How to hire a Wedding Makeup Artist
A lot of thought and research goes into your wedding day. While trying to find the perfect venue, photographer, entertainment, and of course, wedding dress, you’re constantly researching, relying on recommendations, and stalking the social media accounts of potential vendors. Selecting the right makeup artist should be no different.
Putting your big day beauty in the hands of someone else, a stranger can often be nerve-racking. But being secure in your choice and having trust in your selected artist can make all the difference in the world. Brides spoke with two makeup pros to get the deets on what you should know, do, and ask before hiring one for your wedding day.
Referrals
Word of mouth is often the most reliable way of securing a makeup artist whose skills and talents match your beauty goals. When looking for a makeup artist I find that referrals are a great way to start! Many of my clients are referred to me by past and current clients over the years. It’s always great to find a makeup artist that comes with a great recommendation from someone you know.
Check out your friends’ Instagram pages to view their results, browse reviews online, and familiarize yourself with the artist’s portfolio prior to calling to book a consultation or trial.
Have a Vision
Once you begin considering options for bridal beauty, gather any photos that speak to you from magazines, Pinterest, or even screenshots of people you know. It’s okay to not know exactly what you want, but having some idea will help to guide the conversations and your trial.
Discuss your vision for your makeup and the details of your wedding with the artist upfront. Whether you want a soft natural look or a more dramatic look, as an artist I ask many questions to understand the client’s vision and to ensure that I create the look they have always dreamed of.”
Know Your Details
Before you book a trial and fall in love with an artist, it’s important to ensure their availability for your wedding date, as well as their ability to accommodate the number of bridesmaids and family members who will also need professional makeup.
Know Your Look
Wedding makeup should enhance your natural beauty. You should go with a similar look to what you usually wear. But it’s important to remember that for the majority of brides, you’re going to want a bit “more” for your wedding day. Your wedding makeup is always going to look like more than what you usually wear. The camera doesn’t pick up pigment like the naked eye. This goes with brows and lashes too, so don’t be wary of your artist filling in your brows or wearing false eyelashes.
Explaining your daily makeup routine (or lack thereof) and understanding the need to kick it up a small notch will help your artist design a look for you that complements your style and natural beauty.
Shop Around
Don’t be afraid to shop around! Even if you love the result of your first trial, who knows what you might think of the second or third. There’s a reason makeup trials exist, and it’s perfectly okay to shop around until you find the perfect fit.
That said, be careful not to go overboard. Being educated and prepared when you begin your search for a makeup pro should help you find the right one in just a few consultations.
Find out more information about how to hire a wedding makeup artist here.