Celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni exposes harsh realities of bridal makeup industry: “I have to create five to six mood boards”

November 29, 2025 - 10:29 AM IST

Renowned celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni pulled back the curtain on the bridal makeup world during an ANI Podcast discussion on makeup and skincare, revealing the mounting pressures and unrealistic demands brides place on artists today.

Celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni exposes harsh realities of bridal makeup industry: “I have to create five to six mood boards”

Soni detailed the exhaustive preparation required for modern brides, emphasizing how expectations have evolved. “When I do brides today, I'm not exaggerating. Oh my god, I have to create a mood board and not one mood board. I have to create five to six mood boards for every outfit because they are first of all not willing to tell us what their personality is, who they are and they want us to give them all options,” she shared.

When pressed by the host to define a mood board, Soni explained, “So mood board is a collage where you have the outfit that the client is going to be wearing and then you have hair and makeup references for it. So I'll have seven different hairstyles that will suit that outfit, seven different makeup looks that would suit the client and the outfit and again unrealistic expectations because where are you getting these images from? You're getting it from Pinterest, you're getting it from Instagram, you're getting it from social media which is very filtered.” These platforms, she pointed out, promote heavily edited ideals that distort reality, setting brides up for disappointment.

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The conversation took a candid turn as Soni addressed the core challenge of filtered perfection. “So the biggest issue I've had is like I've had clients show me these beautiful no makeup filtered pictures saying I want to look like this. I said, are you sure? I said this has 18 filters on it. Like I can't make you look like this. You have texture on your skin, you have pores, you have acne marks, you have scars. I can't make you look like this,” she recounted. Despite her honesty, some brides reject this grounded advice, “I can make you look an amazing version of yourself and I can guarantee you that. But I can't make you look like this. And I've actually had brides say, you know what, we're going to book someone else. I said, okay, go for it.”

Soni's revelations highlight a broader shift in the bridal beauty sector, where social media's influence clashes with human physiology. Brides increasingly demand flawless, filter-like finishes, overlooking natural skin imperfections that no makeup can fully erase. This trend not only strains artists but also risks leaving couples dissatisfied on their big day. As a celebrity expert working with high-profile clients, Soni's experiences underscore the need for realistic communication between makeup artists and brides to achieve truly stunning, personalized looks.

Also Read : Namrata Soni recalls facing hostility as a woman makeup artist in a male-dominated industry: “My mother would get threatening phone calls”