Bridal Beauty - What NOT To Do!

Back in L.A. when I was planning weddings full time, I used to always tell my brides "We have to start the ceremony on time...after that most things are a little flexible, but if we are late there, the whole day is late." A MAJOR key element in that is having professional hair and makeup artists to get the bride and bridal party ready and FABULOUS on time!

When it cam to bridal beauty, in my opinion there was no better company to call than Design Visage. Caren Lazarus and all of the ladies who work for her are amazing, top-notch, out of this world amazing hair and makeup stylists. She even helped me get out of a pickle once when the bride {without telling me} sent all her ladies down for a massage at "start time."

I asked Caren to share some "What NOT To-Do's" when it comes to bridal beauty. Here they are...heed her advice..she knows what she is talking about! In the past 25 years Caren has seen many mistakes and some obvious and some not so.  With no further adieu, here it is, words of wisdom from Caren at Design Visage:


1. Do not purchase your hair accessories prior to the hair preview…..it is more important to choose something that goes with the hairstyle than match your dress….most accessories compliment any dress anyway! Best to choose a stylist that has a good selection of hair pins, flowers, feathers, combs, headbands. This way you can try the different styles with each hairstyle and pick the perfect “you”.  
2. Be very prepared for the “preview’ hair and make-up session. The artist cannot read your mind and can only help you, not choose for you. Look through magazines (not just bridal…also trashy they often have wonderful hair and make-up looks) bring a selection of the photos and a photo of your dress to the preview.  
3. SPEAK UP…..when you pay for a hair and make-up preview, don’t be afraid to tell the artist if you like what she/he is doing or not. A good bridal hair and make-up artist will want your input….since by the way it is your day. Ask before you book with the artist, their style….are they open to your suggestions…this is not the time to hire a “DIVA” hairstylist that decides to do their latest creation on your hair for your wedding…remember it’s all about you.  
4. Check if the stylist is a single operation or a company, ask about their back-up plan….let’s face it emergency’s can happen….what will happen if she becomes ill the day before your wedding or gets a better offer, get a contract so you will be sure not to be the bride in waiting on your wedding day.  
5. Ask about the wedding day policy….let’s say all your 8 bridesmaids, both moms and grandma decide to have hair and make-up services on the wedding. Is your artist equipped to handle all this in a timely manner. Will she just bring an assistant or another qualified hair and make-up artist or 2. You do not want to be getting ready for 8 hours….a qualified company will get everyone ready and happy in 3 to 4 hours….no matter how many services you require.  
6. No airbrush tan on the wedding day….this is a service you, first need to do a practice one time to make sure you love it and second to see how their product looks on your skin….all products are not created equal. You don’t want to be an orange bride. The airbrush tan should be applied 1 to 3 days prior to the wedding. It will have time to blend nicely with your skin tone and the residue will have come off in the shower, not on your white dress.
7. All eyebrow waxing and threading should be done at least 3 to 7 days prior to the wedding. And any facial waxing for that matter. Did you know that when you are nervous you can swell more easily? Also a freshly waxed brow will not hold eye shadow….
8. A note on facials….probable one of the best things you can do for your wedding make-up…your make-up can only look as good as the skin underneath it. Although this is like an exercise program, you need to start as soon as possible. 6 months of monthly facials can do wonders for your skin….this way you can schedule that all important hydrating facial the week of your wedding. If you have not prepared your skin…DO NOT have your first facial any closer than 3 weeks prior to your wedding.
9. Don’t assume that you need to have an artist with your same ethnicity. A good make-up and hair artist can bring out the best in us all.

Caren Lazarus  
Owner, Design Visage

Thanks Caren! Go check out the Design Visage website and pay a visit to their blog too! There are amazing photos of makeup and hair designs that just may inspire your own look.