Hair and makeup may be one of the last things you think of when planning your wedding, but it can also be one of the most nerve-wracking (you definitely want to love your look). It’s best to have your trial about six months prior to your wedding day so you have time to get used to it and make changes if you need. To make sure you get the most out of your trial, follow the five steps below.
1. Bring Your Makeup Bag
If there’s a foundation that sits well on your skin or a certain product you wear every single day, show it to your makeup artist. The artist may do a beautiful job with their products, but if you don’t feel like yourself, you won’t be 100 percent comfortable with your look. For the day of, share this tip with any bridesmaids who are nervous about getting their makeup done or have sensitive skin.
2. Find Inspirational Photos of Hair and Makeup
It may be hard to figure out the exact look you want for your special day so I suggest creating an inspiration board of hair and makeup. Do you gravitate toward whimsical, textured looks or more chic, structured updos? By showing your stylists what you like about each photo, they’ll be able to understand your preferences without your needing to know all the terminology. This is one instance when showing is probably easier than telling. Just keep in mind that if you like something in photos, but don’t like it on yourself, that’s totally fine (and what your trial is for).
3. Take Note of What You Didn’t Like About Past Looks
Another helpful way for you to communicate what you’re looking for is to describe what you don’t want. Have you been to a wedding party where you disliked how you looked? Tell the stylists why you felt that way. If your stylists know what to stay away from, your trial will be so much more efficient—you won’t need to wait until each look is finished to figure out what you don’t like.
4. Arrive With a Clean Face and Hair
This one’s simple—in order to find that perfect look, get to your appointment with clean hair and no makeup so your pros can start with a blank canvas.
5. Purchase Accessories and Hair Extensions Beforehand
Take a look at the hair and makeup photos you like. Inspired by photos of hairstyles with long, thick hair? If your hair is thin, short or doesn’t hold curls well, consider investing in clip-in extensions. These easily blend into your own hair and help create a fuller look. If there’s a certain hair accessory you plan to incorporate, definitely bring that along. If not, once you decide on the look during your trial, you can easily pick up a hairpiece afterward—just let your hairstylist know if you plan to wear a hair accessory so they can think about how to incorporate it into your style.
