Insider Series - Episode #2 - Hair and Makeup Artists!
Can I let you in on a little secret? I don’t know a whole lot about bridal hair and makeup. Now, I know, I know, that might surprise you. How can a 30-something bald man not be a hair and makeup pro?! It may actually be one of the great tragedies of our generation. Move over bushfires, move over COVID-19.. that dude doesn’t know his way around a bobby pin! 🤣
That’s why it’s great to have so many talented friends in the industry. They make up (pun intended) for my many, many shortcomings. I had a chat recently with three of my favourite hair and makeup artists; Amy from Amy Chan Hair and Makeup Artistry, Ellie from Captivate by Ellie, and Julie from Miss Julie Makeup. They gave me a wonderful insight into the world of HMU artists!
Russ - What is your favourite thing about being a makeup artist?
Amy - Being able to make a difference in a person’s confidence, and change the way they see themselves.
Ellie - Yup. Giving people the confidence to look and feel their best.
Russ - What is something a professional makeup artist does that couples are always surprised to learn?
Julie - How long it takes for professional makeup and hair to look amazing on camera AND last the whole day!
Amy - Most couples, especially men, think natural looking makeup will take only 10 minutes.
Russ - What is your best advice for a bride before her wedding day?
Ellie - Drink plenty of water and get adequate sleep. It will make a world of difference! Also exfoliate skin and use hydrating face masks!
Amy - Try and treat yourself to a massage or do something that relaxes a few days before the wedding. Your mind and body have gone through so much with you planning the wedding. It deserves a treat, and so do you! Studies have shown a direct link between stress and breakouts/rashes on the skin. It increases your inflammatory hormone levels, causing everything to flare up easier than normal.
Russ - What do you think makes a great makeup artist?
Amy - Besides using professional brands of makeup, it's important to have a professional level of knowledge of the skin, hair, and how the body works. Being a makeup artist is not just 'apply makeup', they also need to understand why things appear the way they do and educate their clients on the areas they want improvements on. They should be able to help the client address concerns rather than slap on some foundation and hope it'll go away. Understanding colours and having an eye for what suits the client is also important. Being about to understand their personality, and what matters to them will help with the creation of the whole hair and makeup look.
Ellie - Top tier artists always invest in themselves to up-skill and also in their kit. Their experience makes the client’s one a whole lot more enjoyable.
Julie - A professional artist will always invest in her education and make sure everything is hygienic. Not everything is about dollars or time, either, so a great makeup artist will make you feel comfortable. The trial is a fantastic experience where you walk out smiling!
Russ - How much should a couple budget for when hiring a professional makeup artist?
Ellie - Budgets depend on the number of people you want to service. For example, makeup and hair for a bride and 2 bridesmaids can start at $1k for a sought after artist. Booking an artist who can do both makeup and hair may help reduce costs.
Amy - Depending on how big the bridal party is, but generally speaking most weddings will require hair and makeup for 4 guests including the bride, bridesmaids and mother of the bride, and the bride will also want a trial run before the big day. So anything from $1800 and up would be a good starting point.
Russ - Is there anything else you'd like to let couples know about what you do that we haven't covered?
Ellie - I highly recommend having a trial with your artist before your wedding. This would be the best opportunity to test out looks you have in mind. You wouldn’t buy a wedding dress and not try it on until the wedding day, so don’t do it for makeup and hair.
Amy - Try to stay away from fashion trends. It might be a good idea now, but in 3-5 years time when it's not so fashionable, you'll regret it. The last thing you want is to explain to everyone who sees your wedding photos why you chose that style of hair and makeup at the time, or having your dad walk straight past you not knowing it’s you! The right makeup artist should be able to enhance what you already have and create a look that compliments your personality as well as the whole theme of your wedding. Fashion trends come and go, so choose a timeless, classic style. You're the most beautiful when you are yourself.
Julie - Choose someone who make you look and feel great! After all, they'll be the first professional you meet on the day and you want to start off the day feeling amazing.
A massive thank you to these incredibly talented, incredibly busy women for taking the time out of their busy schedules to chat with me about what they do. All of these artists are part of my very short preferred vendor list, and I honestly can’t recommend them enough. They are the absolute best at what they do, so please do stop by and check out their stunning work!