On your wedding day, all eyes are on you, so having a fresh face of makeup and the right lipstick is just as important as the dress. This is one of the biggest events of your life, so feeling your best is a non-negotiable — and a little makeup can help with that. We understand that wedding prep is serious business and our advice is: No skimping in the beauty department.
If you happen to have a makeup artist for a best friend or are one yourself, then you are one of the lucky few who can cross makeup off her list. Most brides-to-be will enlist the expertise of a makeup artist and the investment is pretty hefty, so selecting the right one is essential. Hiring a stranger to do your makeup can be a daunting experience. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make the selection process a little bit easier so you can be sure you’ll look gorgeous when you walk down the aisle.
- Find the one. Chances are, you may have a friend or two that recently got hitched and can give you a referral — firsthand testimonials are the best. Your local salon is a great option and might be the way to get started, especially if you’re familiar with the staff. There are also great on-demand services that can connect you with someone in your city. Vensette has top-notch pros that do a lot of weddings and even offer a bridal party package. Otherwise, there are a plethora of wedding blogs with great resources and reviews.
- Meet and greet. Before booking your pro, meet with them and discuss your personal style, wedding style and the look you’re going for. Bring some pictures to show them — Pinterest is a great source of inspiration — and make sure you click on a personal level, too. You want the big day to go smoothly and surrounding yourself with people you connect with will help. Ask a ton of questions and discuss their aesthetic to ensure you both have an understanding of the look you want.
- Book them — fast. Once you communicate your vision and are both on the same page, book your artist ASAP. A good makeup artist has a packed schedule and while that says great things about their work, it means you have to get a contract in place sooner rather than later.
- Do a test run. There’s a wedding rehearsal for a reason and makeup is just as important. A trial of wedding day makeup may cost more, but it is worth it in the long run. Book this trial on the same day as your hair trial (if applicable), so that your glam team can collaborate with you to make any changes you may want.
- Take pics. What else are you supposed to do when you have a full face of makeup? Take advantage of your glam pre-wedding look in different lighting and figure out if you love it or want to change things up (chances are you will look beautiful). As Kim Kardashian would say, “Bank a couple selfies.”
