Things your makeup artist wants you to know.

My wife Michelle is a hair and makeup artist and has been for 23 years. Its safe to say shes seen everything , heard everything and has had her fair share of bridezilla moments over the years. People often mistake that we “work together”. But its not the case. She starts early in the morning and finishes around lunchtime, which is when I start and go into the evening. We are quite often ships in the night.

On occasion, we have such different experiences working on the same wedding. She may have a challenging morning with a mother of the bride, or a micro managing bridesmaid. And yet the day for me will go oh so smooth sailing.

So I thought it would be fun to sit down and interview her and get her thoughts on your wedding day to help you plan a smooth sailing morning.

Q. Whats the number one thing you get asked?

A: What time do we start.

Its more complicated than brides think!! This all depends on a few things ;

How many people are having hair and makeup done. What time your ceremony is. What time you need to leave for your ceremony ( are you a 30 mins drive away or are you on site?"). Are you having a first look? photos before the ceremony? How long does your photo/ video crew need with you and to set up at the ceremony? To work out what time you need to start, as a rough guide, allow 1 hr per person, per service. Some serviers may not take that long, and some may take longer. But if you don’t overestimate time, the moment your hair and makeup artist needs a bathroom break, something to eat, or your florits arrives with your bouquet and you want to chat to her, you will run late. Allowing additonal buffer time is crucial to have a relaxing stress free morning. My rule of thumb is : 15 mins set up, 60 mins per service , ,30 mins packdown/pics/ veil/ buffer. Totally done 1.5 hrs before you need to leave for your ceremony.

For exampe if you have 3pm cermony and yorue onsite have 3 bridesamids and mum for hair and makeup, youll be starting at: 7:30am with a timeline looking like:

7:15am arrival and set up

7:30am-1pm = 5 people with 30 mins buffer for breaks/ florists etc

1-1:30pm = start to packdown, touchups , veil, touchup photos

1:45- makeup artist finishes packdown and departs

Q. Whats one thing you wish brides did more of?

A: Look after their skin in the lead up to the day and not think makeup will magically cover everything up. Bridal makeup is a work of art. It mak elook simple and natural, but good quality bridal makeup is expertly layered, this is to ensure it lasts. Having bad skin to start with wont give you that longevity you are after. Be sure to reguarly exfoliate your skin and cleanse and moistruise every single day. LED treatments really do work and a little self care goes a long way.

Q. Whats the worst thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

A: A bride ruining her own day with a bad mood , screaming and yelling at everyone in the bridal party because it was cold and raining on her day in the middle of summer.

Q. Whats the one thing you wish brides would stop doing?

A: Making her bridesmaids look like clones of each other. Including making them wear their hair parted in the same direction. As a hair artist it can be really tricky to work against the naturak hair grain and makes the bridesmaid feel so uncomfortable.

Q. To spray tan or not?

A: Yes! But make sure you go light and wash it off properly- especially around your ears.

Q. You can cover up that tattoo / bruise, right?

A: No. This is not part of your makeup artists routine for a weddigng day. Proper coverage generally takes up to much time and wearing white, it just not reccommneded so even most “waterproof” products will transer to some degree. Its best to remove such things in photoshop after.

Q. Hy hair doesn’t hold curls but I want my hair down and curled. How can you help?

A: Hair extensions are a must. Be sure to factor those into your budget. And sometimes you have to choose another style to avoid disappointment!

Q. A tip for bridesmaids?

Bridesmaids, please don’t hover over the bride when she’s in the makeup chair! Its her last chance to relax! Also, if the bride isn’t 100% done, its not your turn you ask for changes to your look. Be mindful that the bride is our priority and touchup time is always available at the end. Be kind if you would like something changed. Your artist genuinely wants to make you look ad feel your best, but not if you’re unkind about it!

Q. Its ok to use the steamer after my hair and makeup?

A. Would you choose to sit in a steam room at the gym or spa after having hair and makeup done? Because thats essentially whats happening. Humidity in the air can make hair drop, frizzy and will make your skin sweat. Please, all steaming to be done prior to the day!