6 Things a Bridal Makeup Artist Should Do:

1. Choose a bridal makeup artist who includes a pre-wedding consultation as part of the package (this can happen months or weeks before your wedding). You don't want any surprises the day of the wedding and this eliminates that possibility! This is your opportunity to ask questions about your wedding day makeup, discuss wedding details such as colors of your flowers and attendants dresses, and to have your makeup done. In this consultation, we have the flexibility to make adjustments and changes until you are completely delighted with how you look. As your wedding makeup artist, I will listen to what you like and make suggestions. The proof is in the application. I begin lightly and make changes as we go along. Your final look should always be a collaboration between you and your wedding makeup artist.
   
   You come to Total Image Consultants' studio (2 miles north of Boston) for this appointment. It's fun, exciting, and relaxing (and I recommend being sure your fiancé is going to take you out to dinner that night so you can enjoy your look fully!).
   
   
2. Choose a bridal makeup artist who goes to where you're getting ready the day of your wedding (expect the same from your hairstylist!).
   
   
3. Choose a wedding makeup artist who provides you with a complimentary face powder and lipstick on your wedding day so you can do any necessary touch-ups during the reception. This gives you peace of mind!
   
   
4. Choose a bridal makeup artist who respects your choices about how you want to look on your wedding day. Do you want a natural glow or a more glamorous touch? The pre-wedding consultation is the time to be sure you get the look you want.
   
   
5. Be cautious about having your hairstylist offer to do your makeup as well as your hair. At the very least, this is generally not time-efficient and more important, they are rarely professionally trained as wedding makeup artists (which is part of the reason their pricing is so low) — hair is their area of expertise. I can't tell you the number of times that a bride has called me in a panic because her makeup trial session with her hairstylist was a fiasco (it's one of the reasons a pre-wedding consultation is critical). You want to choose someone whose sole area of expertise is wedding day makeup.
   
   
6. Choose a wedding makeup artist who has a calm demeanor. The last thing you need on your wedding day is a frenzied makeup artist! Staying relaxed to enjoy the preparations is part of the joy of your day.

"I want to thank you for the wonderful job you did on my wedding day makeup, as well as my mother's, my sister's, and my two bridesmaids. It was perfect. I felt like myself, not too made up, and beautiful! My eyes were definitely the main focus of my face, which was exactly what I wanted and my red acne scars could not be seen. The best part is that it lasted all day, even though it was about 85 degrees outside, and I was sweating. I am actually still using the wonderful lipstick and powder. The powder is unbelievable! Thank you so much, Ginger."

Sincerely,
Jeannette Barry
Wedding: June 29, 2002