What to Look For in a Wedding Hair and Makeup Artist

The most important skill a hair and makeup artist can have is not about the hair and makeup. You read that correctly.

There are so many incredible artists. But there are also many dissatisfied clients. That's why I truly believe the most valuable skill is an artist is can have is active listening. Many times, brides are looking at beauty options for their wedding day only to realize that at the trial, the way they envisioned their look was not at all how it was executed. Frequently, my brides have an idea of what they're looking for but are unsure of how to communicate their vision.

In this post, I'm sharing about my bride, Amy, how she found me, and what her bridal beauty journey was like. I absolutely LOVED working with her and I think she enjoyed working with me too! She describes her experience more in detail below:

"I previously had a makeup trial with a different artist that did not align with how I wanted to look, but finding Olivia saved my wedding day--her attentiveness and patience put me at ease throughout the process! I wasn't the best at communicating what I wanted, but Olivia still understood what I was looking for. We had a big bridal party, and Olivia also brought a team (Daisy + Jordan) whose styles aligned so well with hers--everyone looked amazing! Olivia is very organized, sending helpful preparation tips and a detailed timeline that helped the wedding morning happen without a hitch."

The Inquiry and Booking Process

Amy and her wedding planner inquired about my beauty services in February of 2023. From the start, I could sense caution, many unanswered questions around booking me, and hope that I would be able to help Amy achieve her desired look.

I always enjoy having a discovery call with prospective brides because it allows both of us to decide if we’re a good fit for each other. My style of makeup and hair is natural, authentic, and inspired by soft glam. The experience I provide is very collaborative and holistic. It's important to me that my brides value my style and the experience they'll get working with me so I can ensure they’re happy and their expectations are met.

During our discovery call, I learned that Amy’s previous hair and makeup experience didn’t feel like her. She wanted a glowy, youthful look that she would love in person and in photos. For hair, she preferred something light and airy, with minimal hairspray. Through our conversation, I was able to understand her vision and communicate how we could create a look that made her feel like her best self while lasting all day.

Amy's Bridal Preview

Three months before her wedding, Amy came to me at my home studio for her bridal preview. My bridal beauty process is intimate and collaborative because I want my brides to feel completely comfortable with sharing concerns and feedback about their look. The most important thing to me is that my brides are happy and that they love their look when they leave my chair.

I used the knowledge from our discovery call to guide my consultation with Amy at her bridal preview. During the session, we chatted extensively about her past beauty experiences and her hopes for her wedding look. We went for a natural look, keeping everything light. I prefer to be conservative with makeup, as it’s easier to add more pigment and color than to remove it. I actively involved Amy throughout the process, from choosing lashes to adjusting the amount of blush she wanted.

Feedback

I loved how Amy shared her feedback, ensuring we both LOVED her look by the end. After the preview, we checked in again to confirm she still loved the look. Sometimes, when we’re put on the spot, our minds can get cloudy, so it’s helpful for my brides to have time to reflect on their look.

In her follow-up email, Amy expressed her gratitude and requested a few adjustments for her wedding day, such as longer lashes and tighter curls to ensure her hairstyle would hold all day. Of course, I noted these changes so we could make the necessary updates for her big day.

In her email, Amy shared her gratitude and that she wanted a few things changed to her hair and makeup, such as longer lashes, and tighter curls to ensure it would hold all day. Of course, I wrote these notes down so we could make the right changes on her wedding day.

The Wedding Day

Amy was an absolute DREAM to work with! What I loved most was her collaborative nature and her proactiveness in hiring a wedding planner to ensure that everything she poured into the day would pay off, and the day would be flawless.

As a hair and makeup artist, my job is to listen to YOU, make sure you feel heard, and understand your vision as we get to work. I want to ensure we make the adjustments you want so you love your look. Of course, I will offer my opinion and professional expertise as we go :)

Here are Amy’s bridal preview look and her wedding day look! We made some minor changes that had a big impact on her overall look and how she felt.

What differences can you spot?!

As an Asian American artist, I understand firsthand how important it is to have an artist who listens to you and makes sure you feel secure. If you’re a bride-to-be reading this post, I hope you better understand the value of hiring a talented hair and makeup artist who truly listens, understands your vision, and dedicates the right amount of time so you can enjoy your once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ready to secure me for your wedding hair and makeup? Navigate to my Inquiry Page and complete the form to save your date!

xoxo,

Olivia

Vendor Team Credits

Planning and Design: Julie Partridge + Co

Photography: Erin Winter Photography.

Venue: The Baltimore Museum of Art

Videography: Your Story Told

Florals: Blossom and Basket

Catering: Linwoods

Entertainment: Night Song Band and Sam Hill Entertainment

Rentals: Select Event Group

Photobooth: SnapHappy Booth