Your bridal makeup trial is easily one of the most exciting pre-wedding appointments! It’s that magical moment where the vision you’ve been dreaming of starts to become a reality. More than just a practice run, this is our dedicated time to collaborate, design, and perfect the look that will make you feel confident, radiant, and unmistakably you on your wedding day.

Think of it as our creative session to ensure your wedding morning is as calm and stress-free as possible. To help you get the absolute most out of our time together, I’ve put together my list of essential dos and don’ts for preparing for your trial.

The DOs: Setting Ourselves Up for Success

1. DO… Gather Your Inspiration

Before our appointment, spend some time gathering 3-5 images of makeup looks that you absolutely love. Pinterest is fantastic for this, but you can also pull from magazines or Instagram. More importantly, try to find one or two examples of what you don’t like. Knowing what to avoid is just as helpful as knowing what you’re drawn to!

Pro Tip: For the most realistic preview, look for inspiration on people with a similar skin tone and eye color to you. And my favorite tip of all? Bring a photo of yourself where you felt your most beautiful. It tells me so much about your personal style and comfort level with makeup.

2. DO… Arrive with a Fresh, Clean Face

Please come to your trial with a completely clean, makeup-free face. You can absolutely follow your normal morning skincare routine (moisturizer is great!), but please skip any heavy oils, treatments, or SPF for now. A blank canvas allows me to properly assess your skin and apply my own professional skin prep products, which are designed to create a flawless, long-lasting base for your makeup.

3. DO… Wear a White or Ivory Top

This is a simple trick that makes a huge difference! The color of your clothing reflects onto your face and can subtly alter the appearance of foundation and color products. By wearing a top that’s a similar color to your wedding dress—a simple white t-shirt or ivory blouse is perfect—we can both visualize the final look far more accurately. If you happen to know the neckline of your dress, wearing a similar style can be a great bonus!

4. DO… Be Prepared to Be Honest!

This is the most important “DO” on the list, and I cannot stress it enough: you will not hurt my feelings! This trial is 100% about you. If the eyeliner is a little thicker than you’d like, if the lip color isn’t quite what you imagined, or if you simply want to try a different blush, please tell me. My goal is for you to walk out of my studio feeling completely in love with your look. We can tweak, adjust, and play until it feels absolutely perfect.

5. DO… Trust the Process (and Your MUA!)

You chose me as your artist because you connect with my style and expertise, and I am so honored to be part of your day. While your inspiration photos are our essential roadmap, I encourage you to be open to my professional suggestions. I may recommend a slightly warmer eyeshadow to make your eye color pop or a different blush placement to best enhance your unique features.

Remember, makeup is an art form! Sometimes a look can feel “unfinished” or a bit bold in the middle of the process. Trust that I see the complete picture—it all comes together beautifully once the lashes, lips, and finishing touches are on.

The DON’Ts: What to Avoid Before Your Trial

1. DON’T… Get a Wax or Spray Tan the Day Before

Please schedule any facial waxing (brows, lip, etc.) at least 3-5 days before your trial. This allows any redness, sensitivity, or irritation to completely subside. Makeup can cling to and accentuate freshly waxed skin, so giving it time to settle is key.

Similarly, if you plan on having a spray tan for your wedding, let’s discuss the timing. It’s ideal to have the trial done while you have the tan, but avoid getting it done the day of or the day before your appointment, as the initial color can be unpredictable and sometimes rub off during application.

2. DON’T… Bring a Crowd

While I know it’s tempting to bring your entire bridal party for a fun outing, a trial is most productive with fewer opinions in the room. It’s easy for you, the bride, to get overwhelmed and confused when too many people are offering their thoughts. I highly recommend bringing just one person whose opinion you trust implicitly—like your mom, sister, or Maid of Honor. Of course, you are also more than welcome to come alone and simply enjoy the pampering!

After the Trial: The All-Important “Test Drive”

Once we’re finished, don’t just go home and immediately wash your face! Your trial is the perfect excuse for a date night, dinner with friends, or even your bridal shower. This gives you the chance to:

  • See how the makeup wears over several hours.
  • Take photos in different lighting (natural daylight by a window, indoors at night, with flash).
  • Get comfortable seeing yourself in professional makeup.

Pay attention to how it feels and lasts. This real-world feedback is invaluable for us to make any final adjustments for the wedding day.

A little bit of preparation for your trial goes a long way in creating a relaxed, fun, and successful experience. I see our trial as a true partnership, and I can’t wait to work with you to create a look that makes you feel like the most beautiful and confident version of yourself.

If you have any questions before your appointment, please don’t hesitate to reach out!