FINDING A MAKEUP ARTIST
A good makeup artist can mean the difference between a nice wedding face and a drop-dead beautiful one. As with any wedding vendor, you'll want to do your research. Look online, talk to the ladies at your bridal salon or your reception venue, speak with local brides and friends -- cover all the bases. Nowadays, you can hire a makeup artist through the same salons where you find your hair specialists. Many salons offer makeup applications, and often a line of cosmetics -- which can be a big help for a bride with limited cosmetic resources. Some salons offer a discount if you book both your makeup and hair professionals there.
You can also find a great makeup artist through local department stores. If you have a favorite makeup counter, head there for a free makeover (or visit 20 different counters and then pick a favorite). When you like what you see, ask the salesperson if she does any outside makeup work. She may be willing to come to you on the wedding day or, if not, maybe she can set aside an appointment at the counter for the morning of the wedding.
Finally, if you live near a big city, you can find makeup artists through agents (the same folks that represent models and photographers). Check the pages of your favorite magazines to find big makeup names, or scour the Internet for reps. Yes, those artists will cost a pretty penny, but you might find it worth the extra dough.
Once you find one you love, you'll need to set up a consultation. Many salons or professionals will charge a consultation fee -- anywhere from $25 to $100 -- and then a separate wedding-day fee, which can run as high as $1200. Others will charge only one price up front, slightly higher than a wedding-day fee, and offer a free consultation as part of the package. Take caution: The problem with the latter option is that you sign on with the stylist before you've had a chance to critique her -- so don't be lured by the prospect of a free consultation (it's not "free" if you hate the results and need to find someone else).
What many brides don't realize about a consultation is that this is a trial run -- which means, most professionals will only want to give you an idea of the look you're after, not an exact replica of what to expect on wedding day. Your artist might do the left eye in one color combination and the right in another, so you have a comparison of which works better.
After everything with your professional is said and done, remember this: You know your face better than anyone. Don't get talked into something you absolutely hate or won't feel comfortable with. You're going to have to live with that face -- not only for the rest of the day, but in pictures for the rest of your life.
NO EXPERT? NO PROBLEM
We always strongly suggest that you should have a professional do your makeup on the big day -- mostly to spare you the extra stress of having to do it yourself. But if an expert isn't in your budget, here are some things you'll want to keep in mind.
Since you're not just preparing for a day at the office, don't skip a trial run. Practice on your face in all kinds of light -- outside, inside, daytime, nighttime. Have someone take a few pictures of you, so that you can get a well-rounded idea of how the makeup will come out on film. And don't be afraid to ask for help. It might be worth a trip to a makeup counter anyway so you can grab a few application tips from the salespeople there.
