How to make the most of your bridal makeup trial
It really can’t be stressed enough how important it is to do a wedding makeup trial or preview. Your trial will be the opportunity for your artist to not only design the perfect look for you, but figure out just the right prep, products, and techniques to use for your unique complexion and features to achieve the most flattering look, and longest wear.
Preparing for the trial
You will want to make the most of your limited time with your artist, so coming in to your trial prepared will make the process that much easier, help you avoid the need for multiple appointments, and let your artist focus on getting you the very best results so you can feel beautiful, confident, and relaxed on your wedding day. Here are some of the most important things to think about before you head out for your appointment.
First things first
Start taking care of your skin
You can never start too early taking care of your skin. A good artist will give you guidance and recommendations either for products and a routine, or a great esthetician to help you get on the right track…but the sooner you start getting to know your skin and the best products for it, the better chance you have of seeing results before your trial and wedding day.
You might be wondering “but isn’t making my skin look good my make up artist’s job?”
The answer is yes and no.
Makeup can help to conceal blemishes and even out the overall skin tone, but when it comes to texture, your makeup will only look as good as your skin is. The better the condition of your skin, the better your makeup will perform, from looking smooth to longevity of wear.
For some basic skincare information to help you get started, read my bridal skincare guide.
This is also a good time to let your artist know about any allergies and sensitivities so they can be prepared with product options that won’t irritate or flare up any skin conditions.
Research your eyelash options
You’re choice of eyelashes can make or break your look, so going into your appointment knowing your options will help your artist prepare themselves.
Depending on your choice, you may even want to test them out ahead of time. For example, if you are contemplating getting lash extensions, now is a great time to try them in case you realize they are not the right choice for you. Give yourself enough time to possibly remove them and try another style or option all together.
If you do decide to go the lash extension rout for your wedding, letting your artist know will be important so they can plan to adjust their technique for the eyes, like avoiding cream products that can break down the glue and cause shedding.
If false lashes seem like the way to go for you but you don’t have much experience wearing them, trying them out for a day before hand will give you the opportunity to see what it’s really like to wear them all day. Start with the most dramatic option your interested in first, you might find that they are too uncomfortable/too dramatic for the look you want and you may want to downsize from there . You don't want your big day to be the day you experiment with a more extreme style you may end up being uncomfortable in.
Do false lashes or extensions sound intimidating?
Then you might be leaning towards trying a lash lift. Lash lifts are great options for a more natural understated look but are much more permanent, and it can take up to two months for it them “grow out”. This is an option you definitely want to test out well ahead of time so you can be sure if you like the effect or not, and give yourself time to decide on and test out another option.
Not sure about your eyelash options or what the right choice is for you?
Then even more important to start your research now so you have time to try them out before committing. There are lots of choices out there for everyone and you may discover an option you never even knew existed that's right for you. Read my blog on eyelash options here to get started.
Finding your makeup inspiration
So, what do you want your makeup to look like on your wedding day?
Browsing through makeup inspiration images should be a no brainer when starting out on your search for the perfect look, but not just any image will do. Here are some things to consider while looking for that perfect picture.
The model
When choosing your inspiration image, your important first step should be considering the model that is wearing the makeup.
Do they have a similar skin tone, bone structure or eye shape?
If not, then you may be disappointed by the finished look once it’s been translated for your unique features. Not only can the shape of your features alter the overall look, but different color palettes can change dramatically depending on your skin tone.
Their portfolio
You have hopefully already browsed through their portfolio and decided that their style matches the vision you have for your makeup, so choosing a couple images from their portfolio for your inspiration is truly the most ideal approach.
Ghetty images
If you don’t see the exact look you are hoping for in your artists portfolio but feel confident they can create the look you want, another great resource is celebrity red carpet images. Unlike Pinterest or Instagram, these pictures aren’t overly processed with filters or photoshop so you are seeing a much more accurate portrayal of what a makeup look can do for you. Have a celebrity doppelganger? Start your search with their red carpet photos. They have already done half the work for you by knowing what looks are the most flattering, and have most likely have been designed by a top professional artist.
Your personal Facebook/Instagram
What if your just not sure what it is you are looking for or where to start and need more guidance in choosing your look?
A great way to help your artist understand your style and level of makeup wearing comfort is to provide a clear and up close picture of yourself where you felt you looked the best. This can help them create a look that will enhance you while still feeling like yourself.
Piecing it together
Now not all inspiration images may represent fully the exact look you are going for, even if very close, and sometimes it’s the subtle differences that can make or break your makeup. If possible, choose a few pictures and really look closely at what it is exactly you like about each one. While one look might grab your attention and be pleasing overall, on closer inspection there may be an aspect of it that you don't like, like the dark eyeliner all the way around the eye, or the intensity of the eyebrow.
But what if there isn’t one picture that perfectly describes what you like?
Then it’s perfectly fine to piece together different aspects from multiple pictures. Show your artist and let them know exactly what it is you like about each image so they can translate it for your features.
During your trial
Communicating with your artist
How to communicate your vision to your artist, or: why a smokey eye look is never really a smokey eye.
One woman’s smokey eye is another woman’s cut crease and a lot of makeup terminology is vague and subjective. The best way to communicate the look you want and to avoid a disappointing outcome is to get as specific as possible from the colors and textures to the placement and shapes.
Are the colors on the eyelid light or dark?
Is there shading in the crease or just the outer corner?
Are the tones warm (red undertones) or cool (blue undertones).
The more direct and specific you can be, the less will be left open to misinterpretation.
Describing the complexion
The finish of your complexion is a personal preference and something you definitely want to communicate to your artist, and like with everything else the terminology can be subjective. Words like glowy or radiant can mean anything from skin with a hydrated sheen (almost shiny) to very bronzed or sun kissed but matte. So instead, let your artist know if you like a little bit of shine to the skin (nice for dryer skin types) or if you want a mattified complexion with very little light reflected (generally preferred by more oily skin types).
The difference between natural and neutral
Another area where artists and client's often miss-communicate is the terminology for a natural versus neutral make up look. I couldn't count how many times I hear from brides that they want something natural, then pull out a picture of a very dramatic look with heavy full coverage make up complete with contouring and a dark smokey eye.
The disconnect generally happens because the make up is in all neutral or earth tones. This can cause confusion for both client and artist so understanding the difference is important. As an example, black eye shadow is a neutral color, however its not something that would ever be used to create a natural look, and probably the last thing that someone who doesn’t normally wear makeup day to day would be comfortable wearing.
Another culprit for this miscommunication is photoshop or retouching. A heavy makeup look doesn’t look so heavy when it has been airbrushed and any sign of caked on makeup is filtered out.
It’s not easy to see the amount of products and layers on a photoshopped face and when this look is translated into real life it can be a shock to the inexperienced makeup wearer. So take a second look at that picture from Pinterest and you might notice the heavy black eye shadow rimming their eye and the heavy contouring on the cheeks, forehead, and sides of the nose. That may be a sign that it’s the wrong choice of inspiration, or maybe that a more dramatic look but in a neutral palette is really what you want.
Totally clueless
Still not sure exactly how you want your makeup?
This is still great information for the artist to know so they can guide you as best as they can. Think about the feeling you want your look to convey. Is it romantic, sultry, classic, or fresh? Terms like this will help your artist to interpret a look that will project the effect you are going for.
What to wear
What you wear can have an impact on your makeup looks. Different colors can reflect light into their surroundings, changing the vibe and effect of the tones your artist uses. For the most accurate representation of what it will look like on your wedding day, it’s a good idea to wear a solid white or cream colored top for your appointment. This will ensure that the tones of your makeup look will translate correctly.
What to expect from your artist
Every artist is different but a common practice is to reveal the finished look only at the very end. Sometimes the process of getting pretty isn't very pretty, and a client who keeps checking every step in the mirror is likely to cause anxiety for themselves and the artist. This can hinder an artist from doing their best work and negatively effect the outcome of your look. You’ve done a lot of research and work to find your perfect artist who’s work you love, so sit back and relax and trust in their expertise. Besides, there will be a chance to voice your opinion on the finished look and for them to adjust their work afterwords.
After the trial
Tell them what you think!
Once they have completed the look, now is your turn to give feedback. A good artist won't take it personally and wants to hear your honest opinion.
Did they create the look you where going for?
If not, what exactly would you change, or keep the same?
Their number one priority is making you feel beautiful so feedback is always appreciated. (You won’t hurt our feelings, I promise!) Adjustments are always possible and they will be happy to make the changes on the spot.
But what if you need some time to wear the look before you know what adjustments you want to be made?
Once you leave the trial, it’s perfectly okay to send them an email with any changes or requests that come up. Give yourself time to wear your look so you can get used to anything that may be new for you, experience how it wears over the course of the day, and maybe get some opinions from trusted friends or family. Maybe you thought false lashes where a good idea, but they are just not as comfortable to wear as you where expecting, or you decided on a different lip color.
If you think the changes you want to make will be dramatic, it might be a good idea to schedule a second trial so you can really pinpoint your perfect look. If it’s a smaller detail that you want changed and you are comfortable letting the artist wing it the day of, go ahead and send them a message letting them know so they are prepared for any adjustments you would like to be made.
Preparing for touch ups
Now that everything is perfect, it’s a great idea to head to the store and pick up a tube of your choice of lip color. Some artist offer a small sample jar for touch ups, but having a full size product will not only be more convenient to apply (no cheap container or separate applicator necessary), but it’s less likely to be forgotten about and left behind in the inevitable rush out the door.
A good idea is to entrust your lip color to your coordinator or maid of honor ahead of time so you have one less thing to worry about bringing with you when you head out for your first look or ceremony.
Wedding make up trials can be anxiety inducing especially when you don’t know what to expect, but if you take the time to read through and follow these tips and tricks, you can be sure that not only will your makeup artist love you but so will the camera, giving you an experience to remember and the peace of mind that you will have the wedding day glow of your dreams.
Image credits:
Photography: Danielle Heinson Photography
Dress: Laura Lanzerotte Designs
Hair: Julio Delgado
Make Up: Giselle Dozier Artistry
Model: Ellen
Venue: Loft 505