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7 Things to Look for in a Makeup Artist
Brides are expected to appear nothing short of stunning on their big day, and a debutant is surely going to want to turn heads on the eve of her 18th. Themed photoshoots, video shoots, and similar projects also call for those who understand the art of makeup in a professional and educational sense. Plus, it’s just fun to have another person to help get us all dolled up!
In this guide, we’ll be showing you a few things to watch out for when you’re looking for the right make-up artist to book for your big day. Stay tuned for the full scoop here.
Why We Need Makeup Artists
But because the right makeup artist could make an event, they could also break it. I’ve seen brides with the wedding jitters go ballistic because of a bad makeup job. Graduates who want to look picture-perfect for their yearbook can likewise be haunted by the wrong shade of lip or an overdone contour. Yes, makeup does matter, especially when it’s something as paramount as a wedding look or a yearbook photo. The wrong move can crush someone’s dreams. (A little dramatic, but you get the picture.)
That’s why it’s so important to pick out a good, trusted makeup artist right on the onset to prevent an unwanted fashion emergency. Lucky for us, there are tons of MUAs who offer premium service if you know where to find them. In this guide, we’ll share our tips on what to look for in a makeup artist. Read on to find out!
What to Look for in Every Makeup Artist
Before you go face to face with your makeup artist, you’ll want to do your research. Need the perfect look for your wedding day? Here are some tips in looking for the right makeup artist.
1. SKILL LEVEL
The first and most obvious factor is the skill level. Make sure to check the makeup artist’s portfolio before hiring one, as it can show you how they work their magic. Is their style suited to your taste? Are their skills up to par?
Skill includes their makeup application, work ethic, the variety of looks they can pull off, among other things. Before and after photos are convenient, too. Is the artist good at hiding dark circles? Do they use quality products, and if not, does it still appear so?
If you’re hiring professional artists for your wedding day, they’re most likely going to work on the bridesmaids, the maid of honor, and other special guests as well. Thus, someone who is used to working possibly the whole day is vital. They would also need to know how to translate a good makeup look to different face shapes, features, and skin tones. It’s not just the bride who has to look good for the wedding!
Usually, makeup artists have a team with them if the occasion calls for it, such as in a wedding or a graduation photo shoot. In this scenario, hygienic practices also become a deciding factor when choosing the right MUA. We don’t want a makeup artist who doesn’t clean up after themselves and risks putting dirty materials on the client’s face.
If you are a bride looking for the perfect glam squad for your big day, it truly helps to check their portfolio to see how they apply makeup on other girls. We all know everything has to be perfect during weddings, from the photography to the flowers to the makeup.
So it’s best to do your research on each artist you’re eyeing and how their other customers look. Is the foundation matte or glowy? Do they go for bold colors for the bride or more neutral shades? Are their products high quality? Have they made a name for themselves?
Use their portfolio as a starting point to see if they’re the right fit. Nothing can add icing to the (wedding) cake like great make-up, so if you’re antsy about making everything in your wedding flawless, it pays to do your research before deciding who to hire.
2. THEIR SPECIALTY
In the makeup industry, sometimes it’s less a matter of skill than specialty. Plenty of cosmetic artists have made a name for themselves in specific branches of beauty. Tip: search for someone whose method is suited for the specific occasion. Some market themselves as wedding makeup artists, so you’ll know immediately that they’re used to working with large groups of people. The title “wedding makeup artist” also lets the client know that they have experience preparing brides who might be a little emotionally fragile.
Apart from this, a wedding makeup artist is also aware of the necessary artistic choices that suit the occasion. They know the right colors, tones, and shades that would go well with white, which hues complement the wedding venue, and overall what appearance would match the environment. Again, this is super helpful if you’re a bride looking for the perfect artist to make you look perfect on the day of the wedding!
Similarly, a seasoned beauty professional can also specialize in plenty of things other than a wedding. Some prefer to work with themed photoshoots, birthdays, stylized video projects, and so much more — you’d be surprised at how makeup artists can adapt to almost any task!
3. HOW THEY PREP YOUR SKIN
Skincare is life, as the saying goes, and although the two worlds may seem different, ample skin prep is vital to a good makeup job. A traditional artist always needs the canvas to be prepared before painting, and the same goes for your face.
Tip: Search for an artist that prioritizes skin care, moisturizing, and priming before slathering on a bunch of products right away. That way, you’ll know they care about making you and your skin look good in the long run!
4. THE WAY THEY TREAT CUSTOMERS
Another tip to keep in mind when looking for the right makeup artist is to watch out for their reputation. Right off the bat, if the one you’re eyeing has a chock load of negative reviews on Facebook or any other page, you’ll know to steer clear. We might think that skill is the only factor to consider, but the attitude of the makeup artist plays a big role, too.
Plenty of clients have been disappointed in makeup artists who don’t show up on time, as it can throw off the entire schedule of the event, be it a wedding or an 18th birthday. Some have even experienced hiring a cosmetologist who makes snide comments on their client’s appearance.
On the opposite end, a good one will make sure the bride, graduate, or whoever the customer is not only looks great, but feels it, too! That someone will not discriminate on the client’s skin tone, nor would they point out their customer’s flaws. In fact, they know what to say to uplift their customer, or talk them out of wedding jitters, if needed. These are just some of the things that, while not technically skill related, make a professional all the more attractive.
5. HAIR, HAIR, HAIR
Some professional makeup artists act as hair stylists as well. If added hair styling is something you’re in need of, it’s nice to factor it in so you hit two birds with one stone. MUAs can make their finished product (in this case, the customer) appear gorgeous on all fronts, and that includes hair styling. Although it’s a different world entirely, finding an artist who can also work with hair is going to do wonders. With this tip, you’ll even be able to save more money than hiring two separate beauty professionals to achieve the same results.
If you’re looking for a hair and cosmetics artist to book for your wedding day, find one that also understands the needs of the venue. Is your wedding held inside a church or did you opt for a beach wedding? Since a beach wedding is anticipated to be windy, your MUA should expect a bit of sand and breeze in your hair, and therefore style it accordingly.
6. QUALITY OF SERVICE
Everyone deserves to look bomb from head to toe on their big day. It might seem like an overstatement, but photos last forever! That’s why it’s important to prioritize research so you don’t make a mistake. The search might be the hardest part, but it’s worth it if you find an artist that has premium quality service.
When we talk about service quality, we mean the entire package, from their technique to the products they use to how they handle their clients. A good makeup artist encourages their client to be their best self and knows just how to do it.
Perhaps the ideal gauge of an artist’s service quality is their social media presence. The idea is that apart from their past work, you’ll be able to see if they have a positive following or a bad name. People talk, so if an artist has a bad wrap, you’ll know.
7. THEY ALLOW A PREVIEW
The final important factor in finding the right makeup artist is their amenability to offering a preview of how they’re going to style you. Indeed, a lot of professionals allow you to see the finished product even before the big day, because you really can only get an idea from photos.
And that’s it! We hope you’ve learned something from this guide. For more fashion and beauty tips, check out our other blogs!
