Now that you have picked a date, most of your vendors, and hopefully your dress, it is now time to start thinking about beauty.  You will be photographed more in one day than quite possibly any other day of your life so you need to make sure that you will look the best you can in them!

An experienced Makeup Artist knows what makeup looks great in photos, can enhance your best features and uses products that will last all day until the event is over.

A Makeup Artist will work with you to achieve the overall look you are going for.  This can range from natural, to dramatic or a period makeup (ex. 1920’s glam).  The products used for long lasting makeup that will also look great in photos is usually different from your everyday routine.  A Makeup Artist will use products that are long-lasting, professional and have the staying power you need to look great for your wedding day.  Not only will the products be long-lasting, she/he will also be able to accentuate your best features and create a look to tie in with your wedding colors, dress and desired hairstyle.

To choose your Makeup Artist, there are a few things to consider.  They will be with you all morning so you have to make sure that you like his/her personality.  Are they someone that you would like to spend the morning with on your wedding day?  Take a few minutes to feel them out to see if they would fit in with the group.

Find out how much experience they have with weddings and what kind of education they have.  If they are only trained by a makeup counter, find out if they use all types of products or only the line they are trained to use.  If they are only trained to use the products they work for, is the line known to photograph well?  It is very important that you do not hire a salesperson as opposed to a Makeup Artist on your wedding day.

Another thing to consider is what type of foundation medium you prefer.  Most brides should consider hiring an Airbrush Makeup Artist because of the long-lasting effects.

Look at their portfolio.  Make sure they have done a lot of brides makeup and make sure that it photographed well.

Get a trial.  Look at different pictures in magazines that encompass the look you are going for, even if they have a different skintone, it is good for the Makeup Artist to see the intensity that you are going for.  Never book a Makeup Artist without seeing their work on you firsthand.  At the trial, he/she should write down everything they did and also take a picture so they can re-create the look on your wedding day.  It is also a good idea to take pictures after your trial to see how the makeup holds up and get a feel for how much you will have to touch up throughout the day.

Typically a Makeup Artists pricing is based off of the cost of products used and experience.  Don’t underestimate the value of Makeup Artists; you usually get what you pay for.  Most mobile artists (artists that will come to you on your wedding day) have a minimum amount of services you need to secure your date which will cover costs of makeup, services and travel.  Expect to pay for a trial (usually done at their location) and then parking for the day of (if your hotel has parking fees).  If you allow your bridesmaids/mothers to choose whether to get makeup done and still can’t meet the minimum, consider having it done as part of a gift or go to a salon to get your makeup done so you don’t have to meet a minimum.

If you choose to go with a mobile Makeup Artist, make sure you sign a contract.  This protects both of you.  Also, check and make sure that if they are not available, they have someone they can use as a backup in case of an emergency.