Bridesmaid Hairstyles and Makeup Looks

Your bridesmaids are your best buds, right? (Unless, of course, you have a "mercy 'maid," otherwise known as a PR move on your part to keep a soon-to-be family member happy -- yes, such a term does exist.) These girls have been your wing-women since before you can remember, so show them a little love by letting them wear hair and makeup looks they won't be embarrassed by, as well as dresses they can actually wear again, yes, this is possible.


Here's a little inspiration for bridesmaid hairstyles and makeup looks they might want to try... straight from the bridal runway:

Runway show: Amsale


Hair: "I love brides and bridesmaids to show off their necks by having their hair up; it looks fresh and flattering on everyone," says Lucie Doughty, Artistic Director for Paul Mitchell, and this Audrey Hepburn-inspired bun is no exception.

Makeup: "The look gives an understated framing to the eyes, which is great for anyone that wants definition, but nothing too heavy," says Napoleon Perdis, celebrity makeup artist and founder of his eponymous line. "Cheeks are left quite natural and the lips are sculpted with a slight pearly gloss," he says. (Try Napoleon Perdis Luminous Lip Veil in Pink Pearl, $20.)
















Runway show: Alfred Sung




Hair: The styles on the most recent bridal runways had a strong vintage feel with influences from the '50s, '60s and '70s, says Doughty. This sculptured look is a perfect example.

Makeup: "Here, the focus is on the smoky eyes paired with pale lips and porcelain skin," says Perdis. (Sultry eyes are a red carpet favorite and ideal for a bridesmaid.)















Runway show: Melissa Sweet


Hair: This look is a bit too trendy for a real-life bridesmaid hairstyle, but, in general, ponytails make a great wedding day look. Adapt the hairstyle or ponytail style you like to your face shape by changing the part, says Doughty. "A part can help with framing the face or reducing width. The ponytail can be styled clean and back off the face, or loose if your features are sharper -- a looser feel softens you. Adding height at the crown can make your face appear longer if it is more round, and bangs can help mask a large forehead or frame the face," he says.

Makeup: This effortlessly chic look is easy to achieve yourself. Pat a taupe shadow onto your eyelids and into the creases, then highlight your browbones with cream-colored highlighter. (Try Napoleon Perdis' Prismatic Eye Shadow Quad #4, $35.) Sweep on a subtle blush and a lipstick that's one to two shades deeper than your natural lip color.
















Runway show: Watters




Hair: "Some things never go out of style for wedding hair -- one of them is shine," says Doughty. So whether you are wearing your hair up or down (like this loose, wavy style), I recommend completing any look with Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shine Spray, $16.95."

Makeup: "This look is fresh, feminine and youthful -- plus it's universally flattering," says Perdis. "The key is to use natural luminous highlights on the skin [on your browbones, cheekbones and along the bridge of your nose] and a slight pinkish flush to the cheeks and lips."









Runway show: Lazaro




Hair: When deciding on your bridesmaid hairstyle, pick one element of your dress you love and work around that, says Doughty. "Having your hair up away from the shoulders creates a beautiful silhouette and can create the illusion of length," she says.


Makeup: "This look plays on a balanced eye, cheek and lip combination, held together beautifully by a flawless dewy base," says Perdis. Eyes are defined with soft liner and shadow through the crease, he says, and there's a sweep of blush along the cheekbone for contouring and a tinted gloss on the lip.


If you're the bride and not a bridesmaid, check out these bridal hair and makeup ideas from the runway.

By Alison Rowe