What a makeup trial actually is
The honest answer is that it depends on what you expect from the day. If you have never seen me work and you want to see the result before you decide, a trial settles it in one afternoon.
It is the full wedding makeup, done on an ordinary day, with the same time and the same products. It is not a shortened version and it is not a quick demonstration.
You leave with the makeup on and you go home wearing it. That is how you find out what happens at hour six, when the base has settled in and the lipstick has already been through lunch.
When to book it
One to two months before the wedding. That window has a practical reason. It leaves time to change what you didn't like, and your skin is still close to the skin you will have on the day.
Booking six months ahead does not help. Skin changes with the season, a tan changes the shade of the base, and your hair may be at a different length.
Booking the week before does not work either. If you want to change something, there is no time left to test it again.
What to bring
These six things change the outcome of the trial:
| What | Why |
|---|---|
| Photographs of what you like | Words like "natural" or "bold" mean different things to different people. One image settles the conversation in seconds. |
| A photograph of the dress | The neckline, the colour of the fabric and how much it shines change the choice of shade and finish. |
| The products you already use | If there is a base or a lipstick you feel good in, I bring it into the conversation. |
| A top that buttons up | So you can take it off at the end without pulling it over your head. It sounds small. It isn't. |
| The earrings or accessories for the day | They help you see the whole thing, especially if they are large or coloured. |
| One person you trust | One opinion is enough. Three opinions slow the decision down and rarely improve the result. |
How long it takes
Count on two hours. The makeup itself takes less, but the trial includes the conversation at the start, the adjustments halfway through and the photographs at the end.
Don't book anything straight afterwards. If you want to try a different lipstick or open the smoky eye up further, you need that time.
What gets decided at the trial
Four things get settled: the shade of the base, how strong the eye is, the lip colour, and the finish of the skin, more matte or more luminous.
The hour I start on the wedding day gets settled too. Once we have seen how long the trial took, that number stops being a guess.
Photograph it at the end, in the right light
Take photographs next to a window and then in a room with artificial light. The two show different things, and your wedding makeup will go through both.
Use your phone, not the photographer's camera. The phone camera is the one that will be in your guests' hands all day.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bridal makeup trial compulsory?
No. Some brides skip it, usually when they already know the work closely. But if you have never seen me work, it is the safest way to reach the day without surprises.
How far in advance should the trial be booked?
One to two months before the wedding. Earlier doesn't serve you, because skin changes with the season. Later leaves no time to fix anything you don't like.
How long does a makeup trial take?
About two hours. That covers the conversation at the start, the full makeup, the adjustments and the photographs at the end. Don't schedule anything right after.
What should I bring to the trial?
Photographs of the result you like, a photograph of the dress, the products you normally use, a top that buttons up, the accessories for the day, and one person you trust.
Can I change my mind after the trial?
Yes, and that is what it is for. Small adjustments we handle by message. If you want to change the whole direction, we book a second trial.
Is the trial usable for the day itself, or is it only a rehearsal?
Both. You leave with the makeup on and you can wear it for the rest of the day. That is how you see how the result behaves over several hours.
One last thing
If you leave the trial with a doubt still unresolved, say so before you go. It is far easier to adjust that afternoon than to discover on the morning of the wedding that the lipstick wasn't quite what you wanted.