WHAT MAKEUP ARTISTS WISH YOU KNEW….
Getting your makeup done on the day of your wedding sure is a treat. But in order for glam to look its best, we asked some leading makeup artists how to prepare.
You might think of makeup artists as the people who prepare you for your big day, but it pays to prepare for the preparation experts – if you want everything to run smoothly, that is.
Everything from communicating your wants and wishes, to getting your skin in top-notch condition, is so important to those responsible for achieving your dream look.
We talk to three top New Zealand makeup artists about what brides can do to ensure success when it comes to having them look their absolute best for the entirety of the photoshoot, ceremony and right through the reception.
annalee’s top tips:
Do not attempt to pop any pimples or pick at your skin the day of your wedding. Broken skin is incredibly difficult to cover with makeup. Hydration is everything! Make sure you really look after your skin’s moisture barrier leading up to the wedding. It plays a huge part in the finish of your makeup. Remember, makeup will not cover or fix neglected skin so look after it. Ask if your makeup artist provides samples of lipstick on the day for you and your bridal party to touch up with. Wear something comfortable for your makeup trial (and on the wedding day). You’ll be sitting for a long time – an hour minimum. Wear white on top. A t-shirt, collared shirt or sweater is best. It’s amazing what wearing white will do for your face and, in most cases, it’s the colour you’ll be wearing on the day.
grayson’s top tips:
Don’t be afraid to ask us questions; there are no silly questions and sometimes it’s easy for us to forget what people don’t already know. Ask the artist how much time they’ll need on the wedding day and give them the ‘finish time’ as the time you want to start getting dressed, not the time you need to be leaving for the venue. Provide a reference image, rather than just a verbal description, unless you have really no idea what you want and that’s totally fine. However, if you do have a style in mind, a picture speaks a thousand words. We want to see what your idea of ‘smokey’ or ‘natural’ is, because everyone has a different understanding of these terms. Bring a few of your favourite lipsticks to look at. I’m a huge believer in wearing a lip colour that’s somewhat close to something you’re used to wearing. The sense of familiarity this will provide on the day is often a great way of ensuring a feeling of calm in both yourself and your partner. If you insist on bringing a support person to the trial, make sure it’s someone with a similar style to you; otherwise their advice can make you second- guess yourself.
justine’s top tips:
Talk to your makeup artist about SPF and when you should apply it on your wedding day. Don’t be the last to have your makeup done (after your bridesmaids). It can be stressful for the bride if everyone else is done and the photographer and flowers arrive while you’re still sitting in the makeup chair. Yes, your makeup will last the distance. Talk to your makeup artist if you’re getting a facial, eyelash extensions or a tan done. He or she will be able to give you the best guidance in terms of a timeline. Bring images of your bridal dress and bridesmaid dresses to show the makeup artist at your trial, so they can get an idea of the ‘look’ of the bridal party. Provide a well-lit space with ample table surface room for your makeup artist to work their magic on the day. Let your makeup artist know what time you need to be ready by and they will work backwards, to give you a start time. Be honest with your makeup artist if you aren’t 100 per cent happy once all is done. They would rather know that you are in love with your look than you holding your feelings back.