Do I really need a Bridal Makeup Artist? - How to choose the right one for you.
I know, I know! You’ve just got engaged; you have an excel spreadsheet three pages long for suppliers and budgeting; the costs are skyrocketing; you’re already overwhelmed and you’ve only booked your venue and photographer.
You’re probably already thinking about which suppliers you really do need and what elements you can DIY to claw back some budget. “Do I really need a wedding makeup artist?” You might be pretty good at doing your own makeup day to day but I’m here to tell you that your wedding day is a completely different ball game. As a makeup artist myself even I would be booking another pro to do my makeup if I was getting married.
You see, while how you look on your wedding day is incredibly important (memories fade, but those pictures last forever) and a great artist will obviously give you a polished, more refined look that will last all day and night what the right artist will also bring is an effortless calm to your wedding morning. A calm that can only come from trust and knowing you are in the safest of hands.
And it’s about so much more than makeup. Your wedding morning is incredibly intimate and emotionally charged. In that room you want to have around you only people who can sense the energy you need at any given moment. Who can sense when you need quiet, when you want to chat, when the champagne needs to pop to settle your nerves and who will do all this while quietly guiding the flow of the morning to make sure you are glowing, gorgeous and ready on time.
So how do I find the right makeup artist?
Of course, always start with the work. Browse website portfolios and Instagram feeds. Try and really look at the work with some discernment. If there are professional images have the photos been heavily filtered or photoshopped? Are the behind the scenes camera shots unedited or might they have been facetuned? Are there lots of examples of makeup looks that you like? Can you see real skin? (Zoom right in -it’s always the first thing I do when I see a makeup image). Is it heavily lit to be more forgiving of texture? Does it appear heavy?
One of the things I hear most often from my bridal clients is that the appearance of lightness in my makeup is what attracted them to my work. Anyone who tells you that you need heavier makeup for the camera is not being truthful. You don’t need more makeup, the makeup needs more intention. A makeup artist that focuses on skin prep, that uses thoughtful application techniques and products that work with your features will create a long lasting look that appears as beautiful in person as it does on film. The aim should be to enhance and elevate rather than mask.
When you feel your most beautiful - truly yourself, comfortable, calm - you will go through your day with quiet confidence. And that photographs more beautifully than anything else.
Style is everything
It doesn’t matter if if they’re a friend, if your cousin booked them for their wedding and “they were amazing”, if they’ve won all the awards. If when you look at their work you do not see styles that align with your own aesthetic then DO NOT BOOK THEM!
Every great artist, however versatile has their own personal style: signature touches that are a constant recurring through their work. Know and understand your own aesthetic vision (minimal, luminous skin, natural lashes) and choose someone whose work clearly and regularly showcases those elements. A versatile artist can adapt their style to suit their client, but you will not get the best out of them. If you know that you and your makeup artist naturally share a visual language the whole process of designing your bridal makeup look will be seamless.
When should I book my bridal makeup artist?
If your wedding date is a peak one (weekends, May to October) then I would make sure you have secured your artist at least one year ahead. Most established artists will open their books around 18 months in advance. As soon as you have booked your venue and photographer it’s worth reaching out to your chosen artist.
Weekday and off peak dates give you a little more leeway. And all that said, I often have the odd rogue peak date that stays available much longer. Wedding cancellations and reschedules do unfortunately occasionally happen too so fate may intervene and the right artist might just have your date available even at shorter notice. Established artists often have a good circle of industry friends so will usually be able to recommend alternatives too.
Expect to pay a booking fee and sign a contract on booking to secure your date. With weddings being held in diaries in many cases for over a year, we are often turning down family events, not booking holidays etc. around our brides so this should give you reassurance. Any artist not requiring these to hold your date ought to set alarm bells - a contract protects you as much as it does us.
Pricing - What should I expect to pay for Wedding Makeup?
For a luxury, truly professional bridal makeup service in the UK you should expect to pay a minimum of £175 for your on the day service allowing up to the same amount again for your bridal trial fee. Most established artists will have a minimum booking fee in place for peak dates. With most artists only booking one wedding a day this is essential in maintaining their business and providing a reliable high end service. This will either be as a package with a set number of services or as a minimum spend. You should also allow extra for travel.
Why is wedding makeup more expensive than event makeup?
The cost of bridal makeup takes many things into account. There is the time your artist is with you on the day (one hour minimum in the makeup chair, arriving 30 minutes early to setup, staying upwards of an hour once makeup is finished for final touchups (and general emotional support!), 30 minutes of packing up once you leave for the ceremony. And there are more costs involved beyond just makeup on the day: there’s the time involved during the booking process, the ongoing communication and admin, investment in and maintenance of our kits to name just a few.
A skilled artist is often fully booked most weekends of the year. There is an intrinsic value in their time and artistry. While the financial pressures of planning a wedding are undoubtedly huge, makeup really is one area that shouldn’t be undervalued. You will see it in every photo. It truly does give you the confidence to walk the aisle and face your guests all day. Investing in a makeup artist whose work you love, and who you trust to be a part of the most important day of your life really will enhance your whole bridal experience.
How do I know I’ve found the one?
On your Wedding Day you should feel your most beautiful - truly yourself, not masked, comfortable. Your bridal makeup should be an enhancement - an extension of yourself, not be a disguise. It should be natural enough to leave you feeling confident to face the cameras and your guests all day long. The best artists understand that. And the right artist will understand you. You’ll know.