10 Questions to Ask A Makeup Artist or Hair Stylist as a South Florida Bride
With your Big Day drawing near, you're probably beginning the search for a wedding makeup artist or hair stylist. Finding the right artist or stylist is about more than just finding someone who is good at what they do–it's about finding someone who is right for you, who listens to you and gives you the look you want on your Big Day. South Florida is a unique area due to its weather. Makeup and hair artists need to be equipped with the right products and tools to be able to handle the intense humidity and changing conditions.
Viva La Cortes has curated this list of effective questions to ask your makeup artist or your hairstylist when you are looking for bridal day services.
1. “Is your makeup safe for my skin?”
It is important to discuss whether you have had reactions to certain products in the past. For Acne-prone skin, the makeup artist will have to adjust the skin preparation accordingly. Also mention if anyone in your party has any allergies to certain products. The artist can take the proper precautions to avoid any allergic reactions on the wedding day. For example, a bride allergic to silicone might react to most makeup primers. The artist can switch gears and use a different primer to avoid any reactions.
2. “Are you comfortable with different ethnicities?”
There are dozens of different skin shades and hair textures. If you have a diverse bridal party, you need an artist and a stylist who can make you and every one of your bridesmaids feel confident and beautiful. If you have multiple bridesmaids and members in your party, you can show your artist their photos to ensure the artist has an idea of what their hair looks like. If you or someone in your party has naturally very curly hair and wants a sleek look, the artist will know to bring the right products and tools. For makeup and different skin tones, a good makeup artist is prepared and keeps a wide shade range of foundations.
3. “Are you comfortable with mature skin?”
On a similar note, many makeup artists are only accustomed to young brides and bridesmaids. Not every makeup artist is prepared to make-over your mother- or grandmother-in-law. If a member of your bridal party or one of the family has mature skin, make sure to ask your potential makeup artist if they’re prepared to accommodate that person. Luckily, Viva La Cortes Makeovers has a wide range of experience with mature skin.
4. “Do you accommodate big parties?”
Not every makeup artist has assistants, and not every makeup artist is good at time management. You want a makeup artist who is confident in their ability to accommodate your party. If they do accommodate big parties (usually 8+) can they provide an additional makeup artist and/or hair stylist to help shorten the time?
Viva La Cortes Makeovers can accommodate large parties as we have a team of makeup and hair artists that we can send out for any number of bridal parties. Be sure to discuss the number of people in your party, and which services they require. Whether everyone is getting makeup only, hair only, or hair and makeup for everyone, keeping an open line of communication with your Makeup Artist is crucial.
5. “Will you provide a schedule for makeup and hair on the big day?”
You have a lot to think about on your Big Day. The last thing you need to worry about is telling your own makeup artist or hair stylist how much time they’ll need and when to start. That’s for them to figure out. These are important questions to ask if you want to find a makeup artist or hair stylist that fits your needs. A good, organized artist will even work with your wedding planner (if you have one) to organize the time, so that all you have to do as the bride is sit back and relax.
6. Discuss your budget.
It’s easy to get uncomfortable when talking about money, but it’s an important topic to address. Not every makeup artist has their pricing clearly printed on their website or brochure, and no bride wants to be hit with unexpected fees for parking, travel, or a trial run! Asking these questions should ease some of the anxiety and ensure you’ve covered all your bases. Be transparent about your budget and what you feel comfortable spending on wedding hair and makeup.
7. “How will you make my wedding makeup last and look good in photos?”
South Florida is notorious for its insane weather. The humidity is a battle that all hair and makeup artist face from Tampa all the way to Miami. Experienced hair and makeup artists will know exactly how to combat the heat and humidity, so that your bridal makeup look will stay intact for the whole day. Professionals know to use the right products for the skin so it is sweat-proof. Hair artists will use the right hair sprays so that the hair doesn’t frizz in the Florida humidity. Ask your artist what their experience is working in this area and how they can combat the changing weather.
8. “How far in advance can I book you? Are you available on my wedding day?”
Most Makeup Artists in South Florida will book at minimum 8-12 months out for bigger parties. For single brides or single services, they might be able to accommodate a quicker booking. After choosing an artist one of the first things you can ask is if they are actually available on the date of the wedding.
9. What bridal makeup look do you suggest?
If you are a new bride, chances are you are not sure which look to go for on your big day. You might have seen some inspiration photos on Pinterest or seen some celebrity makeup photos on Instagram from a celebrity wedding. Quite frankly, the best person to ask is your makeup artist of what the best look would be for your big wedding day. The south Florida makeup artist team, if they are experienced, has seen probably hundreds of brides and hundreds of different wedding themes. They could give you suggestions on what makeup might suit your face, your dress, and your wedding theme the best.
10. Why Viva La Cortes Makeovers?
No matter what, you want to hire a wedding makeup artist or hair stylist who is CLEAR and UPFRONT about their services and pricing. If asking these questions reveals hidden fees and confusing pricing, you might want to move on to the next candidate. You want a makeup artist and stylist you can trust, after all. That’s why at Viva La Cortes Makeovers, you can trust that we will do our best to ensure that your big day is perfect, and you feel your best.
