Los Angeles Wedding Day Makeup Artists Guide, Los Angeles Wedding Guide Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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Los Angeles Wedding Makeup Artists

Look Your Best at Your L.A. Wedding

In L.A. even the “girl next door” knows all about that movie star look. It’s a town world-famous for its glamour, so Los Angeles brides-to-be have a great selection of local artists who can make the biggest day of their life that much more beautiful. But with all those choices, how do you find the right makeup artist?

Work the aisle like a red carpet.
Hiring the perfect makeup artist is an important part of your L.A. wedding planning. We spoke to local makeup artists for their advice on where to start and they provided some great dos and don’ts.

Don’t forget your locally married girlfriends! Ask them who they hired and if they were happy with the results. Then ask other wedding professionals, especially vendors that you’ve already booked – it’ll get you off to a good start. They’ve probably been to a lot more local weddings than you have, so they’ve had an opportunity to check out other local professionals’ work.

Of course, not all beauty experts are created equal: Department store makeup counter beauticians in L.A. are not necessarily experienced enough. (In the state of California hair and makeup professionals have to be licensed, but the counter staff of department stores do not. Often they are certified by a trade school and know a great deal about beauty, but they are likely not a fully licensed professional.)

Nothing compares to experiencing an artist’s work first-hand, and makeup trials are perfect for that – after you’ve narrowed your search to one or two artists. Don’t book trials with every artist you consider because that can get expensive. It is possible to find free makeup trials, but since they can use up a lot of time and expensive products, few artists offer them.

When you’re ready to search makeup artists, go to the OurWeddingDay.com Los Angeles Local Vendor section for a regularly updated, extensive list of top L.A. wedding makeup artists.

Ready for your close up.
On the day of your makeup trial bring along some inspiration: Magazines, photos and a trusted friend. Throughout the trial, check out their techniques and think about whether you like their personality. Try to remember that this is one of the last faces you will see before you walk down the aisle on your wedding day, so you’ll want them to be somebody you enjoy.

For the most part, though, try to relax and keep your expectations reasonable. The artist may create a slightly more casual look to compliment your more casual outfit that day. Never fear: On your big day, with your hair done and you dress on, you will look fabulous. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to discuss them with the artist right then. They should be explaining to you what they are doing and why, as well as taking notes and possibly photos so they know exactly what is needed for your wedding.

Don’t rush yourself unnecessarily, but try to decide on your artist as soon as possible, and sign a contract as soon as you do. Aim for 6 months before your ceremony, but remember that many L.A. wedding makeup artists are booked up to a year in advance. The contract should include how long they should be available to you, and what they need to bring. If they have another wedding booked on the same day as yours, make sure they allow for travel time, traffic and last minute touchups.

Have fun! Your makeup artist search is the “to do” item on your wedding checklist that requires you to enjoy little makeovers and finally receive the star treatment you deserve!

-David Toussaint