Lots of people want to look and feel their best on their wedding day and this often includes wanting to be pampered in the lead up and on the day of the event. For some they may want look and feel natural and therefore choose to do their own hair and makeup as usual, for others they may hire professionals to help them feel their best. This may the day of your life where the most photographs are taken of you, so it important that you feel confident. The key is that you feel comfortable and confident therefore, if you feel your best without makeup on don't wear it! If you prefer to audio rather than reading why not listen to our podcast with CJ Beauty on this topic?
This article includes:
- Different hair and makeup styles
- Why should I choose a professional hair and makeup artist?
- What questions should I ask my hair and makeup artist prior to booking?
- When should I book my hair and makeup artist?
- How to prepare for a hair and makeup trial
- Additional beauty preparations
- How do I find the perfect beauty suppliers for me?
- The pre-wedding beauty schedule
Different Hair and Makeup Styles
First thing on the agenda: what styles are on offer to you and what is popular with brides today? If you're new to researching bridal beauty, or are just craving some bridal inspiration, take a look at some hair and makeup ideas for a gorgeous wedding look!
Messy bun
The messy bun is the perfect combination of sophisticated, yet fun. This look is perfect for any bride that wants her hair out of her face on the day, but still craves a more relaxed and bohemian look.
This look would work perfectly for: a beach wedding!
Smokey eye
Mastering the smokey eye of your dreams is sometimes tricky for brides-to-be. Perfecting the ideal amount of blending without making yourself look like a racoon is something I certainly haven't succeeded in doing! However, when done perfectly, it can create the most gorgeous wedding look! Just look how well Mels Brides does with this look:
This look would work perfectly for: a glam bride!
Neat and tidy
The most popular sophisticated wedding look; the tidy up-do. Styled to perfection and designed to stay out of your face (no matter how aggressive your dance moves!), this hairstyle is chic and timeless. Thinking about giving it a go?
This look would work perfectly for: a town hall wedding!
Hollywood waves
A show-stopping look, the Hollywood waves are back in full force with their popularity skyrocketing over the past couple of years. Styled to perfection, this look is picture-perfect for any red carpet superstar or, better yet, your wedding day!
In the words of the Kardashians, Hollywood waves are "just like that effortless look, you know? But it's really a lot of effort". So, if you want this style on your wedding day, prepare for an earlier start as it takes a lot of time and effort to perfect this style.
This look would work perfectly for: a bridal superstar!
Natural makeup
Natural makeup is the most commonly requested makeup look. Despite looking natural and glowy, lots time and effort still goes in to creating the perfect natural look. This makeup style focuses on accentuating the brides features and minimising skin blemishes. This look will look perfect for any situation and any lighting!
This look would work perfectly for: an all-rounder bride!
Beach waves
Beach waves are always a popular choice amongst brides. The look gives off a care-free and bohemian style that works perfectly for those brides who love a bit of fun! This look pairs perfectly with natural makeup to create the perfect effortlessly chic bride.
This look would work perfectly for: a barn wedding!
Nudes
We love nudes on a wedding makeup look! Understated yet prominent, nudes give the impression of a natural, yet put-together look. Effortlessly framing the face, the nude shades are placed on the eye and the lips to accentuate the features and give them a smooth look.
This look would work perfectly for: an all-rounder bride!
Ponytail
A ponytail hairstyle for your wedding day can be styled in many different ways - much like a bun. It can be sleek and sophisticated or more messy and natural. Like the bun, this style is designed to keep you hair out of your face however, unlike the bun, allows for more length. I love how Carly Cox has styled this ponytail!
This look would work perfectly for: a country house wedding!
Vintage
Creating the perfect vintage look often depends on the brides face and hairstyle. The bold red lip, the dark lined eye makeup, and the pigmented blush is often what constitutes a vintage 1940s inspired look.
This look would work perfectly for: the old soul!
Plaits, Plaits, Plaits
Plaits are almost seen as a wedding staple nowadays. With so many ways to style them, they are the perfect way to keep you hair out of your face in a fun and stylish manner. Fishtail plaits are popular amongst brides who love a bohemian look, while french plaits are often preferred amongst the more conservative bride. There really is something for everyone!
This would work perfectly for: the all-rounder bride!
Glitter!
You really can't go wrong with packing your lid with a bit of shimmer. Pairing perfectly with nudes, smokey eye, or a natural lid means it can give any bride that extra something on their big day. Don't forget, glitter is not only restricted to the eyelid! Pack on the highlighter or add some gem stones to your cheekbones to create a glowy, festival look for your big day. After all, the bigger the better!
This would work perfectly for: a bride who loves a bit of sparkle!
Why Should I Choose a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist?
Brides sometimes see hair and makeup artists as an unnecessary expense for their wedding day. However, we disagree and here's why:
Highly skilled experts
Wedding hair and makeup is very different from everyday hair and makeup. So even if you're brilliant at doing your day-to-day routine, there are certain techniques, trends and skills that professional artists know to use that you have probably never heard of!
Your wedding day look might be inspired by something you've seen on Pinterest or by celebrities. If you have a professional, you can show them this inspiration and you will feel confident that they have the skills and experience to recreate those looks.
Access to top quality makeup and tools
With some amazing hair styling tools out there, many often break the bank and are tricky to use. To save you time and money, hire someone who knows how to use these tools! Hiring a professional hair and makeup artist, they will have access to loads of top quality, tried and tested tools and makeup for you to get your hands on. Why not treat yourself by having a top quality pampering session on your wedding day?!
Save time
Hiring a makeup artist will ultimately save you so much time on the morning of your wedding day. Because hair and makeup artists have had so much time to practice their craft and become used to the chaos of a wedding morning, they can work quickly and effortlessly in the morning allowing you more time to spend with your bridal party (or making a quick TikTok or two!)
Less stress
Of course, a key benefit of hiring a professional hair and makeup artist means it's another thing you don't have to worry about! If you were to tackle your hair and makeup yourself, your wedding morning could become quite stressful.
Professional hair and makeup artists are used to working under pressure in hectic environments. So, leave the organisation up to them and put your feet up!
Picture perfect
You really do need your hair and makeup done differently if you want it to photograph well! On your wedding day, you are likely to be photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of times. This is where having a professional hair and makeup artist is essential.
Even if you think you've put on the right amount of makeup, it's probably not enough to appear in photos. Experienced wedding makeup artists know the perfect balance and know what needs enhancing so it doesn't disappear in photographs. They also know how to apply plenty of product without making you look clownish or highlighting fine lines and wrinkles.
Last all night long
If dancing late into the night is on your wedding agenda then you better be hiring a hair and makeup artist! Late night wedding party photos are by far some of the best shots of the day, however no one wants to be looking frazzled in these photos! A hair and makeup artist will ensure that your hair will look perfect no matter the conditions and your makeup won't budge no matter how much you cry (or sweat!). Sometimes, hair and makeup artists have the capacity to stay throughout the day and are on hand for quick touch-up's when they're needed. How handy!
Why not?!
You may be great at applying your everyday makeup, or feel confident doing your hair. But it's your wedding day! The perfect excuse to feel extra special and have a once in a lifetime experience. When else are you going to have your hair and makeup professionally done?
How Much Does a Hair and Makeup Artist Typically Cost?
The average UK wedding in 2023 costs over £18,000. Of this, we recommend putting aside around 2% of the overall budget towards wedding beauty. With a budget of £17,500, this is roughly around £350-£400. Obviously, this budget can vary bride to bride and very much depends on your preferences and priorities.
How to break down the wedding beauty budget
- Take into consideration any extra treatments you want done prior to your wedding. This may include getting a fresh mani/pedi, or maybe you're keen to get a spray tan.
- Once you've worked out the costs for the other treatments, you can then work out how much of the budget is left for you wedding hair and makeup.
- Research the wedding hair and makeup suppliers out there. See what is within your budget range and discover how their prices are laid out.
Wedding hair and makeup pricing breakdown example:
Emma Goodwin Hair and Beauty 2023 pricing:
What Questions Should I Ask my Hair and Makeup Artist Prior to Booking?
Can I see your portfolio?
This is the very first thing you should ask your hair and makeup artist before booking them. Their portfolio will show you all their strengths and preferences when it comes to certain hair and makeup styles. If you are a bride looking for a full glam look yet the portfolio shows the artist preferring a more natural look, then this supplier may not be right for you.
Will you be using an assistant on the day? If so, can I see their work?
Depending on your requirements, your hair and makeup artist may need reinforcements to help complete the job in a time-efficient manner. If this the case, then get to know the assistant(s)! Take a look at their work to decide if they produce the same quality of work as the lead stylist.
What are your costs? What do these include?
This is a very important question to ask. At first glance, it may appear that the supplier is within budget, however certain services that you require may not be included in the cost displayed. Take a look at the cost breakdown before making any judgement.
Are you willing to travel? If so, how far?
More often than not, hair and makeup artists are very happy to travel to deliver their services on the day. However, certain suppliers may have a cap on how far they travel, or require an increase in cost to travel long distances. Make sure you ask your supplier their preferences on this. It may be smart starting your search with suppliers local to your wedding venue to reduce the organisation.
Do you have experience working with my skin tone/hair type?
It is important to check with your potential suppliers whether they have had experience/got the products to work with your particular skin and hair type. Everyone's hair and skin is slightly different and there is no cookie cutter rule for how to treat them. Either check their portfolio or ask their experience to understand the range they have worked with.
What brands/tools do you use?
This question is important if you have certain preferences on products.
Would you be willing to work with some of my preferred makeup?
If you are in love with your concealer, or you have a curling wand you can't live without, asking your hair and makeup artist if they'd be willing to use certain products you own instead of their own tools is an important question. Sometimes, hair and makeup artists prefer using their own tools as they are tried and tested. However, there will be some willing to switch up the products used. After all, no one knows your hair and skin better than you!
Are there any specific requirements for trial day?
Making the most of your trial day is very important as it will allow you to trial out lots of different looks and get these looks as close to perfect. Ask your supplier what is required of you to allow the magic to happen!
How many looks can we try out on trial day?
Whether you have the dream look decided already, or are still debating the perfect wedding look, trialling out a number of looks on you trial day is always a good idea. The dream look may not come out the way you imagined, or your supplier may suggest a new idea you've never thought of before. Ask you supplier how long a trial often take and how many looks they are willing to try. Be prepared to kiss a lot of frogs before finding the perfect look!
How long would you expect the hair and makeup to take on the day?
This will all depend on the services you require on the day, but it is important to get a rough idea so your wedding day timetable is accurate and you don't end up running late. Leaving enough time to get ready will ensure a fun and relaxed wedding morning with your bridal party.
How long will you be able to stay on the day? Will you be able to do an evening look?
Often brides require a hair and makeup touch-up throughout the day. Whether it is from having a little cry, or getting a bit too lively on the dance floor, it is always reassuring to have your hair and makeup artist on standby just in case. Check with your supplier if this is possible and within your budget. Sometimes, hair and makeup artists may have a few clients per day so this may not be possible.
What is you cancellation/postponement policy?
In case of unforeseen circumstances, it is important to know the suppliers cancellation and/or postponement policy. Protecting your money when you are preparing for a wedding is important.
When Should I Book my Hair and Makeup Artist?
It is important to book your hair and makeup artist in plenty of time before the wedding. This is to ensure that your dream supplier isn't already booked for the date you need. Because of this, we recommend booking your hair and makeup artist approximately 10 months prior to your wedding day.
To stay on top of all your wedding planning and supplier bookings, why not sign up to the Guides for Brides wedding planner to keep track of your progress!
How to Prepare For a Hair and Makeup Trial
A hair and makeup trial is often offered to bride-to-be prior to her wedding day to have a few hours with the artist to practice different looks for the day. It is a great way for the artist to get to know the bride and get familiar with her hair and skin type. It also ensure that there will be no snags on the big day.
Your hair and makeup trial should be scheduled between 2-4 months prior to your wedding day to allow for any changes to be made in time.
To prepare for your makeup trial, speak to the artist beforehand to understand their preferences. But, be prepared to:
Avoid wearing dark colours
As any woman knows, dark clothing and makeup is a tricky pairing. To avoid any unwanted stains, stick to colourful colours when it comes to getting your hair and makeup done.
Wear a top with a similar neckline to your dress
The neckline of your dress makes a massive impact on the hair and makeup that would work well with the outfit. If you have already picked out your dream dress, then find a top with a similar neckline to match the vibe. This will help both you and the artist decide what look will work best.
Come prepared with ideas
Pinterest is your best friend in these moments. Whether you look online or take inspiration from your suppliers portfolio, come prepared with your favourite looks in order to cut down on time and give the artist some direction on where you want to go with your look.
Bring accessories
Accessories are so important to bring to your hair appointment. Whether you want to display some gorgeous earrings or you have a complicated hair piece you want to incorporate into you overall wedding look, your hair and makeup artist need to be aware of these and how to manage the hair and makeup around this.
Don't arrive with wet hair
Hair and makeup artists tend to vary on the preparedness of your hair before the trial, but one thing they do agree on is to never show up with wet hair! In general, wet hair is not pretty and is very trick to style.
Arrive with a clean face
Make sure you have done a thorough and good job at cleaning your face the night before, but show up to your appointment with a fresh face. This will offer your makeup artist a blank canvas to work from without any existing products interrupting the process.
Allow around 3 hours for the appointment
When booking your hair and makeup trial, allow plenty of time for you to get a full and immersive experience. You do not want to be rushing through potential looks, or not having enough time to trial all the looks you are thinking about. Speak to your supplier to discuss how much time you should set aside. We recommend no less than 3 hours.
Be picky with who attends your trial
Be selective about who you take to your trial. It is very common that many of your family and friends will want to share their views and opinions on your bridal look, but sometimes that can get a bit overwhelming! While opinions can be extremely helpful and reassuring, often too many opinions will result in you straying away from the ideal look that you desired.
Additional Beauty Preparations
Manicure and Pedicure
Hair removal and maintenance
Tanning
Fragrances
Tweakments
Wellbeing
More information on these can be found on our podcast with Nicola from SkinGeek, click here to listen.
How Do I Find the Perfect Beauty Suppliers For Me?
Have an idea of what you love
If you take a look at different styles of wedding beauty and
Think about hair accessories you want to include
Think about your wedding plans
Consider your budget
Take the time to look at reviews and recommendations
Research their work
The Pre-Wedding Beauty Schedule
Please remember this is a guide and you do not have to do any of these things if you do not want to.
8 months prior
- Test out a new hair cut and colour
- Revive your skincare regimen
- Tweakments e.g. laser hair removal
4 months prior
- Confirm your bridal accessories
- Hair and makeup trial
- Begin a stress-relief program
2 months prior
- Decide your wedding nails
- Tweakments e.g. teeth whitening
- Lash extension trial
1 month prior
- Get hair extensions fitted
- Book trial spray tan
- Tweakments
- Pick your wedding fragrance
2 weeks prior
- Hair gloss and trim
- Hair maintenance e.g. brows
- Start eating plenty of good skin foods
- Book your manicure and pedicure
1 week prior
- Gentle facial
- Root touch-up
- Wax
- Refrain from using any heat on your hair
- Eyelash extensions
2 days prior
- Attend manicure and pedicure appointment
- Spray tan appointment
1 day prior
- Hydrate
- Beauty sleep
On the day
- Wedding hair and makeup