Your wedding day is one of the most special days of your life, and you deserve to look and feel your best..
Your hair and makeup are two essential components of your bridal look that can make you feel confident, beautiful, and special on your big day. Whether you envision a classic, modern, or bohemian look, there are endless possibilities to create a stunning bridal hairstyle and makeup.
With the help of our experienced Hair & Make Up Professionals, we have put together a comprehensive guide that covers everything from pre-wedding hair and skincare routines to selecting the perfect makeup products and tools. With our top tips and advice, you can achieve your dream bridal look that will leave you feeling radiant, confident, and ready to say “I do.”
Start Early and Plan Ahead
The best way to prepare for your wedding day is to start early and plan ahead. With Queenstown becoming an increasingly popular destination for weddings, the top Hair & Makeup professionals in the area are in high demand, and peak wedding dates can book up quickly. This means you’ll need to prioritise booking your hair and makeup team as soon as possible, plus scheduling a trial run to make sure you love the look they create for you. It also means you should think about your skincare routine and any necessary treatments that you require in the months leading up to your wedding day, so to guarantee you look and feel your best on the big day.
A great place to start searching for your wedding hair and makeup team is via the “Look Your Best” category on the Queenstown Weddings directory.
Find Inspiration
One of the most exciting aspects of planning your wedding day look is searching for inspiration. You can start by searching online for photos of hairstyles and makeup looks that you love. Browse through social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest by using keywords like “Bridal Hairstyles” or “Bridal Makeup” with keywords that make your search more specific, like “Bridal up-dos”, “Boho Bridal Hairstyles”, “Bridal Hairstyles for Short Hair” or “Natural bridal makeup”, “Smokey eye bridal makeup”, etc.
Once you have a collection of images that inspire you, send them to your hair & makeup team, or bring them to your trial. Sharing these images with your hair and makeup artists will help them understand the look you’re going for and make it easier for them to create a personalised look that suits your style, personality, and preferences.
Do a Trial Run
It’s essential to do a trial run with your hair and makeup team to get a preview of how your look will come together on your wedding day. This trial is an opportunity to make any adjustments needed, so don’t be afraid to speak up and communicate any changes you’d like to make. Remember to bring any hair accessories you plan on wearing, like a veil or a diamante hair-piece, so your hairstylist can incorporate them into your style.
Ideally, schedule your trial run at least one to two months before your wedding day to allow plenty of time for adjustments. However, if you have limited time due to travel constraints, speak with your hair and makeup artists to see if there’s a way to accommodate your schedule or to prepare your look in advance.
Seeing your vision come to life during the trial run can give you the confidence and peace of mind you need to relax and enjoy your wedding day fully.
Coordinate Your Look with Your Wedding Theme
Your wedding theme is an important aspect to consider when planning your hair and makeup look.
If you’re having a bohemian-style or outdoor wedding, a loose and natural hairstyle with a light makeup look could complement the theme well. If you’re having a glamorous or black-tie wedding, a sleek updo and bold makeup may be more appropriate.
Make sure to discuss your wedding theme with your hair and makeup team so they can help you create a cohesive look.
Prioritise Skincare
Healthy, glowing skin is the foundation of any great makeup look. In the months leading up to your wedding day, prioritise your skincare routine by drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and using quality skincare products.
If you have any skin concerns, such as acne or uneven texture, consider visiting a dermatologist or esthetician for professional treatment. But be careful with your skin! Make sure you don’t introduce new skincare routines or products within three months of your wedding, as they can potentially irritate or inflame your skin too close to the big day.
Focus on the Eyes
Your eyes are one of the most important features to highlight on your wedding day. Whether you prefer a natural or dramatic look, make sure your eye makeup complements your skin tone, eye shape, and wedding theme.
False lashes or individual lash extensions can also help enhance your eyes and add an extra touch of glamour. Lash lifts are also amazing if you don’t want to have false eyelashes applied on the day, but keep in mind it can only be one or the other, as false eyelashes don’t work well ontop of the intense curl of a lash lift.
Consider Your Hair Accessories
Hair accessories can add a beautiful finishing touch to your wedding day look. From delicate hairpins to veils or statement headbands, there are endless options to choose from.
Make sure to consider your wedding dress and theme when selecting your hair accessories, and bring them to your trial run to ensure they work well with your hairstyle.
Arrive as a Clean Slate
If you only remember one tip from this whole article, this is it… so listen up! It’s super important that you prepare your hair and face properly so that your hair & makeup artists can arrive and get straight to work before you walk down the aisle!
To prep your hair for a blow-dried look, make sure you pre-wash your hair the night before your wedding, using as little conditioner as possible. This will help to remove any buildup or excess oil in your hair. If you’re planning to have an updo, washing your hair the night before would be ideal. However, if you have oily hair and need to wash it in the morning, go ahead and shampoo, but try to skip the conditioner altogether. And finally, make sure your hair is fully dry before your hair stylist arrives.
For your makeup prep, make sure to arrive with a clean face, free from any makeup or skincare products. This allows your makeup artist to start with a fresh canvas and ensure that your makeup applies smoothly and lasts throughout the day. Your makeup professional will come with all of the amazing products to prep your skin with and get it glowing for makeup application, so you won’t need to worry about anything.
Remember, proper preparation is key to achieving your dream wedding look, so don’t skip these essential steps!
Don’t Forget About Touch-Ups
While your hair and makeup team will ensure you look stunning for your ceremony and reception, it’s important to plan for touch-ups throughout the day.
Pack a small touch-up kit with essentials like blotting papers, powder or concealer, tissues, and lipstick so you can refresh your look as needed. Sometimes it’s best to assign a bridesmaid or a guest to “be your mirror” for the day, who can hold these essentials and let you know when it’s time for a touchup.
Relax and Enjoy
Finally, and perhaps most importantly… remember to relax and enjoy your wedding day. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it’s essential that you take the time to appreciate every moment of it. You’ve put so much effort and planning into creating the perfect day, so it’s important to take a deep breath and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Remember to take some time for yourself, and focus on being present in the moment. Your hair and makeup team will work tirelessly to make you look and feel your best, so trust them and let them take care of the details. Try to avoid getting caught up in the little things that may go wrong, and instead focus on the love and happiness that surrounds you on your special day. Take time to dance, laugh, and create memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.
Your wedding day is a celebration of your love, and the most important thing is that you enjoy it fully, because there is nothing more beautiful for your overall wedding day look than a genuine smile on your face.
Your wedding hair and makeup should reflect your personal style, complement your wedding theme, and make you feel beautiful and confident on your special day.
By starting early and planning ahead, finding inspiration, doing a trial run, prioritising skincare, focusing on your eyes, considering your hair accessories, and arriving as a clean slate, you can ensure that your hair and makeup will be flawless on your wedding day.
With the help of a professional hair and makeup team, you’re set to achieve your dream bridal look and make beautiful wedding memories that will last a lifetime.
