The makeup artist says brides need to do this one thing to look and feel their best on their big day
Credit: Courtesty Shelby Ann Bell and Morphe
NEED TO KNOW
- Shelby Ann Bell says bridal makeup trends have shifted to softer, more neutral tones since the pandemic
- Bell emphasizes the importance of timeless looks that photograph well and recommends setting spray for long-lasting makeup
- She encourages brides to choose makeup that makes them feel confident, whether bold or understated
Shelby Ann Bell has been working as a professional bridal makeup artist for 10 years, and during that time, she's watched different makeup trends come and go.
Now, Bell talks with PEOPLE about how bridal makeup has changed, as well as her tips and tricks for a "timeless look."
The 28-year-old notes that "2016 was really colorful and bold, and we were really all learning about how to use makeup, but also like really expressing ourselves with our makeup more."
"Since the pandemic, I feel like everything has gotten a lot softer and a lot more clean," she shares.
The "clean girl makeup" trend has "definitely trickled into bridal makeup," she says, noting that "it's very effortless, timeless and very uniform in a very cohesive way."
While bold wedding looks were commonplace in her early career, bridal makeup nowadays is all about that glow-from-within look.
Credit: Shelby Ann Bell/Instagram
"I'm seeing a lot of the same looks over and over again, which I think is beautiful, and I think it's really fun," she shares. "Sometimes I look back at the makeup from 2016 I was doing, and I'm like, 'Okay, we were really doing a bold eyebrow and green eyeshadow on a wedding day.' "
"Now it's definitely changed to more neutral tones, pinky tones, softer and more elegant, and more feminine, instead of bold and bright colors and a really stark contoured face," she continues. "Everything's very seamless now, which I love. I think it's really beautiful."
While trends have evolved, Bell shares that she still occasionally gets a request for a "glitter cut crease" or "something really fun like that," and she has to check her makeup kit to make sure she even has those products.
"Now and then I'll have a pop of color or a really fun, bold lip. I feel like it's definitely one or the other now," she says. "I feel like we were doing a lot of bold lips, bold eyes, bold everything, and now it's like maybe a bold eye and a neutral lip, or a bold cheek and everything else neutral. It's more balanced."
While there has been a shift to more "elegant" yet "elevated" bridal makeup, Bell is "also really excited to start seeing a little bit more color come back, potentially."
"I feel like the old makeup styles are starting to see a little resurrection, but in subtle ways," she shares. "I'm looking forward to 2026 being like 2016, but clean girl."
When working with brides, she notes that there's a tricky balance between neutral-toned, feminine looks and something "that is really gonna show up well in photos."
"I feel like makeup photography also plays a big part in makeup application and in choosing your makeup look, but it's definitely something that's gonna age well and look nice in 10 years, not like when we look back at 2016 and think, 'Hmm, that was an interesting choice.' "
As a makeup artist, she says, "It's so important to continue to learn and educate yourself."
"Even as someone who's teaching classes at this stage in my career, I'm going to a masterclass next month from another local artist. It's so nice to continue learning techniques, and even once you're an experienced or seasoned artist, it's really nice to try new things and not get stuck in the rut of, 'Oh, I have the stuff that I love, and I've been using for years.' It's always nice to try some new stuff, try some new techniques, and keep learning," Bell says.
@shelbyannbell whew I haven’t done 8 people solo in a WHILE, but we did it 💕 this bridal party was full of stunners #wedding #dayinmylife #vlog #bride #dayinthelifevlog
♬ original sound – Shelby Ann
Bell, who is partnering with Morphe for a collection of affordable bridal makeup, says her biggest hack is setting makeup with a setting spray between steps.
"I love the new Lifeproof setting spray from Morphe. It's a really light mist. It locks your makeup in for hours. It's really long-wearing, but it doesn't feel super heavy and suffocating on the skin. Sometimes those like long-wear setting sprays can feel heavy," Bell says.
Credit: Courtesty Shelby Ann Bell and Morphe
She adds that you can "use it for so many things," but recommends "spraying it in between layers of your makeup routine."
"This is a really good tip to spray the setting spray in between the layers of your cream step and your powder step, and then also again, locking it in at the end, and this is gonna aid in longevity," she says. "It's gonna make your makeup last so much longer. But I also love using the setting spray for the new little eyeshadow palettes that have the shimmer shade in the center."
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Bell shares that she is a "big advocate for doing whatever feels like the most to you and makes you feel super confident."
"If that's a red lipstick or a really bold glam, then I feel like going for it and doing it. It's your wedding day, you should," Bell says.
The one thing she says brides can't skip out on is "setting your makeup."
"That's a cardinal rule," she emphasizes.
Working with brides, she shares, "is my favorite thing."
"I love it so much, and I love being a part of someone's special day. Everyone's in a really good mood and happy, and it's really beautiful."
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