Navigating your Bridal Beauty with
Rosie Hunter Artistry
Congratulations! You’re newly engaged! This is certainly one of the best, most memorable times of your life. Once the adrenaline wears off, chances are you might think to yourself, “OMG! I have SO much to plan!”, and then usually at the top of the list is how you’re going to look on your wedding day. Will you be a classic bride like Grace Kelly? Will you be full-on glam a la JLo? Will your hair be up, down, or half-up? Braided? The choices are truly endless.
As someone who got married pre-Pinterest, I totally did my own hair and makeup on my wedding day. I was 22, just figured I’d throw it together and it would work itself out. I didn’t do a practice run, OR fill in my eyebrows, OR wear false lashes (OMG). Granted, I was a mildly experienced MUA (fresh out of college and stage makeup galore), and I knew how to make myself look presentable ca. 2006. When I look back on the pictures now, I see a sweet gal who is so in love, yet blissfully unaware she could have looked even more fabulous had she had the direction and support of a seasoned artist. Know that I’m here to expertly guide you on your bridal beauty journey, supporting you 100% as we create a look that is perfect for you.
THE BRIDAL PREVIEW
With my clients I use the term “bridal preview” as opposed to “trial” to convey the impression that this time together is a glimpse of how you WILL look on your wedding day, not how you MIGHT look. The preview is when you are finally able to meet me face-to-face (so exciting after months of IG stalking), ask me to create your vision, learn about how I communicate, ensure I can execute your beauty wishes, and see how our personalities gel (this is so important). I am going to be with you on one of the most momentous days of your life, so it’s vital you trust me and love my energy 100%. Yes, you are making an additional financial investment by selecting a bridal package that includes a preview, but trust me it’s money well spent. Your morning of bridal beauty sets the tone for the entire wedding day, and you will never regret taking the extra time to ensure you really love your inspiration look, discover you totally adore me, and realize with glee you will have zero beauty dumpster fires on your big day.
BEAUTY PREP FOR YOUR PREVIEW
1. Please show up with a fresh face and no makeup on if possible.
I understand it can be quite vulnerable exiting the house without a stitch of makeup on, so if you need to arrive with some makeup on, it’s ok! I can remove your products quickly with a wipe.
2. Please avoid retinols and aha/bha products the night before/day of the trial.
While these products are fabulous leading up to the wedding day, they can cause your skin to peel and be irritated which will impact your makeup application negatively. A simple moisturizer, eye cream, or gentle serum is totally fine (and encouraged!)
3. Inspiration images/ Pinterest Board
4. Picture of your wedding dress!
5. Supportive Family & Friends who share your vision.
6. Your gorgeous Bridal Energy! I can’t wait to bask in it!
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
If you arrive at your preview without any idea of what you want to look like, it’s going to be very hard for me to do my job. A successful preview is dependent upon excellent communication. Coming prepared with inspiration images is a great jumping off point, because without pictures much can get lost in translation. For example, descriptions like “natural, smoky eyes, curled hair, and volume” can all be interpreted many ways. ‘Smoky’ to me might mean something dark and full of black tones, while to you it might mean a swipe of light brown mascara. ‘Natural’ to me might mean very minimal makeup with no false lashes when what you really want is to look like Kim Kardashian. “Volume” to me might mean a little wispy texture, and to you it means your hair is literally touching heaven. You get the idea. Bottom line: have a picture.
YOUR ARTIST IS NOT A MAGICIAN
As a professional artist I will be honest and transparent with you regarding what is possible vs. what is not. The realm of possibility might be dictated by things such as time, physical attributes, and many more factors. Just because you show me a picture doesn’t mean I can make you look exactly like that. The image is likely photoshopped to erase every wrinkle and pore, their hair is likely enhanced with multiple sets of extensions (which can be added on the wedding day or at a subsequent preview), and the image might even be of someone who is a completely different complexion than you (yes, I too wish I looked like Beyonce). The images you select to show me must be inspiration only. Give me the chance to make the look you love come alive for you. You too can have that JLo Glow no matter what you look like, even if it’s the dead of winter—it’s about creating a customized aura and glow for your unique features. Give me the flexibility to make edits, suggestions, and adjustments along the way to ensure you look your absolute best.
THE PEANUT GALLERY
The expression “too many cooks in the kitchen” absolutely applies to your bridal preview. If you’d rather not fly solo to your appointment, make sure you have someone with you who fully supports your bridal wishes. If you know it’s hard for you to speak up if you’re unhappy, bring someone who can help you communicate your goals. While it’s so much fun to share the bridal journey with all your friends and family, this is a time for you to focus on making a connection with your artist and not listening to the opinions of your entourage. That being said, if you know someone will be joining you (like your Mother), and she is VERY opinionated, please give me the heads-up. It’s very important to know who to please at the preview, and if that’s the Mother at the end of the day, it’s very helpful to know this in advance.
SPEAK NOW…OR FOREVER GET WHAT YOU GET
If you see something you don’t like at your preview, or at any point on your bridal beauty journey, PLEASE speak up. I will 100% not be offended if you’d like adjustments. Hair & makeup is a collaboration between the bride and the artist, and if you don’t let me know I’m not hitting the mark, I will never be able to achieve your wishes. That being said, know that when your beauty is happening it will go through a variety of stages and can look a little wonky mid-process. You might catch a glimpse of yourself and start to panic thinking you look like something out of Married With Children (I totally dated myself there). Unless it is clearly going down the wrong path, let me finish the look and then decide if it’s not a home run. Remember, I have helped over 150 brides in the last 4 years alone get ready for their big day, and they were all happy campers. Just sit back, relax, and allow me the chance to wow you (while we talk about your wedding cake/dessert situation…I live for cake).
Photography Credit: Alexandra Lee Photography
