Whatever type of wedding you’re going for – a classic white wedding or the simplest registry office ceremony – every bride will agree that she wants to look her best. And that’s a decision that’s just as important as the dress. Leaving it to the last minute and trusting to luck not only frays the nerves but risks disaster.
Going for a full trial is always the best idea, but you need to plan. Here’s top bridal stylist Izabella Bordignon’s 8 essential tips to have a perfect hair and makeup trial to ensure a stress-free wedding day and looks that will wow your friends and family and ensure pictures you’ll want to look at time and time again for years to come.
1. Choose the right stylist
You really need to be confident in your hair stylist and makeup artist and be completely comfortable in their company. You’ll be spending a lot of time with them – and your look is in their hands! Make sure that you’re happy not only that they understand your ideas and preferences, but just as importantly that you’ll feel relaxed in their care.
2. Stay in charge
Remember that you’re the boss! If you don’t like what your stylist is doing, say so. Don’t get talked into a look that you’re not comfortable with. If it doesn’t look right the first time, start again – the whole idea of a trial is to test out ideas to arrive at the best result. If you’re not happy, your stylist won’t be happy either, so don’t be afraid to speak your mind!
3. Go armed with photos
Prepare an album on your phone of hair and makeup styles that you’ve seen elsewhere and like – from social media, magazines or even snapped from pictures in a salon window!
You’ll need pix of the dress too. Sit down with your stylist and go through all of them before she starts work. That chat’s an ideal way to explain your thoughts and preferences to your stylist, and she will be able to make helpful comments and point out benefits and risks of different styles that might not have occurred to you.
4. Stay close to your comfort zone
Your Big Day is not the day to go for a completely crazy new look! For example, if you’ve never straightened your naturally curly hair, now may not be the time to experiment.
Your stylists’ aim should be to accentuate your beauty and have you feeling perfect and although you may see many enticing styles– you certainly don’t want to look at the pictures afterwards and regret doing something outlandish!
Think of the look that’s given you the most satisfaction in the past – and the one that’s attracted the most positive comments from others – and work from there.
5. But don’t be afraid to extend your vision
We’re talking hair extensions here! They don’t have to make your hair longer – they can be used to add volume and help achieve more striking looks. Similarly, it’s a great time to add highlighting features that add a lot to your style but which would be too much hassle to maintain as your everyday look.
6. Get the timing right
Once you’ve got the look that’s right, your stylist will be able to tell you how much time she’ll need on the day. Also, depending on the Big Day Timetable, you may need to build in times to get retouched.
Izabella also advises discussing hair and beauty needs for your mother, bridesmaids and others in your party so that everyone can be looked after in the right order and at the right times.
7. Put it all on record
Your stylist will take lots of pictures during and after the trial and share them with you. Before you finish the trial, talk through the hair and beauty styles with your stylist and make lots of notes – that way you’ll never have to lie awake thinking that something’s been forgotten or wondering what was said!
And Izabella’s eighth tip? “Talk to me!”, she says. “I’ve styled thousands of brides, and, though every one is unique, working so closely with them has gained me enormous experience. Making every bride perfect for her wedding day is my passion, and the planning is just part of the joy!”
