Overwhelmed by all the beauty options out there? Here are some wedding day glam tips to start you on the right path.
BY MORGAN DAVIDSON, MORGAN SARAH MAKEUP
Picking your hair and makeup team is a fun and exciting part of wedding planning. But there’s more to wedding day glam than a talented artist and the time you spend in the hair and makeup chair. I’m sharing my key insights for things that may not be at the top of your mind when making your beauty plans but are important to consider.
What should I be asking my hair and makeup team before booking them?
Finding a hair and makeup artist or team that aligns with your style and vision for your wedding day is essential if you’re going the professional route. With that said, there’s more to these vendors than just their artistry to consider before signing a contract to book. While skill and expertise are important, there are some questions and considerations to ask your team that may not immediately come to mind when booking.
First, you’ll want to ask your wedding day glam team about sanitization practices and products used in their and their team’s kits. Look for a team that enforces using separate brush sets on clients or ensures they are cleaned between clients with professional-grade cleansers, and that uses disposable tools where necessary and possible (think lip applicators, mascara wands, cotton rounds and cotton swabs). Ensure they are sanitizing the makeup itself between clients, which includes disinfecting with 70% alcohol or a professional-grade product disinfectant.
For cream makeup products, you want to see an artist removing what they need using a stainless steel spatula and placing it onto a stainless steel palette (both of which should be disinfected between uses). There are lots of things you want to share with your bridal party on your wedding day, but germs are definitely not one of them!
Secondly, it’s important to ask your wedding day glam team about scheduling in advance and who will be responsible for creating a hair and makeup schedule. A savvy and experienced artist will be able to advise on how best to meet your scheduling needs the day of so you are not rushed in hair and makeup and everyone has an enjoyable experience. Sometimes, this means they need to bring additional team members to make the most of a shorter “getting ready” time window. If needed, they should be able to easily work with a wedding planner to do this as well.
Working with a beauty vendor who understands all of the moving parts of your wedding day (including working in spaces while photographers, videographers, planners and more are simultaneously doing their jobs) will make your life much easier.
How can I make sure my hair and makeup last on my wedding day?
This is one of the most common questions clients ask when it comes to hair and makeup, as wedding days can often be long.
For makeup, there are a few key considerations. First, you want to ensure your skincare routine has been consistent for the few weeks leading up to the day. Making sure you’re in a good routine with a cleanser, moisturizer and SPF in the morning and avoiding bad habits like picking your face or sleeping in makeup will play a huge role in keeping your skin healthy.
Skin prep in the morning will also be important, and your makeup artist should have some boosters on hand (serums and/or rich priming moisturizers) to really plump and smooth your skin so it’s in its best shape. In terms of products, work with your makeup artist to make sure the products used are ideal for your skin type and are designed for longevity. I like to layer a long-lasting primer with long-wearing and waterproof makeup wherever possible and finish with a setting spray designed to really lock makeup in place.
Avoid touching your face as much as possible once your makeup is on, and you should be good to go. With hair, make sure any colouring or cutting happens no more than 3-4 weeks out from your wedding day glam session. This typically allows your colour to look more natural and “lived-in,” and you can get a light trim closer to the date if you feel it’s necessary.
For day-of styling, it is best to wash and blow dry hair completely the night before. Having second-day, completely dry hair helps styles hold their best throughout the day, and your wedding hair stylist will be grateful for a workable canvas the morning of. Your hair artist should make sure they’re working with your natural texture and, if needed, give styles like waves and curls time to really set, knowing they may fall. I keep a variety of hair sprays and waxes on hand for different stages of styling and finish with a hairspray designed to set your locks in place. Like makeup, avoid touching the hair; it should stay put.
What should I carry with me for touch-ups and emergencies?
A consideration that’s often overlooked on your wedding day is what you should have in a clutch or bag nearby in case of emergencies. I call these “bridal beauty survival kits,” though I recommend keeping a few other essentials in these that go beyond beauty. Blotting papers and tissues go a long way, especially for weddings in warm climates.
It’s tempting to combat shine on the face with a bit of setting powder, but doing this can make wedding day glam makeup look cakey and enhance texture where we don’t want to, and this is where blotting papers come in. I often give these to clients in a touch-up kit so they’ve got a way to cut shine without messing up their makeup. Tissues are also key because, let’s face it – there’s always a crier in the party, and sometimes that’s the bride!
Lipstick or lipgloss is key to have on hand for photo touch-ups. As with blotting sheets, I give my clients a lip touch-up kit, but if you’re bringing your own lippie, be sure to keep it on hand. I always tell brides to keep a small sewing kit on hand as well. Something as simple as a needle and some thread can save the day if a seam needs stitching on a wedding dress, suit, or bridesmaid dress (trust me on this – I’m speaking from personal experience at my own wedding). And safety pins can be a real hero.
Essentials like Tylenol and Advil, allergy pills, or Gravol can really come in handy in a pinch. It’s so easy to forget to stay hydrated, get a little too warm under the sun, or find yourself sneezing and sniffling unexpectedly. Keeping these on hand can really save the day for anyone in the bridal party if they suddenly need relief.
Finally, if there’s room to stash a protein or granola bar in your clutch, I recommend it. Brides often get caught up in the activities of the day and the number one thing we see is them forgetting to eat. I fell victim to this at my own wedding, and when it caught up to me, it caught up fast! Keep the snacks coming!
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