PREPARING FOR THE TRIAL

 

Bad hair and smudged mascara days happen – but they should never happen on your wedding day. That’s why hair and makeup trials are so important. These practice runs help to ensure you’ll look perfect when the big day comes around! To make the most of the trials and make them worth your while, here are a few tips so you can prepare for the best possible and most enjoyable experience.

 

Come clean and product-free

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I will listen carefully to your needs and assess your features, skin tone, eye colour, and hair texture before we begin.

For a hair trial, wash your hair the night before or on the day and avoid applying any product. If you need to do a little taming with a straightener or curling iron, that’s OK – just don’t overdo it. You want your hair to be as natural as possible. For a makeup trial, continue your typical skincare routine, remembering to exfoliate and hydrate your skin. Try not to apply any makeup before your trial if you can. A clean face will hold makeup better and will save us time so that we can focus on what matters most – your look on your big day.

 

Wear the right outfit

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Choosing your outfit carefully can make your trial much more enjoyable! If possible, wear a top with a similar neckline to your dress so that both you and I get a better idea of your wedding day look. If that’s not an option, go for a top with an open neckline. This will also be useful if you plan to repurpose your look for the rest of the day, as it will be easier to change out of a top with a wide or open neck. Try to avoid very dark or bright colours – white or beige will give you the best idea of what you will look like on the big day.

 

Bring photos

 

And lots of them! Either physical copies or on a device is fine. If you have a Pinterest board, you can share it with me before the trial. If you like elements of different hairstyles or makeup looks, bring photos of all of them so I can use them to build one cohesive vision. Also, bring photos of styles you don’t like so that I know which looks to avoid.

If you are also booking makeup for bridesmaids and mums, please bring their photos too.

 

Don’t forget your accessories

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Veils and other headpieces should be a given – your hair won’t look the same without them! If you haven’t got them yet, don’t worry – we can always practise with a couple of examples I have available in my studio. Don’t forget about jewellery either. Bring any earrings and necklaces you plan to wear if you have them.

 

For that added little something…

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I can add individual eyelash extensions to create any gorgeous look, from a natural ‘day’ lash to maximum intensity. This is already included in the trial price, and you can let me know if you’d like to try them on the day.

For brides with short and/or thin hair, I recommend padding (provided) or clip-in hair extensions that can be disguised for a natural look. Extensions can help us achieve the style you want more easily and will look so natural that people will be left guessing! If the colours I have available don’t match your hair colour, I can advise where to get extensions from, colour-match them, and order them for you. If you already have extensions, bring them along. If you are unsure whether you will use the extensions again, you can hire them from my collection for an additional fee. Ideally, your eyebrows will already be shaped as you wish them to look on your wedding day. Alternatively, I can shape them for you on the day of the trial for an extra fee.

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During the trial

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While my studio is very comfortable and welcoming, it is quite small and cosy too. You are more than welcome to bring a friend or up to two, but any more than that can make the space feel crowded and the overall experience less comfortable. I offer plenty of tea, coffee, and biscuits, but as the hair and makeup trial takes about 3–4 hours, you might want to consider bringing a sandwich or another snack with you so that you don’t go hungry.

Any additional time required for trial sessions will need to be booked as a repeat trial.

 

After the trial

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I would appreciate any feedback following the trial so that we can make improvements for your big day!