You want to look & feel your best on your big day. Use this guide to choose a professional wedding make-up artist who speaks to your personal style.

Your bridal look goes beyond the wedding dress. Choosing a professional wedding make-up artist (MUA) who knows how to highlight your features and signature style is equally important.

Makeup is more than the right blend of eye shadow; it determines how confident you feel as you walk down the aisle or how your face glows when you smile. You need glam experts who can make you look and feel your absolute best—rain or shine, through sweat, tears, and laughter.

Use this guide to find a talented MUA that will highlight your features and have you feeling confident and beautiful on your big day.

Consider Your Personal Style

Whether you’re going for a glamorous look or a natural vibe, figuring out your wedding day style is essential. You must know what you want to achieve before you can get the best person for the job. Knowing your wedding style will help you select the right cosmetic type, brand, and technique, and it will guide the rest of your look, such as your hairstyle.

If you already have a vision for your bridal look, you can move to the next task: finding the perfect wedding make-up artist to bring your look to life. But if you haven’t settled on your desired makeup look yet, don’t fret. Make-up artists don’t expect you to have everything decided. Ask for their suggestions, consult your creative friends, or try these resources:

• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Mood boards on Google
• Magazines
• Wedding blogs

Afarose Insider Tip: Apart from your makeup, consider the wedding theme or motif as well. Is it an eco-wedding? If so, make a special request to your glam squad to opt for greener beauty brands.

Research and Shortlist

Now that your preferred style is set, it’s time to search for the right wedding make-up artist. This can take time and be overwhelming, so start by vetting wedding vendors online.

Comb through several make-up artists’ websites or social media accounts. Thoroughly review their work, customer feedback, level of demand, and how long they’ve been in the business of makeup. Be sure to check or ask about their bridal makeup portfolio. Some MUAs have plenty of makeup application experience for special occasions but may lack the specific know-how needed for weddings.

Another reliable way to find an MUA is through word-of-mouth referrals. A wedding make-up artist with great recommendations from people you know will help you feel more comfortable and confident with your choice.

Before you reach out, prepare a list of qualifying questions to shortlist your options. For instance:

• Which products or brands do they use?
• Can they travel to your wedding venue on the day of the event?
• How much do they charge?
• What are their sanitation and hygiene protocols? Do they reuse disposable beauty blenders and other tools?
• How long will it take to get the make-up done?
• Do they offer a trial?
• What’s the contingency plan in case they have an emergency on the big day?

Go With the Pros

It can be tempting to use friends who are make-up artists. For instance, they could offer their services at a discount or for free. However, you need to weigh things carefully.

It’s important to maintain a professional client-artist relationship, which may be difficult if the MUA is your friend. Nerves will be running high, so you’ll want a wedding make-up artist who can keep you calm. In addition, an MUA friend may be too casual with you, and you may hesitate to give them honest feedback. This could potentially ruin your bridal makeup look and, even worse, your friendship.

If you’re thinking of doing your own makeup, think again. Don’t add to your already full plate. Plus, when the bridal nerves and adrenaline rush hit, even a mere lipstick application will be daunting.

You deserve to be treated like a queen on your wedding day, so leave your makeup to a beauty pro.

Cheaper Is Not Necessarily Better

Your wedding is undeniably one of the most memorable events in your life.

As a bride-to-be, it’s no surprise that you go the extra mile in preparing for it, especially when it comes to finances.

Setting a budget and sticking to it is fine, but booking wedding vendors based on price alone is a big no-no. While it’s not necessary to splurge on a celebrity wedding make-up artist, it’s best to consider investing in an expert suited for you and your style. Remember, you get what you pay for.

Book a Trial Session

Surprises are great, but not when it comes to bridal looks. You might hit it off with an MUA and think they’re the one, but wait until you see their work on your face before you say yes.

Even though it can bring additional costs, doing a trial run of your makeup look is always a good idea. This early preview will confirm whether your style and expectations fit with the make-up artist’s skills. You’ll also get an idea of how much time you need to prepare, and you’ll get to explore options until you perfect your look.

During the test run, remember to discuss things like using the same products on the big day. Don’t hesitate to share your preferences and honest opinion if you’re not 100% confident with the final look. You want a friendly but professional relationship.

Afarose Insider Tip: Consider having a wedding photographer tag along to see how different looks will translate to photos and videos.

Communication Is Key

To make sure you’re on the same page, relay everything your wedding make-up artist needs to know before you seal the deal. This includes deposit details, the exact venue, the final schedule, and skin concerns—yes, it’s important to disclose allergies so you can steer clear of irritation.

Remember to keep your MUA in the loop for any changes concerning aesthetics. Leave no room for confusion or conflicts. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a panic trying to book another expert at the last minute.

Stay on Trend With Afarose

Getting married is a special celebration of your love. You’ll want to look amazing and feel like a goddess. With the right preparations and a great wedding make-up artist that speaks to your signature style, it’s going to be a dream wedding.

Need help choosing the perfect bridal look?

Afarose is a trusted wedding marketplace where you can find styles that are trending—from bridal dresses to accessories—and even tips or tricks for your big day.