The Best Roses for Makeup Flowers: A Guide to Gorgeous, Timeless Blooms
Makeup flowers are a wonderful way to add a touch of natural beauty to an event or occasion. Roses, with their rich history, elegant appearance, and variety of colors, are one of the best choices for these purposes. Whether used in bridal accessories, flower crowns, hair pieces, or even as part of a decorative arrangement, roses offer both beauty and symbolism.
Here’s a florist guide to the best roses for makeup flowers, helping you select the perfect bloom for your style and theme.
1. Tea Roses (Hybrid Tea Roses): Classic Elegance
Symbolism: Perfection, elegance, and refined beauty
Best for: Weddings, formal events, and romantic settings.
Tea roses are one of the most elegant and timeless varieties of roses, making them a fantastic option for makeup flowers. Their high-centered blossoms come in an array of colors, including soft pastels like peach, pink, and cream, which make them a popular choice for bridal accessories or subtle, romantic touches.
Best Colors: Soft pink, blush, white, peach.
Pro Tip: Tea roses are great for creating soft, delicate looks in flower crowns or hairpieces. They blend seamlessly into soft bridal makeup looks, enhancing their natural beauty.
2. Garden Roses: Lush and Full
Symbolism: Love, abundance, and romance
Best for: Boho-chic looks, weddings, and relaxed yet refined events.
Garden roses have large, ruffled petals and a luxurious, almost peony-like appearance. They’re perfect for creating a full, lush effect in makeup flowers. These roses often have a rich fragrance and come in shades that range from pale pastels to deep, rich tones, making them ideal for adding texture and depth to any floral design.
Best Colors: Soft pink, cream, deep red, lavender, ivory.
Pro Tip: Because of their voluminous, ruffled petals, garden roses are ideal for creating a standout effect in larger flower crowns or hair accessories. They work wonderfully for romantic, vintage-inspired looks.
3. Spray Roses: Compact and Versatile
Symbolism: Sweetness, appreciation, and gratitude
Best for: Petite looks, minimalist designs, and smaller accents.
Spray roses are smaller, more delicate versions of regular roses, often featuring multiple smaller blooms per stem. These roses work beautifully for minimalist and delicate designs, making them a perfect option for makeup flowers when you want a subtle floral touch. They are commonly used in hairpieces, boutonnieres, or even attached to the side of the face for a whimsical, soft look.
Best Colors: Light pink, peach, white, lavender, yellow.
Pro Tip: Spray roses are ideal for creating delicate accents to accentuate features like the hairline, cheekbones, or temples, especially when paired with light, natural makeup.
4. David Austin Roses: Romantic and Old-Fashioned
Symbolism: Timeless beauty, elegance, and romance
Best for: Vintage-themed events, weddings, and garden parties.
David Austin roses are known for their large, round blooms with an old-fashioned appeal. With their fragrant, layered petals, they are a beautiful option for a romantic, vintage-inspired makeup flower. Their ability to add depth and texture makes them perfect for larger designs like floral headpieces, corsages, or bouquet arrangements.
Best Colors: Blush pink, soft peach, ivory, soft yellow.
Pro Tip: These roses work especially well for vintage, romantic bridal looks and bohemian-inspired makeup styles. They look amazing when tucked into an updo or adorning a flower crown.
5. English Roses: Soft, Elegant, and Fragrant
Symbolism: Grace, elegance, and charm
Best for: Traditional and elegant looks, soft bridal makeup.
English roses are a hybrid variety that combines the beauty of traditional English roses with the sturdiness and longevity of modern hybrids. Their appearance is soft, romantic, and highly fragrant. The flowers feature a rounded shape and are available in a variety of colors, making them versatile for a wide range of makeup looks.
Best Colors: Light pink, pale peach, white, lavender.
Pro Tip: English roses are often used for more traditional and elegant looks. Their soft pastel hues complement dewy, natural makeup styles and work beautifully in flower crowns, hairpieces, or attached to the side of a cheek for a soft, romantic effect.
6. Climbing Roses: Bold and Dramatic
Symbolism: Strength, love, and ambition
Best for: Statement pieces, dramatic looks, and outdoor events.
Climbing roses are known for their larger blooms and ability to grow in cascading clusters. They tend to have vibrant, eye-catching colors, and their bold petals make them great for creating a dramatic makeup flower arrangement. These roses work wonderfully for extravagant looks, especially for events like evening parties, bold weddings, or more theatrical makeup.
Best Colors: Bold red, purple, coral, deep pink.
Pro Tip: Use climbing roses sparingly to create a statement piece, such as a large flower crown or single bloom placed as a focal point in the hair. Their size and impact make them ideal for bold, modern looks.
7. Damask Roses: Classic and Aromatic
Symbolism: Love and secrecy
Best for: Vintage, classic looks, and formal occasions.
Damask roses are deeply fragrant and have a timeless, classic appearance. Their petals are dense and have a velvety texture, making them a sophisticated choice for makeup flowers. With their classic appeal, they’re perfect for vintage, romantic looks that require elegance and depth.
Best Colors: Soft pink, pale purple, deep red.
Pro Tip: Damask roses work beautifully in vintage-inspired hairstyles, adding a layer of romantic elegance. Pair them with soft, neutral makeup for a dreamy, classic look.
8. Black Baccara Roses: Mysterious and Exotic
Symbolism: Mystery, love, and passion
Best for: Bold, edgy looks, and evening events.
Black Baccara roses are known for their deep, dark red to almost black color. These roses have a striking, dramatic effect, making them perfect for edgy, modern, or evening makeup flowers. Their dark color adds mystery and sophistication to any design, making them perfect for an evening wedding, goth-inspired look, or as a unique addition to a flower crown.
Best Colors: Dark red, near-black.
Pro Tip: Use Black Baccara roses as a statement piece to contrast with lighter or bolder makeup looks. They pair well with bold lip colors, like deep plum or dark red.
Creative Ways to Use Roses in Makeup Flowers
Flower Crowns: Create a bohemian or romantic vibe with a crown made of smaller spray roses or larger blooms like garden or David Austin roses.
Hairpieces: Use a single rose or a small cluster of roses to decorate an updo or loose hairstyle. For a more dramatic effect, you can add a few larger roses to create a vintage-inspired look.
Cheek or Temple Accents: Attach a single rose bloom to the side of your face, near the cheekbone or temple, to give a whimsical, fairy-like effect.
Corsages or Boutonnieres: For formal events or weddings, create elegant corsages or boutonnieres using roses as the focal point.
Floral Jewelry: Create delicate floral jewelry pieces by combining small roses with pearls or crystals for a luxurious, nature-inspired touch.
Roses are a beautiful and versatile flower choice for makeup applications, adding color, texture, and elegance to your look. Whether you’re aiming for a soft and romantic vibe or a bold, dramatic effect, the variety of rose types and colors ensures there's the perfect bloom for every style. By carefully selecting the right rose for your makeup flowers, you can enhance your natural beauty and create a memorable, enchanting appearance.
