FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I choose my makeup artist?

Obvious - but choose the one you like the look of. Not just their makeup portfolio, but look at their social pages and check that their style, approach and general taste seem a good fit with what you like. This way everyone is going to be happy and you’ll get the best work out of your artist. It’s a good idea to speak to your artist on the phone, so that you know you will feel comfortable with them before taking the time and expense of booking a trial - having your makeup done can be quite an intimate process so you want to make sure you will feel comfortable with them and want them to be there on the such a special day. Lastly, and crucially, check their reviews and whether they are recommended by multiple venues.  Makeup artistry is, of course, about executing beautiful makeup, making your client comfortable - many things - but bridal makeup is very much about being professional, on time, in contact and extremely reliable as it’s such an important day.

How far ahead should I book my makeup artist?

Wedding magazine timelines would have you believe that 3-4 months is the right time. But the wedding industry has grown since this advice was correct. Most wedding makeup artists need booking at least a year in advance, or more if you have a popular date (usually Summer Saturdays).

When should I have my trial?

Around 6 months beforehand is perfect.  You will have chosen your dress and event styling and it gives plenty of time to adjust things should it be needed.

How do I prepare for my trial?

Makeup artists are used to people not having much idea of what they want.  It’s our job to find this out after all. If you know that you will want to be more specific however, it’s a good idea to do some research on makeup looks beforehand. Pinterest and Instagram are excellent starting points of course, but be aware that this is often more useful for communicating the vibe you are after rather than specific makeup. Many images, being edited, won't necessarily translate into the kind of look you think are after. Videos can be rather good though as they are far more accurate. If you can find someone of a similar age and look this can be a very good reference. It’s also worth looking at makeup done for red carpet events as these are usually unedited and in high definition, so you can really see the detail of the application.  Red carpet is also makeup applied on talent of all ages rather than young models or influencers. 

Will my makeup look nice in the photos?

This is a given from any good, established makeup artist. We are trained and experienced to know which products give flashback with which photography. How to emphasise so that features show up well on camera from a distance.  How to blend properly so that there are no harsh lines ruining your close ups. How intense your lip colour should be if your photographer favours a dark edit.  These are all things we are thinking about the whole time we do your makeup. 

I worried as I think want something different to the looks my makeup artist seems to do..

Don't worry! Most makeup artists present a certain style that they love (My signature style is a softly glamorous natural look).  This doesn't mean - at all - that this is all they can, or will, execute. A good artist can apply many types of makeup look. Because my typical style is natural for instance, this is the type of client I attract, but when i’m asked for some super glammed up look I absolutely love it ! Its a treat as I don't often do it.  Never feel apologetic, or embarrassed about asking for something different to what you think the style of that makeup artist is - we are here to please you, not ourselves. 

Bridal makeup in particular is very client based, we are not here to impose a look on you, but to find out exactly what you want but execute it in a professional way.

I’ve had my trial and I don't like it..

This is what a trial is for. Makeup is highly personal. All good, established makeup artists will be able to produce nice bridal makeup. That doesn't mean that it will necessarily feel right on you.  There needs to be a lot of communication in a trial, but it’s not straightforward. Describing makeup verbally is pretty impossible;  one person’s idea of natural can be world’s apart from another for instance.  Makeup needs to be seen visually and then each person knows what the other means.  As a client make sure you speak up. Sometimes all that is missing is one element that you always do.  I’ve seen clients go from not really liking to loving the makeup I have done when I have added something they always do such as lining the waterline. It can take some discovering  as often clients are not really aware that these things they do are so important to them - they just know that makeup look wrong without them.

If you like the makeup your artist has done for you, but know you will never love it without a really structured brow for instance - ask for it! I promise you that a good makeup artist will not be offended. Perhaps, you know you want a really glam eye, but you hate the feel and look of liquid foundation - make sure you say -  this will be the difference between makeup that feels a bit ‘off’ to you and makeup that fits you perfectly.  What you are getting with bridal makeup should be perfectly applied makeup, but with the tweaks that make it utterly you.

I’m worried about having a stranger in the house on the morning of my wedding as my family can be a bit dramatic..

Weddings are stressful and wedding mornings even more so.  Bridal makeup artists are not remotely fazed by family tension, tears, mishaps, lost rings, lost people.. you name it, we’ve seen it and probably applied a full makeup look throughout the whole thing. We wouldn’t be in this job if we minded a bit of drama of a Saturday morning. We won't judge you or your families for a bit of emotion.  Believe me, it’s all totally normal and all worth out for the happy tears at the end!

Tears? Now I’m worried about my makeup being ruined!

A good makeup artist knows every trick in the book.  Waterproof mascara is just the beginning, we have primers, powders, gel coating and uses for setting spray you wouldn't believe.. I have seen many brides burst into tears having just had their makeup done and I’ve been relieved ( and a little bit smug) to see that nothing has shifted.  This doesn't mean it will look unnatural though  - Bridal makeup is the ultimate challenge really - it must look soft enough for harsh daylight, glamorous enough for the evening and last through literally everything. Every so often I have seen a photo of one of my brides late in the evening - not a professional one - and felt enormously proud to see that despite her makeup being the last thing on her mind at that time, it still looks good.

How will I keep my makeup looking good throughout the day?

Professionally applied makeup should be pretty bulletproof.  I would expect shine in the T-zone, which you can blot with powder.  I expect the lip colour to fade as I don't favour long lasting lip colour, feeling it gives a dehydrated look to the lips.  I also prefer to custom blend lip colour. If anything else other shifts or creases after the trial, tell your makeup artist. This is a problem and we would need to try something else.

Most makeup artists will give you a sample of your lipstick, enough for the day and a small touch up kit. I’d also recommend thinking about bringing the following items:

Lip colour

Lip gloss

Blotting sheets/powder

Tissues

Cotton buds

Concealer 

Mints

What if I get a spot on my back?

A makeup artist is responsible for all the skin on show.  With your permission, she will check over your back/arms. I like to use a concealer designed for tattoo cover for any spots on the body for bridal as the product is highly transfer resistant.

If your dress has a very low back, I would really recommend starting a simple routine to care for the skin there. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate - just a weekly scrub with a loofah. I like  to use a facial wash designed for spot prone skin on this area then a tea tree moisturiser.  Something like Dr.Organic Tea Tree lotion would be ideal.

How will the timings work on the morning? How do they fit in with hair?

On the day, I allow an hour for the bride and 45 minutes for the bridal party members. I arrive 15 minutes early to set up. I also, always allow for an hour buffer at the end, for touch ups/registrar chats etc, but also in case bridesmaids are late or distracted.  I work backwards from the time you depart to the ceremony. So with a 1pm leave time and 3 bridesmaids, you’d be looking at an 8.45 am start time with your artist arriving 8.30am. Most makeup artists I know use a similar sort of timeframe.  

Hair and makeup are very used to working together. Usually we swap bridesmaids as they get their hair or makeup done.  I like to do the bride second to last, which allows the hairdresser to finish off the hair for the final half hour. I can then make final checks and apply a final coat of gloss. 

How can the bridesmaid’s makeup stay fresh looking all day if it has been done so early in the morning?

Bridal makeup lasts. We use every trick and product available to use to make sure it does.  I’ve had brides say they woke up the next morning with it still on (not advised of course!) I always leave powdering and lips to my touch up hour, so that anything can be fixed and freshened.

When do you leave?

Most makeup artists stay until the bride leaves. We have a lot of pride in our work and the moment we send a bride off looking perfect is one of the big pleasures of our job.  I wouldn’t miss it for the world!