If you know me personally, you know that I am a say it like it is kind of girl. When it comes to my business, you can expect the same. Transparency is something I take very seriously as it helps my clients and I stay on the same page. Since becoming a bridal MUA over 8 years ago, there are so many things that consistently come up throughout the planning process. In an effort to be fully open and honest, here are 5 things bridal makeup artists want you to know.

1. Natural and neutral are two different things.

The best way for me to describe this is by showing you the difference. I have so many brides show me this exact photo below and say, “I want it to look natural like this”. To the naked eye, yes it could come across as natural, but let us break it down:

For a natural look, let’s break down the makeup look below. This is from a makeup trial I did a few years back.

It’s important to remember that even if something appears to look “natural” on Pinterest of Instagram, it may be much more makeup than you think. Knowing the difference between natural and neutral will help to create realistic expectations for you and for your bridal MUA.

2. Our artistry is unique

To put it simply, if you are craving Mexican food, you wouldn’t go to the Olive Garden, right? Same goes for makeup. Every artist has their specialty or signature look. For me, I am more of a glam artist. That means I specialize in a more dramatic style of makeup (you can thank my MAC years for this). While I can certainly execute a no-makeup makeup, it’s simply just not my style. When you’re looking for your wedding day MUA, it’s important to do your research and find an artist whose style aligns with your vision. You can get a very good idea of their style simply by browsing their Instagram or website. If you prefer a very natural makeup look, seek out artists who specialize in that kind of look. If you are a glam girl who wants the bold lashes and a Kim K smokey eye, those artists are out there (hi!). It’s part of the wedding planning process to find vendors who align with your vision as no two are alike!

3. There are a lot of factors that go into our pricing

Pricing. Oh pricing. I could write a whole separate blog post just about this topic, but I’ll keep it short and simple. Every artist is unique. Some do this full-time. Others do it as a side hustle. Some have a team of 10. Some are a one man show. Some artists have studios while others work on-location or out of their homes. Other things to to consider is the behind the scenes work like deep cleaning our kits, loading/unloading our cars, spending 1 hour+ before each wedding cleaning and sanitizing our brushes, answering emails, creating day of schedules/invoices, setting up and breaking down our stations, driving for hours on end, etc. Not to mention the cost of insurance, car maintenance, product costs, etc. Bottom line is, there is much more that goes into the price than just physically doing the makeup application. Not to mention, on-location makeup is a luxury service and should be priced as such. There are artists that fit everyone’s budget, but if you are looking for a high-quality result from an artist who dedicates their life to their craft and offers/delivers an exceptional product, it’s going to come with a price tag.

4. Makeup applications don’t happen in 15 minutes

I schedule bridesmaid makeups for 45 minutes and brides for 90 minutes. That’s how I personally prefer to do things so I can do my best work without rushing. When I send over a proposal and day of schedule to a potential bride, I am sometimes met with the question, “Can we shorten the get ready time”? The answer is no. Each artist has their allotted amount of time per person so they can do their best work and give you the best end result. Rushing through a makeup application ends well for no one. Be courteous of the timeline your MUA provides you with and respect that they are creating that schedule with you in mind and for good reason.

5. Fine Lines and texture isn’t a makeup issue, it’s a skin issue.

“I feel like I can see the makeup” is a phrase I hear a lot. In an effort to be fully transparent, the response is simple: if you are wearing any makeup, you are going to see makeup. I reiterate over and over to my brides that great makeup starts with great skin and if you have a great skincare routine, get your monthly facials, drink lots of water, you should be ready to go to achieve a flawless makeup application. Here’s where things get tricky. Acne, texture, fine lines, smile lines, wrinkles, etc are not makeup’s best friend. Unfortunately, it more than likely will enhance those areas. Sure there are things we can do as makeup artists with certain techniques and products to draw the attention away from those problem areas, but at the end of the day those are skin issues, not makeup issues. It’s unrealistic to think that makeup isn’t going to settle into those lines and wrinkles or that concealer is going to magically make your pimples have no surface to them (even if the photoshopped world we now all live in shows otherwise). At the end of the day, your skin is your skin and it’s beautiful even if it isn’t perfect. Just be realistic about what’s achievable when it comes to makeup and if your skin is really a concern, work with a licensed aesthetician to get you on your way to the skin you dream about.