Bridal Makeup Tips and Advice - Do I really need a professional bridal makeup artist?

Bridal Makeup Artists... Do I Really Need One?

Hello Brides-to-be! I'm sure many of you out there are wondering if you need a professional bridal makeup artist for your wedding and what makes the difference between “everyday” makeup and “wedding” makeup. As a professional bridal makeup artist, I have come to learn a couple of things: On your wedding day, you will more than likely be stressed out with people calling every two minutes with tedious and sometimes irrelevant questions, and having your hair and makeup done will be your moment of zen. It’s also great to have someone familiar with the effects of professional photography and will know what to do and most importantly what not to makeup wise so that your wedding pictures look flawless and amazing.

Things to Consider:

Flash Photography
Most weddings have professional photographers on-site to document the occasion. Flash photography is a medium in which certain products cannot be used or they will not “read” correctly on the photograph. (i.e. using a foundation or powder with SPF and having your face come out lighter than the rest of your body in your photographs. Not fun considering they will be one of the only items you will have to remember how you looked on your wedding day).

Durability of the Makeup Used
While our personal idea of beauty differs from person to person, today is a day in which wearing slightly more makeup then you would on a regular basis (unless you already wear a full face) is necessary not only for photographic purposes, but for longevity as this is an occasion in which you will be moving around for a few hours, people will be hugging and kissing you, and you will most likely slightly stressed and therefore prone to sweating and tears. Good quality makeup that is applied correctly will last for hours and still look fresh, giving you one less thing to worry about.

It's a Big Day!
While weddings are a beautiful and momentous occasion, they will be documented and your photographs will be something that you will have and treasure for years to come. For that reason alone, make sure whatever you have done (hair, makeup, nails, tanning, etc.) the “real you” shines through and that you feel confident and beautiful and ready to make that trip down the aisle. Nerves may not allow you to apply your makeup as nicely as you do on a regular basis, so having someone who does it for a living should put you at ease and give you a moment to relax.

What Exactly Needs to be Adjusted?
As I mentioned, flash photography presents a situation in which the foundation and powder (and even skincare) you use on a regular basis may have to be altered slightly for your wedding. Any product that contains SPF (your moisturizer, foundations, powders, etc.) should be avoided as they will cause the dreaded “mask” on your photographs (this is where your neck and body are the same color but your face takes on a white-ish cast). This is because SPF’s are meant to block out harmful light (any type of light) and sun rays. This includes flash from a camera. A professional makeup artist will have a kit full of camera-friendly products and will ensure a quality application.

What should I consider when looking for
a professional bridal makeup artist?

Find Someone Whose Work You Absolutely Love
When looking for an artist, you should find someone whose work you adore. They should have a website dedicated especially for bridal that includes pictures of brides they have done. If you want to see more pictures, you should contact them and request more samples be e-mailed to you.

Ask Family, Friends and Recent Brides
Word of mouth is also a great way to find a reputable and talented bridal makeup artist. Ask any friends, co-workers, relatives, etc. who you know used a makeup artist for their wedding, especially if you loved their pictures. Knowing someone who worked with them will put you at ease as well.

Find Out Where They Are Listed
Anyone can pay for advertising, and it doesn’t necessarily mean they are good either. I did a bride last year that had a preview with a wedding makeup artist agency and the company was everywhere so she assumed they would be good. She had a horrible time and hair and makeup was disastrous. She went to every wedding forum warning against the company. She then came to me and loved what I did. Knowing that I wanted her to be beautiful and happy made it that much more special to her, and she sang my praises to everyone she knows. Look for sites that have artists listed based on recommendations by past clients (www.weddingwire.com and www.projectwedding.com) because recommendations are worth their weight in gold to makeup artists.

Make Sure You Book a Preview
Many brides do not feel the need to book a trial because want they want is simple and shouldn’t take any time to do at all. This is an invitation for disaster. Your wedding day will be hectic enough without you having your hair and makeup changed five times because it isn’t what you envisioned. Not only will your artists stress out, but you will stress out even more and you do not need that on this very special day. Most reputable artists have packages that will include a preview so you both know how you will look when the big day arrives.

Hopefully this article helped to clarify the role of the bridal makeup artist and how they can make your wedding day even more special.

Still confused? If you are in the Southern California area, Let the BridalMakeupArtists.com hair and makeup team help you figure out a bridal look that fits you perfectly. Call Rebecca at 562.480.1006 to check on availability, or for a free quote, e-mail us using this form.