How To Prepare For Your Bridal Makeup Trial

A bridal makeup trial is the perfect opportunity to test out the look you have in mind for your wedding day. Not only is this appointment a preview of your overall bridal look, but it's also your first opportunity to really envision yourself as a bride! Your makeup trial is also a great opportunity to meet your makeup artist and discuss how to get your skin in the best shape for the wedding day. Here are my top tips for a bridal makeup trial that exceeds your expectations!

Find your style

Before you go browsing on Pinterest, try to create a vision of your complete bridal look. When I ask most brides how they envision looking on their wedding day, the answer is almost always: "I want to look and feel like myself — but better." –and that's honestly my favourite analogy! My hope is that all brides I get to work with feel like the best versions of themselves on their wedding day — but creating a detailed vision for how you want your makeup to look allows your makeup artist to understand what's truly important to you. Some points to think about: How do you normally wear your makeup day-to-day? Do you want a more bold makeup look, or a look that is more subtle? Do you want to look traditional or modern? These are all important things to think about before diving into Pinterest for inspiration.

Begin The Search

Like many brides, you might use resources like Pinterest to find specific examples of makeup looks. When searching and narrowing down your options, it's important to remember the vision you have in mind for yourself. It can be very easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options - so try to be specific in your search. Instead of searching for "wedding makeup", try searching for "natural makeup for brown eyes". This will help you narrow down your choices and prevent you from being overwhelmed by the options.

Narrow Down your Options

Once you've had time to look at your options, choose 2-3 photos that reflect the look you first envisioned. I always encourage my brides to let me know what exactly they like about these photos (is it the lip colour or maybe the tones used on the eyes?) so I can do my best to recreate it or create something similar. And remember - when narrowing down your choices, it's important to use photos that are similar to your own features: skin tone, hair and eye colours are important factors to consider.

During Your Trial

Communicate openly

During your makeup trial, it is extremely important to communicate and collaborate with your makeup artist. Don't be afraid to say exactly what you like and do not like - my goal is for you to be 100% satisfied with your makeup. Of course, I will always use my professional judgement when creating your look and will be happy to advise you on what suits your features best.

Ask for adjustments

As professional makeup artists, it is our job to not only understand the vision you have in mind, but also to be open to feedback. If you notice something needs tweaking or you do not like it, just say so politely! Things like the style of your lashes, buffing out eyeliner or enhancing your eyeshadow are all small adjustments that can easily be made. The goal is to make your makeup look as close to your vision as possible, and I promise that it won't hurt our feelings!

Relax and enjoy!

During wedding planning, we are often distracted and overstimulated by the dozens of things we need to think about and get done. Use this time during your makeup trial to relax and enjoy the process of getting pampered.

Additional things to consider:

Establish a regular skincare routine: The success of your makeup trial depends greatly on how well you take care of your skin. Visiting a beautician, establishing a good skin care routine and regular facials will greatly improve your makeup application and leave your skin glowing! Read more about how to create a skincare routine.

Wear your look for at least four hours: During the day, pay attention to how your makeup wears. If your face gets a little shiny or something smudges (which is perfectly normal), it's important to pass this on to your makeup artist for the wedding day. That way we know what adjustments need to be made for your wedding day and what products we can use to prevent this.

Come alone: While it may seem like a good idea to invite your bridesmaids or mother to your trial appointment, the reality is that it can cause a lot of unease for the bride-to-be. It is important to remember that everyone has their own style and preferences when it comes to makeup. If you ask someone for their opinion or what they would do, it could overshadow your true feelings. This is exactly what I said about open communication and adjustments: If you are unsure about something, it's best to ask the professional you have hired and trust. If you absolutely have to bring someone with you, please make sure they do not interfere with your experience by interjecting with suggestions.

I hope that these tips on how to have a successful bridal trial have been helpful! Are you ready to book your bridal makeup trial? Let's connect!

Photo: Stefan Varga Photography

Cover Image: Frank Balzan Photography