Photo (above, left): Make-up: C’Esthétique - Photographer: Lien Dewitte Photography / (right): Make-up: Michèle Feyaerts
Annemie from Optutten advises all mothers and grandmothers to enjoy the makeup moment: “Dear mothers and grandmothers, you play an important role on this special day. While the bride shines, so can you, in a way that suits you perfectly: elegant, soft, and natural. With these tips, we ensure you look fresh, radiant, and photogenic, without feeling heavy. Start by enjoying your pampering moment. Most mothers and mothers-in-law sit in my chair with a bit of stress—understandable, as it's a big day full of emotions. However, try to relax and enjoy your 'me-time.' This is your moment. While I take care of your makeup, you can simply sit, breathe deeply, and let everything come to you. Release the morning hustle and enjoy!”
- Eline Cottenie shares how she starts with mothers’ and grandmothers’ makeup: “I love doing makeup for the mothers or grandmothers of my bridal couples. I enjoy it as much as they do when I can give them a moment of calm in the morning by providing a radiant look. There are certain key points I always consider when doing their makeup. Many mothers of my brides also come for a trial session beforehand. I always listen extensively to their beauty routines and needs. Afterwards, I discuss with them what they definitely want to see in their makeup. This provides peace and confidence and gives me a foundation to build upon.”
Tip 1: Eye shadow base or primer
Use a primer to extend the longevity of your makeup and to fill in fine lines. Essential for mature skin is an eye shadow base or primer. This ensures your eye shadow lasts longer and brings out the color better.
Agnes den Engelsman recommends taking care of the skin beforehand: "Focus mainly on the skin; skincare is key! Use day and night serums, hydrate, and treat yourself to a face mask once a week.”
Alissia from Byalis agrees: “The best makeup starts with healthy skin. For the mothers and grandmothers of the bridal party, it’s important to look radiant yet natural. A good night's sleep and skincare is the best foundation. With a well-cared-for skin, you achieve beautiful makeup. Also, choose a foundation tailored to you: not too dry, not too shiny, and perfectly matched to your skin.”
Foto: Make-Up: Byalis - Fotograaf: LUX Visual Storytellers Tip 2: Light foundation
Choose a light, transparent foundation to make your skin appear much fresher and more radiant. Winny from Bellapierre: “Use the right primer (for oily or dry skin) for a good base. Then, do not use a heavy foundation, but a light water-based BB Cream with anti-aging ingredients, and set it with a mineral powder. Bellapierre’s mineral powder doesn’t settle into fine lines and reflects light due to the mineral mica.”
Celien Vanhoutte shares makeup tips for mothers and grandmothers: “Choose light foundations that make the skin look fresh without too much coverage. Next, use a transparent, silky setting powder, and apply cream blush on the cheeks for a healthy complexion.”
Foto: Make-Up: Celien Vanhoutte - Fotograaf: Alex VDB Tip 3: Concealer stick or concealer
Cover small imperfections with a concealer stick or concealer. Use concealer in certain instances to erase light shadows and highlight areas.
Esther from C’Esthétique shares: “For the bride’s mother or grandmother, I usually choose a very hydrating base for the foundation and work in very thin layers! Apply concealer strategically to highlight certain facial features—less is more. As for blush, I always opt for a liquid one, as it instantly gives a natural, youthful glow.”
Foto: Make-Up: C’Esthétique - Fotograaf: Motion Pictures Tip 4: Avoid synthetic powder
Powder isn’t always necessary. Definitely avoid dry areas and only powder if you have combination or oily skin.
Winny from Bellapierre clarifies: “While synthetic powder can indeed look dry, Bellapierre's mineral powder includes mica with a light-reflecting effect, making wrinkles and fine lines much less noticeable. Choose a light water-based BB Cream as your foundation that lasts long and feels airy. Bellapierre’s BB Cream includes anti-aging ingredients. Lightly powder with a mineral powder for a natural glow and long-lasting hold. Then we work with concealer. Our BB cream already covers a lot. For ladies with dark circles, a pink setting powder can be essential. Less is more: work with thin layers.”
Foto: Make-Up: Bellapierre - Fotograaf: Valeriya Photography Tip 5: Extra attention to your eyebrows
Don’t forget your eyebrows. Subtly enhance them and you will notice your eyes look lifted. For an open look, use a shiny highlighter just under the eyebrows and in the corners of your eyes.
Eline Cottenie shares her approach: “With older ladies, we often notice fewer eyelashes. I ensure I can focus on the eyes differently, depending on the lady in front of me. This can range from a dark brown eyeliner to a black eye shadow softly applied against the lash line. Eyebrows also thin with age but are major shapers of our face, providing a younger look and extra emphasis on the eyes. I work with a cream product adapted to the hair tint and restore the eyebrow shape.”
Foto: Make-Up: Eline Cottenie - Fotograaf: LUX Visual Storytellers Tip 6: Setting powder and spray
Setting powder is essential. Apply this to your nose to keep the makeup in place. Besides setting powder, also apply a setting spray at the end to keep your makeup looking good all day.
Annemie from Optutten shares her tips for wedding-proof makeup for mothers and grandmothers: “Use long-lasting products and finish with a setting spray. Bring a small touch-up kit with powder, lipstick, and tissues for in between.”
Foto: Make-Up: Optutten - Fotograaf: Miles Photography di Fabio Miglio Tip 7: Soft colors for eye makeup
For your eye makeup, it’s better not to use bright colors or too much shimmer, as they emphasize lines. Opt for calm colors and consider the person’s habits. Also, think of a waterproof mascara!
Celien Vanhoutte offers makeup tips for mothers and grandmothers: “Neutral eyeshadow in soft brown tones opens the eyes without overwhelming. Avoid too dark eyeliner; prefer brown or taupe. Lightly defining the eyebrows lends structure to the face.”
Foto: Make-Up: Beauty on Wheels Tip 8: Black eyeliner
With a black pencil, draw a line just above the lash line. This will make your eyes look bigger. Alissia from Byalis: “Place the pencil between the lashes instead of on top of the eyelid for an optically larger eye.” Work the area under your eyes softly or not at all. Highlight the outer corners with some eye shadow and blend towards the center. Consider the person’s habits here.
Joke from Nyima Esthetiek explains: “Keep the makeup fresh. Avoid dark blush or kohl under your eyes. Instead of black eyeliner, opt for brown and don’t draw the line fully. Highlight only the eye corner and fade the line inward with a brush. This makes the makeup lighter and makes your eyes look bigger and fresher.”
Esther from C’Esthétique agrees: “I usually keep the eyes quite light. No heavy eyeliners or lines under the eyes, as this makes the eye look smaller and not ‘lifting’. A subtle cat-eye with a shimmering eyeshadow usually works very well.”
Foto: Make-Up: Nyima Esthetiek - Fotograaf: Benoit Tip 9: Fresh cream or liquid blush
Blush is essential for women with a wealth of experience. It gives a healthy and youthful appearance. Choose a cream or liquid blush that you can easily blend with your skin to avoid highlighting fine hairs. Consider applying blush in a lifting shape (from below to above, crescent-shaped). Choose fresh, even slightly brighter colors and avoid nude and purplish tones.
Annemie from Optutten provides a makeup tip for mothers and grandmothers: “Cream blush is fresh and lively, blends beautifully with the skin, and gives the healthy glow everyone loves. Soft peach or pink tones are the most flattering.”
Foto: Make-Up: Hair & More by Karine Uvijn - Fotograaf: LUX Visual Storytellers Tip 10: Soft lipstick with a hint of shine
To make wrinkles around your mouth less noticeable and make your lips look fuller, choose a lipstick in a soft color with a bit of shine. A lipstick with a firm texture is a must. Finish the edges with a lip liner to prevent bleeding. If you have narrow lips, avoid dark or matte colors as these make them look even narrower—choose a brighter shade instead.
Agnes den Engelsman advises: “If you want lips to look fuller: only overline the Cupid’s bow and the middle of the lower lip. Don’t overline the whole lip, as it gives an aging effect.”
Alissia from Byalis suggests: “Choose a fresher lipstick—a fresh color immediately gives a younger, more lively appearance.”
Foto: Make-Up: Agnes den Engelsman - Fotograaf: Sarah van Praag Eline Cottenie recommends mothers and grandmothers opt for color: “While brides often choose a nude lipstick, I find mothers often shine by opting for color on the lips. I often look at the lady’s accessories or outfit and specifically search for a color that makes the face shine and matches the overall look. Lip contours are usually less visible. To emphasize and prevent bleeding, I work with a lip pencil. Don’t forget the neck and décolleté: with age, freckles, pigment spots, or other skin discolorations may appear. Ensure the face makeup blends beautifully into the neck and décolleté. I use a thinner body foundation for this.”
Claudia from Beauty on Wheels adds: “We often notice that mothers and grandmothers prefer to stay cautious with makeup. However, just a little more can ensure they appear even more radiant. Dare to step out of your comfort zone and trust the experience of makeup artists; we always ensure a natural, flattering look.”
Bonus tip from the editors: Michèle Feyaerts specializes in ladies 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+—in other words: 'Wifty's'. This includes brides, mothers of brides, and grandmothers who require a different makeup approach. Even older brides can turn to her.
Foto: Make-Up: You by Yente Find your ideal makeup artist here
Read more on this topic via these links:
- Perfect red lips in 7 steps
- You need to know these 10 tips for perfect bridal makeup!
- First aid for mother of the bride or groom attire
