5 Things To Avoid On Your Bridal Makeup Trial

It all begins with a ring. Then you start your journey of exciting research. You book the service, and venue and then get into the finer details of planning your big day! The dress, flowers, what cake will you have?

For us ladies (mostly) hair and makeup are such an important part of your wedding morning. Working with professionals you identify with is so very important! After you’ve reviewed their work, enquired, and booked, here are my tips (some are from my personal POV) on things to avoid on your bridal trial makeup.

1. Confusing Reference Images!

Avoid using extremely photoshopped images for reference when preparing for your bridal makeup trial. Using photoshopped model images of different colour skins or ethnicity to your own, or certain celeb inspiration can cause a little confusion. Celeb and online images are fine for shade reference or even the overall style of the makeup. Unfortunately, if you want to look like Jennifer Lopez’s image but you're naturally more of a Sophie Turner complexion, opt for celeb inspiration you relate to.

2. Trialling for Fun

Choose your makeup artist because you identify with their style of makeup and pick images from their portfolio for inspiration. Great makeup artists book up, 18 months to 2 years in advance of a date. Bear this in mind! Absolutely shop around but don’t waste your time and money trialling lots of makeup artists for fun. Intentionally identify the artist you would like to book. Enquire about their availability and unless you can trial within the week, secure the artist if you know you’re 90% certain this is the person for you! For me, with my 15 years of bridal experience, I no longer book trials whereby they haven’t secured the date with a deposit. This is due to building up a genuine and outstanding long-running reputation. I’m very proud and not shy any longer to say this. Brides-to-be come to me wanting to book their date straight out the gate. A good makeup artist will listen to your makeup needs. They aren’t a one-trick pony. What do I mean by this? Someone who creates the same exact look on everyone isn’t what makes a good artist - you need someone who can enhance everyone to look great and this will show in their portfolio. So, scroll through their work, and check out their social media also. It goes without saying also, hearing great recommendations not on their work but personality too will help you decide. It’s important you have someone who will not impede on your wedding morning but will bring a lovely uplifting vibe and makes everyone feel at ease. I showcase my style of makeup on my Instagramww.instagram.com/xokerryharveyxo/ almost daily. My bridal gallery (separate) is also a very clear visual to potential brides hence I book up almost instantly after submitting a quotation. In a nutshell, trialling for fun may mean you lose out on the makeup artist you do want to book. Finally, great makeup artists may not even need to pre-trial to vie for your booking. A great makeup artist will have multiple inquiries for the same date so don’t let your date and makeup artist get away!

3. Arriving with a full face of heavy makeup

A trial has a certain duration and it’s easier to create beautiful makeup on a clean fresh moisturised face than eating into your trial time with heavy makeup removal. L3. ittle concealer and blush aren’t an issue! Just be mindful, a full face of makeup is harder to remove, will minus good trialling time, and can’t be removed as thoroughly as the beautiful fresh base you have when you shower or wash your face.

4. Arriving with an entourage

I personally now will only see the bride and the bride alone. Period! I do not have additional people, bridesmaids or even mothers in the room for your trial. Why? Quite often, other opinions come into play and the bride’s own thoughts can be put aside because of too many opinions causing her confusion. I once, had a bride leave in tears as her mother was too involved hanging over my shoulder and telling me how to do my job. It didn’t phase me, but it embarrassed the bride as she was a shy girl and her mother had a very overpowering input. Apparently, the bride’s opinion on colour didn’t matter as ‘Expose’, the TV show had said Fuschia was the 'in colour'…so why wasn’t I using it? I’m always polite and simply explained bridal makeup is about enhancement, not a trend. The fact of the matter was the bride didn’t like bright colours and wanted a soft pink. This wasn’t washing with her mother. I want you (and I) to enjoy your trial, make your own decisions, and work together on any adjustments without overbearing outside input. So, no entourage from my perspective. Even if you’re bringing Mary Poppins, I will only see you and you alone! x

5. Not speaking up!

Often you will have never clapped eyes on your makeup artist. You may feel like you know them from Instagram but they will generally never have even seen your face before. Vocalise your desired look. Bring images. Tell them your makeup pet peeves. Your likes or dislikes. Do not be afraid to vocalise your adjustments to your makeup! Your makeup artist will not be insulted. He/she/they will know how best to work your look and know they’re doing a good job for you. That’s the only way you get what you want. We aren’t magicians, plastic surgeons or mind readers. Just air your changes gracefully. A simple extra blend out with a brush or pop extra of blush might take your makeup from 'Oh god, I’m not sure? How do I say this isn’t what I like' to 'Oh my, it’s just perfect!' No skin off my nose, just speak up!