Avoid a Wedding Makeup Meltdown
If you’re considering using a makeup artist for a special event, such as your wedding (or a super-important ball, school reunion, special date, business function or job interview), here are some tips to how to avoid “makeup meltdown”!
Makeup Meltdown: That HORRIBLE realisation you booked the *wrong person* to do your makeup…when it’s too late and you’re stressing out because you’re stuck with bad or dated, old school makeup or a look that is so-not-you.
Three must-do’s to avoid a makeup meltdown:
1. When researching a makeup artist to book for your big event, check if they have an online makeup portfolio or pictures of their work on their website.
Photo: Lillybeth Makeup Artist Jessica, on her wedding day wearing makeup by Lillybeth, 2015. Photo: Missy Mabel
Look at the pictures and ask: Does the makeup look evenly applied? Does it suit each woman? Is it the makeup that’s dominant, or has the natural beauty of the model been enhanced and highlighted? Does the colour of the face seamlessly match the neck or is it a ghostly couple of shades lighter? Do they show variety and flexibility, ie. can they can do more than one ‘cookie-cutter’ makeup look…or is every face the same?
2. Book a makeup consultation & trial-run before the day.
Jessica applying makeup before a photoshoot. Why not have your trial-run the same day as engagement or family photos? Photo: ImageHub
If you’re makeup artist’s a goodie, you’ll get a great look without a formal consultation & trial before the day. However, a trial will ensure you’re both on the same page when it comes to the makeup look you want. On the day itself, time can be pressured and there’s often no time for tweaking the makeup and making changes if it’s not exactly how you want it. With a trial beforehand there’ll be no ‘surprises’ on the day and application of the makeup will actually take less time (when it matters most)!
There are two timing options for when to have the makeup trial.
Option 1: Have your trial way ahead of the event, before you pay a deposit, so you can see whether you’ll like the makeup artist get the makeup you desire. If you like the makeup artist’s work and book them, then you’ll have peace of mind that the makeup is ‘sorted’ and you can tick it off your list of things to do. Otherwise, the hunt for a good makeup artist is still on!
Option 2: Have your trial closer to your big event, perhaps just a couple of weeks out so your makeup artist can see what you look like (hair colour, skin condition) closer to the day. Your skin changes more than you realise and your skin’s condition and type can dictate the makeup used. Let the artist know if you’re planning to dramatically colour your hair for the event. Having the trial closer to the day is probably more important if you have problem skin or your skin is undergoing massive change, like recovering from surgery, scars healing etc. In this case, what the makeup artist sees is more like how you’ll look on the day, but you’ll have less time to find a different makeup artist if you need to and you may have already paid a non-refundable deposit to secure your date.
If you’ve heard great thing from friends about this makeup artist and liked what you saw in their makeup portfolio – go ahead and book them by paying a deposit (or whatever’s required) before your trial – your date may not be available if you leave it any longer. BUT still have a trial for all the awesome benefits mentioned above.
3. Finally, hold your makeup artist to the look you both agreed on at your trial!
The finished makeup look by Lillybeth artist Jessica. Photo: ImageHub
At the makeup trial, take note whether your makeup artist takes notes.
You might think a great makeup artist should be able to apply your chosen look from memory on your wedding day, but as a busy makeup artist I do about 60 brides a year. As a bride, you will have different needs and require a slightly different (or dramatically different!) makeup design to someone else. If, on the day, your makeup artist doesn’t refer to notes of some kind or a makeup design sketch, chances are you’ll end up with makeup that’s not what you agreed on OR is the same as everyone else’s – which is awful if you agreed on something quite special or specific.
All the best for the rest of your planning! If you want to book makeup with myself or one of my team, contact us now!
