As wedding photographers, we may admittedly be just a little bit biased, since the right artist can make us look like absolute rock stars, but we personally feel that one of the most important decisions you can make, when it comes to choosing your wedding day vendors (outside of your photographer of course 😉), is your makeup artist. The reason is, while I’m sure your Aunt Ruth and every single one of your besties is really really good, hiring a professional makeup artist will take you and your glam squad’s wedding day look to a whole other level! That said, picking the right artist can be a somewhat daunting prospect, especially here in Tide Country, where we have so many wonderful people and businesses to choose from. With that in mind, here are 5 things you should keep in mind when looking for a makeup artist in Tuscaloosa:
5. Taking A Closer Look
More and more, brides are finding their vendors through Instagram. If you yourself are a bride scoping out hair and makeup artists on the ‘gram, take an extra moment to fully examine the photos you are looking at. Is there a soft touch filter applied to the face blurring out any imperfections in the makeup application? Are bobby pins visible through the updo? Some of the finer details to pay attention to when zooming in on a photo are the undereye area and the eyeliner. More specifically, check to see that the under eye area looks fresh, youthful, concealed of any dark circles, brightened, and properly set in a way that does not crinkle up or make the area appear dry and aged.
For eyeliner check to see that it is straight, bump-free, and even, for those inevitable looking-down-through-the-lashes shots that we photogs always love to get on your wedding day. If you want to be super picky, zoom into the inner corner of the eyeline, as that area is the most common for skips, bumps, and eyelash glue residue. And while you’re at it, check the outer corner of the crease area to make sure that the shadow is blended to perfection!
4. Setting Up a Trial
This may be difficult for some of you, especially if you’re traveling to Tuscaloosa for your wedding, but I cannot stress enough how important it is to schedule a trial before your wedding day! Even if you have been super diligent about scoping out your desired artist’s work, until you actually sit down with your hair and makeup artist, you won’t truly know what you’re in for. Aside from the obvious things, like the quality of their work, this is also a great way to get to know your artist and their personality. Do you vibe? Do you trust that if you change your mind on the day of your wedding that they can hang and deliver what you want? If you absolutely cannot schedule a trial, be as upfront as possible with your artist about any skin conditions, personal hang-ups, and anything else that might help them.
Pro Tip: A great time to schedule your trial could be for your engagement session. That way you get to kill two birds with one stone.
3. Product, Product, Product
While not every makeup artist will be rocking Tom Ford and Chanel in their kits, and that’s perfectly fine, it’s still important to take note of the types of products they do use, especially if they’re part of the higher-end market. Honestly, with the rise of YouTube and Instagram, the beauty industry has totally leveled up, and even some drugstore products can go toe-to-toe with many high-end brands. That said, take note of the ratio of high-end to drugstore products in your makeup artist’s kit as compared to their price for services: meaning, are you paying a premium price for bargain products? With proper technique and knowledge, great makeup artists can certainly get a beautiful finished result using drugstore makeup, but the price should reflect that.
Pro Tip: Also note that while the initial finished result might be flawless, the longevity of wear might not be.
2. Assessing Hygiene
While this really should be #1 if we’re being perfectly honest, until you’ve actually gone through the search to find a makeup artist and sat down with one, you couldn’t possibly assess their level of cleanliness. Here are some things to look out for when assessing the condition of their kit and practices:
Are their products tidy and not covered in makeup dust and goo?
Are their brushes clean? A minimal amount of staining is normal on brushes that have white fibers, but if the brush LOOKS dirty, it’s probably dirty, and a great vehicle for spreading bacteria. (gross)
Also make sure that your artist is sanitizing brushes between services (yes, that means before every one of your bridesmaids).
This goes for beauty sponges as well.
Your artist should never be working directly from the wand that comes on the mascara they are using unless it is your personal one you are keeping. Disposable wands and mascara brushes (that are cleaned between each client) are a MUST.
The same thing goes for eyeliner, lipliner, and lipstick. Each item should be sprayed with isopropyl alcohol and wiped clean before use on a new client.
1. Your Bridal Style
Finally, and MOST importantly, it is imperative that before even beginning your search for the right makeup artist that you take a moment to reflect on your personal style and how you want to look on your wedding day. Some brides prefer a natural or bohemian look, while others seize their wedding as an opportunity to go “Full Glam”. Either way, when looking for a makeup artist, consider the work in their portfolio as a whole, and look for a theme throughout their clientele.
Most makeup artists are extremely versatile, but they’ll still definitely have a space that they prefer to work in, whether it is retro winged liner and red lips or Full Glam with full coverage, dark smoky eyes, nude lips, and a heavy lash!
Pro Tip: If you are a natural gal in your everyday life, opting for a Full Glam look on your wedding day may feel overwhelming and unnatural. In these cases, it may be best to start off with a “base look” and build the glam from there.
-Katye
Alabama Wedding Photographer, Tuscaloosa Wedding Photographer, Northport Wedding Photographer
