7 Things to Know Before You Book a Makeup Artist for Your Wedding

This is the most important day of your life! Well, maybe not the most important, but your wedding is definitely up there. You've likely invested a ton of time and money—and if you're shelling out your hard-earned cash for a killer photographer and photo album, you'll probably want to look your best in those pictures as well as IRL. So a professional makeup artist is a godsend, since they'll be able to nail a cat eye or make your skin look flawless. But the process of getting there can be tricky. How can you be sure they know what you're looking for—especially if you're not quite sure yourself? Read on to learn how.

Bridal Beauty Must-Do #1: Find a Makeup Artist Earlier Than You Think

Sure, booking your makeup artist as soon as you find a venue might seem a little intense. But leaving yourself enough time to have a consultation—and maybe even makeup trials, if you want them—ensures you won’t turn into a beauty bridezilla a few weeks before your wedding. “Finding an artist that you mesh well with and that can bring your vision to life is a lot more important than brides think,” says Rocio Matos, makeup artist and education director at makeup studio Blushington. It takes time and research to find a good match. And on that note...

Bridal Beauty Must-Do #2: Do Your Research

Even if you've curated a Pinterest board of your dream makeup looks, there's no guarantee that any of them will look as good on your own face. And, in the same vein, if you google "best wedding makeup artist," it doesn't mean that you'll get the best makeup artist for what you really need. Look for one whose work you consistently like—particularly on actual brides. Sometimes, the work they show is on models and the photos may have been retouched, says NYC makeup artist Sally Duvall. “You want your photos to look great—but you also have to greet guests in person and still look like yourself,” she explains. “Your makeup has to straddle that fence.” With the wrong makeup artist, that's tough to pull off.

Bridal Beauty Must-Do #3: Spring for the Makeup Consultation

Between the dress, the flowers, and that open bar (duh), it’s ridiculously easy for your budget to spiral out of control when you’re planning a wedding. So you might be tempted to skip the pricey consultation and save yourself $200. But in the long run, it’s not worth it. “It’s akin to only trying on one wedding dress,” says Duvall. “It minimizes any surprises the day of—and if you ask for multiple looks, you can get a sense of what you like and don’t like.”

Bridal Beauty Must-Do #4: Test Run Anything New-for-You Before Your Wedding Day

Some brides are down with a full face of makeup, while others just want to look like themselves. A good way to bridge this gap is to try out false lashes. “They make a difference in pictures and make your eyes pop if you won’t be wearing much makeup on your face,” explains Matos. She recommends asking your makeup artist about individual lashes, which feel lighter on your eyes and also look more natural than full-lash sets. Take them for a test-drive first too, to make sure they feel comfortable and that you even like how they look.

Bridal Beauty Must-Do #5: Be Smart When You Spray Tan

For many, sun-kissed color is kind of a no-brainer before a wedding. However, it’s best to schedule it accordingly. “If you spray tan, give yourself a good amount of time beforehand so the tan sets in and you don't reek of it,” says Kira Nasrat, makeup artist and brand ambassador for L.A.'s Violet Grey. And even if you’ve planned a destination wedding in Tulum, resist the urge to get a tiny bit of color by laying out on the beach. Tanning leads to burning leads to peeling, and if you do suffer a sunburn, there’s no going back. Just load up on sunscreen and opt for a faux glow (Nasrat is a fan of James Read's self-tanning line).

Bridal Beauty Must-Do #6: Step Up Your Skin Care Routine

Every single makeup artist we spoke with emphasized the importance of taking care of your skin in the months leading up to your wedding. "I always suggest targeting any underlying skin health issues, getting regular facials leading up to the big day, and cleaning up your diet," says Duvall. But let's be real, we get that's not just not happening for everyone, so at the very least Nasrat says to drink a ton of water in the weeks before the big day. Blushington also offers Dr. Neal Schultz's 40-percent glycolic-acid peel at each location; it provides heavy-duty exfoliation with zero redness or downtime.

Bridal Beauty Must-Do #7: Pack an Emergency Makeup Kit

In a perfect world, you’d have an entire glam squad following you around and blotting the sweat off your face while between photos. But if you’re not (a.) Mariah Carey or (b.) rolling in dough, having a personal touch-up team might not happen. Almost as good: Bring a small makeup kit with you. “Stash a makeup setting spray to revive your makeup, oil-blotting papers, and the lip color you used,” suggests Matos. Might as well get the most out of your gorgeous makeup.