Bridal Beauty Unveiled: How to Have a Successful Bridal Hair & Makeup Trial
You’ve found your ideal venue, the perfect dress, and your dream photographer…it only makes sense to want to look and feel gorgeous on your wedding day as well! One of the best ways to ensure this is by booking a bridal hair and makeup trial. This is a pre-wedding appointment during which you define your bridal look with your hair and makeup artist. Read on as we dive into the importance of a trial and tips and other useful information on how to make the most out of your experience.
Susanna Grant Photography
Do I Really Need to Do Hair and Makeup Trials?
It can feel annoying to have yet another thing to do on your pre-wedding checklist, so is a bridal makeup and hair preview really all that necessary? While you don’t technically need to do one, many brides find it to be extremely beneficial. Your hair and makeup trial is important because it allows you to visualize your bridal look before the big day.
Most importantly, this appointment gives you time to make tweaks to your look (and find out if that style you saw on Pinterest is actually right for you)! If you skip a bridal trial, you risk not loving your wedding hair and makeup on the big day — at that point, there are no do-overs.
Some stylists may actually require you to do a trial for bridal hair and makeup ahead of time. After all, your stylist will have very limited (or no) time on your wedding day to make adjustments to your look without falling behind schedule. Think of a trial as an opportunity to ensure a happy outcome for all involved!
More benefits of a bridal beauty trial
In addition to bringing your bridal beauty ideas to life, another benefit of your trial is that you and your stylist can determine the exact amount of time needed for your hair and makeup to be completed day-of. This information helps your stylist and wedding planner schedule the appropriate amount of time for getting ready, ensuring things run smoothly. You’ll also know what to expect and be able to relax and enjoy the moment!
A trial also allows you to build a connection with your wedding stylist. It’s important to feel comfortable with your stylist(s), who will be there during that intimate time when you and your bridal party are getting ready on wedding day. The right stylist not only excels at hair and/or makeup, but they can help calm nerves and hype up you and your squad!
If you need more convincing, every single bride we’ve worked with at Verdant Events has come away from their trial wanting to change at least one thing for their hair or makeup on the big day. Some brides even do multiple trials to get it right!
When to Schedule Your Trial
After your book your hair and makeup artist(s), ask when they typically recommend scheduling a trial. Usually, it’s recommended that you book your trial 2-4 months before your wedding. This way, you are close enough to your wedding that you probably won’t change your mind on your look, but there is enough time to make changes (and have a second trial) if necessary.
Some brides try to schedule their trial on the day of their engagement photos so they’ll be glammed up for the camera — this is totally fine! Just keep in mind that engagement photos often take place 6-8 months before your wedding day. So, you may end up wanting to do a second trial if you make any major beauty or wedding style changes before the big day.
Whenever you schedule your trial, it’s helpful to do so after your wedding dress and accessories are picked out, so you can choose hair and makeup styles that complement your attire!
As far as length of the trial goes, expect to spend at least two hours at the salon. If you have different stylists for hair and makeup, try to schedule both your trials on the same day, or bring plenty of inspiration photos for both your hair and makeup to each appointment.
How much does a wedding hair and makeup trial cost?
The cost of a bridal makeup and hair trial varies, depending on a few factors:
The base rate of the individual stylist and their company
Whether the trial cost is factored into the bridal package rate or added as a separate fee
How elaborate the hairstyle and makeup look are, and the types of products used
It’s important to know that trials can cost as much as the actual wedding day services. This is because your stylist is investing the same amount of time, product, and skill into your trial as your wedding day — perhaps extra time and product if you try multiple looks!
Should you tip at your trial?
Yes - it’s customary to tip the standard 18-20% as you would for any beauty service. Tipping at your trial helps show your appreciation to your stylist!
Preparing for Successful Hair and Makeup Trial Runs
To prepare for your trial, spend time looking through inspiration photos to decide on the general look you are going for. If your everyday look doesn’t go far beyond a bit of mascara, it can be tough to know what you want for a bridal appearance. Here are some questions to ask yourself that can help for deciding on wedding makeup:
Do you want natural makeup, a classic look, or full glam?
Do you want to make a statement with sharp contouring, dramatic smokey eyes, or a bold lip?
What look and colors would go best with your dress and jewelry?
How formal (or casual) is the wedding?
Besides complementing your dress, consider the overall style of your wedding, the venue and location, the wedding day forecast, and your everyday makeup look.
While browsing inspo photos, it can be helpful to look at photos with models who have similar complexions and hair color/length to yourself (Pinterest actually has filters for this). This will help give you a realistic idea of what certain styles will look like on you! Keep in mind, however, that you may not achieve the exact look in a photo on social media as many photos are digitally altered, and some looks are just harder to achieve than others. If you’re set on a specific style like Hollywood Waves, talk to your stylist ahead of your appointment to see if your hair is suitable and if you need to order extensions.
To prepare your hair and skin for your trial, complete any changes to your beauty routine ahead of time. If you plan on coloring your hair or getting a pre-wedding tan, for example, do so before your trial too!
Should you bring anyone with you?
This is totally up to you. It can sometimes be helpful to have a second opinion, but an extra person can also be a distraction. If you’d like to bring someone, stick with one friend or family member whose opinion you trust, and make sure to ask your stylist ahead of time to make sure they are able to accommodate the extra person!
Trial Day!
On the day of your trial, arrive at your appointment with clean, dry hair and skin, and bring any hair accessories and earrings you will be wearing day-of. You may even want to wear a top that is the color of your dress, to simulate the full effect. Discuss your inspiration photos and vision with your stylist in person, then let them do their thing!
During the trial, communication is key. Don't be afraid to ask your stylist any questions you may have — if you’re not sure about something, this is the best time to speak up!
After your trial is completed, be sure to check out your bridal look in different lighting and snap plenty of photos from all angles. Before leaving the salon, ask your stylist for tips on how to prepare your skin and hair for wedding day. Healthy, hydrated hair and skin are a must for a bridal glow, and your stylist may have tips on how to achieve this for your specific skin or hair type. They may even recommend a visit to the dermatologist or esthetician.
Pro tip: It’s also not a bad idea to ask what lipstick shade your stylist used so that you can bring your own for wedding day touch ups!
What if I don’t like my look?
If the style you had your heart set on just doesn’t look great or isn’t turning out how you planned, let your stylist know. After all, it’s possible to schedule more hair and makeup trials, but it’s a lot harder to schedule another wedding. Keep an open mind, and ask for your stylist’s feedback and suggestions. Remember, they are experienced professionals and will know what will photograph well. They’ll also likely have great ideas you haven’t considered!
If you’re really not happy with your look and you find that you just don’t jive with your stylist, it’s okay to part ways and find a different stylist for your day. Sometimes it can take multiple tries to get it right! Make your first trial a learning experience for what you do and don’t want, and look for a stylist whose portfolio (and personality) better match with your vision.
Our Most Important Advice
At the end of the day, don’t forget to enjoy the experience getting glammed up! Chances are, receiving professional hair and makeup services isn’t part of your regular routine. Enjoy your appointment, and after your trial, we highly recommend meeting up with friends for cocktails or your fiance for date night!
A successful hair & makeup trial is key to looking and feeling your best on your wedding day!
Bride Photography: Susanna Grant Photography
Real Bride: Mary K Makeup Artist: Aileen Angulo