Wedding makeup: features of the makeup artist’s work with the bride

Yulia Novoselova, make-up artist, head of the training Beauty Center YouNova, diploma winner and champion of international competitions, judge of independent make-up championships, coach

This article contains answers to the most common questions asked at seminars, master classes and advanced training courses for “Wedding Stylist”. I will talk about wedding makeup to narrow the focus, but I’m sure other colleagues from the beauty industry will take on important things. Here you will not find step-by-step instructions for wedding makeup, but you will learn no less important features of working with brides.

So, this is your first time communicating with a client. The most important point in a conversation with the bride is trust in you. At the same time, it doesn’t matter at all how it got to you: it could be word of mouth or your advertising on the Internet. The girl wants to be absolutely sure that your interests coincide: on her most important day, she should look great. This is a serious moment, because before meeting you, she probably talked with other specialists from different fields and was simply tired of the pre-wedding hassle.

And here’s the good news: only a makeup artist and a hairdresser are the people who will work with her on her wedding day, take care of her appearance (taking into account the fact that the dress has already been purchased and the manicure has been done). These people are focused on one thing - an impeccable image. The mood for the whole day depends on you, the masters: whether you like the makeup, whether the hairstyle is comfortable. You are the first to arrive at the bride's preparations, you give her the mood and self-confidence on such an exciting day, when there should be no unpleasant surprises.

Basic Rules

1. The master must treat the bride with understanding, but in no case allow the excitement and nervousness of the client or relatives to affect the work. Trust must be gained at a preliminary meeting, during a makeup trial. After all, a wedding day is a day of pleasure. If the situation is tense for any reason, you must convey that you can only do the job well if you are fully focused, and your service is a collaboration with the client.
2. Everything about you and your work should inspire confidence. Your appearance, your movements and actions. After all, you are doing the most important work on this day - wedding makeup! You and the photographer from whom everyone will look forward to taking photos. Everything will be forgotten, but the screensaver on your phone or laptop screen will be with the bride’s makeup. The image of the bride is the only thing that really matters on her wedding day. The only memories that will remain are photographs of lovers looking at each other. Eyes, smile, hair proportions - this is all your work, masters!
3. Bride's preparations. You enter the frame like a master. Shorts and T-shirt are excluded. Unless you're Pat McGrath, of course. High-quality products, clean brushes – do I need to remind you of this?

Meeting with the client

It is important to understand how opinions about you are formed before your wedding day. So, the meeting. Don't be guided by photos from the Internet with makeup that the bride likes. Practice shows the client’s bias in assessing his own appearance and lack of understanding of how it will look in general. Only two out of a hundred clients know what suits them (for example, what shades to use if you need to do wedding makeup for brown eyes). And the responsibility is on you. You shouldn’t follow the girl’s recommendations, since she may not understand the terms smoky, “light base,” and the concept of “bright and delicate wedding makeup” are generally different things in the understanding of the makeup artist and the bride.

The most frightened client is the one who comes after several inexpensive tests. Discuss with the client what you didn’t like during the trial rehearsal, what to change if you encounter this. Do not criticize the work of other masters. This is professional ethics. Moreover, the previous master may not have understood the client or may not have the proper skills. This is a question of your professional viability, constant development, growth, and practice.

Price issue

Separately, it is worth mentioning the price. How much does a veil cost? You will be surprised. Ask the client and evaluate for yourself the importance of the external image for the bride on her wedding day. This is food for thought. In the client's mindset, you must be indispensable because he chose you for your professional and human qualities, and not for a reduced price. Don't be afraid of losing someone who doesn't appreciate your work - you're a professional! Your knowledge, materials and tools require constant investment and care - this is also the price of your work. And yes, remember how much a veil costs.

Explain the importance of a hair and makeup trial. Try to please, listen, but do not remain silent if you consider the client’s wishes inappropriate, discuss everything tactfully and perform the work at the highest level.

We emphasize individuality

There are psychological types of clients, based on which the bride chooses both the wedding style and her image. This requires knowledge of stylistics. Remember that makeup is not creativity, but first of all psychology, emotions and geometry, and only then art if you are serving a client. Try to give something, leave useful “reminders” of yourself - matting napkins, a mirror, a note with wishes. You must be a competent specialist, otherwise you risk applying the same makeup to everyone, which has long gone out of fashion and is inexpensive.

The next point: for whom does the bride want to be beautiful? Ask what is important to her - the opinion of her friends, relatives, photographer or fiance. It's great if everything matches. I prefer to see and emphasize the bride’s individuality, thus instilling in her self-confidence and a sense of self-sufficiency. And then she recommends you to other clients - this is the best assessment of your work.

Keep your finger on the pulse

Keeping your finger on the pulse of new products and fashion trends, feeling the girl’s individuality is your responsibility. Develop yourself and your self-esteem will grow. The clients you deserve will come to you. I believe that many points allowed you to look at your activities in a new way. Use these recommendations, reflect and acquire new satisfied customers. The world has become more demanding of the service sector, and this should motivate us.

The article was first published in MAKEUP&YOU Professional magazine.