What you need to know about your wedding make-up trial
Purple Tree Photography / Erin Guenter Beauty
So, you’ve booked your makeup artist for your wedding day. Next up, the makeup trial! What' is it? Why should you plan one with your makeup artist? If these are questions you’re asking yourself, we’ve got you covered! Leah of Makeup by Lee and Erin Guenter of Erin Guenter Beauty are sharing their advice for why you should have a makeup trial, what to expect and how to prepare for it.
Corynn Fowler Photography / Erin Guenter Beauty
Why should I have a make-up trial?
Leah: Most brides have an idea of what makeup look they want to go for, however, a trial tends to determine it all. They will either love it or change it entirely to suit them better. It’s better to get “the look” done with perfection on the wedding day than making tons of changes. At the trial you can make all the changes you want & also get input, advice & suggestions from your artist, until it’s perfect.
Each makeup artist has their own style & way of applying makeup. We all have our own tricks & favourite products. That being said, having a makeup trial helps a bride and even mother-of-the-bride, determine if that makeup artist matches their wants, needs & own style. You can usually see an artist’s style in their portfolio/ website, making the decision a bit easier.
In addition, I think it’s very important to have someone whose personality meshes with yours. Your makeup artist, as well as your hair stylist are two people who are going to spend the most of your day (at least the majority of “the getting ready” part) with you.
Another great reason for a trial, is that many people don’t realize that in order for makeup to show up on camera, it needs to be a bit heavier in person (one of the first things I tell all my clients, especially ones who don’t wear much makeup day-to-day). So it’s good to see this before your wedding day, making sure you’re comfortable, no surprises.
I also think it’s a great idea to do your hair trial on the same day, so that you can see your overall look.
Erin: A Makeup Trial is important for many reasons. It gives you, the Bride, an opportunity to meet your potential Makeup Artist and to see whether or not your personalities/energies align as this person will play an integral role in your day, setting the tone for you and your Bridal party. A Makeup Artist with a calming, confident presence who is experienced with time management, trouble shooting and gentle hands can impact how you perceive any stressors the day of your Wedding. Compatibility is key and in order to look good you have to feel comfortable!
A trial will allow the Bride and the Makeup Artist a platform to discuss beauty wants and needs, skin care concerns, do’s and don’ts share good and bad beauty experiences and get a good idea of the desired finished look for the day of. Having had the opportunity for this discussion will set the Bride and Makeup Artist up for a stress free “getting ready” experience.
For me as the Makeup Artist a trial also gives me the chance to test products. I want to see if the products I have chosen last on the skin, are compatible with the skin and to confirm that there are no reactions, which is rare but better to find out beforehand than the day of!
The Hennigars / Makeup by Lee
When should I have a makeup trial done?
Leah: I highly suggest booking your trial in advance and to also schedule it so that you have an event to go to, engagement photos, bridal showers etc.. That way, it doesn’t go to waste and you can see the longevity of your makeup & can even make some more changes, if you want, before the big day arrives. If it’s done for photos, you can see how it shows up in those to make sure you’re happy with it.
Erin: The most ideal situation is to book your Makeup Artist of choice ASAP as most experienced Bridal professionals book up fast, sometimes years in advance. Trust that this Artist will communicate effectively, be able to translate your wants and needs and make any adjustments based on your preferences. If you really want to be sure, as Instagram can gives false hopes and most images are highly filtered, you may have to schedule two trials, one to determine if your personalities and styles align, and a second 6-8 weeks prior to your Wedding to be sure of your final look. If possible, try to book a trial for a day you have something special planned, like engagement photos, an event or a date night and take photos of yourself to see that the Makeup reads effectively!
Understand that if you are “testing” your Makeup Artist prematurely and you aren’t sure of your vision, you can’t expect your Makeup Artist to be either. Trials booked too far in advance will usually also set them back into Winter when skin is not in its best condition and Makeup will sit differently on the skin due to its lack of moisture and hydration, not giving the best representation of the desired look for the actual day.
When your trial is complete make notes of what you discussed, what you like and what you didn’t and it is always a good idea to opt for a look that isn’t too far outside your comfort zone. You want to feel comfortable, look like the best version of yourself and in the future, when you look back at your Wedding photos, there will be no regrets.
Lisa Hughes Photography / Erin Guenter Beauty
How do I prepare for a makeup trial?
Leah: I allot an hour for a makeup trial, giving time to make changes & try different ideas/ suggestions. It’s best to have a clean, fresh face with contacts (if you wear them) in place. My brides/ clients usually have looks saved to show me when we meet up or they send them to me beforehand so I have an idea of what they are envisioning. If you’d like to apply anything beforehand, it’s best to stick to just moisturizer, no gels or products that will flake or peel.
Erin: For a Makeup Artist to best execute your desired vision it is important to prep. Have photos of your dress, your venue, your color scheme and in advance of your trial be sure to send your Artist inspirational photos of Makeup and Hair and of yourself! Having photos of how you usually wear your Makeup will provide insight to the level and intensity that you are comfortable with, everyone’s idea of “natural” is different.
Arrive to your trial with clean, moisturized skin and if you usually groom your eyebrows have those done to be sure you will be seeing the Makeup at its best. If you plan on having a spray tan it is also recommended to have this done 1-2 days prior to the trial. Testing your spray tan is important to be sure you are happy with the finished result and to be sure the Makeup is compatible.
Darby Mitchell Photography / Makeup by Lee
Final thoughts
Leah: It’s always important for a client/ bride to communicate with their artist on how they feel about their trial. I always try to ask about their likes but more importantly their dislikes, so that I know what not to do. I definitely want that when they look in that mirror, finally seeing the “reveal”, they’re feeling like the best version of themselves and not someone else.
Erin: Come with an open mind, be prepared to see things differently and have fun! A trial is an amazing opportunity to have an open conversation, to collaborate, try things together and experiment! And please, if you don’t like something don’t be afraid to speak up! We as Makeup Artists are here to make sure you have the best Wedding Day possible!
Tara Lilly Photography / Erin Guenter Beauty