Nykaa unveils Charlotte Tilbury's bridal beauty secrets with Sobhita

Bridal make-up can feel high stakes for everyone. For those who wear make-up instinctively and for those who approach it with caution. A smooth, cake-free base. Statement eyes with no room for error. A lipstick that survives dancing, eating and long rituals. And just enough glow to read well on camera. Bridal make-up is rarely straightforward.  

Enter: Charlotte’s Rulebook for brides, sketched by the make-up artist herself. 

In her Bridal Rulebook, Tilbury distills wedding make-up into five simple principles, each paired with products designed to hold up through long hours and unforgiving lighting. The focus is ease, longevity and balance. 

Five pillars of Charlotte Tilbury’s Bridal Rulebook

1. Hug-proof radiance: Getting the base make-up right is the foundation of a bridal make-up look that stands out. Tilbury recommends focusing on formulations that feel weightless and promise zero transfers or meltdowns. To achieve a flawless complexion, the Airbrush Flawless Foundation and Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder are her go-to products.

2. Glow that photographs well: A healthy glow is essential for a wedding make-up look, but placement matters. A light veil of Hollywood Flawless Filter adds luminosity without texture. The goal is skin that looks luminous, not shiny, says make-up artist Shradha Luthra. For oily skin types, she advises mattifying only where necessary and adding glow selectively. Liquid highlighters work best when gently pressed into the skin, she adds, since they blend seamlessly rather than sitting on top. For colour, the Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Sticks bring softness and dimension, with shades suited to a wide range of skin tones.

3. Eyes that hold focus: Defined eyes remain central to Indian bridal make-up. Tilbury recommends the Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eyeliner, a budge-proof and water-resistant formula with a built-in smudger for flexibility. Application should be tailored to eye shape, says Luthra. “For smaller or hooded eyes, keep the eyeliner soft and thin, focusing on elongation instead of thickness, so the eyes don’t look weighed down. For round eyes, extending the liner slightly outward adds balance and definition, while almond-shaped eyes are versatile and can carry both soft and more defined strokes beautifully. With downturned eyes, a subtle upward flick at the outer corner is ideal,” recommends Luthra. For depth, the Luxury Palette combines matte and metallic shades that photograph cleanly. 

4. The lipstick decision: Choosing a lip colour without considering the full look is a common misstep, says Luthra. Outfit, jewellery and eye make-up all matter. Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk Medium is one of Tilbury’s most reliable shades for Indian skin tones and works across bridal colour palettes. Lip prep remains essential. Even the best formula will show cracks without it.

5. Let the emotions run, not your make-up: Wedding days allow little margin for touch-ups. Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is designed to lock make-up in place for up to 16 hours. “I not only use it as the last and final step, but also between make-up steps, especially after powders, to ensure the skin never looks heavy or overdone—it helps everything melt seamlessly into the skin,” says Luthra. 

The Established’s Edit 

1. Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer: While the foundation is busy keeping the skin even-toned, smooth and fresh, spot-concealing areas with extra pigmentation and redness can make the complexion look picture-ready. With vegan collagen, niacinamide and vitamin C, this concealer is glow-boosting, plumping and offers coverage that looks natural, never cakey. 

2. The Lip Cheat: The creamy, pigmented lip liner perfectly complements the lipstick. It not only defines, outlines, and contours the lips, but also extends the longevity of the lipstick by preventing it from bleeding. 

3. Exxager-Eyes Mascara: Metallic eyelids and kohl-rimmed eyes can look incomplete without fluttery, thick eyelashes. This mascara promises to boost volume, and lengthen and separate the lashes for a fanned-out look, minus the mess—in just one coat. The best part? Zero flakes and clumps. 

Head to nykaa.com to explore the full range of Charlotte Tilbury’s bridal beauty secrets.