The Experts Guide to Makeup Trials

I put myself in the hands of a top Bobbi Brown makeup artist to see what I could learn about bridal makeup trials. The following tips will save you time, stress and guarantee you are looking nothing short of beautiful on your wedding day.

Book Your MakeupTrials Well In Advance

Don make the mistake of leaving your bridal makeup trials to the last minute, after all you want your face be as perfect as your gown. A smart plan? Start your trials as much as 12 months, and at least 3 months, before your wedding day. Then be prepared to meet again in the weeks leading up to the wedding to do a runthrough.

Why start so far in advance? There are many advantages: the weather conditions should be roughly the same which will help in the selection of a style and suitable products, you have plenty of time to experiment until you find look that suits both you and will work in front of the camera. Plus your skin is likely to be in a similar condition so your makeup artist can also help you to review what needs to be focused on with your long term skincare regime.

It also gives you scope to do as many trials as you need to feel 100% happy with both the makeup artist and their ability to help you achieve your dream look. Many cosmetics houses makeover fee is redeemable against a purchase (Bobbi Brown currently offer this), so it a fun idea to book in a makeup test run when you are in need of new skincare or cosmetics. Appointments

Some brides get up at the crack of dawn on their wedding day due to overwhelming excitement or nerves, but the majority simply get up with the birds so they can spend several hours getting glammed up in the beauty chair. By scheduling your makeup trials in the morning too you be able to review how your makeup copes with the stresses of the day and night ahead. Be sure to take note of what needs to be done throughout to keep it looking fresh.

Another trick? Try to book in on a day you have a special event to go to your engagement party or another friends wedding for example.

So don be too quick to wipe it off if you don like it, at least ask why they have chosen to be more heavy/light/bright/muted etc than you would have done yourself. That said if you feel they have gotten it completely wrong don be scared to speak up and have the makeup worked on until you are happy and feel comfortable to keep on going with the day.

Speak Up!

You can never have too much information or ask too many questions (though you may have to stop talking at some point tricky to apply gloss to a mouth that is moving at a hundred miles per hour).

As well as images take along some written notes on key points include date of wedding, location of ceremony and reception; how much time to be spent outdoors; expected temperature/conditions; colour of the bouquets/boutonnieres/ties and bridesmaid gowns; your favourite colours of shadow and gloss and if you plan on getting a spray tan. Homework always gets rewarded!

Photograph The Results

By taking some self portraits once you jump out of the chair and throughout the day/night you then be able to review how the makeup worked for the camera, be it an amateurs, and also workout what you will need for touchups!

Above all have fun with your trials, you will walk away with new tricks and products that will probably change your outlook on beauty for life!

Images: I took the below two very basic photographs of myself from an arms length which helped me understand how the makeup would work indoors, in softer daylight as well as in the evening. It really is quite amazing at how well the Bobbi Brown products that were selected for me lasted through to the night and required so little to refresh (the PM shot was taken 9 hours after my makeup session and I had simply touched up my blush and gloss). See the face chart which explains in detail the steps taken and products used by the Bobbi Brown team.