makeup go on smoother and last longer. It also helps maintain the natural radiance of your skin — the perfect canvas for any look.”

Traditional nostalgia

Despite this, traditional bridal beauty techniques are far from gone. Kolkata-based bridal and

celebrity makeup artist Abhijit Chanda continues catering to a pan-India clientele that wishes to

fully embrace their cultural traditions on their wedding day.  “While I am often requested for subtle modifications, there is no dearth of brides who seek me out to get their sandalwood motifs done even today,” says Chanda with pride.

Applied as a series of dots using a clove, or sharpened matchstick heads, the bridal chandan

reached its current stylish avatar in the late 19th century, under the patronage of Kolkata’s Tagore family. Borrowing from the floral patterns and designs of alpona, a folk-origin floor art made from rice flour, the bridal chandan is an enduring symbol of prosperity for brides.

Striking a balance

For Chanda, the modification of his chandan motifs is largely subject to his bride’s extended

trousseau.  “Those opting for a contemporary look with modern silhouettes, as opposed to a traditional Benarasi silk sari, I reign back designs and limit them to the forehead or bindi alone,”

he explains.

But for those opting for heirloom sartorial and jewellery pieces, Chanda goes all guns blazing. Helping Tamil brides with poolajadas or assisting Northeastern brides with their bold makeup in the wake of Euphoria-inspired glittery eye embellishments, Chanda has an encyclopedic knowledge of Indian traditions. 

“Many of these traditional techniques like Chandan or the Tamil poolajada are meant to highlight your natural features. If you have sharp cheeks or long locks that are complementary to them, I would always encourage you to go for it. But,” he cautions, “ensure you downsize on your jewellery or fabric then. Otherwise, your final look can become an unbalanced sensory overload.”

This has been adapted for the web from an article published in Manifest’s December 2024-January 2025 issue that is now on stands. For more stories like this, subscribe here!