Knowledge is Key for Risk Management! Insights from Recent Brides on "What Went Wrong and Right with Hair and Makeup"

2018.12.25 published

Tell us if you were satisfied with your hair and makeup for your wedding or pre-shoot!!

For us ordinary people who usually don't have the opportunity to have makeup done by professionals, having a makeup artist do our hair and makeup brings a thrilling and exciting feeling, as we might feel like a celebrity or a model ♡. However, since it’s something we’re not used to, we also experience anxious thoughts like, "What if it goes wrong?" or "What if I end up looking overly glamorous like I did at my coming-of-age ceremony?"

The difference from our usual self-makeup may lead to thoughts like, "Wait! This doesn't look like me!" or "The sense of makeup and hair styling is too outdated!" Moreover, since the results of hair and makeup are clearly visible in photographs, whether you are satisfied with the final look or whether there are lingering dislikes is a crucial point that directly affects your "wedding satisfaction."

To avoid disappointment, let’s hear about the experiences of past brides!

@milkwd1104

Here are some messages shared with marry's DM＊

Experience story 1: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

During the ceremony, I had a rehearsal makeup session. I'm used to natural makeup, so when I had a full face done, it felt extremely out of place, and I think having a rehearsal was the right thing to do.

What I usually do for my makeup has become the norm for me, but that is a significant "detail!" I think it's best to communicate with the makeup artist about how I usually finish my look!

- How the foundation is finished (matte or dewy)

- The intensity and placement of blush

- The shape, thickness, and color of my ideal eyebrows

- Preferred lip color (not just color but also finish)

And so on.

Additionally, since I was not fond of the heavy full makeup look, I intentionally chose not to use concealer and instead left my dark circles subtly visible for a more natural look. I finished with just foundation and requested less powder.

For the eyeshadow, instead of using dark colors to create a “bold makeup look,” I had the artist use shades similar to what I usually wear and added some sparkly glitter on my eyelids for a “slightly different special makeup,” which felt natural!

The makeup artist is also striving to ensure you are satisfied with the outcome, so I think it’s better to convey your wishes without feeling shy!

Experience story 2: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

During my makeup rehearsal, when I told the makeup artist that I wanted glowing skin, she ended up using only matte products from her toolkit, so she used my own cosmetics that I had brought.

I wondered why they couldn't prepare properly, given that I had conveyed I wanted glowing skin in advance...

I think you should know the types of cosmetics beforehand!

Experience story 3: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

I was disappointed with my hair and makeup in my pre-shoot data.

① My bangs, which I thought would be styled back, fell down, exposing my round face.

② The makeup was exactly the same as usual with brown eyeshadow and lacked variation.

③ My pink blush made my look appear unfocused.

④ Although I communicated that I wanted a soft finish, the result was a blurry finish.

Experience story 4: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

As a hairdresser, I styled my entire face myself, including curling and creating wave effects.

During the planning session, I showed the hairstyle and accessories I wanted for my white dress and what I would use for my wedding dress, compiling my favorite styles from social media and sharing them with the makeup artist.

I also shared details about where to place the accessories and mentioned the style of makeup I was aiming for, asking for strong coverage to hide my red complexion without making the eyebrows too dark, so I have no regrets during the pre-shoot or on the day of.

Experience story 5: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

I had two pre-shoots, a wedding, and a post-shoot, each time having different makeup artists since I didn't specifically request anyone.

Ultimately, I realized that there is a noticeable difference in compatibility and technique depending on the person.

The makeup artist during the traditional attire pre-shoot was someone with a similar personality as mine, who accurately understood my preferences and what suited me, so my first bridal photoshoot was fantastic.

However, this led to complacency. I mistakenly thought that everyone else would also pick up on my preferences like this 😩💦

The makeup artist for my wedding was, frankly speaking, a huge mistake.

I have a complex about the shape of my eyebrows, and I always provide instructions regarding them.

I communicated that I wanted my eyebrows to be trendy and natural.

However, the final result on the day showed uneven thickness and shape, and I remember being shocked when I saw the photos.

It took such a long time to work on the eyebrows that it delayed the rehearsal and shooting.

And to top it off, the artist complained that my eyebrows were difficult! I was taken aback. Why say that now?

The makeup artist during the post-shoot had excellent technique, similar to the one from the pre-shoot.

When I consulted about my eyebrows with her, she provided helpful makeup advice, which made applying my own makeup easier.

Looking back, it’s now evident, but it was a valuable lesson on the variance among makeup artists.

What I regret is not having hired a makeup artist. The dress, body maintenance, and everything are essential, but hair and makeup on the day are crucial too. To avoid mistakes, it may be better to specify and hire a professional without hesitating to spend money.

Experience story 6: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

My bangs were long and fell over my eyes! I should have had them cut shorter or curled more dramatically.

Also, I had some stray hairs by my face, but they fluttered in the wind, making it tricky to take pictures.

I think it’s better to avoid stray hairs by the face when outdoors!!

Experience story 7: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

When I asked for a natural look, it turned out too light and was even softer than my usual makeup😭

I should have insisted on eyeliner😭 I also wish I had brought my favorite lipstick.

Experience story 8: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

If the ceremony is held at a chapel far from the hotel, even if the hair and makeup artist accompanies you, they might not be able to use a curling iron.

For those who have specific requirements for curling their bangs, I suggest bringing your own hair iron, even if it adds to your luggage!

(A cordless type would be even better)

Experience story 9: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

I dyed and cut my hair before the pre-shoot and the day of the wedding, but the hairdresser randomly thinned my bangs, making it challenging to style them as I wanted on the day 😵

I should have said something before she cut them—so frustrating!😭

Experience story 10: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

Thanks to sharing not just my desires but also the “no-gos” examples during the rehearsal, I was able to communicate perfectly with the makeup artist. Even on the day, I had no failures even when I felt like changing things based on how I felt during the rehearsal!!

Additionally, since I underwent a personal color diagnosis, I knew the appropriate blush and lip colors that suited me, which was a relief.

Experience story 11: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

When I showed a photo of my hairstyle, I only shared the pictures taken from the back, and the front view looked completely different from my expectations (laughs).

Experience story 12: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

I created a guideline that summarized my specific desires for each part of my look👌🏻

I specified how I wanted my bangs styled, that my eyebrows should be natural rather than heavily defined with a pencil, and details about my under-eye area and such🌟

The makeup artist appreciated it, and it helped her as well to have documentation on the day👏🏻

Experience story 13: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

Slightly off topic, but I regret that in most of my traditional pre-shoot photos, I had a double chin 💦

I believe this was mainly due to the angles from which most photos were taken.

Experience story 14: To avoid regrets with wedding hair and makeup

･ The shape of my eyebrows from the pre-shoot.

･ The hairstyle for both the pre-shoot and the actual event was the same.

(I wish I had asked to have the hair from the wedding reception version photographed as well..)

･ The lipstick color for my wedding dress was darker than I expected, so I chose a lighter shade for the ceremony makeup. However, when I later looked at the pictures, it appeared as though I hadn't applied any lip color at all.

(I should have asked for a touch-up right before entering after the rehearsal.)

→ I asked my husband to hold a mirror so that I could check on things and have him fix anything needed right away.

(The hair and makeup artist was also nearby to assist.)

Be careful because a makeup mistake can really be disheartening!

Women can feel down even on ordinary days when there are no plans, just because their bangs won't cooperate or their eyelashes aren't curled, experiencing disappointment from "slight changes or mismatches."

If that's the case on a normal day, imagine how devastating it would be if you were unsatisfied with your makeup or hairstyle on your wedding day, a once-in-a-lifetime grand event where you'll be photographed continuously...

You could be left feeling so regretful, sad, and despondent, as if you'd be stuck in that moment for the rest of your life, can’t you?

Problems can arise in anything, and since makeup artists are human too, compatibility can vary, but...

To mitigate risks, let's start by learning from past experiences and accumulating knowledge!

@milkwd1104

Please check out these articles too＊

➡ How is it to do wedding makeup "myself" when I have so much attention to detail that I don't want to leave it to a pro?

➡ I disliked the professional makeup provided by the makeup artist on my wedding day! A bride’s experience who chose to do her own makeup on the day of her wedding.

➡ Points to be careful about during the hair and makeup rehearsal. My personal image that may not be clear to others 【hairstyle edition】

➡ I normally only wear mascara. On my wedding day, should I go for eyelash extensions or false eyelashes? What do you think?