Wedding Makeup Looks Through the Ages: How to Incorporate Vintage Trends into Your Look This Wedding Season

Beauty is timeless. This step-by-step bridal makeup guide will take you through time to prepare you for bridal makeup inspired by a bygone era

Praneet Sahni Kalani

Praneet Sahni Kalani

11 Dec ‘24
bridal makeup timeless bridal beauty looks Hollywood bohemian chic graphic eyes
bridal makeup timeless bridal beauty looks Hollywood bohemian chic graphic eyes

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Be it the recently married actor Rakul Preet Singh, or actor Kriti Kharbanda at her dreamy and picturesque wedding in Gurugram, Indian brides are setting their beauty standards regarding bridal makeup. If a minimal base is in place, the wedding looks still show versatility as per the outfit and event change. Twentieth-century fashion and beauty trends have left an indelible mark on us – from the winged eyeliner borrowed from the 1960s to 1920s and 30s era of Gatsby glamour. Ahead, a bridal makeup expert shares how to create bridal beauty looks that lean into vintage remnants for the 2025 bride.

1920-30s: The Glamour Era

The clandestine charm of the roaring 20s is associated with glamour and extravagance. Think Gatsby, jazz and an art deco landscape. A defining moment for the then-modern women, this period was all about bobs atop their crowns, busy being the life of the evening parties and stirring a revolution in makeup. Dazzling looks, deep scarlet pouts, and dark, and kohl eyes ruled the era. “Recreating this vibe today, I’d say a well-defined lip line filled with hues of browns and reds would be an ideal engagement party makeup look for any bride.

You can do that with the perfect matte liquid lipstick like the shade Forget Me Not from Lakme Rouge Bloom Range. Infused with vita-rose, it provides intense hydration while being food, sweat and waterproof. Is there a perfect match anywhere else? Complete it with a soft shimmer eye look and we’ve got that cocktail party look nailed down”, shares makeup artist Ishita Batra. It’s even perfect for a pre-wedding bash. It’s a vintage look that has made a comeback this year. Use Lakme Rouge Bloom Eyeshadow Pro-Palette to create your desired eye look. With 18 expertly curated shades and 6 innovative textures ranging from metallic foils, marble finish, luxurious mattes, wet glitters and a holographic shade – this palette is the ultimate tool to bring your makeup artistry to life.

1940s: Classic Hollywood

Ah, yes – 1940s makeup, an era defined by luscious red lips, defined eyes, neat eyebrows and exceptional charm that’s hard to match today. Translate that charisma to your beauty and look for an unforgettable evening. You can go for something like Radhika Merchant Ambani’s Robert Wun custom ‘Love-Letter’ look which was all about Hollywood glamour. The Ambani’s ultra-glamorous pre-wedding ceremonies and the wedding itself served many inspirational looks. Each makeup and choice of outfit took you back in time to a particular era. Taking cues from 1940s Hollywood glamour, she channelled classic Hollywood style with a red lip, bold Hollywood hair and just an eyeliner for her second pre-wedding event on a cruise around Europe. And of course, she paired it with gloves and diamonds. Create the perfect red pout with Lakme Rouge Bloom Powder Matte Bullet in scarlet rose.

1950s: The Retro Doll

This era was reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. Ishita shares, “Classic red lip with a soft wing eyeliner was the go-to makeup look then. Embracing that doll-like aesthetic – clear skin with a hint of femininity, you can incorporate full eyebrows and a well-defined arch, with hints of blush tones for the contemporary bride. Think soft pink lips and a demure beauty look, perfect for a gurudwara wedding in the day. Recently married actor Parineeti Chopra went for this kind of soft makeup for her gurudwara engagement ceremony that looked fitting for the occasion. You can recreate yours with the Pink Blossom Powder Blush from Lakme Showstopper Collection Rouge Bloom. It’s a light, buildable colour so you can go as light or dark as you wish.

1960s: Mod and Bold

Remember the iconic Elizabeth Taylor photo as Cleopatra? That glittering, cerulean-toned lid that drew everyone’s attention to her eyes, thick cat eyeliner and to-the-sky lashes marked this modern and bold era. From blue eyeshadow to the visible lip liner and nude lips, the 60s were all about embracing bold choices of turquoise and teal eye shadows that dominated celebrity looks too. A graphic liner look would go perfectly for a cocktail party or a pre-wedding bash. Brides like to go for dramatic eyes for evening events. Perhaps style it with a gown and add some edge to the makeup.

1970s: Bohemian Chic

The 1970s were the time of disco fever and psychedelic fashion. Think sparkling eyes that hypnotise, bushy brows and luscious lips prepped and primed for a night of disco dancing. In case you don’t have a disco-themed event at your wedding, perhaps consider having one for that bohemian chic vibe. Brides today also like to have bohemian-themed brunches or a pre-wedding party by the beach where they can channel their 70s diva charm. Set your makeup to perfection with Lakme Showstopper Collection Rouge Bloom Setting Powder. This ultra-fine pressed powder will put your makeup in place, control oil and sweat, and deliver the perfect lightweight, matte finish look you’re aiming for.

Create your desired look with the Lakme Rouge Bloom Range, one for every mood and occasion. Whether inspired by the 1940s (a personal favourite) with classic glamour beauty looks and gorgeously flying hair or dramatic eyes from the 1960s, make your wedding day special by adding your twist to these vintage-inspired looks.

Bridal makeup through the ages makeups of different eras choosing the right vintage theme for your wedding look
Bridal makeup through the ages makeups of different eras choosing the right vintage theme for your wedding look
Praneet Sahni Kalani

Praneet Sahni Kalani

Praneet Sahni Kalani is a fashion & lifestyle writer. Find her near cream cheese dimsums and obsessing over hair care.