Planning a wedding involves numerous decisions, from selecting the guest list to choosing the venue.
For 26-year-old Madison Azevedo from Wisconsin, one decision was easy: she would not wear makeup on her wedding day. This personal and authentic move was not without criticism. Azevedo, who does not wear makeup in daily life and does not own any products, felt it was essential to stay true to herself as she exchanged vows with her husband.
When Azevedo shared her natural wedding look on TikTok, the response was mixed. She expected some pushback, but the number of negative comments surprised her. Reflecting on the backlash, she noted, “What stood out to me most was that many of [the negative comments] came from other women.”
Photo via Daily Mail Azevedo’s experience highlights the societal pressures around beauty standards, especially the expectations placed on women. Instead of responding with anger, Azevedo chose empathy, understanding the different ways people handle their own pressures.
“I don’t have a negative stance on makeup; it’s just never been something I’ve felt drawn to,” Azevedo shared. Her focus has always been on skincare and embracing her natural self. For Madison, being comfortable in her own skin was paramount, especially on her wedding day. “I wanted to show up exactly as I am. My husband has never seen me with makeup, and it didn’t feel right to introduce something new on such a personal day,” she explained.
Azevedo recalled feeling disconnected after wearing a full face of makeup for her prom. That night, instead of feeling empowered, she felt she had hidden her true self. This realization fueled her desire to be authentic on her wedding day.
Azevedo did not intend to make a grand statement by posting her wedding photos but wanted to share a rarely seen perspective.
Photo via Daily Mail “I wanted others to see that it is an option, even if it’s not talked about much,” she said. While the negative comments were disheartening, she also received many positive messages from women who resonated with her choice. Many expressed relief and new inspiration, admitting they had never considered a makeup-free wedding.
“I hope people realize they don’t have to perform or conform to feel beautiful,” the bride emphasized. Her experience underscores the importance of personal choice, reminding everyone that whether one loves makeup or prefers to go without, the decision should be made freely and reflect individual feelings of beauty.
All things being equal, the bride’s makeup-free look challenged conventional beauty standards and sparked a conversation about authenticity. By celebrating her natural beauty, she embraced who she is and inspired others to consider their own choices.
