The day of your special event has arrived and you have booked a session with a professional makeup artist. All you need is a bit of preparation and these tips to get the best outcome.
The most important piece of advice that I can share, is to have an open conversation with the makeup artist before booking the appointment. A professional artist should be listening to your concerns, and taking notes during your initial consultation. Here are some suggestions for the type of concerns that you might want to address.
Are there any products that you are allergic or sensitive to?
What do you have in mind for your makeup? Is there a particular look you are going for? If you aren’t sure about what you want, you can show the artist some images. Also, let the artist know if there is something you definitely don’t want for example; heavy coverage, smokey eyes, or dark lipstick.
When you get a quote for the rate, make sure you understand what that rate includes. Will the artist be traveling to you? Will you be covering their transportation? Will they be staying with you to touch you up throughout the event?
Here is the best way to prepare for the day of your event: Arrive on time with a clean, makeup-free face. Any treatments such as waxing, lasers, or facials should be done at least 3 days in advance. This recommendation is important because you don’t want to have any skin irritation or redness, which could require a heavier makeup application.
Feel free to bring photos of looks that inspire you. Photos of celebrities or models are helpful to show the artist what you are drawn to, but the makeup won’t necessarily look the same on you. When my clients show me images, I ask them to pinpoint what they love about the look. For example is it the dark eyeliner, the glowing skin, the placement of the shadow? This information helps me create something that my client will be happy with.
Here are other things to consider: What are your expectations? If you are hoping to look like some of the influencers on YouTube, you may be disappointed. These artists often use heavy contouring and highlighting techniques as well as specific lighting and filters to make the results appear flawless. This type of makeup does not look as good in person. But as I mentioned earlier, you can definitely use these ideas for inspiration.
A professional artist knows how to translate your vision into something that makes you look like the absolute best version of yourself. Let the artist work with your skin and facial features. There may be things that you love in photos, such as dewy shimmering skin, but if you have oily skin, or skin with wrinkles, scars, or acne, this look may not be the best choice. However, the artist can incorporate elements of what you love and change the placement—for example they may use shimmer or gloss on the eyelids, or create a glittering lip.
Know when to speak up. Tell your artist if you feel uncomfortable for any reason. For example, say something if their tools don’t appear clean, or if something burns, irritates or itches. It is ok to voice preferences (such as not wanting false eyelashes or eyeliner in your waterline). You can also let the artist know that you prefer not to be chatty, and just want to enjoy the experience.
If you have in-depth questions about the artists’ technique, or product recommendations, be mindful of the time constraints. Ask to book a separate makeup lesson with them to get your personalized tips, tricks, and product recommendations.
What NOT to do while having your makeup done: Do not whip out a mirror and start directing the artist about what to do step-by-step. I can guarantee that you will not be happy with your makeup. You initially chose this artist because of their skill and creativity. If you micro-manage them, they will not be able to create a look that is unique and flattering. You need to trust the process. Sometimes things that look a bit weird during the process, will look great once the makeup is completed. On the other hand, if the makeup begins to completely deviate from the look that you had decided upon, it is ok to say something.
You probably will not get the best makeup results if you are constantly on your phone or laptop during the application. If you must take a call, let the artist know so you can have a few minutes to answer. I realize that people like to multi-task, but talking, texting, and browsing social media make it difficult for us to do our best job. We need to be able to direct your face and eyes in certain angles to make sure that things are balanced, blended and harmonious.
We as makeup artists always want you to feel beautiful and enjoy the experience. We chose this career because we love bringing out your best self, and helping you to realize how beautiful you are. Let us know what kind of experiences you have had with other makeup artists. What can we do to match or improve them? I look forward to hearing all of your comments and questions. As always, thanks for reading!
xx, Susan