Bridal Hair-Make Up - What you should know

I have been in the wedding industry for quite some time. On a weekly basis, I meet with 5 to 10 brides to discuss the Hair and Make Up look they want. In all my experience with brides, I have learned meticulous details about brides. In plain language, Brides are unable to communicate exactly what they want. Hence I hear them say statements such as: 

I have already gone to 3 different artists and did not like anyone. 

What do you think? 

Do you have examples of hair-make up?

I personally dislike giving Brides ideas for hair-make up. Almost all brides want to look beautiful while looking like themselves. A look that worked for someone else, will most likely not for work for them. A look I might think they will like, they might not envision walking down the aisle with. Hence the dilemma. The communication gap majorly exists because most brides think they are not picky. NEWSFLASH: YOU ARE PICKY and YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BE!! It IS your big day, all eyes WILL be on you and you WILL be the focus of the day. So yes, you are being picky and you have EVERY right to be. OWN IT!! You should be perfectly comfortable in the look created for you. But you have to learn how to communicate what you want without confusing your artist? Here is my two cent on how to achieve “The Look”.

1) Natural Does Not Mean Natural: Over and Over again I have had brides come in and say they want a natural look. Natural is how you look when you get out of the shower. You DO NOT want a natural look for your big day. Tell your artist that you want a sophisticated chic look with maximum coverage for any spots/blemishes, minimal eye make up, nude lipstick and light/earthy contouring. Many artists get confused when brides say natural look but gets upset when they get exactly that.

2) Size Matters: Brides often bring me pictures of exaggerated hair styles, buns, up do's and braids they see in vogue or pinterest. Most models displayed in those pictures have extensions to create the volume needed for that style. If your hair is thinner or shorter, that look will not work for you. Send your stylist pictures of your hair as well as the look you want before your trial.  Ask them if you need to invest in extensions or other accessories to create the look. 

3) Bat Your Eyes & Flirt: Your eyes draw your target audience in. This is why we make eye contact. This is also how we can show multiple of our emotions. Rather than focusing on bright lipstick or pink cheeks, try exaggerated eyes and see the difference. I have never had a bride be disappointed with correctly drawn out eyes. Ask for false or extended lashes but nothing sparkly or tacky. Darker eye shadow around the edges and penciled in eye brows will diminish the need for a ton of makeup.

4) The Cliché in Being Yourself: When looking for examples of makeup, ensure that you look up pictures of models with your skin color tone and shape of face. What looks good on someone with an oval face will be quite different than what looks good on a round faced person. Find your celebrity Doppelganger and their best makeup choices. You do not want to walk in and blame your artist if she cannot make you look like Kim Kardashian if you two have no features in common. 

5) Love Yourself Before Others Can Love You: Many brides often think they will come to a makeup or hair trial and be transformed into a completely different person. They want all of their flaws and insecurities covered. Artists are not magicians. They will make you the BEST YOU CAN BE but do you really want to walk down the aisle and your groom not able to recognize who is walking down. He fell in love with you so there are beautiful features about you that he holds dear. While you want to accent your cheekbones, make your eyes stand out and have a pretty hair do, never forget that your artist must make you look like yourself rather than piling on a bunch of powder that might overshadow the true you. Beauty lies within and all those truly passionate about beauty will only make you the best of you.