A wedding is just not any occasion it’s a huge lifetime event for anyone in life. Anybody who is getting married must want to have the best of the wedding pictures as these pictures are used for generations. As it is very well phrased “Old wine and old memories always tastes better with time”, and when it is about wedding make-up, every bride wants to look her best on her special day so that the best can be brought out in the wedding pictures as well.
Today every bride is keen to get make-up by the right person and in the right way, and, why not? After all, weddings in any girl’s life is once in a lifetime event, and to look her best is her right. Gone are the days when everything and anything was okay. But today it matters!! Every bride wants her big day to go smoothly. Gorgeous hair, beautiful skin and physique, enchanting attire, and a classy setup. However, finding your favorite wedding make-up artist that too when it is peak season, is not an easy job these days. You have to consider many things before you start your search for the one. Let’s see how the trickiest task of finding a wedding make-up artist can be made easier.
If you are also ready to start choosing the right make-up artist for your D day, who can transform you completely into the blushing bride you’ve always wanted to be. But, you have no idea where to start your hunt, then this article is for you. It has everything you need to know about how to choose a wedding make-up artists.
Here’s how to choose your wedding makeup artist
1. Know where to start
Before you start your search for the right make-up artists for your wedding, there are certain things that need to be fixed. For instance; you need to have your final wedding dates, wedding venue, wedding location, your wedding attire, and not to mention the wedding make-up budget in hand. Locking these things beforehand will help you focus on what will look and wear the best on your big day in the particular budget.
2. Starting early is the key
Do not wait for the last minute. Everything related to your wedding is as essential as your wedding itself. At least start taking note of makeup artists and their works around eight months before your wedding. Be vigilant, if you attend any wedding during this period, and you like the bride’s make-up make sure you take down the details of the makeup artist and do some research on them to know more about them and understand whether you like what they do.
3. Pinterest your interest
Today, almost everything is available online. Wedding planning journey becomes kind of easier with internet. So, create a mood board that delineate the looks that you like. It will help you have the idea what is trending and what is that you are looking for. The same can serve as a source of inspiration for your makeup artist.
4. Research, in fact a lot of research is required
Once you know what you’re looking for, you need to research a lot. Thankfully, we are in the era of internet so it is very easy to search for anything and everything over the internet. You can also start finding your make-up artist with the skills to achieve it. There are many online platforms where you can search for the right make-up artists. In fact, if you will just put it on Google, you will come across thousands of options. As, it will list wedding makeup artists across the nation along with their portfolio pictures, contact info and reviews.
Also, you can search for the right make-up artists on social media. Because many wedding makeup artists post their portfolios on Instagram, Facebook etc., thereby making it easy to get a feel for their work. Try searching hashtags like #bridal #makeup and #makeupartist to find out options out there. Also, don’t miss to click on follow button, if at all you like what you see.
5. Reviews Matter
Today, almost all the professionals have their websites, and there they have reviews given by their past clients. Or otherwise on bridal forum you will see tracks of make-up artists. Do not miss to read reviews of the potential make-up artists. Also, make sure you participate and read comments posted on bridal forums to know who’s who in the bridal makeup industry. At bridal forum you can easily shortlist the top few makeup artists that you would want to speak more with or even select for your big day. Also, take references from reviews by other brides, and get some behind the scenes details from their former clients for good measure.
6. Reach your make-up artists
Once you’ve few make-up artists lined up, now is the time to contact them. Now the question is how to reach them… Well, if you have found your make-up artist online, then contact them on their contact page itself. If you’ve found them through some reference then take the details and either write an email or make a call for further details.
7. Meet them in person
Once you have connected your potential make-up artists, the very next step should be to meet them face-to-face. It is essential to meet your make-up artist in person so that you can have a quick Q&A with the artist. Also, it is crucial that you go prepared with the questions, and ask them everything about the products they use, the system they follow (whether you will have to come there or they go to the venue), ask what kind of look will suit you the most, about their charges, do they take care of hair styling as well or you need to book someone else for that, do they give trial make-up or not, etc. All these questions will help you understand them better and you will have clarity as well.
8. Look at their entire range of work
It is always good to go through their entire portfolio to know more about their entire range. You never know, maybe you’ll find something for yourself too.
9. Book a trial or two
If you think you like everything about the artist, schedule a trial wedding makeup run. Yes, trial run is crucial, like you don’t buy a car without a trial run, how can you book a make-up artist without knowing what will he/she will do on your face?? Your skin is as important as your special day. Let them use the products that they’d use on your D-day to see if they work with your skin and last throughout the day or not. At least, you will know whether their style is perfectly matching with the one you always expected or if not, then you can always book a second one to make the necessary changes.
Also, don’t miss to bring photos of the make-up looks that you would like and the ones you created on the mood board. So that your make-up artist have clarity what exactly you are looking for. The best will be to ask your passionate photographer friend to shoot you both indoors and outdoors. And take prints of those pictures, so that your artist can understand if any changes would be required on the D-day.
10. Test their products
More often than not, these makeup artists stick to a particular brand of makeup. If you by any chance you are sensitive to the smell or consistency of the products they use, discuss the same with the artist. Ask them to swap the product with the brand of your choice. Also, if you have some specific skin concerns and you are allowed to use only a limited number of products, don’t miss to mention the same to your make-up artist, to avoid any damage later.
11. Stick to your style
Of course, wedding make-up never meant to look like a stranger at your wedding. So, it is crucial that you find out your signature style and stick to it. That is absolutely up to you how do you want your wedding make-up to be whether a full face makeup or natural looks. Whatever, but you need to figure out what makes you feel confident and suits you best. The idea is to look your best and truly yourself!!
12. Don’t forget your wedding hairstyle
Your wedding look is incomplete without an appropriate hair styling. Find out if your make-up artist will do hair also, or otherwise find your hairstylist also. Remember, it really helps when your makeup artist and hairstylist can work well together. Also, it is recommended to schedule a trial session when you’re your hairstylist and makeup artist are available together. That will help you know your overall look beforehand. If your makeup artist is doubling up as your hairstylist, check out his/her hair portfolio too, just to ensure you like the hair styling as much as you like her/his makeup style.
13. See if you need a supporting make-up artist for other LADIES out there
You will definitely have to see make-up of your bridesmaids, family members, and special guests. It is advised you speak to your makeup artist about it and make sure that they have it included in the cost. Also, it is crucial to tell your makeup artist in advance about the number of other people will be needing her services. Especially, if you have a huge entourage to look after. So that your artist can decide whether she needs to bring along assistants or supporting makeup artists to help your guests look good at your wedding, while your makeup artist will solely attend you.
14. Stick to your budget
Yeah, that is absolutely true that your wedding is a once in a lifetime event and you want everything best in your wedding. But, your budget actually plays an important role in deciding which vendor to choose for your wedding. You may across many make-up artists and you may like someone very costly in the market. You will need to see what exactly you are looking for the quality make-up or for the high profile makeup artist. Go for the one who is able to give you the best looks.
15. Select the one you are comfortable with
On your wedding it is crucial that you are comfortable with every vendor you select for your wedding. Of course, you’d definitely want a makeup artist who has a good attitude. Therefore, it’s important that you select the one you feel comfortable with and well taken care of by. Also, be honest to your make-up artist, and let them know if at all you are uncomfortable with any aspect of the makeup artist’s agreement. It is your big day after all, and apart from looking your best, it is equally important that you feel positive and happy throughout the day.
16. Don’t miss to give them details of your wedding venue
It is crucial that you give them all the details of your wedding beforehand. Especially about the wedding venue and the type of wedding. For instance, if you are looking for a beach wedding tell your hairstylist and artist in advance, so that they know what all make-up & hair styling tool they may require at the D-day. If yours is an outdoor wedding, see in advance if your artist have worked in outdoor venues or not. It is always good to let your to-be makeup artist know your location and surroundings.
Related: For Brides on Honeymoon, Here are The Tips for Low Maintenance Makeup
17. Don’t miss to sign the contract
Whether your make-up artist is known to you or if she is relative to some of your friend that doesn’t matter much. Be professional and practical. Once you are fine with her/his services and trials, the next step is to finally sign the contract. Make sure you read the contract thoroughly before you sign it. Of course, you’ll want to know exactly what you’re signing up for before you write your signature on the dotted line. See all of their pre-wedding and wedding day services along with their costs are mentioned clearly in the contract. Also, check if there is any additional fee like travelling, parking, supplies etc. If you find everything okay, sign the contract!
AND FINALLY…
I hope the list above helps you find the right make-up artist for your wedding. But before I finally bid adieu… Here is a pro-tip:
No matter how professional or seasoned your makeup artist is, you need to take care of your skin from the beginning itself. Just imagine applying lipstick on your chapped lips on your big day… Terrifying, isn’t it?? So, just to avoid all these nightmares it is recommended that you prepare your skin in advance. Eat healthy food, avoid junk, cut on salt and sugar, indulge in some exercise like yoga and swimming, do meditation for at least 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes before you hit your bed (it will help release all the wedding planning stress), don’t try any new food or drinks. Last but not least, DO NOT at all test any new facial or skincare products at least two weeks prior to your wedding.
Thanks for reading!!!
