Bridal make-ups

[Noo]

Hi again

I have another question - how do you all get on doing bridal make-up trials?

I find it hard when the girl doesn't say what she likes, doesn't like etc so you do what you think looks good and they then say "I look too different, I normally wear this, etc etc". I've done quite a lot of bridal parties and most have loved their make-up but I've had a couple of girls cancel after the trial which has really dented my confidence - has any other girls experienced this? I take it so personally!!

I had a call from a girl who booked me after she didn't like the way another therapist did her make-up so I know it happens but I hate to think of girls not being happy with my service!!

Noo x

 

[mally123pink]

Don't let it knock your confidence! Remember that you can't suit everyones requirements no matter how hard you try.
I would start with a consultation by asking them what they would normally wear during the day and for an evening, only after that would i start recommending colours i think would suit them.
What you think will be fantastic wedding make up and what they would like on the day are two different things.
Could you imagine Amy Winehouse ever getting rid of her trademark eyeliner?? It just wouldn't be her.
I think mineral make up is fantastic for weddings as it is so light!
Give your advice but take into account what they expect from their make up.
Some people haven't got a clue and trust you, the professional to know exactly what needs to be done.
You will be fine!! Have faith in yourself xx

 

[jenny2]

never had this, but there is always a first time, she says touching wood got a trial in next week, try not to take it to personally hun, they may have been offered a better deal, or not got married or just decided to do there own, next time ask them hun i wouldxxx

 

[pazzy]

You have to remember that this is their 'special day' and their standards become very high. Thoses who normally don't wear make-up will accept what you create for them.

Those who do - will have a specific look - know how they like it - however your not a mind reader - and some brides do expect you to apply it the way they are used to. Not possible - unless you see them with their full make-up on - this will give you an idea - how they like it.


I work with the colours they are used to - then add my own creations to make it look professionally applied. I keep showing them the colours and what I have done throughout the trial - this gives them time to adjust to what you have applied.


I also think that it takes a while for someone to 'accept' what they are seeing - and what you have applied is not how they saw themselves the last time they looked. Ask them to walk around the house and look at it in different mirrors - (each room's lighting will cast a completely different look on the make-up )

Work with them - suggest variations to their usual look - this will give them confidence in you and the make-up.

It does happen - try not to let it dent your confidence - it has happened to me - and I have sympathised with the bride and understood completely- and not took it personally - make-up is after all a very personal service.

Also ask them to have a look for make-up looks they like in magazines - this will give you a much clearer vision and idea.

I once had a bride - who when I asked her what sort of 'look' she was after - she replied 'your the expert - you tell me' I obviously replied - 'what I would like to apply - you may hate - we need to work together on this or you won't be happy' got there in the end.


hths
xx

 

[Mrs.Clooney]

You have to remember that this is their 'special day' and their standards become very high. Thoses who normally don't wear make-up will accept what you create for them.

Those who do - will have a specific look - know how they like it - however your not a mind reader - and some brides do expect you to apply it the way they are used to. Not possible - unless you see them with their full make-up on - this will give you an idea - how they like it.


I work with the colours they are used to - then add my own creations to make it look professionally applied. I keep showing them the colours and what I have done throughout the trial - this gives them time to adjust to what you have applied.


I also think that it takes a while for someone to 'accept' what they are seeing - and what you have applied is not how they saw themselves the last time they looked. Ask them to walk around the house and look at it in different mirrors - (each room's lighting will cast a completely different look on the make-up )

Work with them - suggest variations to their usual look - this will give them confidence in you and the make-up.

It does happen - try not to let it dent your confidence - it has happened to me - and I have sympathised with the bride and understood completely- and not took it personally - make-up is after all a very personal service.

Also ask them to have a look for make-up looks they like in magazines - this will give you a much clearer vision and idea.

I once had a bride - who when I asked her what sort of 'look' she was after - she replied 'your the expert - you tell me' I obviously replied - 'what I would like to apply - you may hate - we need to work together on this or you won't be happy' got there in the end.


hths
xx

You've said it in a nut shell pazzy! Couldn't have worded it better myself.

Another helpful tip; I created my own mood board. You can create as many as you like for different occasions. Look through glossy magazines and especially bridal mags. It is worth buying a few for ideas.

Cut out various pictures of brides of different race and skin tone and different make-up looks. They can be pics of models and pics of real brides.

Paste them to A4 card, put in a plastic sleeve and you have a mood board. Present this to your brides to help them look for ideas. One brides idea of a 'natural look' might be another brides idea of a 'neutral look'. One brides idea of a 'dramatic look' might be another brides idea of 'over the top'.

Good Luck.

 

[Zingara]

Tesco's have a selection of display books that cost 55p each and you can slot pages from magazines in. I am constantly ripping out pages and putting together looks, so my clients have idea's books to work through, and show me what suits them and their style.

You can arrange by occasion or colour, or even both, but its well worth doing, as you know far more up front what you are working to acheive.

Thats said, I usually get the 90yr old, size 22 grandmother of the bride picking a picture of a lithe, fresh-faced 16yr old and asking me to recreate the look!

 

[Miss Sylk]

I had one, young girl, who didnt come back, the make up was rubbish that we had in stock (not my choice) so im not supruised it was worse than anything ive ever used.
We had a policy where, they had to pay for the trial separate to the day makeup, or they pay both at the trial. This way, if they change their mind, they have paid for the time and products used.

Like some people said above, you cant change what they like, if someone dared to tell me not to wear my black top liner, id be "see ya later" thats why im scared of actally going to a makeup artist when i get married, ill be doing my own, but im veeeeeery picky.

Ask what look they are hoping for.
Have they any pictures, or you show them your pics.
Ask if there is anything they "Must have", if there must have is hideously wrong, suggest and actually try something and explain why you think that works, tell them they shouldnt be scared to try something new.

Some people are just picky....like me!!

 

[cabinkel]

I loved make up when i was at college, and adore make up in general and wearing it. I always do friends make up when we are off out, but i am worried about doing it within the salon as im too worried if they will hate it! I often get asked about it, but i seem to have a mental block about doing it. I wish i could get over it as i really love doing friends etc!

 

[Noo]

Hi

I think that's the problem - when the girls are really vague so you have to guess and do what YOU think looks good then they say "I ALWAYS wear my liner like this" or "I NEVER wear highlighter" etc etc - how would I know unless they say and I do ask beforehand if there's anything they would like or defo not like etc. I find make-up is the one area that dents my confidence even though I've done lots of trials and bridal parties who have liked my make-up I've had 2 cancel and can't seem to get past it. So frustrating.

 

[Noo]

Hi - thanks for response Pazzy - very helpful, I've already cut out pictures from magazines for make-up and will defo have a 'gallery' to look at with brides so we're both talking from same page - that' will be big help - thank you.

I have had girls who don't normally wear make-up and they take bad with any make-up on but I tell them to take a picture so they see what they look like in a picture then also look in different mirrors/lights etc and remember that they won't be in jeans etc they'll be in a beautiful dress so if they had no make-up on they wouldn't look right!! They've all agreed after taking pics etc that it looks good just needed some convincing.

I just can't seem to get over the 2 cancellations I've had in past few months even though in between I've had other trials and bridal parties where it's gone great - why is that?!?

 

[preciousbeauty]

dont let it get to you in the 8 year i have ben doing bridal make up i have had 3 cancilations after trial, sometimes i think this is becouse we have shown them how to apply and what to use and they think that they can do it them selfs. dont let it nock your confidance as your clients will pick this up and they wont have confidence in you if you dont have it in your self. do you sit and talk to them first and find out what they normaly wear, what coulour is there dress and flowers, what coour is there brides maid dresses also if they have a fectour that the want to stand out more ie eyes, or lips there cheeks if they have a straples dress all these thing make a difference to the overall look and yes the trial takes longer becouse of this but they will feel special, and feel that you realy know what you are doing, this is more important than anything when you first meet the clients, i uesd to feel sick to the core b4 a wedding trial and i shook something not right this dose not help enjoy what you do put your owne personality into talking to them make them at ease, it all realy realy helps belive me. in this business we will always get aquard clients and clients that will cancil or not turn up most of the time it is not personal carry on and forget about the 2 who canccild. (sorry about my spelling im dislexic)

 

[Noo]

dont let it get to you in the 8 year i have ben doing bridal make up i have had 3 cancilations after trial, sometimes i think this is becouse we have shown them how to apply and what to use and they think that they can do it them selfs. dont let it nock your confidance as your clients will pick this up and they wont have confidence in you if you dont have it in your self. do you sit and talk to them first and find out what they normaly wear, what coulour is there dress and flowers, what coour is there brides maid dresses also if they have a fectour that the want to stand out more ie eyes, or lips there cheeks if they have a straples dress all these thing make a difference to the overall look and yes the trial takes longer becouse of this but they will feel special, and feel that you realy know what you are doing, this is more important than anything when you first meet the clients, i uesd to feel sick to the core b4 a wedding trial and i shook something not right this dose not help enjoy what you do put your owne personality into talking to them make them at ease, it all realy realy helps belive me. in this business we will always get aquard clients and clients that will cancil or not turn up most of the time it is not personal carry on and forget about the 2 who canccild. (sorry about my spelling im dislexic)

Thanks for your message - it has helped me. I will really try to get a grip!! I do all the things you mentioned above and help them feel as ease etc, explain what I'm doing and talk to them before, during and after etc. I know I am giving a good service which is why I feel really upset when they cancel after a trial!! Anyway, I have a bride next week and another week after - both have had trials and were happy so it has helped my confidence. Thanks for message again.
I had a bridal party of 6 booked today - they opted for my bridal package without a trial then she cancelled with only 3 days notice!!! Said she overspent and 'sorry for inconvenience' - I had refused bookings because of that one so really annoyed and it has now resulted in me deciding to ask for deposits now.

 

[pazzy]

Thanks for your message - it has helped me. I will really try to get a grip!! I do all the things you mentioned above and help them feel as ease etc, explain what I'm doing and talk to them before, during and after etc. I know I am giving a good service which is why I feel really upset when they cancel after a trial!! Anyway, I have a bride next week and another week after - both have had trials and were happy so it has helped my confidence. Thanks for message again.
I had a bridal party of 6 booked today - they opted for my bridal package without a trial then she cancelled with only 3 days notice!!! Said she overspent and 'sorry for inconvenience' - I had refused bookings because of that one so really annoyed and it has now resulted in me deciding to ask for deposits now.

You will find that this happens quite often. Alot of brides and their partners pay for most of the wedding - and if they are overspending - they will look for ways to cut cost - make-up - at the end of the day - they can/could do it themselves or get a family memeber to do it.


I try and get a deposit - just so you have covered a little of your loss.


Don't think of the weddings that have cancelled - move on - learn from it. We all have had it happen.

Crikey I have heard of some people trying out really expensive experienced make-up artists and saying they weren't impressed. Maybe its because they didn't give them exactly what they want.

Some brides ask for smokey eyes - thet they wear it really dark - I do that on them and guess what ? Its too dark.
Its difficult - I know - but I now start light and natural - build up colour where needed - it saves loads of time. It is rare I get a cancellation - and if I do - I thank them for letting me know.

Your doing ok - keep going and don't worry.

xx

 

[preciousbeauty]

Thanks for your message - it has helped me. I will really try to get a grip!! I do all the things you mentioned above and help them feel as ease etc, explain what I'm doing and talk to them before, during and after etc. I know I am giving a good service which is why I feel really upset when they cancel after a trial!! Anyway, I have a bride next week and another week after - both have had trials and were happy so it has helped my confidence. Thanks for message again.
I had a bridal party of 6 booked today - they opted for my bridal package without a trial then she cancelled with only 3 days notice!!! Said she overspent and 'sorry for inconvenience' - I had refused bookings because of that one so really annoyed and it has now resulted in me deciding to ask for deposits now.

i know what you mean i never uesed to ask for a deposit untill this happend to me but i was still to late for 1 that i had booked in a year ago, 6 hair and make up no deposit and then she text me and said sorry didnt need me any more hadnt done a trial or anything i had 5 enquieris for her wedding date i was so anoyed, well we all learn from our mistakes i have made many along the way but now i think i have it all right, mind you my husband says that i still charge to littel for the weddings but there you go.

 

[pazzy]

If I have had bookings in for ages and get an enquiry for that day - I will contact them - ask if they still nedd me and if they do - then ask for a deposit as someone else wants that day.

They will soon forward a deposit quite happily to secure the appointment.