Brides, if you’re interested in wedding hair and makeup in Northern Virginia, today’s blog post is for you. Our sweet friend Ana, with Makeup by Ana B, is sharing a lot of great information about wedding hair and makeup.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your passion for makeup. How did you get started?
Becoming a makeup artist was a happy accident. Ten years ago, I was asked to do bridal hair for my cousin. At the time, I wasn’t a professional hairstylist either. I was just “the cousin who was good at hair”. Moreover, I remember she had a pro makeup artist there who made my naturally pretty cousin look like a movie star. I was blown away! I didn’t realize people hired makeup artists for their wedding so it was a new concept for me, and it sparked a curiosity that lead to my career. After interviewing around, I landed a job as a retail makeup artist for MAC Cosmetics without any professional experience. I was probably the most motivated interviewee ever! I’m so thankful they gave me a chance!
What is the most common question brides ask about wedding day makeup?
Brides are very concerned about makeup lasting through the night, so we make sure to use products that are longwearing and sweatproof, and that will last through all the happy tears.
Do you offer makeup services for the bridal party as well?
Yes of course! Last year our team worked with almost 2,000 clients which included lots of pretty brides, bridesmaids, corporate and special event clients.
What are the 3 most essential makeup items that a woman should have in her purse at all times?
A lip balm (I hate chapped lips!), a lipstick, and a compact (mirror/powder combo).
Do you encourage trial runs before the wedding? If so, what do they entail?
Absolutely, a bride should do a trial run if she can. For one, it will give her the opportunity to make sure she connects with her makeup artist. Everyone’s version of a bridal makeup can be different, and on your wedding day, you don’t want to run the risk that your look will not represent you. If a bride can’t do a trial run, I recommend she make sure to have inspiration pictures to give her artist as well as her own pictures of when she has felt the prettiest so that the artist has an idea of what she likes and doesn’t.
How much time should brides allow in their wedding day timeline for makeup?
A bridal makeup session typically takes an hour while a bridesmaid can take 35-45 minutes. More time and attention is always given to the bride so that she feels relaxed, and there’s time for any little adjustments to be made if needed.
What is your advice for the brides that choose to do their own wedding makeup?
Wedding makeup is different than every day makeup. You want to make sure that it shows up nicely in pictures and you aren’t washed out. Many people make the mistake of using products that don’t photograph well, are either too light or too heavy for bridal photographs. A lot of wedding photography will have close ups so you want to make sure to get the details perfectly right! I’m a fan of fake lashes, even if they are natural looking, they make a big difference in photos.
Do you have a favorite makeup technique? If so, what is it?
To get makeup to last, I would recommend layering! I typically layer a few different concealers in order to get the coverage and brightness I want. I do the same with eye shadows using several different shades in similar tones to add dimension.
If you could offer a bride looking for a makeup artist one piece of advice, what would it be?
A makeup artist should make you feel comfortable and excited about bringing your vision to life. Your wedding makeup is about you, so find an artist who is all about highlighting your best features and making you look and feel your very best!
Thank you so much, Ana, for sharing your tips and tricks about wedding hair and makeup with us! I’m looking forward to photographing more of your gorgeous work soon!
