One of our favorite MUA, Kerri Lockley talks about what a bride needs to know about her wedding make up. The French Bee has worked with Kerri for many years and we are always amazed by her magic brushes.
She can be contacted @. kerrilockey@gmail.com. if you would like to set up a consultation with her for your special day.
1. What factors should come into play when choosing my make up for my wedding?
a. Environment:
Is your event in the warmer months, outdoors or even at the beach? Then your skin likely be shiny or oily in appearance due to humidity and perspiration.
Suggestion: You will likely prefer a matte finish foundation to minimize glistening of the skin.
b. Your Skin type: Are you oily, normal, dry or combination?
90% of ladies have combination skin type where they are oily in the “t-zone”. Communicating your skin type to your makeup artist will help determine the best foundation to meet your expectations.
c. Desired appearance in photographs –
How do you want your skin to look in your wedding party/ bridal portraits? Dewy, Satin, Matte?
Suggestion: Satin, Matte, or a combination of both is best for a more natural radiance.
Pictures last forever, so remember to keep your makeup classy for a timeless look that never goes out of style.
d. Time of Wedding: Large bridal parties require an early start time for hair and make-up. You want your makeup to last all day and well into the evening as you dance the evening away on the dance floor with your pals. Be sure to use products that will last on your skin.
Weddings before 2pm, typically desire “daytime” eye make-up- warm neutrals.
Weddings after 5pm, glam up and go for an “evening” – classic smoky eye with nude lip.
Suggestion: Schedule a trial run with your make-up artist, preferably early in the day. Then go about your normal business for the day. This will give you an idea of how long the look will hold and what it can withstand.
2. How do I know that some looks that I like on models will actually look good on me?
Think about your eye & face shape- If you choose to search for makeup on models, look for those that have similar features that you do.
Have realistic expectations; If you have small eye lids, it is going to be difficult to replicate a highly visible tri-tone eye shadow even when your eyes are open.
A trial run with your make-up artist should help you answer many of these questions along with the opportunity to visually see the look on yourself.
3. What are the mistakes that you have seen happen over your career and how would you suggest to avoid for a bride?
Don’t try to pick “a-look” for your entire bridal party. Keeping a nude/ neutral lip is fine, but a smoky eye may not be the look that is flattering for your future sister-in-law.
Try out false lashes before your wedding to make sure you are comfortable wearing them. The trial run is a great time to do this. Most make-up artists will have a preferred style/ brand that is lightweight, comfortable, and natural. This takes all the guess work from the bride.
Verify the amount of time needed per person with your make-up artist. Rushing at the end is not fun. Plan ahead! Allow 15 minutes before dressing to touch-up lips/ powder as needed.
Make sure your make-up artist can meet your expectations. Ask for photos of recent brides they have worked with. This will give you an idea of their capability.
4. What are the successes that you have seen and that you would recommend to a bride?
Pick a make-up artist you are comfortable with and one you trust. If you are comfortable with them, your entire party will be as well.
Trial run for make-up is key. This is your opportunity to try things and make adjustments.
Plan a little extra time for make-up the day of your wedding; many times, additional people decide to jump-in at the last minute.
5. What is the best way to find a MUA that a bride will be comfortable with and be happy with the outcome..
a. Referrals from recent brides: Word of mouth is the best way to find a great make-up artist. Simply ask a recent bide or post an “in-search-of make-up artist on your Facebook page. You will not believe the suggestions you’ll get
b. Wedding planners: Wedding planners know the dependable, results driven people to provide services for your big day. Asking your planner for a preferred service provider is pretty much a guarantee for excellent results.
c. Photographers: Photographers often tag make-up artists in their work, especially if it’s good. If you see someone’s make-up you like, ask the photographer if they have suggestions or preferred make-up artists they’ve worked with. A good make-up artist makes their job a little easier.
6. What is the best way for a bride to communicate what she wants her final look to be with a MUA.
a.Trail run: wear it, feel it, see how it performs; At the end of the day, what are the pros & cons?
Write them down & communicate this to your make-up artist a day of two after the trial run. This will allow the artist to prepare for any changes needed the day of the wedding.
b. Referencing a previous brides make-up look that you liked. This way the artist will know what end result you are looking for.
7. How should a bride prepare for weather, heat, rain, humidity?
In Eastern NC, we have all of these and too often, all of them at once. Your make-up artist should have weather proof products ( primer, foundation, mascara, setting powder, setting spray) to aid in withstanding these conditions.
8 Does the time of the wedding alter how the Make up should look?
Technically, nothing should alter the way the bride wants her make-up to look, not even the time of wedding. However, for evening weddings, we tend to use a little more eye make-up because of dark background in photographs. The darker it is around you, the less your make-up will show up.
Weddings before 2pm, typically desire “daytime” eye make-up- warm neutrals.
Weddings after 5pm, classic smoky eye with nude lip.
9. Do you like to see a picture of the wedding clothing before doing wedding make up?
No, not necessarily. The only reason I would ask to see the dress, is to gauge the conservativeness or style the bride is going for.
9. What is the biggest NO NO in wedding make up.
a. Avoid these services the day before the wedding as they can cause undesirable skin issues: waxing, microderm abrasion, brow/ lash tent, fillers, botox.
b. Avoid excessive eyeliner.
c. Smoky eye and bright Red Lips. Pick a focal point; either the eyes or the lips, but not both.
d. Cheap make-up yields cheap results. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.
Final Thoughts:
Wedding day Photos last a lifetime; keep your look classic and timeless. You will never regret it.
Thank you Kerri, We think this is very valuable and useful information. We appreciate your input