Look To Your Favorite 2000s Music Videos for Wedding Makeup Inspiration

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t watch a music video by your favorite singer and think, “Yes! There’s my wedding makeup!” However, you’d be surprised at how much of this makeup is actually perfect for a bridal look. Sometimes when you take away the wild wardrobe, the choreography, and the high concepts and just consider the makeup that’s going on, you can get some fantastic ideas for your big day.

Just imagine this makeup on yourself, with your own hair and dress, surrounded by your incredible wedding venue instead of, say, a little purple box.

From Britney to Bey, Here are some of our absolute favorite 2000s music video makeup looks that would make for stunning wedding-day style.

Britney Spears, “Slave 4 U”

Britney’s risqué 2001 video for “Slave 4 U” featured a crumbling cityscape, lots of half-naked extras, sweaty belly dancing…and possibly Britney’s most perfect makeup of all time. She may have worn it for a super-weird house party where she couldn’t stop dancing—but this makeup would actually fit much better at a wedding. Here she’s wearing dramatic eyeliner, shadow, and mascara, and her eyes are completely outlined in sparkly baby blue. This “top heavy” eye makeup beautifully balances out the extremely nude lip in a way that is both sexy and elegant, and the result is radiant and youthful.

Nicki Minaj, “No Frauds”

Nicki may be known for wearing lots of eye-popping makeup, but she went a more sophisticated route in her 2017 video for “No Frauds”—and it’s so lovely that it would be spectacular for a wedding. If you look closely, you’ll notice that the colors of her eye shadow, blush, and lipstick are each different, but they compliment one another flawlessly. The lavender and orchid hues are set off by thick cat-eye lashes, making her (and possibly you) look like a true princess.

Lady Gaga, “Poker Face”

Before her Oscar nomination for A Star is Born, Lady Gaga already conquered the music industry. This has never been more apparent than in 2008’s “Poker Face” video, which offers some of the most gorgeous makeup that Lady Gaga has ever worn. Those mermaid colors would work well for both light and dark hair, and someone could probably fall asleep in those eyelashes. Her baby blue lids go hand-in-hand with her baby pink lips, and the overall shimmer just radiates wedding. Maybe skip the metal face piece, though.

Jennifer Lopez, “El Anillo”

Released just last year, JLo’s “El Anillo” music video features water, fire, a Game of Thrones-style setting—and one truly smoldering makeup look. If you’re coloring is right for this striking style, it could be perfect for your wedding day. And if you find it to be a bit too much, take a look at the video in its entirety. Jennifer actually wears a few makeup looks here that would be incredible for a wedding.

Christina Aguilera, “Can’t Hold Us Down”

This 2002 music video featured bold lyrics, bold style, bold street dancing(!), and bold eyeliner. Although the setting for Christina’s music video is casual, we think her stunning makeup here would be perfect for a wedding. Especially for brides with lighter-colored eyes like Christina’s, that dramatic liner with a neutral lip is just beautiful…no matter what they say. (Sorry.)

Beyoncé, “Countdown”

Beyoncé’s incredible 2011 music video for “Countdown” actually features a lot of different makeup, but the style from this particular screen grab would be amazing for a bride, especially for a summer wedding. The bright pops of color—the rose lip, the pink-kissed cheeks, the subtle touches of yellow at the eyes—paired with shimmery gloss and that flawless eyeliner come together to create a fresh, youthful look that goes perfectly with the warmer months.

Miley Cyrus, “Wrecking Ball”

If you have light eyes, hair, and skin like Miley, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with the makeup style she wore in her powerhouse 2013 video for “Wrecking Ball”. The components here are minimal yet highly effective: strong brows, spider lashes, and fire engine-red lips. The result is a youthful, colorful combination which helped make her video iconic. It could do the same for your wedding, right?

Alicia Keys, “Girl on Fire”

If we’re being honest, Alicia’s makeup is always on point—but this very well may be her best look. The makeup for her 2012 video “Girl on Fire” is almost too pretty. A look this dazzling really should only be reserved for events such as a wedding (or hey, the music video for a hit song). First, let’s talk about that shimmer. Her eyes and lips are perfectly in balance because that fabulous shimmer is connecting them. That element combined with the deep, rich colors create a finished results that’s both remarkable and beautiful. So bright she can burn your eyes, indeed.

Gwen Stefani, “Used to Love You”

In this 2015 music video, Gwen traded her signature red lip for a more natural color to match the simple tone of the clip’s stripped-away concept. Paired with mile-long lashes and barely-there blush, this look is quite elegant and very wedding-appropriate.

Ariana Grande, “Focus”

If your skin color is close to Ariana’s, consider this gorgeous makeup look from her 2016 video “Focus”. It may be difficult to imagine if your hair isn’t purple, but it also may be worth testing out. This glam-yet-neutral look is many things: it’s youthful, it’s playful, and it’s sexy. With shimmery eye shadow that offers just a hint of the lilac color of her lips, along with precise eyeliner and those incredible cat-eye lashes, this makeup looks like it was designed for special occasions—just like a wedding.

Taylor Swift, “Teardrops on My Guitar”

A perfect makeup look for younger brides, Taylor’s shimmer and sparkle from her 2006 video “Teardrops on My Guitar” is fresh and light. You can skip the crystals if you want, but with or without them, this look equals bridal magic.

After looking at this list, hopefully you’ll be inspired to try some makeup looks from these world-famous ladies. Have fun, and good luck!