Find Yourself a Makeup Artist for Your Wedding Day

Preparing Your Wedding Day Makeup

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life. All eyes will be on you all day long, you need to be the beautiful bride, you will be meeting people close up and you want your wedding pictures to look great for generations to come. You need to be sure you get a fabulous makeup job. You will be the center of attention as all eyes are focused on you, starting as you walk down the aisle, stating your wedding vows, getting photographs and videos taken, greeting all guests in the receiving line, having guests walk up to congratulate you, then many seats are focused on you, then cutting of the cake, first dance, and father bride dance. your makeup job needs to look great and last the whole day through.

When it comes to makeup for your wedding day, you basically have three options, do you hire a professional wedding day makeup artist, apply wedding day makeup yourself, or find a relative or friend to prepare your wedding day makeup.

There are a lot of steps involved in applying wedding day makeup. First you have to remove previous makeup, cleanse the skin, apply concealer then foundation, do some contouring and shading, apply cheek color or blush, apply powder and highlighter, work the eyebrows, add eye color and eye shadow, apply eyeliner then mascara, add some lip color and add some protective barrier spray and lip sealer.

If you can afford it, your best decision is to hire a professional makeup artist. A professional makeup artist has had plenty of training, can give you advise on what makeup jobs would look best on your person considering facial features, skin tone, eye color, hair color, and the style of dress you are wearing. A professional makeup artist knows what cosmetics work best to bring about one's inner beauty. A professional artist factors in what cosmetics to use for things such as sun light, natural light, night light, weather conditions, and how a photography camera and video camera captures your look.

Quite often a great makeup artist is very difficult to find. Many makeup artists work the makeup profession part time. Many makeup artists know the basics, but do not have enough knowledge and training to perform the perfect makeup job to create the beautiful bride. A professional makeup artist knows what makeup goes best with specific facial features, they know how to neutralize any skin blemishes, and how to make the face, eyes, lips, and skin tone look all natural, and what makeup to use for protection against lighting conditions and weather. The great wedding makeup artist tends to have outstanding communication skills to both educate the bride in the world of makeup and get feedback from the bride on the loop the bride really wants.

Many makeup artist work double duty jobs. They might work as a hairstylist, work in a salon or spa, work for a newspaper or magazine company, work as accountants, as a school bus driver, in a day care center, and many other professions and work as a makeup artist on the side. Many of there makeup artists work hard and are admired for their work ethic, but just don't have enough education and training to do bridal makeup jobs. Many of these makeup artists have developed their own wedding makeup application process and will apply makeup in practically in the same fashion on practically every bride that they apply makeup to. They have not learned the art of bringing out the bride's best features and blending makeup to match to a bride's skin tone and to make it look naturally.

Before you start your interview appointments with makeup artists, you should look through magazines and websites, finding models that have your similar appearance, your skin tone, complexion, hairstyle, eye color, types of dress, and same facial features as yourself. See if you can find any models that has captured your attention with a makeup job that you like. Cut out, print out or note the location of the makeup job that has captured your attention and put the picture into a baggy and staple the baggy to your wedding planner, or to a notepad. or keep the pictures in a pocket tab. Whenever you have an appointment with a makeup artist, bring the makeup pictures along to share.

You can find wedding makeup artists in wedding planners apps that you can download from the Apple or iTune store, and download the app onto an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone. You can also find good makeup artists in online wedding directories, some of the reputable wedding directories include www.weddingwire.com , www.theweddingdirectory.us , www.mywedding.com , www.gatheringguide.com , and www.theknot.com . Dedicated wedding directories to wedding makeup artists includes www.weddingmakeup.com and www.bridalmakeupartists.com . Bride and Glamour magazines also advertise good makeup artists in them. You can also ask around your area for wedding makeup artists at hair salons, spas, cosmetic businesses and schools and at the cosmetic departments of major department stores and by asking family members, friends, and other wedding vendors. You can search for wedding artists using a search engine, inputting your town or city followed by "wedding makeup artists", some bridal salons know of some great makeup artists and you can also check the Yellowpages.

You should build a list of makeup artists and create a priority list, check if the artist has their own website and see if they create makeup styles you like. Make preliminary phone calls, see how far away they are, are they available the date of your wedding, ask how they operate, see if they have a comfortable demeanor on the phone and ask about their pricing. Build a priority list and make appointments.

Once you meet with a makeup artist in person, share the pictures of makeup jobs on models that you like. Most good wedding makeup artists will have a portfolio of makeup jobs of brides that have done in the past. Make sure you see makeup jobs the makeup artist has done themselves and you aren't just looking at makeup jobs of others. When looking at their portfolio, ask yourself things such as skin tone matching, attention to detail, are they an effective communicator, and one who demonstrates an open and friendly mannerism, and one possessing a calm and natural demeanor.

In your meeting with the makeup artist, be specific on how you would like to look. In your initial session, your appointment should be of education and trial & error. For each session, take a look in the mirror of the results, are you happy with the results, if not ask for a redo. If the session results in a look you love, great, if the session doesn't create a look that you love, try again and if you aren't happy with the results after a number of tries, revert back to your contact list and redo the process over with a different makeup artist.

Once you have found a makeup artist, ask yourself, is the makeup artist going to do your wedding day makeup, or are you going to have the artist teach you how to do your wedding day makeup, or are you going to have a relative or friend put on your face, your wedding day makeup. If you have found a good makeup artist, book them, great makeup artists are hard to find and tend to get booked far in advance. Also, if the makeup artist does your wedding day makeup, are they willing to do the makeup at your home, their studio, or can they will at your wedding hairdresser's salon. Great makeup artist's tend to be accommodating. Should you become friends, you might ask them to come along, and then you can have them for touch ups especially for photo shoots.

Once you have come up with your wedding day look, you need to replicate the process. You should repeat the process, what product brands are needed, what tools are needed and what techniques and strokes are used to apply the makeup. Your first appointment with your wedding makeup artist is to find your wedding day makeup and learn about makeup, the appointment is trial and error until you find the look.

The next appointment, you want to replicate the wedding makeup process. Ideally you want the makeup artist to provide a written record of the steps that need be taken. The written record should include the order of the makeup steps, what brand products should be used, and how to apply or stroke the makeup product. If it's possible, also take a photo and/or video of each of the steps. If a relative or friend is going to do the makeup on your wedding day, invite them to the session too. Whomever is going to apply your wedding day makeup, you should have a number of practice sessions, and note the amount of time it takes to do your wedding makeup session. You want your makeup session to end about two hours before the wedding ceremony or photo shoot if it's before the wedding, so the makeup will look fresh.

If you or a relative friend is going to apply your wedding makeup, purchase all your makeup supplies at least two weeks before you wedding day, your wedding week is just too busy to have time to pick up or order products. You should spend a little time to perform a research study to determine where you can order makeup products at the best price. Some products you can purchase the makeup products from the makeup artists. Some products you can buy at beauty supply stores, department stores, pharmacies, drug stores, bath & body and sometimes at beauty spas. Often the best deals on makeup are from online makeup websites. Some makeup artists can get you a good deal on a product and sometimes you are better looking elsewhere.

When it comes to wedding makeup, you would be smart to create your own black book of wedding day makeup. Keep your checklist of makeup steps in it as well as the keeping track of what brand is best and where you can find the cosmetic item at the best price. There is a good website called www.totalbeauty.com that often reviews the best makeup products.

If you do find a great wedding makeup artist, it is a good idea to learn from her/him also how to do every day makeup and how to apply makeup for special occasions such as other weddings, events, dinner dates, and date nights such as dancing. You should also purchase a makeup bag to keep all your makeup products together and also include a makeup mirror and your makeup black book.

After you find and meet up with your wedding makeup artist and come up with your wedding day makeup routine, he/she should create a written checklist of steps you should take. Below are some steps a makeup artist might recommend!

Remover Previous Makeup

1. Remove Previous Makeup

You should use a gentle makeup remover for eye makeup. Many makeup removers can be irritating to the eyes. Remove eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara. Next draw a hot towel over your head to open pores which will help dislodge makeup for an easier cleaning. Apply cold cream to your cheeks lightly stroking upwards with a clean cotton ball. Next apply a small dab of petroleum jelly to your lips. Fold a tissue and blot the lips, next wash the face gently, remove any remaining eye makeup with a dampened cotton swab, then close your eyes as you splash your face with cool water, pat your face with a dry towel and rub in a bit of moisture. When choosing makeup remover, choose one that doesn't clog your pores and that does not leave any residue on your pillowcase.

2. Cleanse the Skin

You should start with a clean face. If you have oily skin, apply a mattifier or an oil control lotion as a base. Dab a pea-sized amount of gel using your fingertips to block the pours and control excess shine. You can use a clear antiperspirant to remove traces of makeup, dirt, and any excess oil.

3. Concealers

Concealers is a special cosmetic face makeup that is used to hide bags, blemishes, under-eye circles, sun spots, age spots, and redness. Apply concealer using a brush and dab using an index finger. Green neutralizes redness (rosacer, pimples, etc), yellow neutralizes blue (dark circles, vein lines), and lavender neutralizes yellowness. The best concealer to choose often depends on which blemishes needs to be attacked.

4. Foundation

Foundation is a skin coloured cosmetic used to even out skin tone and clour blemishes. Apply with a sponge or foundation brush. Start applying foundation beginning at the center of your face and work your way out. You want to use blending foundation cosmetic that matches to your skin tone.

5. Contouring or Shading

Contouring or shading is used to minimize excess features on your face. First mark the areas you want to contour. Start with the hollows under your cheekbone, also along your hairline, your jawline, your temples, the tips of your nose, the sides of your nose, the point of your chin and the crease of your eyes using a deeply colored brow gel pencil. Use a fan brush or foundation brush to apply the contouring or shadow cosmetic, use a solution that is one shade lighter in the center of the area you are contouring and use one shade darker than your complexion around the perimeter of the area you are contouring. Blending the two shade colors creates an illusion of depth and dimension.

When applying makeup, there are many makeup brushes one can use, with 8 makeup brushes the most recommended to have. The eight brushes you should carry in your cosmetic bag include 1. Foundation Brush, 2. Concealer Brush, 3. Fluffy Powder Brush, 4. Blush Brush, 5. Small Blending Brush, 6. Flat Eye Shadow Brush, 7. Precision Angle Brush, and 8. Lip Brush.

6. Cheek Color or Blush

Cheek color or blush should be be used to define your cheekbone. The cheekbone is often referred to as the Apple of you Cheeks. Use a cheek or lip stain for dry skin use a cream or pot blush, for oily skin use a powder. First dab solution on sparingly using your fingertips, apply using a dome blush brush.

7. Powder

Powder is used to blend makeup, add covering, and reduce shine. Apply powder using a dome powder brush. For heavier covering, press or pat the powdered area using puffs.

8. Highlighter

A highlighter peaks your complexion, accentuating features on your face and camouflages aging skin. Gravity affects our complexion, cheekbones get sunken, under-eye bags get darker and lower and skin turns sallow. Draw sketchy lines using a highlighter pencil then apply neutral power to give the face a-glow.

9. Eyebrows

First tweeze any brow hairs that are out of place, pulling hairs one at a time. Your eyebrows are picture frames for your eyes. Define your brows using an eyebrow pencil or you can use a powder brow shadow. Apply it using a brow brush or spoolie brush using short sweeping strokes. Use a brow shadow slightly lighter than your natural hair. If the color is too dark, your look may end up making you look cool and harsh. You could run a toothbrush over your brows to make sure the color is fully blended. Use lip gloss over the brow to blend the color giving you a glowing look.

10. Eye Color or Eye Shadow

Use Eye Color or Eye Shadow to frame or accent your eye socket. There are a few eye color routes you can go. You can go with eye shadow that compliments with the color of your eyes or go with eye shadow that goes with your wedding's color scheme or goes with the color dress or trims you are wearing. For blue eyes lean to an opposite colors to make the eyes pop which is the color orange. Other colors for blue eyes include a rich brown, golds, and light pink, avoid a blue shadow with blue eyes. Brown eyes which is a mix of all primary colors, purple or lavender shade seems to be best. Other eye shadows that go well with brown include green, bone white, taupe, or a deep blue with a gold undertone. For green eyes, the complementary color is a red shadow, also good looking on green eyes are silver, taupe, violet with ashy undertones. For hazel eyes, gold eye color or eye shadow matches well. Other colors that go with hazel include brown, gold, green, or purple. When applying eye shadow to your eye sockets, used a dome creased brush when applying the eye shadow.

11. Eyeliner

It is recommended using a pencil or angled brush using an eye shadow along the lash line. Use a damp angled brush with eye shadow that allows you to blend and create any color you want. With eyeliner you define the shape and size the the eye. The eye shadow helps to prevent running or smudging. Go with a shade lighter than the natural eyebrow color. Use a darker eye shadow on the outside of the eye and use a lighter color as you work your way in on the eyelid. Use a cake liner which performs better on your wedding day because it lasts longer. Use a little makeup remover or eye cream if you apply too much eye shadow or eyeliner product. Be careful not to remove foundation and concealer.

12. Mascara

Mascara adds color and length and puts emphasis on the eyelashes. Curl with an eyelash curler. Remember to pull the wand up and through the lashes and wiggle as you go. For maximum curl, warm the lash curler with a blow dryer, be careful though, if you get the temperature too hot you can burn your eyebrows or eye lashes.

13. Lip Color

Use lip cover to redefine the shape of your lips. Apply lip powder or lip balm first. Next outline your lips with a lip pencil that shade your lips with the lip pencil, make sure you color the entire lip. Next redo the lips using lip liner or lipstick. The colors for the lip pencil and lipstick should be close in color. Again accentuate the shape of your lips with the lip liner or lipstick. If you have whiter teeth use a bright red or reddish blue color lipstick. If you have narrow lips or not as white teeth go with a reddish orange lip color. If your strongest features are your eyes, go with a lipstick shade that is a light or pale shade color. If you have smaller lips accentuate the look of your eyes.

14. Barrier Spray and Lip Sealer

Preserve your makeup applications using barrier spray and lip sealer. Lipstick should look freshly applied up to 8 hours. It protects and seals makeup including creams, powders, and liquids and protects the bride from environmental factors such as wind, heat, and rain, enhancing and sealing the look of the beautiful bride.

There are many places you can buy makeup cosmetics, it's best to find one product in each makeup category, find a place to buy the product at a good price, do a little research to find where best to purchase the product. Makeup cosmetics can be found at department stores, beauty supply stores, from makeup artists themselves, pharmacies, drug stores, bath & beauty shops and from many online cosmetic shops.

A few things to note if you are looking for makeup at department stores. Makeup counter artists often are more sale people than makeup artists. Often makeup counter sales people will wear a lab coat and utilize makeup charts as a marketing tool, often they give you an illusion that they are esthetic and research scientists and also leave an impression their work area is clean.

They are taught to compliment everyone that comes to their cosmetic counter in the hopes of talking about skin, makeup concerns, and recommending a makeup product. Often they will convince you to get a free makeover, in reality they make you feel guilty if you don't buy a makeup product after the free makeover. Avoid using makeup brushes, lipstick, and makeup products that are tested on other customers. Makeup counter products are often a common breeding ground for bacteria.

If you compare cosmetic products sold in department stores versus drugstores, often products look practically the same but you find a big difference in price. For example, a lipstick product might sell for $32 at a department store and $5 at a drug store. There is a often a difference though, the department store lipstick has fragrances, emollients, minerals, preservatives, moisturizers, sunscreen, and use stronger pigment. The department store product tends to go on your lips much smoother, lasts longer, doesn't crack, and is gentler on the skin.

Major national department stores that sell makeup products include Macys, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Dilliards, Belk, Kohls, and Target. Reputable online websites in which you can buy great makeup products include www.clinique.com , www.sephora.com , www.smashbox.com , www.strawberrynet.com , www.ulta.com , www.beautybay.com , www.feelunique.com , www.maybelline.com , www.maccosmetics.com , www.covergirl.com , www.eyeslipsface.com, and www.overstock.com