As a bride-to-be, you will quickly find that there are so many elements of wedding planning. From creating wedding guest lists and choosing the perfect wedding venue to finding your dream photographer and everything in between, it can be so easy to get caught up in all of the details that you forget about one of the most exciting parts: getting glammed up on your wedding day!
Your wedding day is the most photographed day of your life, so naturally you’ll want to look — and feel — beautiful! Your wedding hair and makeup is like the icing on your wedding cake. When done correctly, it will enhance your already-fabulous look! The end result? A gorgeous, totally Instragrammable bridal look that’s authentically you!
We have compiled a guide to help you avoid any wedding beauty blunders and keep you stress-free. Let’s dive into some of the do’s and don’ts of wedding hair and makeup to help you shine brighter than the engagement ring on your finger!
1. DO Create a Pinterest Board for Bridal Beauty Inspiration
As a wedding planner, I think Pinterest is a great platform for helping refine your wedding makeup and hair inspiration for your big day. Having visual references can help articulate what you have in mind, especially if there are multiple looks involved with your wedding weekend.
Creating a vision board with looks you like, as well as a photo of your wedding dress and any accessories you plan to use, will help your stylists get an idea of your vision.
Do be specific when it comes to explaining to your wedding hairstylist and makeup artists what elements you love about an image — whether it’s a smokey eyeshadow look, nude lipstick or a sleek bun. It’s also important to let your stylists know what you don’t like about a bridal beauty look. I always say, what you don’t like is just as important as what you do like.
2. DO Schedule a Wedding Hair and Makeup Trial Run (And Take Photos!)
It’s so important to find a bridal hairstylist and makeup artist who understands your vision for your wedding day! It’s ideal to start out by checking various stylists’ and artists’ work by visiting their website and Instagram. Once you’ve narrowed it down, it’s ideal to consult with a few different bridal hair stylists and makeup artists.
I always recommend doing a trial (or two) ahead of time — especially if you are inclined to try out an artist prior to booking. If you’re getting married during peak wedding season, I suggest booking your bridal beauty team at least six to nine months in advance.
A few insider tips for your wedding hair and makeup trial:
- Be sure to wear white. For most, this will mean wearing a basic white tee. Whites can be draining, which means makeup will need to be adjusted to compensate.
- Wear your hair the way you plan to wear it for your wedding. You’ll want to see how your entire look comes together, so I recommend scheduling your wedding makeup trial immediately following your hair trial. Seeing both your hair and makeup done at the same time helps you see what your bridal look will look like — and helps you see if you’re comfortable with this look for one of the most important days of your life!
- Bring any hair accessories and your veil to your bridal hair trial. Avoid playing around with any new pieces on your wedding day.
Once your trial is done and you’re satisfied with your look, be sure to take detailed pictures and notes! Ask your artist for a list of brands, colors, and brushes that were used. That way, both you and your bridal makeup artist have something to refer back to on the day.
3. DON’T Neglect Your Skin Prior to Your Wedding Day
If you haven’t been digilent about your skincare routine, getting a facial too close to your wedding day likely isn’t the answer. In fact, getting invasive treatments that your skin isn’t accustomed to too close to the wedding day can do more harm than good — often resulting in a spot outbreak or skin reaction like redness.
For flawless wedding day skin that looks healthy and radiant, it’s important to plan ahead. I recommend starting a skincare regimen six months ahead of time to get your skin into wedding shape and ensure you look your best. You might consider using a medispa like Alcheme.
Hydrating well during the week leading up to your wedding is also important. While you’ll likely want to enjoy a cocktail or two at your rehearsal dinner, be aware that alcohol can have a negative impact on your bridal look. It will dehydrate your skin and may even leave you with dark under-eye circles that can be difficult to cover up.
4. DON’T Forget to Pack a Touch-up Bridal Makeup Kit
With all the kisses and champagne toasts, even the most well-applied makeup will fade on your wedding day. Work with your wedding makeup artist in advance to create a touch-up kit that includes your bridal beauty essentials: lipstick, a small powder compact and powder blush (or blotting papers), concealer, and a brow brush. It’s ideal to add a travel-size hair spray bottle to your kit to tame any flyways, too.
If you’re working with a stylist or day-of dresser, have them hang onto the touch-up kit. If not, ask your maid of honor to keep tabs on the kit to make sure your bridal hair and wedding makeup looks fresh from your first look until your wedding reception is over.
5. DO Be Authentic When Choosing Your Bridal Hair and Makeup
It can be easy to get so caught up in the wedding day excitement that you let your stylists guide the way when it comes to your bridal beauty look. However, your wedding day isn’t the time to experiment with new looks. It’s not the time to let someone talk you into a whole new hairstyle, such as a haircut or extensions.
A bold makeup look is a must to ensure that you dazzle in your wedding photographs! But it’s best not to experiment with wearing significantly more makeup than you’re used to. When it comes to your wedding hair and makeup, the goal is to look like you on your special day — not someone who your guests won’t even recognize!
One bridal makeup look that hits the mark every time: glowy skin, blushed cheeks, flushed lips, and a defined eye look. Opting for a soft brown or charcoal eyeliner instead of black will add the perfect amount of definition. While I love a classic Hailey Bieber bun or an Emma Stone red lip. Generally, I think the best wedding makeup and hair look is the most exquisite and polished version of how you normally look.
6. DON’T Hesitate to Speak up If You’re Not Satisfied
Many brides are too afraid to speak up when it comes to their wedding hair and makeup. You might think that letting your stylists know that you’re not completely happy might offend them, but it’s important to remember that this is your wedding day! Your bridal makeup artist and wedding hairstylist want you to be completely satisfied with your look. This is the entire reason you do a trial run!
If you want something about your wedding hair or makeup look changed, don’t hesitate to discuss it with your artist during the trial itself or the next day, once you’ve had time to try out the look. A hairstylist or makeup artist would rather know your concerns sooner so they’re aware of any adjustments that need to be made on your special day.
The perfect wedding day involves choosing everything from your wedding cake to your wedding day music, but don’t let your wedding makeup and hair take a backseat on your to-do list! These do’s and don’ts will help ensure you feel beautiful when you walk down the aisle. For more bridal beauty advice and other tips to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch, drop us an email at HauteFêtes!