Wedding Hair & Makeup Artists

Wedding Hair & Makeup Artist Advice

It’s your big day. That means it’s the perfect excuse to get a stunning makeover, so you look and feel like a goddess. Getting your hair and makeup done right will give you that extra confidence that’ll make you really shine. All eyes are going to be on you, not to mention the cameras, so you’ll want to look your best so you can look back and smile at the amazing photos. It also becomes a much-needed pamper session before all the excitement begins. There’s nothing like finally relaxing, knowing other people are handling everything.

You’ll want to start your search between six months and a year in advance, just to ensure availability. Obviously, a popular stylist will be booked out months in advance - it’s no different to booking a venue you really want. Maybe you already have ideas on what look you want, or perhaps you haven’t a clue. Take a look at all the stylists’ portfolios and see if there’s any you’re drawn to. You can also get a sense of how much experience they’ve got, which is something to consider. More experienced stylists may have more ideas, but that’s not to say inexperienced stylists don’t, especially since it’s a creative career. Usually the more experienced, the more expensive, which is why someone a little more junior might be better for you and your budget. You might also want to consider having separate hair and makeup stylists because they might be more specialised. Another thing to ask potential stylists is about the quality of products, especially makeup. You don’t want makeup that is cheaper and doesn’t last more than a couple of hours. The other key thing is to find someone who is really friendly and will have you at ease and relaxed, rather than worrying about whether they’ll get it right. If you’re worried that there’s nobody who does wedding hair and makeup near you, there are plenty of mobile wedding hair and makeup stylists who’ll be happy to come to you.

Once you’ve chosen, be sure to have a trial and consultation session a couple of months before the wedding so you can discuss what will actually be done. Your stylist should have plenty of ideas and recommendations based on your face shape, hair texture, best features and wedding dress as these should all be accentuated in the most flattering way. They’ve probably been to a lot more weddings than you, so they have a decent idea of what looks good, but you also know you and your own style, so don’t be afraid to have input, it is your day after all. If you have a very distinct personal style or maybe you don’t like to wear much makeup, be sure to communicate this to your stylist so they can help you achieve it. If you have any hair accessories or a signature lip colour, be sure to take it with you to your trial, so they can incorporate it. Take a look at bridal magazines or websites like Pinterest to gather ideas; then you can work together to narrow down and try some of the different styles you’ve picked out. You might find that the style you love might not be as flattering on you as it was for them. Another tip is to have your trial in the morning, so you can see how long the makeup or hairstyle lasts before it starts to fade or fall down. It’s important as you’ll want your look to last right through to the reception. Feel free to book multiple trials if the stylist isn’t a good fit, but worth noting that might mean paying a bit extra. Always remember to speak up if things aren’t right for you.

Our final tip has to be about being smart with your spray tan. We know how important it is for many of you to have that sun-kissed, glowing skin on your big day but make sure you spray well in advance so you don’t have any mishaps and to ensure that your guests won’t be able to smell the tan!

The average bride spends £150 - £200 on their hair and makeup. Worth thinking about whether or not you’ll be including hair and makeup for the bridesmaids and if you’ll be footing the bill for this. If so you might find yourself looking at £500 - £600 for hair and makeup for you and a handful of bridesmaids.

Now you have a good idea of how to choose the right stylist it’s time to get started. Here on Wedding Planner, you’ll find incredibly talented hair and makeup stylists just waiting to add that extra special touch to your wedding. Take a look above for ideas and recommendations on wedding hair and makeup prices, styles, packages and reviews. Get inspired by heading over to our inspiration section and see how real brides have been styled. You’re that much closer to looking like a blushing bride.