New York Wedding Day Makeup Artists Guide, New York Wedding Guide Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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New York Makeup Artists Guide

Look Your Best on Your Wedding Day in New York

Being one of the top fashion capitols in the world, it’s no surprise that New York City takes beauty seriously. And being one of the most well-traveled cities in America, ideas, techniques and secrets from around the globe hit the shores of Manhattan every day. This is all very good news for New York brides who want to look their very best on their wedding day.

Gotham glam.

So how do you find the New York makeup artist who can bring out the best you for your wedding day? Outside of the Metropolitan area and even within New York City many brides don’t know where to begin, so we asked local wedding artists like Laura Nadeau and Amanda Shackleton for some tips. They recommend you start by asking some of the other vendors you’ve hired or spoken to. Wedding professionals in New York often work together, so good photographers tend to know good makeup artists, ect. Then visit the makeup counter of a department store or cosmetics retailer that you like, and ask them about their rates, techniques and past weddings they’ve worked. (Beware the amateur faking experience: If the counter person doesn’t know their rate, they’re bluffing and don’t usually do weddings.) Lastly, contact salons and ask for referrals. Especially in New York, salons live and die by their reputations, which are based on the artists who work with them, so it’s in their best interest to recommend someone they think highly of.

Eye to eye.
While it’s a great idea to schedule makeup trials, it’s easy to go overboard with all the options in New York! Research various recommended artists online and read past customers’ reviews. That will start you out on the right foot. When you’re ready to find and select one, go to the OurWeddingDay.com New York Local Vendor section for a regularly updated, extensive list of top New York wedding makeup artists.

On the day of your trial, bring some photos which inspire you or give an idea of what you’re going for. They don’t have to represent exactly what you want; just a general idea will help. Also, bring a friend whose opinion you trust.

Throughout the trial, aside from checking out the artist’s work, see if you enjoy their company. Think about it this way: This is the person who you will be looking at until it’s time to put on your wedding dress. They should be someone fun to talk to! And they should be able to communicate with you their techniques. If you like something that they're doing, say so, and be as specific as possible. It will help them get a clearer picture of the look you want.

As you interact with them, think about what they are saying and doing: Are they trying to make you look your best or are they trying to make you look like someone else? Is their makeup clean and organized? Are they taking notes on what they’re using on you? Do they have a camera for before-and-after pictures? Were they punctual?

Girl talk.

Mostly, though, you should try to relax, have fun, and keep your expectations reasonable: You’re not going to look the way you will on your wedding day at the end of your trial. The trial is just to give you an idea of what the artist can do. On your wedding day, with your hair done and your dress on, you’ll look just as you should. But for your trial, your artist will likely amend their technique so that the end result will look great with the casual outfit that you’re wearing. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for your artist; they’re practicing their techniques on your face, so that they will be better prepared for your wedding day.

Once you decide on an artist, sign a contract. It should include everything from what makeup is needed to when and how long they should be available to you. (Be careful if the artist has another job booked on the same day as your wedding – ample time must be left for travel, traffic, last minute snafus, ect.)

Don’t rush the process, but the earlier you make your decision the better, especially if your wedding is on the weekend. 3-9 months before your wedding is a good window to aim for, but this being New York, many brides try to have their makeup artist booked 1 year in advance! When you’re ready to find and select one, go to the OurWeddingDay.com New York Local Vendor section for a regularly updated, extensive list of top New York Wedding Makeup Artists.

That’s New York for you: Serious about beauty and ideal for brides who have to look their best on their big day!

-David Toussaint