Photo: Lia's Photography
When it comes to your wedding, every detail you choose ( your dress, venue, photography – just to name a few) is meant to make your day perfect. And there is a lot of effort that goes into this. So why should your makeup artist be any different?
Your makeup is part of how you will remember this day for the rest of your life: how you felt walking down the aisle, how stunning you looked in your photos, and how confident you felt the entire day.
Unfortunately, the truth is that many people call themselves makeup artists these days without the training, experience or dedication to back up the title. Some enter this field simply as a way to make quick money. They charge rates that mimic those of professionals but don’t have the skills, training or expertise to deliver results. When you are paying a good amount of money for professional-quality work, wouldn’t it make sense to genuinely hire a pro?
So what makes someone a professional makeup artist?
It is more than loving makeup or getting compliments on doing makeup for friends. A real professional has taken the time to learn, train and refine their craft, not just for themselves but for others, including working under pressure on big, once-in-a-lifetime events like weddings.
These are some things to look for:
People don’t wake up one day as professionals. One needs training and education to build those skills. A professional most likely attended training, took certification courses or had hands-on mentorship with someone in the industry. They invested time and effort to become skilled in more than just basic techniques.
On the other hand, someone who is chasing popularity or extra money most likely skip any legit training. They might be good at doing their own makeup, but working on different faces requires an entirely different level of skill.
Experience matters. Wedding makeup also means you need to adapt to certain challenges – makeup that lasts, photography, skin tones and tricky schedules and extra stress. A professional makeup artist has years of hands-on experience, especially working with brides and bridal parties. This isn’t something you can fake.
Choose a professional who takes your day as a serious job. Amateurs? They might see wedding makeup as just another gig.
Professionals don’t just say – Trust me. They show you why you can trust them. They have a portfolio filled with real weddings and a variety of looks to show what they can deliver. If you only see selfies, stock images or over-edited content, you are likely not dealing with someone who worked in real-life scenarios.
Beware: Some just do it to make money.
This one is pretty uncomfortable to talk about, but it is important. Some people label themselves as makeup artists not because they are passionate or skilled but because they see weddings as easy money.
Sure, weddings can be a lucrative field to work in, but there is a difference between charging fair rates for professional work and charging professional prices with amateur results. The saddest part? Many brides pay premium rates for someone with no real training or experience because they didn’t know what questions to ask.
If you are already paying for a premium service, it makes sense to book someone who has the skill to deliver. Why pay top dollar for someone who doesn’t care about anything beyond the paycheck when you could hire someone whose work will wow you and look your best in both person and photos?
Questions to ask before hiring your makeup artist
Save these helpful questions to separate the professionals from the pretenders:
1. How did you become a makeup artist?
Did they receive training or certifications? If they are self-taught, ask how they refined their skills.
2. How much experience do you have with weddings?
Weddings are specific and they require attention to detail, timing and durability.
3. Do you have a portfolio I can see?
Real professionals will show you varied work with real clients, not just friends or social media selfies.
4. What’s in your kit, and how do you clean your tools?
Makeup artists should use high-quality, professional-grade products and follow strict hygiene protocols.
5. Do you specialize in bridal makeup?
Wedding makeup is not the same as everyday glam. Does the artist understand specific techniques, how to avoid flashbacks in photos, and how to create looks that feel great and last all night?
My Promise as Your Makeup Artist
This is why I take my work so seriously. I know “it’s not just makeup”, it is also the way you will feel when you look in the mirror before walking down the aisle. As someone who has spent over 15 years learning and perfecting my craft, I don’t take that trust lightly.
Your wedding is too important to gamble on the wrong vendor. Take the time to ask the right questions, compare portfolios and choose someone who will treat your day with the care and expertise it deserves. If you are paying for professional work, make sure the artist you hire has the professionalism and skill to match.
If you are ready to work with someone who puts you first, contact me today to discuss your bridal look.