Makeup and Hair in One

As a rule, if you have more than 3 people who need their hair and makeup done on your wedding day, hire two separate people. If you have a Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist in one you risk running late on your big day.

I am often asked if I do hair as well as makeup and the short answer is "no".

I have not been trained as a stylist - I can barely do my own hair! When I became a Makeup Artist, I had the option of going to school for styling but I decided I just wanted to focus on different aspects of makeup artistry instead of becoming a jack of all trades.

I have found that people that do both usually excel in one over the other. In my television experience, I have had to do "light" hair styling (curling, a blow out, etc...) but I have never claimed to be an experience or skilled hair stylist.

Makeup and Hair in one is hard to come by. Attention brides, if you are the only one who is getting styled on your wedding day, it's probably best for you to find one person who does both - it's the more affordable option.

Bridal Makeup Trials

OK, being a former bride myself, I understand how scary makeup and hair trials can be. Especially when you have never had your makeup done by a professional before. You may have a million questions running through your head before you even sit in the makeup chair:

Will I look like a clown?
What happens if I get shiny?
Will the makeup last all night?
What if my foundation is too heavy?

A professional Makeup Artist can address all of these questions. A makeup trial is a good opportunity to try something new. Like false eyelashes! When else can you look like a princess or a sexy bride. Just remember, ultimately, you want to look like the most beautiful version of your everday self.

The good news is, there are several steps you can take to prepare for your makeup trial.

Skincare: A few weeks before your makeup trial, you will want to be really diligent in your skincare routine. You may ask, what skincare routine? Well, there is no better time to start one. Cleanse your face daily, moisturize every morning (use SPF), moisturize every night, exfoliate a couple of times a week, use eye cream at bedtime, and apply lipbalm on a regular basis. If you have any skin issues (like dry patches or acne), it's best to see a dermatologist before your makeup trial to get control over your skin. If you have a tan, it's best to wait until your color has faded to book your trial. The better your skin looks, the better your makeup will look.

Know the look you want to achieve: As your flipping through "Martha Stewart Weddings" and "People" magazines, rip out pictures of models and celebrities who's makeup you like. These photos will open the conversation between you and your Makeup Artist so he/she really understands how you want to look on your wedding day. Try not to say "You're the professional, I trust you". If you are not used to wearing a lot of makeup, be honest. This will prevent the Makeup Artist from being too heavy handed.

Come prepared: It's a good idea to bring your "everyday" makeup with you (even if it's just mascara and lipgloss). This will give the artist a good sense of what colors you are comfortable in. Don't be surprised if your Makeup Artist suggests you wear foundation on your wedding day. If your skin isn't even, the rest of your face won't look clean and finished.
It's also a good idea to wear a white or ivory top, so you get a better sense of how your makeup will look against your dress. Bring a camera so you can take before or after pictures.

Questions/Concerns: Write of list of questions you may have for your Makeup Artist such as the ones listed at the beginning of this post. It's also a good idea to ask your artist how long he/she thinks each person will take on the day of your wedding. An experienced artist should be able to manage their time wisely and work faster if the day is running behind.

Be Honest: Try not to form an opinion or ask for anything to be changed until after the Makeup Artist has finished the look. Once the application is over it's more than OK to ask for something to be changed or to start all over. It's easy to make changes (more blush, less eyeliner, etc...) Any artist would rather do a little extra work than risk not being booked because the bride isn't 100% happy with their makeup. Remember, you are paying for this makeup trial, get your money's worth!

Don't feel pressured to make a decision on booking hair or makeup at the time of your trial. See how the makeup wears on your skin in the hours following your appointment. It's good to take a look in different lighting and to ask a friend or your mom their opinion.

A Makeup Artist is one of the most important vendors you will book for your special day. It's important that the person doing your makeup makes you feel comfortable because they are literally in your face a good part of the day.

The best "thank you" you can give your Makeup Artist is a good review. If you were happy with their work, it is greatly appreciated to give your friends their contact info or put in a good word on a popular wedding blog or board.

The most important thing to do at your makeup trial is to sit back, relax, and HAVE FUN!

Meredith Hayman, Makeup Artist

Meredith Hayman, Makeup Artist. That's me and I'm sticking to it. In this tough ecomony I have been forced to swallow my pride, get creative, and get back to business.

Here's a little back story:

A little more than two years ago, I left Manhattan for a "better quality of life" in the suburbs of Westchester, NY. One of the most expensive counties in the United States. I had a great job doing makeup for many Viacom networks including VH1, MTV, and Nickelodeon. I enjoyed the people I worked with, the hours, and the $$. Freelancing was so much better than I ever imagined it would be. Once I had proven myself, I was booking several jobs a week and had the freedom to work for who I wanted, when I wanted. Who would ever leave that situation?

I did, for a very good reason. About a month after my husband and I moved an hour north of the city, I got pregnant with my son, Spencer. While I would have loved to continue working in the city, my husband and I both agreed that an hour was just too far a commute in case I ever had to run home for an emergency. I became a full-time Mommy and a "sometimes" Makeup Artist. After about a year, our family really started to miss my salary. I knew I had to think of a way to use my talents and expertise to creat a niche for myself in suburbia.

I have been doing makeup for weddings since I picked up a blush brush in 1998. I knew that I needed to focus on putting my name out there so Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland County brides would hire me as one of their wedding vendors. The only place I have ever advertised my bridal business is Google Ads. It just seemed like the most logical place to start because I could set my own advertisting budget. Currently, I have ads on The Knot, Wedding Wire, Style Me Pretty, Party Pop, and Facebook, to name a few. I also participated in my first Bridal Expo this past September. I was spending more than ever on getting my name out to the public but I wasn't generating any new business.

Then it dawned on me, wedding budgets are at an all time low and I need to lower my rates considerably! When I really thought about it, I realized that one of the first vendors to get cut out of a wedding budget is probably the Makeup Artist. Most people have a friend or cousin that can do the brides makeup on their special day. However, I know that there are still a lot of brides out there to want to look and feel their best on their wedding day and would only trust a professional do help them look perfect in pictures that will last a lifetime. I want to be that professional. Not only because my family needs the money but because every bride deserves to look her best on the happiest day of her life.

So here I am, charging the lowest rates ever in my career. I am booking more weddings everyday and it is an honor to be a hired wedding vendor in these tough times. I hope that every bride I work with feels that they received the professionalism and quality of work that they are paying for.