Everything you’ve ever wondered about Wedding Hair & Makeup
Co-written by CK & Co. Events, Jacqueline Phoenix Hair and Ashley Geddes Makeup Artistry
Today we’re bringing you tips, tricks and expert advice for every question you may have been wondering about when it comes to hair and makeup for your wedding!
Here are our list of things to keep in mind when deciding on your hair & makeup team:
In Studio/Salon VS Mobile - this is something that will impact your wedding schedule as it will determine if you need to account for travelling time or not.
Trials - Trials are very important as it is a way to become acquainted with your potential vendors and find out what your desired look for your big day will be. It is a great time to play with colours and levels of depth to find out what you're most comfortable with. (Pro tip - schedule your trial on the same day as your engagement photos!)
Day of Timeline - Knowing how long hair & makeup services will take is important as this is typically the first task on the day of your wedding and will affect the rest of the day. Factors that will affect timing will include the amount of people who require services, what service is being performed (natural vs full glam, extensions, lashes, etc.) and how much time you have to perform these services.
Makeup and hair services can take between 30-45 minutes per person, depending on the complexity of the look. Typically, to be safe and ensure we aren't rushing, we recommend accounting 45 minutes per person. With weddings that have a tight timeline, a second artist can be added to reduce timing.
Wedding Day Prep - Dry skin is a common concern for most clients, by using a light exfoliant followed by a moisturizer the day before your wedding, this will prevent it on your big day.
We do not recommend chemical peels close to your wedding day as your skin can react negatively through redness and uneven texture. Best to stay away from anything that is not a regular procedure in your routine!
Breakouts are common when stress levels are high so make sure you're drinking lots of water and following your skin routine. Salicylic acid can be used to treat breakouts.
Make sure to NOT wash your hair on the day of your wedding as it will be much easier to style.
Below are trends that we have been seeing for 2021:
Hair Accessories - pearls, floral combs, headbands, anything other than the traditional accessories we’ve seen before.
A Focus on Skincare - people are investing more into their skincare products to achieve a dewy, natural glow. With this, we are seeing more natural makeup looks.
Sleek Hairstyles - shiny hair without a single piece out of place either tied into a modern ponytail or swept back from the face.
Last, but not least, we have FAQ!
What to ask your hair & makeup vendors in regards to COVID
Postponement/Cancellation policies
What colour code the region of your venue needs to be in for them to be able to work
What safety precautions they are taking/will take on the day of
Be sure they will be providing a contact tracing list that includes names and phone numbers
If you do decide to cancel or reschedule, it's important to contact all of your vendors to notify them.
When to book your vendors
If you have a vendor that you love and want to work with, book with them right away. 2021 includes all of the clients that are rescheduled from 2020, so dates are limited. 2022 is already starting to book up as well! Be sure to secure your date as soon as you can.
How to decide on vendors when COVID doesn’t allow trials
Have your details figured out (budget, timeline, date & venue) and an idea of what hairstyle and makeup you want. It also helps to have your wedding dress bought and accessories decided on.
Check the vendor’s portfolio. Do they feature looks similar to the look that you are going for?
Read past reviews from former clients.
Chat over the phone/Zoom. It’s a lot easier to get a feel for someone once you’ve chatted. Trust your gut!
Ask your wedding planner. We have worked with countless vendors and only recommend our favourites who we know have good work ethics and produce amazing results.
In certain colour zones, hair trials are allowed as long as the vendor is wearing PPE and makeup trials are allowed above masks. Majority of makeup is focused on the upper half of your face, therefore, we recommend testing a half trial out!