FAQs
- What types of customers have you worked with?
I started years ago doing makeup primarily for model photography. This was extremely helpful as I began to focus more on bridal makeup. It's important that your makeup look just as fresh and flawless in person as it does in your wedding photos, and I think that working almost exclusively as a makeup artist in the fashion realm for several years has given me a leg up on examining aspects such as lighting and perspective.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Do not be afraid to ask questions! Ask for examples of their past work (all makeup artists should have an online portfolio or "walking" portfolio), and references. Makeup artistry is an unregulated service, so anyone can say they're a makeup artist, even if they have minimal experience. Makeup artists who are serious about their artistry invest a lot of time and money establishing their credibility, so chances are that a good one will have a Cosmetology or Esthiology license, and they may be insured by an organization or represented by a union as well. If they're not trained in the cosmetology field and learned by trade (such as from working at a cosmetic counter), what certifications have they earned inside of that company? Also, when doing a consultation with a makeup artist, take a look at their products- did they buy them from a drug store or do they look like professional products? Are their brushes clean? Are they conducting themselves professionally upon meeting you (remember, if you're hiring this person for a wedding, chances are that your closest friends and relatives will be meeting an interacting with them too). Finally, and most importantly: does your makeup artist listen to you? If you say you want a natural look and they give you a look that's more dramatic, then try to criticize your preferences or talk down to you, it may not be a good fit.
- What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
There is a marked difference between doing makeup yourself and having a professional provide makeup services for you! :) A makeup artist doesn't just throw makeup on your face and hope for the best- a professional is trained to analyze everything from your face shape and skin undertone, use the best products, tools and techniques available, and ensure that your look lasts all the way to the end of your special event. Someone in a bridal party that opts to do their own makeup ALWAYS stands out in photos- and NOT in a good way! Makeup artists apply makeup specifically for photography, so the makeup you apply on yourself every day will not perform or appear the way it should in professional photography.