What is a Bridal Preview?

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Bridal Preview | (AKA Trial)

How to prepare, what to expect, what comes after, & more!

So you’ve found a few makeup artists that you’re interested in trying for your wedding day. But, the only way to make sure that they are truly the perfect fit for you is to schedule your bridal preview. (Many artists call it a “trial,” but this isn’t a Netflix subscription or a court case, so I prefer to call it a “preview“ as to what you will look like on your big day!) I am here to dish out everything you need to know about booking, preparing for, and ensuring that your bridal preview is exactly what it should be!

How to choose which makeup artist to do your bridal preview?

  • As you have been doing your research, you may have shopped around for makeup artists, received different prices and booking information. As mentioned in my previous blog (How to find the BEST makeup artist for you), I spilled all of the tips on how to find the “one.” To sum it up, go with your gut. The makeup artist that is prompt in responding, accommodating to your questions/concerns/schedule, and who’s portfolio is your style- THAT is who you should choose for your first preview.

  • The beauty of a preview is just that- it is only a preview. Start with which artist that your gut is guiding you to. You will probably love them after the preview and be able to check the “Makeup Artist” off of your wedding to-do list. If not, then you can move on to your other options and schedule other previews!

How to schedule your preview:

  • Contact the makeup artist. Check their website and/or Instagram to find out how they prefer to receive inquiries. You can also contact some artists directly through their profiles on The Knot and Wedding Wire. Links to their websites and contact forms should be easily accessible.

  • Ask questions. In your inquiry, feel free to begin asking any important questions that you have about their services, how they schedule their previews, pricing, etc. Give the artist some wedding details (date, location, vendors booked, etc.)

  • Ask to schedule a phone call. This is more efficient and a much easier way to ask the questions that you have. It is also a great opportunity to get a sense of the person you are hiring. It should be an exciting thing to plan, and speaking to the artist will start the building of trust and rapport with them and their company.

When to schedule your preview:

  • You can try to schedule your preview on a day that you have something planned. Be it your engagement party, engagement photo shoot, bridal shower, or even for a night out. This way you get to “use” your makeup AND have a chance to see how it photographs, test it’s durability, and feel how it wears on you.

  • Popular makeup artists book up to three years in advance. So don’t wait too long to schedule your preview, especially if your wedding date falls in the height* of wedding season. (And especially if your wedding date is on a Saturday!) (*Wedding season is from May to November.) The preview is not only to find your wedding look, but also to make sure the artist clicks with you. If you are unhappy with your preview, you need to make sure you have enough time to find another makeup artist. So, do not procrastinate when booking your preview!

  • I always recommend scheduling your preview in the morning/early afternoon. You want to wear your makeup as long as possible to test it’s durability, and have the chance to see it in different lighting throughout the day and night.

  • If you are already set on who you want your wedding makeup artist to be, then you can sign the contract, send your deposit and plan your preview for closer to your wedding date. In some cases, if there is a makeup artist that you have already used before- then the preview can be done later. But make sure that you secure them ahead of time with the contract and deposit, even if you plan a preview for later!

Preparing for your preview:

  • Hydrate as much as possible. Hydration is key to beautiful skin, which is so important under your makeup.

  • Stick to a skincare regimen that works for you. If you don’t have a regimen, your makeup artist can help advise you. You can also go for a facial and receive product recommendations that the specialist trusts for your skin.

  • Exfoliate! 24-48 hours before your appointment, use an exfoliating mask or scrub that works for your skin concerns. If you don’t have a product like that, even use a warm wash cloth with a simple cleanser to gently remove any dead skin cells that are laying on the surface. Many clients don’t realize that they need to exfoliate until AFTER their foundation is peeling or caking on their skin. Try to avoid this by being prepared for your preview!

  • Don’t pop pimples! If you get a pimple (and we ALL do), resist the urge to squeeze or pick. The color of a pimple can be covered, but a dry scab is very hard to conceal.

  • Wear a white shirt. Wearing white can wash you out- especially a white wedding gown. So for a realistic preview, wear something white to test the amount of makeup you need to wear. Wedding makeup is more than everyday makeup to begin with, but seeing your preview in white will help you see how much you need to compensate for the white dress.

  • Bring products that you love. If there is a blush that you wear everyday, give it to your makeup artist! Wearing a tried-and-true product gives a boost to your confidence and helps ensure that your look to stays true to YOU.

  • Before your appointment, cleanse your face thoroughly and apply your toner and moisturizer(s). Make sure to remove all of your mascara and eyeliner.

What to expect during your preview:

  • I usually arrive a few minutes early. I bring my professional kit, a directors chair, and a professional ring light.

  • As I set up my kit, we talk all about your wedding details and vision. I ask questions about the type of makeup you wear everyday AND for a night out. This gives me an idea of your typical looks, as it is so important that the look I create still resembles YOU.

  • We start with a light, natural option. We can try both a standard strip lash and individual lashes to see which is a better fit for you.

  • From there, we add more drama and depth to the look. This will allow you to see different options and have the perfect amount of makeup on for you. Drama doesn’t mean CAKEY. My style of drama is creating depth to your features by added light layers. Makeup applied in appropriate LAYERS will not get cakey, if applied correctly.

  • Once we have designed the perfect look, I always take pictures. After your trial, I take notes and will always replicate exactly what we did for your big day, including all of the tweaks we made to achieve it.

After the preview:

  • After your bridal preview, I will send you all of the booking information if your date is not yet booked. This includes a bridal service contract and deposit information. Once your contract and deposit is received, your date is secured!

  • I always keep communication open with my brides. Once you become an “LG Artistry Bride,” I give you my phone number and you can always text me with questions or wedding details. (We tend to become friends!)

Bridal Previews are so important! Booking them ahead of schedule and securing your date as soon as possible is crucial! I love all of my brides and continue to take so much pride in booking new bridal previews!

Feel free to post comments below with any other Bridal Preview questions!

CLICK HERE to book your Bridal Preview today!

xoxo,

Lauren