How to Look Stunning on Your Big Day

Whether or not you should hire a makeup artist for your big day is entirely up to you. There are many reasons brides book a pro: Some women aren’t comfortable wearing makeup, some think they will be too nervous, or too busy, on their big day to concentrate on their face, and some just want to know they have a pro’s seal of approval. It’s also common to hire a makeup artist for your bridesmaids, as well as both moms.

Miami makeup artist Hillary Bell especially recommends hiring an artist if you’re not comfortable in front of a camera. “Your makeup might look beautiful in the mirror,” she says, “but film is a whole different medium.” If you’re a girl who’s spent a lifetime in front of cameras, she adds, you might know your look better than an artist. Often, actresses and models hire artists simply because they don’t want the responsibility.

Bell’s one of several makeup artists in the country who can be hired for the entire wedding. “It’s a popular option for brides who are changing outfits during the day,” she says. A good all-day makeup artist knows how to keep your face fresh for the length of your reception. “Outdoor weddings are the hardest,” she says. “They usually extend into night, so you have to do double-duty on the bride’s face.”

Bell says that a good makeup artist should have five years’ experience, and that they should spend approximately an hour on the bride and 45 minutes on each bridesmaid. If it’s a large wedding party, she’ll bring along an assistant to keep the time to a minimum. You should start searching for your makeup artist about 6 weeks’ prior to your ceremony. When looking, ask friends and relatives, as well as other vendors. Ask for references, and contact the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

When you find a makeup artist that you love, expect to have a “dress rehearsal” to see how your makeup looks with your dress and hair. This is a common procedure—as well as a necessary one—and you should expect to be charged for the service. Makeup artist prices vary, depending on your needs, the size of your party, and the city where you live. Expect to pay anywhere from $200 (for you) to $2,000 (for all the women). Often, makeup artists and hairstylists work together, and you might save money hiring from the same company.

The most important thing to remember when getting your makeup done is that you want to look like yourself, but better.  Remember, he fell in love with the girl he sees every day, not the one who’s on the cover of this months’ “Vogue.”

-David Toussaint

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