WHY BOTHER? There's so much to organise for a wedding that for a lot of people, make-up for their wedding day is the last thing on their mind. Lots of brides also feel that they want a fairly natural look and assume that a few trusty old products will be adequate to achieve this. Fears of looking like a clown and the thought of expensive mistakes often put people off planning their make-up as they would hair, flowers or a dress.
It can be a tricky thing to get just right, but great wedding make-up will be one of the best things you can organise for your big day. Why? Well the obvious reason has to be photos! Most of us non supermodels have occasional moments of anxiety as the prospect of spending half a day with a professional photographer looms. A good make-up will help you look more like the cover of Vogue than you realise you could! And you'll have a lot of years to look back at those photos! It will also add to your confidence and the feeling of looking really great and special. If you have gone to a lot of trouble and expense to find the right dress, flowers....groom... then it makes sense to add some polish and finish to your look with a well applied make-up. This will make everything else seem better too; after all, you wouldn't turn up on the day with a wilting bunch of foliage just grabbed from your local park instead of the flowers which you have probably spent weeks choosing.
I DON"T NORMALLY WEAR MUCH MAKE-UP AND I'M WORRIED I'LL LOOK LIKE A DRAG QUEEN? This is the biggest worry I have come across concerning bridal make-up. It's a justified fear and would be a really horrible thing to happen to you on your wedding day ( unless of course you are a drag queen, in which case you'd look fantastic ) . Rest assured though, if you read this guide then you won't have to worry. This should never happen if you plan just a little and you should be able ( to find the holy grail of bridal make-up ... ) to achieve a make-up which works for photos yet does not feel too thick.
I AM NOT HAVING A WHITE WEDDING..... OR .... I NORMALLY WEAR TONS OF MAKE-UP.... Beautiful make-up will enhance your natural beauty in any situation. Whilst a soft natural look might be stunning with a traditional white dress, you don't have to go for this look just because you are getting married. There are a whole host of different looks out there from traditional Chinese/Indian to modern Hollywood, glamour, gothic, fetish and fantasy bodypainting !! Look through magazines or online and you are bound to find lots of styles you could go for to give your look polish and individuality. The same goes for age...not every bride is 18 and a great make-up artist will be able to give you the look you want which suits your colouring, style, age and budget. Don't think that weddings only mean pale pink if that's not your thing. And if it is...well make it beautiful not just ok.
DIY OR HIRE A PRO? For most people, this decision will be dictated by their own circumstance and there's no real answer as to which is universally better. Obviously for people getting married in remote or exotic locations, they'll probably be looking at doing their own make-up; or getting someone else ( e.g sister, friend ) to do it. Below is plenty advice if you choose this route.
In all other situations and for longevity, finish, ease and cost I usually say hire a professional make-up artist if you can. This is for several reasons: Remember those photos? A professional can give you a much better photo finish than you will be able to achieve yourself without a LOT of practice. A good make-up artist should be able to give you a look you love, which lasts all day and looks fantastic in the photos.
It is also one less thing to worry about on the morning of your wedding. You will be able to relax (maybe!) and have your make-up done quickly, knowing it will look perfect. The importance of this has been brought to me by many of my own clients and I have never met anyone who hired a professional artist for their wedding day who doesn't agree that it helped things to proceed smoothly and kept them considerably calmer.
As for the cost, well hiring an artist might seem an expensive option as fees are not always cheap. However, if you want to do your make-up yourself you will need a few basic products. And this will inevitably entail a couple of trips to the beauty counter. It's easy to spend a lot of money on products, and although you will have the products left at the end of the day, they might be things you're not really going to use on a regular basis, so will be a waste of money. An artist will typically use more than 20 products for a complete 'natural' look and that's not including all the specialist brushes. If you bought even half of these things it would cost a lot more than hiring a professional for your day.
BUT I REALLY WANT TO / NEED TO DO IT MYSELF !!! Okay, there are lots of things you can do if this is you...
Firstly, settle on a look and consider your own make-up skills ( or your sister's or friends etc ) when you choose this. If you have little make-up experience then keep it a simple look. If you want to look natural, you're still going to need a fair few products so sort through your make-up bag. What do you love, what colours were mistakes, what textures do you like? Think about this when you buy new products. What problems do you have, e.g. does your make-up last all day, do you have acne or skin conditions. Make a big list of everything you need to learn or investigate.
Secondly... get some information. If you can, have a make-up lesson with a professional make-up artist. You can book this privately although many salons now offer this service. The artist will be able to teach you how to complete your wedding look and should recommend to you all the products you will need to purchase. It's a great way to learn how to do a quick photographic make-up and to solve any problems you listed. If someone else is doing your make-up then take this person with you as they will be taught everything step by step. It's best to do this a few months in advance as it will give you time to practice to perfection! Also, when using new make-up products, in the unlikely event that something does not suit your skin, it will not effect your wedding day.
If you can't do the above, then many retail counters offer make-ups and make-up lessons by appointment. These are generally free so a good option if you would like to save some cash! As above, it's good to have an image or any questions in mind as well as taking the person who will be applying your make-up if it is not you. Be aware, however that these companies will only be using products from their own brand so you will receive a fairly biased opinion. As the appointment is free there is not usually any obligation to purchase. If you are not entirely satisfied with the make-up then ask for a list of products but don't feel obliged to cave in to hard selling tactics. Always check the lighting and ask the sales staff about this as lighting in stores can vary; most counter artists will know how to compensate for this but ask to check outside in the daylight if you are not sure. Do bear in mind however, that a lot of make-up artists on counter are highly trained and experienced individuals who's skills you are getting for free. Whilst you should never feel obliged to buy everything from one brand if you don't want to, if the artist has done a good job it ISN'T nice to buy nothing! If you choose this option, then set yourself a budget but be willing to buy a few products in exchange for a bargain free lesson, someone's time and expertise.
As most retail companies have a distinct style it is a good idea to research these companies before you book with them. This will save confusion or disappointment. There are many great companies and application and interpretation skills vary from artist to artist. However below are a few of my wedding favourites, just based on personal opinion of course. I also generally find that make-up artist lines employ more make-up artists than more traditional cosmetics houses do. This is of course because the emphasis for these brands is on make-up more than skincare or fragrance:
Bobbi Brown is a good choice for anyone wanting a natural, fresh easy look. The make-up is pretty easy to apply and generally looks glowy and fresh if done well. Good for asian and olive skins. Great for looking youthful!
For something which should work really well in photographs, Nars and Mac are good choices. They both have beautiful and varied colour palettes so you can go for anything from natural to high fashion with either of these brands. Perfect for anyone wanting to try something a bit more adventurous or at home in a fashion environment. Mac in particular is an extremely high performance/professional product which will last all day. Let the counter make-up artists tell you how to use each product and they should produce consistent and enduring results at a good price. Good for all skin colours. Nars comes at a bit more of a premium but some of those eye shadows are beautiful and the packaging is great to pull out of your bag!!
Laura Mercier is an extremely famous make-up artist with a huge celebrity clientelle. Her make-up line reflects the perfectly polished photographic work for which she is famous and the products have gained a loyal following. Fairly natural colours (lipsticks and eye shadows) mean that this brand is also quite easy to use and not intimidating for those wanting a neutral look. The base products are excellent for photographic work though not as gentle and glowy looking as Bobbi Brown. They are long lasting though and look good when applied as recommended by the brand. The brushes are my favourite items in the whole range and really reflect her training as a painter.
Space NK stores stock various cult brands including some of the above and this is a good choice if you feel comfortable with less brand loyalty and a variety of different approaches. However some of the brands stocked have a fairly high price point. Worth it if you love cult products.
Okay, this isn't make-up but nothing beats having a bespoke fragrance for your wedding day. Check
www.millerharris.com or better still, go into one of the shops for a chat.
TIPS FOR HIRING A PROFFESSIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST:
Word of mouth is a good way to find a make-up artist, as is asking your hairdresser/stylist. Or you can look at advertisments in bridal magazines and on reputable web sites...but whatever you decide these tips should help you:
A GREAT MAKE-UP ARTIST WILL.... be friendly and accommodating, will work hygienically, will talk openly and professionally about fees by agreeing on these before the commencement of any work, should be able to tell you simply about his or her experience without boasting, gratuitous self agrandisement or celebrity name-dropping, will maintain the absolute privacy of all of his or her private clients,will come with a clean, well organised kit, should be able to explain techniques clearly, will be punctual and reliable, will be well groomed, will provide proper contact information.
Don't accept any less than the above.
If in doubt, it is acceptable to ask about qualifications or experience. Some of the best known make-up artists were in fact self taught, so the importance of qualifications is a personal matter. Whilst in practice I have found that most skills are learned on the job, some schooling, however can be a useful measure that an artist has attained a certain level of knowledge as well as understanding of matters such as health and safety or hygiene. People who have worked for make-up artist's brands often receive excellent training so don't be put off by this. There are many areas of study related to make-up e.g, a fine artist may well have the brush and colour skills to give you a Vogue look, whilst many beauticians also undergo basic make-up training as part of their NVQ. Generally beauticians will be cheaper to hire than freelance make-up artists so this is another good option if you need to trim your budget a little - as stated before though, HAVE A TRIAL . Freelance make-up artists however usually also do plenty of film, t.v or fashion work so you can rely on them to have good speed as well as artistry, skills and specific knowledge relating to photos, fashion, facial structure and longevity. Don't assume that for a great bridal make-up you need to hire someone with a huge bridal portfolio. Some people do make this their whole business and usually have great bridal websites which you can browse. Artists who work on editorial or advertising shoots will have excellent skills even if they don't have many brides in their books. SFX artists for film or theatrical make-up artists often have advanced make-up and art skills whilst having an excellent grounding in health and safety - they'll usually have the sense to know you wouldn't be looking for a faux werewolf nose on you wedding day, so don't be put off by the mention of any of these areas of work - see the rest of my site if you would like a werewolf nose for your wedding day....
As a general rule of thumb, the current average rate for a bride's make-up is £150 in London or £100-120 outside of big cities. This is to hire a professional freelance make-up artist. Many will charge a little more but for this you should receive the best service possible from someone who does make-up every day for a living, is insured, has an extensive kit and is mobile . If someone charges a lot more then it may be because they have many celebrity clients or connections to famous make-up artists. If you like the idea of this then it's worth paying the extra but if not, do ask around and find a professional who charges the average. If someone charges much less then they may be a beautician or they may not be a professional make-up artist ( someone who earns the majority of their earnings from freelance make-up ). You could get a fantastic bargain make-up this way so definitely investigate a trial - these slightly less expensive appointments are in no way inferior. However, as a professional artist, a lot of expenses need to be costed into running your business e.g. public liability insurance, transport, extensive kit, websites, update training, tools etc. This is what makes the average cost of this service so if someone is charging much less, they may not be able to offer a full service.
Either way, hire someone you are comfortable with, whose fees you are comfortable paying and someone you feel respects you as much as they would if you were Madonna or Kylie!
MAKE-UP ETIQUETTE:
As you usually only have 60 - 90 minutes for a make-up trial or lesson, do jot down any questions or things you would especially like to learn beforehand - it really helps you to get the most of your time.
Remember to tell the artist if you have any sensitivities, allergies or infectious (skin) conditions (such as herpes, conjunctivitis, ringworm etc). Include known allergies to products or ingredients. Most of these things can be accommodated or dealt with quite easily if known about before commencement of any treatment. Again, this really helps you to get the best out of your experience and to maintain a great relationship during the run up to your wedding day. It also means that nothing unplanned will occur with your skin on the day.
If you are not sure/happy with the make-up as it progresses...Do say something! It's much easier to discuss something or remove make-up as you go along than to wait until the end when you are not happy with the overall look. NO good artist will make you feel at all uncomfortable in doing this, and again this helps you to get the very best from your time.
WEDDING DO's AND DON'Ts:
DO ALWAYS book a trial make-up for your wedding day and try to do this as far in advance of the day as possible. This ensures that you get the make-up you want from an artist you like. Some artists offer a trial session at a reduced rate and for some it is redeemable against the price of the final wedding make-up. It also makes sure that you don't get any allergic surprises from new products. Inquire about options but MAKE SURE YOU BOOK A TRIAL.
DO offer to pay for travel if you find an artist you like and you are a little out of their working area. If you feel it is financially justifiable, a lot of artists will travel and you'll get the exact person you want.
DO get your mum/bridesmaid to carry a lipstick, compact powder, blotting papers in their bag. You'll need to touch those up during the day. If you hire a professional make-up artist, then ask them what you'll need to buy.
DO look after your skin on the run up to the wedding. The better your skin looks, the better your make-up will look. Do what you usually do to get it looking perfect or see a skincare specialist if you have any doubts. The best make-up artist in the world will find it hard to give you a flawless youthful look if your skin is unneccesarily scaly or clogged.
DON'T however swap to any new skincare regimes, products or treatments within a month of your wedding day. You don't want anything to uspet the balance of your skin - especially if you are busy and maybe a little stressed! No nasty surprises, so keep it simple for the last month. This goes for too much alcohol or unusual food as it can really affect our skin.
DON'T go heavy on the shimmer products. Yes they are pretty but they never photograph too well....
DO inquire about special prices for bridesmaids and wedding guests. many artists will add these on for a nominal fee and then everybody will look fabulous on the day. Discuss this before the actual day, and allow extra time though these make-ups are usually fairly quick to do and can be themed if desired. Under 16s love a little lip gloss or clear mascara and most artists won't charge to do a little froofing if you have tiny bridesmaids.
DO coordinate your make-up artist and hair stylist if applicable. The best time to have your make-up done is in the middle of the hair process. So for example, if your hair is going to be set on rollers, then your stylist will get it all ready, you can have your make-up done with the rollers in and then the hair is finished off. Otherwise you may have your make-up done after the hair and give the hair a final check or tweak before you go. Some make-up artists are great hair stylists and some prefer not to be, The two are vastly different areas so with regards to make-up, I would pick the make-up artist you want irrespective of whether they do wedding hair or not. The cost usually works out about the same and then you will at least have someone solely focused on giving you perfect make-up for your day. If your artist is also a dab hand at wedding hair, then that's great but if not most artists frequently work with good hair stylists so you can always ask for a recommendation or package of make-up and hair. Or you can stick to your own hair stylist which will probably make him or her very happy!
GREAT PRODUCTS FOR BRIDES (ask the brands for full details and proper application) :
Mac blotting papers - slip into your bag/someone's bag and these blot away shine without disturbing your make-up or looking cakey. Good alternative to a powder compact on the day.
Creme de la Mer lip balm - luxury lip balm, great for the run up to the wedding will ensure that your lips look fantastic.
Shu Uemura cleansing oils - don't forget to take it all off at the end of the day with a lovely soothing eyemake-up remover and facial cleanser in one. Talika eye make-up remover is also fabulous for this as it won't rub your eyes and make them sore if you are unused to wearing much eye make-up.
Eye make-up/mascara remover filled cotton buds - these have a snap off end and have enough remover in to take off hard to remove eye make-up. However they are also perfect for cleaning up spills if you are doing your own make-up. Available from pro make-up shops like Charles Fox.
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