Ultimate Wedding Makeup and Hair Prep Guide
Wedding preparation guide every bride needs to read to have a seamless makeup and hair session!
Before Trial Session
Your trial session is a sneak peek of your wedding look and an opportunity to experiment, refine, and perfect every detail till it feels just right!
To make the most of your trial, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Lash Extensions
If you currently have lash extensions, I recommend removing them before your trial session, especially if you don’t plan to wear extensions on your wedding day. This allows you to try on the faux lashes you’ll be wearing on your big day, and your makeup artist can then make any necessary adjustments to your eyelids.
Fringe
Layering and trimming your fringe will help frame your face beautifully when styled. If you prefer a clean, hair pulled to the back look, you may skip this!
Ask for wispy side fringe or Korean curtain bangs at your salon. If you’re not used to having short fringe, avoid cutting too much as it may become too heavy.
Wardrobe
Wear a white, thin-strapped, off-shoulder, or tube top. Avoid colored tops, T-shirts, or long sleeves, as these can interfere with how we assess your overall look.
Hair Washing
Wash your hair the day before or the day of your session, and make sure it’s fully dry. Oily or damp hair can make it tricky to style as your hair gets weighed down. If your scalp tends to get oily easily, use a clarifying shampoo to deep cleanse your scalp.
Root Touch-Up
If there’s a noticeable difference between your roots and the rest of your hair, a quick touch-up will enhance the final look, especially for medium to light brown shades.
Contact Lenses
I recommend wearing colored contact lenses as it enhances most makeup styles, especially bridal looks. This is highly recommended if your iris looks proportionally small.
Brown lenses are ideal for Asian makeup styles, while gray works beautifully for Western looks.
Sensitive Skin
If your skin is very sensitive or allergic to certain ingredients, consider bringing along your own skincare products.
Hair Preparation
Ideal Length and Cut
For most hairstyles, the ideal length is armpit to mid-back length with a layered cut. If you prefer clean hairstyles, layering is not necessary.
Remember to have your fringe layered and trimmed to chin length to frame your face when styled.
While it might be tempting to grow your hair extra long, it can tangle easily and make styling more challenging.
Layering for Volume
Ask your hairstylist to add layers for a more airy and bouncy look. Avoid over-layering as it can make your hair look sparse and make it hard for styling.
If you prefer clean hairstyles, a straight cut without layering is recommended instead!
Highlights
Highlights create visual clutter, making it harder to achieve that polished, clean look. A solid color gives your makeup artist a clean canvas to work with, allowing them to sculpt hairstyles that are beautiful and timeless.
If you still prefer to highlight, opt for subtle tones rather than high-contrast colors.
Hair Color
A solid brown tone creates an even, clean base that works beautifully for both intricate and sleek hairstyles.
If you prefer braided and airy hairstyles, I recommend a medium to light shade. If you prefer classy and elegant hairstyles, I recommend going for darker shades.
Conditioner Use
If your hair is dry or damaged, focus conditioner on the ends to keep them hydrated without weighing down your roots. If your hair is fine or soft, skip the conditioner for a few days before your wedding. This will help add a bit of texture and grip, making it easier to style.
Oily Scalp Care
If you have oily scalp, consider using clarifying shampoo 2-3 times a week before your session. It helps reduce excess oil and gives your hair that fresh, clean feel which is perfect for holding any style.
Skin Preparation
Exfoliation
Gently exfoliate your skin and lips to remove any dead skin cells once or twice a week. Makeup applied over layers of dead skin will become flaky and uneven. Avoid harsh chemical exfoliators, as they can dry out or irritate your skin. Instead, opt for something gentle. I recommend using Eqqualberry Swimming Pool Toner twice daily as it can gently exfoliate your skin while being sensitive skin friendly.
Hydration
For at least a week before your session, treat your skin to a moisturizing face mask and an eye mask every night. Well-hydrated skin helps your makeup glide on smoothly and last longer.
Acne Care
If you have breakouts before the big day, avoid acne treatment creams that contain high concentration of benzoyl peroxide and sulfur, as they can dehydrate your skin and cause the surrounding skin to flake.
Instead, opt for pimple patches. They’ll quicky absorb pus, which can flatten the surface while not drying out the skin.
Lash Extensions
I do not recommend lash extensions on your wedding day. They can make the eyes appear droopy, and your makeup artist will be not able to lift them up or adjust them during the makeover session.
Faux/cosmetic lashes, on the other hand, can look more defined and lifted, making your eyes look more polished for photos.
However, if you have very sensitive or teary eyes, extensions might be worth considering!
Oily Skin
If you have very oily skin, I recommend to bring along a compact powder for touch-ups throughout the day.
Click here for more tips on how to make your wedding makeup last all day!
Additional Tips
Veil
Elbow and fingertip length veils are the most popular choices.
I generally prefer to work with combless veils, as I’ll be using long U-pins to slot them into the hair. This makes it easy to remove and re-attach during the day.
If your veil comes with a comb, I will be using bobby pins to secure the comb, so that it does not slide off when you move around. This is more secure, but will be more difficult to remove and re-attach later (if you do not have a MUA following through)
If you prefer a longer veil (chapel to cathedral length), it’s recommended to have it come with a comb, as this allows me to attach it more securely onto the hair.
Check if your veil and dress need steaming, and if they do, steam them a day ahead of time.
Fresh Flowers for Hair
Flowers are a great way to elevate your bridal hairstyle(especially if you have black colored hair). You may request for fresh loose flowers if you have a florist on your wedding day.
Session Duration
On the day, makeup and hairstyling will take 2 hours, with an additional 30 minutes for putting on your gown, accessorizing, and making final adjustments.
If you’d like to capture those behind-the-scenes preparation shots, I recommend having your photographer and/or videographer arrive about 30 minutes our session ends.
On the Actual Wedding Day
Attire & Accessories
Before our session begins, make sure you’re wearing your Nu Bra, a button-up top, and your contact lenses.
Avoid wearing a regular bra, as it can leave marks that might show after you change into your gown. If your Nu Bra feels a little loose, wear a tube top over it for extra support.
Hair Preparation
Your hair should be fully dry before we start. If you have bangs, leave them down instead of pinning them up.
Skin & Hair Products
Keep your skin and hair free of leave-on products like face cream or hair oil. If your skin is dehydrated, you may put on a sheet mask before the session starts.
Setup
Prepare an air-conditioned room with two chairs and a table surface for our session. Avoid large chairs, like gaming chairs, as they can get in the way.
Minimize Distractions
Try to limit the number of people in the room. If others are present, kindly remind them beforehand to avoid talking to you during the makeover. This helps to minimize distractions and keeps us on time!
Second March-In
If we’re doing a style change for your second march-in, designate a bridesmaid to help with your gown change. The touchup and hairstyle change will take about 30 minutes, so having someone assist will make the process seamless.
Music Preferences
I’ll play some light music during our session, but if you prefer to play your own music, feel free to start it beforehand!
I hope this guide is helpful for your wedding preparation!
If you have any questions or need advice, feel free to drop a message on WhatsApp or e-mail.
By Gaby Tan
Cover photo by itsalwaysasunday
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This blog is an ultimate gem for brides, offering detailed tips on wedding makeup and hair preparation to ensure a flawless, stress-free look that perfectly complements your special day.