For many brides, their wedding day is one of the most important moments of their lives. But with countless beauty options to choose from, how do you decide on the perfect makeup look? So, we turn to the experts—trusted makeup artists who are ready to share their tips and tricks to help you feel confident and radiant on your big day.
A wedding marks the beginning of a new chapter in a couple’s life—a heartfelt celebration of love and commitment shared with those dearest to them. Whether an intimate gathering or a grand affair, each detail reflects the couple’s unique love story.
While every couple approaches wedding planning differently, one thing remains certain: the bridal look is a major part of the process for the bride. Some brides have had their bridal look planned since childhood, collecting magazine clippings and inspiration for years. With countless options available, it can be a challenge for any bride to determine exactly how she wants to look on her special day. Where do you begin? Do you want a soft natural look or full-on glam?
That’s where trusted makeup artists come in. The mutual trust and respect between a bride and her makeup artist play a crucial role in making the big day unfold smoothly. To every bride or bride-to-be: take time to cherish your unique features and embrace the process of feeling your best. The right makeup artist won’t just help you look beautiful, they’ll also be your calm, steady support when you need it most.
To help you find the perfect bridal makeup look—one that will make you feel your most confident and truly yourself—we’ve invited some of the top wedding makeup artists in the country to share their expertise, experiences, and advice, giving you an extra helping hand as you embark on this unforgettable journey.
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Mark Qua
Widely known for his bridal work and signature glowing ethereal brides, Mark Qua started his career as a magazine editor. It was during that time he met Xeng Zulueta, who encouraged him to explore his talent in makeup artistry. Inspired by the people he met and the projects he’s worked on with various brands, he eventually made the leap to pursue makeup full-time—a decision that would lead him to become one of the most sought-after artists in the industry.
Over the years, Mark’s technique and process has evolved with time and experience. At the core of his approach is a commitment to nourishing each client’s skin barrier, something he considers essential to achieving beautiful makeup across diverse face types.
This philosophy of care defines his work, especially with the brides who entrust him with their most important moment. “Every bride is memorable to me,” he shares. “It is a privilege to be their chosen makeup artist on their most special day.”
For Mark’s bridal look, he worked with Erika Remollo, a bridal muse from the first quarter of 2025, creating a look of warm, subtle tones that highlight her morena beauty.
Who has been your biggest inspiration as a makeup artist?
For me, inspiration comes from the abundance of highly skilled new generation artists. [They] keep me on my toes and I [use that] as a gentle reminder to keep honing my craft and innovate.
What is your process when creating a bridal look? How do you collaborate with the bride to ensure she feels confident with the final look?
To me, a bridal look is very collaborative. I make sure to ask her preferences. I get to know her skin type, her do’s and don’ts. I even ask for pegs just so I can get a feel of what kind of bride she wants to be. It is important to be collaborative, but at the same time, put your signature on the look—mine being elegant, just classic, and fresh. In rare times, a bride might require trial makeup, which is usually up to at least six months before the wedding. I wouldn’t say it is important—it might be, but on a case-to-case basis.
What is your advice for brides on achieving that “glowing bride” look in the days leading up to the wedding? Can you share a list of products that are ideal for brides to use in the weeks or months leading up to the wedding to prep their skin?
A glowing bride is a bride with healthy skin. So it’s important to moisturize, stay [out of] the sun and use sunscreen. For moisturizer I recommend Clé de Peau Beauté La Crème. It’s definitely a must try.
What factors do you consider when choosing products for a bride?
Makeup is very personalized. Part of my role as an artist is knowing which product would work best for a particular client. Skin type and skin tone are two main factors to consider as it is the base of the canvas.
What are your go-to makeup tools, brushes, or hero products for bridal makeup?
I would say I can’t complete my bridal looks without finishing powders. It’s my hero product, and it’s what keeps that bridal glow.
What techniques do you use to ensure a bride’s makeup stays intact throughout the day?
To make the base foolproof, after applying your foundation, let it sit and get absorbed by your skin before setting it with a translucent powder using a powder puff. That would make it long-lasting, so major touch ups wouldn’t be necessary.
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Anthea Bueno
Early in her career, Anthea Bueno set out to prove herself in an industry brimming with talent. She focused on staying consistent and letting her work speak for itself. Still, she admits there were moments of extreme burnout—constantly engaging with different personalities took a toll on introverts like her. But after grounding herself and remembering the purpose behind her work, she truly fell in love with her craft and has since kept the fire burning.
When it comes to artistry, Anthea draws inspiration from visionary makeup icons like Pat McGrath and Lisa Eldridge—women unafraid to think outside the box. For her own brides, however, she emphasizes authenticity over trends. She encourages brides to choose looks that still feel like them, rather than choosing something they wouldn’t normally wear. Her top three considerations for bridal makeup? The dress, the venue, and how a bride wants to feel—radiant, effortless, confident, and most importantly, happy.
“There’s a quiet intimacy in bridal work that I love,” she reflects. “It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling like your most beautiful self on one of the biggest days of your life. I was a bride once, and it helped me understand the weight this day carries. It gave me a deeper perspective on this part of my work and pushed me to make glamming up a meaningful, cherished moment in their day.”
For Anthea, long-lasting bridal makeup starts with skin prep tailored to the day’s humidity and temperature. Her technique involves layering from creams to powders, setting sprays, and using touch-up-friendly products that avoid cakey textures to keep the bride looking fresh throughout the celebration.
Here, we see her working on one of her upcoming brides, Leila Alcasid, highlighting her prominent mestiza features with a soft, natural glam look.
What is your process when creating a bridal look? How do you collaborate with the bride to ensure she feels confident and happy with the final look?
I start with a conversation. I want to know how she envisions herself on the day—fresh? glowing? dramatic? Then I assess her features, skin type, and even the dress and venue. It’s a collaboration from start to finish, and my goal is for her to feel like the most elevated version of herself.
Where do you draw inspiration from? How do you adapt your style to incorporate trends while staying true to each bride’s individuality?
My style leans toward timeless, skin-focused beauty—but I stay aware of trends. If a bride wants a bolder eye or a specific technique, I find ways to make it work for her face and personality without dating the look years from now.
What factors do you consider when choosing products for a bride?
Skin type, tone, weather, time of day, lighting, and even the neckline of the gown. A beach wedding at noon has very different needs than an evening ballroom reception.
What is your advice for brides on achieving that “glowing bride” look in the days leading up to the wedding?
Skin prep is everything. Hydration, regular facials, and a gentle exfoliation routine go a long way. In the weeks leading up to the big day, I recommend making time to rest and stay hydrated. It’s also important to manage the stress that comes with wedding preparations—this helps makeup sit beautifully on the skin and can prevent rashes or other skin issues from showing up on the day itself.
What is your advice to brides who get a pimple the day before their wedding?
Don’t panic. Don’t pick. If you have time go to a dermatologist to have it injected but if not, apply a cold compress, use a spot treatment, and let your makeup artist handle it. We’re trained to conceal it without making it worse or drawing attention to it.
What techniques do you use to ensure a bride’s makeup stays intact throughout the day?
Strategic makeup application. Layering is key—cream then powder, using setting sprays, and applying touch-up-friendly products (no cakey textures). I also prep the skin based on humidity or temperature to make sure it wears beautifully.
Mickey See
Despite starting his career in the marketing department of a publishing company, Mickey See always knew he wanted to work in the beauty industry. His big break came when he was invited to participate in a fashion and beauty photoshoot—an opportunity that gained him recognition and led to a job offer in the field. That moment marked the beginning of a career that has now spanned two decades. Today, Mickey remains one of the country’s most celebrated and sought-after makeup artists, known for his distinctive and notable work.
“My biggest inspiration as a makeup artist is my mom,” Mickey shares. “I have vivid memories of seeing her prepare for parties, and I got curious about how she was able to transform herself with makeup.”
He began doing bridal makeup occasionally at the start of his career, but his bridal work gained momentum after he did the weddings of actresses Kristine Hermosa and Jolina Magdangal. At the time, social media didn’t exist, so Mickey’s growing fan base discovered his talent through magazine features and editorial spreads.
For our shoot, he created a full-glam look for bride-to-be Robyn See, designed to enhance her soft radiant features, almond-shaped eyes, and fair complexion.
What is your process when creating a bridal look? How do you collaborate with the bride to ensure she feels confident with the final look?
I just study the facial features of my client. I don’t want to change her face; I just try to bring out or enhance her natural beauty. I do it in such a way that when she walks down the aisle and the groom sees her, he would remember the first time he saw her. He would remember why this is the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Where do you draw inspiration from? How do you adapt your style to incorporate trends while staying true to each bride’s individuality?
I don’t believe that trends should apply to brides. I believe that bridal makeup should be a timeless look. However, there are trends that are inevitable. For example, there was a time when “one line” or very thin eyebrows were in fashion, and now they’re not. In the end, it’s always a collaboration between the makeup artist and the client. But when creating a bridal look, the key is always to see a “blushing and radiant bride.” When my client looks at her wedding photo album 10 or more years after the wedding, she should still be happy with the way she looked on that special day.
What advice would you give to brides when selecting their makeup peg for the big day?
Bridal makeup is very personal and unique to the bride, so when they show me pegs, I acknowledge it and determine if it will work or not. At the end of the day, it can only serve as an inspiration—never an imitation.
What are your go-to makeup tools, brushes, or hero products for bridal makeup?
I swear by the Japanese brushes. Expensive, but they’re the best.
How far in advance should brides book their trial and wedding day appointments?
Six months.
Can you walk us through your bridal makeup prep process? Why is it important, and how has it evolved over the years?
I learned from Shu Uemura that beautiful makeup begins with beautiful skin. So that’s my process. Hydrated, well-rested skin is the best canvas.
This article originally appeared in our June 2025 issue.
Photography by Kieran Punay of KLIQ, Inc.
Creative Direction Paolo Torio
Jewelry Jul B Dizon and Janina Dizon
Dresses of Leila Alcasid and Robyn See Rosa Clara
Flowers Flowers by Ginger
Shot on location at The Peninsula Manila
