Why Kate Had Two Bridal Previews

Aug 27

5 min read

Sometimes, finding your wedding day look takes longer than you anticipate. I often share with brides that your bridal preview is similar to finding your wedding dress. You might arrive with a certain vision in mind and then when you try it on, it looks completely different. It is important to have an idea of what you like and dislike when it comes to hair and makeup. It's also okay to come with an open mind and give yourself the time and space to discover what makes you feel like your best self.

That's exactly what happened with Kate. We had two bridal hair and makeup previews before settling on her final wedding day look. Her first preview gave us the opportunity to experiment and learn what she loved, what she didn't, and what details would ultimately make her feel most confident. I view a bridal preview as a collaborative process where we have unhurried time to refine your look until you feel confident.

Hi there! I'm Olivia and I help brides feel like their best self in the most comfortable way. My hair and makeup style is natural, authentic, and inspired by soft glam. I'm located in Baltimore and Connecticut, and serve the East Coast from Boston to DC.

The First Preview: Learning What Felt Like Her

Kate came to her bridal preview with her mom, which was amazing because her mom knows her so well and was able to help discern what Kate was naturally drawn to. During Kate's first preview, we experimented with two different hairstyles. The first was an effortless, loose bun with soft face-framing pieces. The second was a clean, sleek ballerina bun without any face framing.

Both styles helped us learn something important. Kate loved the effortless bun when she saw photographs of herself, but she felt more like herself with the sleek bun. That distinction might have been difficult to recognize without actually seeing and photographing both options.

Her makeup gave us just as much information. Kate knew she liked a bronzey look, so we initially leaned into that preference. She gave me a few other notes such as wanting a natural look, minimal lashes, and a full coverage foundation look. After seeing herself in the finished look and photographs, though, she realized she wanted more brightness, dimension, less foundation that she anticipated. She also discovered that false lashes weren't the right look for her because the lashes made her eyes feel larger than she wanted.

Why We Decided to Have a Second Preview

After the first appointment, we realized we wanted more time to collaborate one-on-one. The first preview was wonderful for getting to know each other and experimenting, but we didn't have as much uninterrupted time as we would have liked to make changes, and really listen to her feedback in the moment.

So we scheduled a second preview.

I never want a bride to feel like she has to settle on a look simply because we've already spent time creating it. My goal is for the preview to be a safe space where brides can express what they love about themselves and share what they might want to draw attention away from.

For this second preview, Kate brought her personal makeup kit and we were able to work with products from both her and my kit. She shared her favorite Rhode blushes and Benefit bronzer. Kate also did her own mascara. I gave her the mirror to hold throughout the session so that we could collaborate and make changes in real-time.

The Second Preview: Refining the Details

Going into Kate's second preview, we had a much clearer understanding of what she wanted.

We decided to skip false lashes altogether and use brown mascara instead. It was a small change, but Kate immediately loved how natural and familiar her eyes felt.

For her complexion, we created a brighter base so that her contour and bronzer could add dimension without making the overall look feel too dark. We also added more blush—and then a little more. Kate would look in the mirror, we'd talk about it together, and we'd keep building until she felt happy with the balance. Incorporating those familiar products into her wedding day look made the final result feel even more personal.

For her hair, we returned to the sleek bun from her first preview. We made a few small adjustments, including lowering the placement slightly, and it became the hairstyle she ultimately felt most like herself wearing.

The Value of Seeing Yourself in Photographs

One of the most valuable parts of Kate's previews was seeing each look in person and also through a camera.

Makeup and hair can look beautiful in person and still photograph differently than you expect. Kate loved her second makeup look in person, but when she looked at photographs, she wanted her blush and contour to feel a little more blended. That gave us another opportunity to refine the details before the wedding day.

This is one reason I encourage my brides to take their time during a preview. I always encourage brides to look at yourself in different lighting. Take photographs. Walk around. See how the hair moves. Pay attention to how you feel.

Your wedding day beauty should look beautiful in photographs, but it should also feel comfortable and authentically yours when you're actually living the day.

Your Preview Doesn't Have to Be Perfect on the First Try

Kate's two previews are a perfect example of why collaboration is key to creating a hair and makeup look that you love.

In the end, we did end up using false lashes- just a more natural set of individuals and very minimal black mascara. We moved her bun slightly lower and angled her hair in the crown slightly higher to give a more lifted look. And we actually went with less blush!

Of course, artistry matters. Technique matters. Experience matters. But your experience matters more.

I am not attached to convincing a bride that the first idea is the right one. If something doesn't feel right, I want to know. If you want more blush, we'll add more blush. If you decide you don't want lashes, we'll take them off. If you love the hairstyle but want to change the placement, we'll adjust it.

It is important to me that there is no ego in that process because it really is just about you!

See Kate's final wedding day look below!

If you liked Kate's look and you're looking for an artist who values collaboration and feedback, click this link to inquire :)

To read more about my past brides, you can click this link!

Olivia