Unlike East Asians, South Asian and Arabic brides do their makeup very differently. The look is dramatic and bold with lots of brights colors. I had a brief chat with the super awesome London-based makeup artist Angela Holthuis and scored a few pointers for you ladies.

Eyes
It is definitely all about the eyes when it comes to South Asian and Arabic bridal makeup. Eyeshadows in super bright, even contrasting colors, are used to match with the bride’s outfit. The key to wearing a lot of colors is to make sure they are smoked out and blended seamlessly.

According to Angela, the use of eyeliner is very important. “It sort of defines the culture, their beauty, in my opinion.” She prefers gel liners as they are easier to apply and are waterproof. “They are great for lining the inner rim of the eye and they stay put for hours, unlike pencils.”

With this much eye makeup, remember to use products that are fully waterproof and to make sure you keep your eyebrows in check.

Lips
Like the eyes, lips can come in bright reds, oranges and pinks. Steer clear from anything too pale to avoid looking washed out and make sure the color you choose goes well with the rest of your look.

Mehndi
Mehndi, needless to say, is a very important part of a bride’s makeup. It is traditionally done fully on the arms and legs but nowadays, brides usually go for a more subtle look and they try to keep the patterns modern.

Looking for more bridal beauty tips? Check out these Bridal Makeup Tips and Bridal Makeup Tips For East Asians.

Images: Henna Spirit.