The Real Checklist: Beauty Edition

Well, you’ve done it! You’ve picked your date, booked your venue, and hand-picked some of the greatest vendors in your area. Pat yourself on the back, do a happy dance, and drink a celebratory glass of champagne…or shot of whiskey, I won’t judge. The hard part is officially over!…

I’m only kidding, so go ahead and keep that bottle close.

Here’s the deal. For the next few months, your wedding checklist will wax and wane like the harvest moon, because for every 1 thing you check off this month, 3 things will take it’s place the following month. It’s time to embrace that up until you walk down the aisle, there is going to be a checkbox somewhere waiting for your attention (like the empty “Thank You Cards” box glaring at me right now).

And for those of us that make lists just so we can check things off of them, this is like Christmas, and we revel in the challenge. The empty boxes are hurdles, and check marks are the equivalent of those little gold stars we were given as children.

Ok so now that I’ve given you the low down on what to expect, let’s talk about those beauty checkboxes, because that’s my jam.

Booking your preview appointment for your wedding day hair & makeup trial is going to be a box you’ll want to check off around 8-12 weeks before your wedding. Schedule your appointment for 6-8 weeks prior to your wedding.

So if your wedding is June 1st, your preview appointment should be end of April, beginning of May. You should call to schedule this appointment in February or March. Make sense? If you call the week before you want to get in, they may not be able to accommodate you, and you can’t say that I didn’t warn you. I always suggest booking your appointment, and then make a reservation to have dinner with friend/family/your fiancé afterwards. There is no reason to waste good hair & makeup…ever.

So appointment is booked. Great. Check. Now you’ve got to show up and tell your stylist what you want. Let’s be honest, you’ve been pinning hair and makeup inspiration photos for months now, so let’s start there.

#1. Look over your pinterest board.

Most brides will find they are gravitating towards the same look over and over. That’s a good thing! Even better is when you keep trying to pin the same photo over and over. These are the photos you are going to want to show your stylist/makeup artist as your inspiration. Keep in mind that all photos of models are heavily retouched and are not by any means a realistic expectation…

which bring me to my side note…

-InstaGlam is not real.

Let me say this again for the people in the back. INSTAGLAM IS NOT REAL. You know what I am talking about right? Those heavily edited and filtered photos of beautiful people with ring lights in their eyes, highlights on the cheeks, and a duck on their lips. Bringing these types of photos to your appointment are not going to help you or your stylist in determining your wedding day look. Because they…are…not…real. Instead, find photos of real brides. On their real wedding day. Life wasn’t meant to be filtered, and neither was your face.

#2. Look for the brides that look like you.

Have dark brown hair? Avoid picking photos of Carrie Underwood (I know, I know, she’s perfection personified). Picking photos of girls with similar coloring will help you in deciding on an achievable look. What a concept! Heavily highlighted, textured braids are all the rage, but if you’re sporting a mono-toned dark hue, you aren’t going to get the same look without spending some time in a colorist’s chair. Not sure what you need? Your stylist can suggest the right course of action to bring your vision to life. That’s why you hired them! Oh so while we are on that point…

#3. Hire a stylist/makeup artist you TRUST.

You’ve hired them to help you become the bride you’ve been dreaming about since you were a little girl. Personally, I take that job very serious. It’s my job to help you sort through all the pictures, the ideas, and the anxieties to bring your vision to life. Do your research, choose a stylist/artist you trust. Don’t bargain basement your beauty team, unless you’re wanting to look like you got a bargain. Like my mother always told me (she’s reading this with such satisfaction aren’t you Linda?), “The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten”. Super irritating how she’s always right, but I’ve learned to roll with it.

#4. Arrive how you would on the wedding day.

Have you hair colored/highlighted, eyebrows groomed, and start gently exfoliating your face 10 days before your preview appointment. It’s hard to visualize being the bride of your dreams with 3 inches of roots, dull skin, and bushman eyebrows.

#5. Have FUN.

It’s hair and makeup ladies, which shouldn’t be stressful by any stretch of the imagination. Everything is fluid and fixable. You try things out so that you know what you like, love, and what you don’t care for. Honest communication is the key to getting what you want. Too much blush? Say something. Not enough coverage? Say something. Too much volume? SAY. SOMETHING. That’s why you hired a professional. You’re not going to hurt their feelings. So speak up, because that’s what your preview appointment is for.

Now, don’t you feel better? Half the battle is in the preparation, so take my advice and get your game plan together now. You’ll thank me…ugh, which reminds me...

✔️   Procrastinate Writing Thank You Cards,

✔️   Write Blog Instead About Avoiding Procrastinating….

*****

Andi (Schafer) Sherman is a beauty blogger and owner of Something Blue Stylists, an onsite makeup and hair consultant, serving Indiana and California.

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