How to choose a make up artist for your wedding day!

A lot of people have never hired a make up artist for anything before! You might not even know where to start, but a great make up artist is crucial to your wedding look and wedding photography. There are so many talented make up artists out there these days but how do you choose the PERFECT one for you? Below you’ll learn how to choose the right make up artist for your wedding day with tips from one of the best make up artists in the industry!

I met the amazing Onorina Jomir (onorinajomirbeauty.com) at a wedding we did together in France. She stood out to me from other make up artists because she was beyond sweet, made everyone feel comfortable, worked well with us as a team, and of course made our entire wedding party look absolutely flawless. Her hard work, dedication, and professionalism was beyond what I could ask for for my amazing clients. I knew I just HAD to ask her to help out our brides with some make up advice! She is one of Paris’ top award winning make up artists and has been featured in publications such as Style Me Pretty, Wedding Sparrow, Magnolia Rouge and so many more!  She’s known all around the world for her impeccable and balanced approach to bridal make up. 

 

Here are some frequently asked questions and Onorina’s great tips for hiring a makeup artist for your wedding day!

 

How do I choose the right makeup artist for my event?

This is not an easy task with so many talented artists out there, but your wedding makeup artist should be so much more than talented. Look out for professionalism, responsiveness, reputation, and above all, personality when choosing your artist. You need to feel a connection with your artist because she/he will be in your close proximity for a large portion of your day and you wouldn’t want someone you don’t mesh with well to be getting you and your friends ready. Don’t settle for an artist that you don’t feel comfortable around, an artist who is not responsive, or someone you just have a bad feeling about. Follow your instincts and go with the person that will not only make you look amazing, but also feel calm, relaxed, and confident in your beauty.  

I’m thinking of doing my own makeup – is this a good idea?

Before you consider this as an option, think about why you prefer to go this route. If you are trying to cut back on costs, this is not the answer. You will end up spending hours trying to practice your look, and hundreds at the beauty counter. Makeup products and brushes add up quickly, and the investment and stress involved in the process won’t be worth it. Many brides have hired me after deciding they would do their own makeup because they realized it was no easy task. Save yourself the time, money, and stress and enjoy being pampered on your day!

Now, if you LOVE doing your own makeup because you find it relaxing, or just don’t want someone applying your makeup on your wedding day, you can invest in a one-on-one makeup lesson and personal shopping trip with a beauty professional in your area. Do this a few months in advance so you have time to get used to your products, and practice the look 2-3 times. This will not necessarily be more budget-friendly than hiring at artist for your day, but it will leave you knowing how to do your own makeup for other occasions, and you will have your go-to products as well. 

How do I choose the perfect makeup look for my wedding day?

Think about what is most important to you on your wedding day – is it looking glamorous in person, timeless in your photos, or both? Do you want to follow the current trends, or wear a classic look that will showcase your best features and look like the best version of you, even 20 years down the line?

Once you’ve decided on the above, start searching for photo inspirations – Pinterest is an amazing resource for this! If you already have an artist in mind, try to find some looks she/he has already created as inspiration. Choose looks that match your skin tone, hair color, and eye color to have a better vision of how it will all come together for you. Choose a few variations – more natural, a bit more glamorous, etc. and ask your artist to help you make the right choice based on the time of year you are getting married, your wedding venue (is it outdoors in broad sunlight, or indoors in a dim environment?), etc. 

Some things to avoid when finding your inspirations are – overly Facetuned/Photoshopped images and images photographed in very bright lighting, with heavy flash. Also, while trends are fun, consider that a heavier highlighter may look amazing in a close-up portrait, but will look like sweat or a beam of strong white light on your face in person and in your wedding photos. The same goes for very matte looks – matte lips are fun and the color options are endless, but a very matte lip can look dry and dull on a bride wearing all white. A bit of shine looks healthier and more refreshing – just look at some bridal portraits and you’ll notice they always have a bit of shine on their lips!

Is a makeup trial really worth the investment?

Absolutely – not only will you get to see how you will look on your wedding day and design the look with your artist, but you will get to meet your artist prior to the day. This is very important because an in-person meeting is always better for creating a connection with someone. Plus, it will help you iron out any red flags that you may not have caught in writing. The best part? You can use a trial session for your engagement photos, wedding portraits, or a fun night out!

How should I prepare for a makeup trial?

The best way to prepare is to do your research beforehand, and arrive with a selection of looks that you like. Make sure to choose looks that match your complexion, and have at least 3 images to show your artist. If you have three very different images, you need to explain to your artist why you like those three looks and make choices together to create YOUR look. Think about each part of your makeup – how do you like your foundation to look/feel, how much intensity do you want to wear on your eyes, what blush and lip  shade/s you are drawn to, how you like your brows, etc. Then make sure to communicate this clearly to your artist, and don’t be afraid to tell her/him if there is something you don’t like. Communication is key to make sure you get what you want from your trial, and have peace of mind that your artist is on the same page as you. If there is something you don’t love, speak up at the trial – sometimes it’s an easier fix than you think and it will save you a lot of headache for later. We are here to listen to you and want you to feel your best!

How much should I expect to invest on my beauty services for my day?

This completely depends on your area, the level of skill and reputation of your artist, your beauty needs for your day and the size of your party, etc. When you reach out to artists, be sure to contact several so you can get an idea of a price range for your day. Don’t be alarmed that wedding makeup services are at a higher price point than your typical beauty makeup – you are not just investing in your wedding makeup, but the artist’s commitment to your day, time spent doing administrative work, preparation to ensure your day goes smoothly, and above all, reputation. If you want to hire someone who has hundreds of amazing reviews, expect to pay more than an artist who is just starting out and may not have as much skill or experience in the wedding industry. 

How much time should I plan for makeup on my wedding day?

Bridal makeup typically takes about one hour, but some artists do it in less or more time. Guests are typically a bit shorter – about 45 minutes, though this can vary from artist to artist. Be sure to ask your artist this question, so you can plan out enough time for everyone. If you have two artists (makeup and hair styling) working on everyone, make sure their two beauty schedules work well together and no one is accidentally scheduled to work with both of them at the same time. Always schedule your makeup and hair a bit earlier than you need to be ready. It is a good rule of thumb to be ready 1 service before your ready-by time, so have 1-2 bridesmaids or family members get ready right after you. Make sure this is not the person who will help you get into your dress, because you’ll want her by your side. Finally, remember your artist needs the amount of time she/he says, and make sure everyone is on time for their scheduled appointment. Be sure to have breaks scheduled for eating so no one is eating while having makeup done, and politely ask everyone to not use their cell phones during services – all of this can cause delays. Every minute counts and time flies on your wedding day, and the stress of not being ready on time can easily turn into anxiety or a breakdown, so allow yourself and everyone ample time to get ready. 

Wedding make up photo advice from Kate Andrews

I always tell my clients the key to starting off a great and relaxing wedding day is to find a make up artist you love. They will be spending the first moments of your wedding day with you. It’s crucial you get along with them and they bring positivity to your day! If you’re anything like me, I’m grumpy in the mornings because I’m tired so it was important to me that I spent the morning with someone I loved! Here are some photo tips for wedding day make up!

Where is this best place to have my hair and make done? 

If you’re having your getting ready photographed, I highly recommend getting a naturally lit, neutral colored space that has enough room to hold your wedding party and family along with your beauty team, photographer, and videographer. This makes for beautiful photos and great lighting for your artist to match what your face will look like outside! We also want to give each other enough room to work with each other and give you enough space to breathe and relax too! 

When should I be ready for photos? 

We usually arrive just before the bride’s finishing touches. Think lashes on and lips being touched up! Please let your bridesmaids and make up artist know how important it is to stay on time. We will provide a timeline for you so you know when photos have to start! 

Touch ups for photos! 

Asking your make up artist for a small portion of the lipstick/gloss they applied for you to do touch ups later if they aren’t staying throughout the day is always a great idea! You never know when you might smudge your lips a little bit and we need to touch you up before walking down the aisle and throughout the night.

After your trial, take photos in multiple sources of lighting!

You will be in different types of lighting all day, make sure you love your make up in all kinds of light so if you’d like to change something you can talk to your artist about it before your wedding day. 

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I hope this helps you choose the perfect make up artist for your wedding! Of course, if you need any other wedding day make up tips please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! You can find us on instagram or our websites by clicking these links:

Onorina’s instagram: instagram.com/onorinajomirbeauty 

Onorina’s website: onorinajomirbeauty.com

Kate’s Instagram: instagram.com/kateandrewsphotography

Kate’s home page: kateandrewsphotography.com

A huge thank you to Onorina Jomir Beauty for her advice!

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Venue: Castle Courtomer

Hair and make up artist: Onorina Jomir Beauty

Wedding planner: Les Bulles de Bonheur

Videographer: Matthias Guerin Wedding Videography

Cake: Erisay Catering

Catering: Erisay Catering