How To Plan For Your Hair and Makeup Trial

How To Properly Prepare for Your Bridal Hair and Makeup Trial Run

Bridal Trials, a peek into what you’ll really look like on your Wedding Day. An exciting time to work up a gameplan with your stylist/MUA, and to make your vision come to life.

One of the biggest questions prior, is

“What do I need to do to prep for my Bridal Hair or Makeup Trial?”

Have no fear, we’re here to bring you some tips and tricks! By the end of this post, you’ll be more ready than ever, and you’ll have your stylist/MUA impressed with how prepared you are for your session!

How Do I Prepare for My Hair Trial?

First things first, you’re going to want to make sure your stylist has a fresh and clean canvas. Whether you wash your hair the night before or the day of, make sure that it’s 100% dry before your stylist arrives.

This allows you to jump right into your trial run session, without taking away from your appointment time!

We love to provide our Alter-Image Brides with a short but detailed questionnaire to make sure we have all of your concerns mapped out weather it maybe your unsure of if your going to need hair extensions for the wedding day or if you hair doesn’t hold a curl so our artist can come fully equipped with everything they need for your personal needs.

Once we have your questionnaire we send you details on what time to expect your artist to arrive as we are an on location on bridal hair and makeup company along with a few tips on how to prep prior to your artist arriving at your location.

During your Trial Run chat with your stylist to see what’s best for your hair texture and current hair length to see if you’d need any filler hair or if extensions are needed as we can recommend the best brands that would photograph perfectly in your wedding day photos!,

Tips for finding hair extensions or Clip ins for your big day

• Make sure to have them color match prior by your personal stylist or through email communication leading up to your trial

• Choose Human Hair ( Although synthetic hair is less costly that quality of hair does not take a curl well and if too much heat is applied they can melt)

Do I Need to Book a Bridal Hair or Makeup Trial?

Before we get properly prepped, what’s the point of a Bridal Trial anyway?!

Bridal Trials are a great way to test out what works, and what doesn’t. Can you imagine the stress that you would feel not knowing how your hair and makeup are going to look before you walk down the aisle?

Booking a trial allows your stylist to work with you to create the perfect makeup look, along with the right hairstyle for your special day. Bridal Trials are also great to book prior to something like a date night or Engagement Session or the most common bridal portraits. This way, you can create that special look AND go on looking like a queen for the rest of the day/evening.

How Do I Prepare for My Makeup Trial?

Skin, skin, skin!

When it comes to prepping your skin, again, less is best. You’ll want to keep the product use to a minimum!

If you do apply any product to your skin, try to stick to a light moisturizer and a little SPF. This way your skin is nice and moisturized but also ready to assist in a smooth makeup application.

Hydration is a must!

Another thing that’s great to do for both your trial AND your wedding day, is to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This helps prevent dryness on your face, and also helps to prevent/ease any puffiness that may come from the day/night prior. 

Have a couple designer bags under those eyes? (Girl, same!) Throw a couple of spoons in the freezer the night prior, and place them under your eyes for a few minutes.

Pro tip: If you’re short on time, wet a paper towel and wrap it around the spoons before placing them in the freezer for a few minutes!

The Next Step

So, do you feel a little more in the know? Knowing what to expect helps you to get your ducks in a row, and allows for a smooth appointment.

In the meantime, gather those inspiration pictures, and dream up the look you desire! Don’t be afraid to ask your stylist/MUA questions, and remember to have a backup plan.

Have questions about booking a Bridal Trial or ready to book your own?

Be sure to contact us and we’ll be more than happy to help you out!

Don’t forget to download your FREE Bridal Planning Guide and Checklist?

Vendor Details + Mentions

Venue: Private Residence

Photographer: Franzi A.

Hair and Makeup: Alter Image Charleston

Floral Designer: My Darling Flower

Event Planner: Direct My Day

Your own 24/7 makeup artist ( New service spot light)

“Can you come live with me?” We hear these words quite often every time a bride and their bridal party experiences our glam process! Now guest what!…. We’re sharing a way that you can make your makeup look like it was done by a pro everyday! This week’s blog is a spotlight on our newest online service offer our Online Makeup Lesson (Makeup Bag Makeover)

Makeup Bag Makeover

Hey beauties, Last week we did a poll over in or Instagram stories asking you a few questions regarding your current everyday makeup routine. After doing the poll we saw that your number one most command problem was that the overwhelming number of makeup videos on youtube. Or maybe how once you went to the mall to get matched only to get home to see that it wasn’t even your shade. We totally understand girl and our newest one on one makeup lesson experience will have you overly confident to do your makeup for that important job interview, speaking gig, or last-minute events that you need to look photo-ready for.

An Online personalized Makeup Lesson

Customization is something that we are very big on here at Alter-Image Bridal Hair and Makeup Inc as we don’t believe the hype of “One size fits all”. Our online client process includes a questionnaire form filled in with the personal issues you have when it comes to the application of your makeup. Just wanting to master that thin winged liner look of finally getting your foundation to lay right can all be covered your personal makeup lesson if you choose.

Providing helpful tips to properly use your makeup tools and how to tell if your current makeup products are expired! The Makeup Bag Makeup Over is the perfect way to splurge on yourself once to help you save a ton in the future if you constantly out in public or seen in a video for work or personal lifestyle. And no worries if your a mom and you want to gift your daughter the most perfect girl with an on one makeup lesson to celebrate their independence. Or even on a weekend night Skype with a glass of wine and a few of your best girlfriends who want to have their own online party too. too.

How to do your makeup like a professional

Our class lesson is taught in a 90-minute time frame where your learn all about The right products to use on your skin and how to tell what skin type you are. A broken-down guide on makeup products and their exploration dates. Finally learn the proper ways of using your makeup tools and mastering that perfect Kim k contour and lash application on yourself.

How to book an online one on one makeup lesson

If your ready to master your perfect everyday natural face in 15 mins or less or just over the hype on the internet than now is the best time to inquire! The Makeup Bag Makeup Over will be a core service that we offer throughout the year. As a celebration to our newest service, we are offering 20% off your first that can be used towards a personal service of your own or as a gift to someone else from now until this Sunday on the 5th!

What better way to spread your time in quarantine with a little self-care to raise your vibes all while learning a fun skill you can use every day! This offer is only valid for the first 5 who book a session online.

Book your one on one lesson now!

Wedding vendor Spotlight RoseBay Floral Co.

Hey there beauties, Hold on to your wedding planning note books and get ready because today we are featuring a follow Wedding Vendor on today blog post. We are excited to start featuring some amazing Carolina and surround area photographer, planners and the one who make the magic happen with stunning flowers like Alarie, owner of RoseBay Floral co.

Alarie Schimpff

Based in Charleston, SC

Free-Form Floral Designer

Designs for creatives, lovers, and fellow-flower-admirers.

We decided to ask Alaire a few question of why she chose to work in the floral business, common misconceptions of fellow creatives working in her field and a few other juicy topics check out the interview!

What’s one common misconception about your industry?

You probably have a picture in your mind of a florist. She’s in a beautiful sun-lit studio surrounded by a forest of flowers. She playfully hums as she puts together a perfectly arranged piece - oh, and she’s wearing a super cute dress. I had this picture in my head too. You’ve probably said it before, yourself,  “Oh, you’re a florist?? What a dreamy job!”, “Wow, you get to play with flowers all day? I’m so jealous.” And let me tell you, yes, the flowers certainly are dreamy. We do get to play and create and witness up close the beauty in these short-lived little wonders.

But let me tell you, it is a messy, messy dream. If you decide to become a florist, say goodbye to your nail bed. Your hands will be forever covered in sap and cuts - and no, you’ll probably never get that dirt out from under your fingernails. Your floor is now and forever will be trashed with stems and leaves, and puddles of water (be careful not to slip!). You’ll get in a pretty awesome arm workout toting around those HEAVY water buckets. Oh - and when the day comes to show off your work, don’t forget you must mastermind a carefully thought-out plan on how to get all these beautifully dainty, dancing flowers to the venue without anyone getting crushed, over-heated, or forgotten (oh, you’ll also start to personify your flower friends).

 We, florists, have the absolute pleasure of working with some of the most beautiful creations nature has to offer, but it’s not for the faint of heart. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’ll probably lose a finger trying to de-thorn a particularly hardy rose. If anything it’d probably make me a more legit florist, so I’m okay with it. Hear me out though,  this work is WORTH the nitty-gritty bits. When you’re in this work, you start to slow down on your drive across town.

You notice the foliage on the leaves and how they change.  You constantly ask, “I wonder what the name of that plant is...” You try to imagine how those branches would look in a vase next to your leftover blooms. You lose all sense of social awareness as you forage from a drainage ditch (true story). You find yourself suddenly amazed by the subtle changes the camellias make as they bloom in your neighbor's yard. The flowers you ordered come in - and they’re NOT the color you predicted. You’ve learned to welcome spontaneity, so you roll with it,  and it’s a million times better than you could ever have planned. I’m thankful for this job and how it has literally made me stop to smell the flowers. For those who may still think this work is easy, straightforward, or romantic - I hope you get to spend a day with a florist. I’m willing to bet you’ll leave tired and disheveled with leaves in your hair (and perhaps even a little sore), but more so, I hope you leave awakened to the creativity inside of you and stricken by the beauty right outside your window.

How do you add your special sauce or go the extra mile for your clients when it comes to what you do?

As a designer, I’m drawn to the unique and unseen - so I love introducing others to flowers they may have never considered beforehand. My special sauce would be how I prepare for the client proposal and my ordering process. I can’t imagine putting together a design without getting a sense of the couple, their energy, personalities, and the atmosphere they want to create on their special day. This is why I write out a specific recipe for every client I have. No one will ever get the same bouquet as the bride before them or anyone after them.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

I strongly believe that every one of us has a creative side, sometimes, it just takes some coaxing to get it out. One of my favorite parts of this job is designing alongside others, be it, working with other florists, guiding workshop attendees, or even sitting down with planners during the design process, I love to see others tune into their own artistry. If you are a bride of mine, I hope you feel like you are a part of this vision coming to life - because, at the end of the day, the flowers on your wedding day should reflect you and your spouse - not myself.

How did you end up in the field that you are in?

I completely stumbled into the field of floristry. I needed a job - just as a sweet and trusting acquaintance, my now close friend, Maria (with Moonlight Iris Floral Design Studio), welcomed me on-board to help her with some upcoming flower gigs. I accepted, excited to stretch my creative muscles, and ready to make a few extra bucks. Little did I know how important that moment would be. Maria selflessly opened her studio and to my surprise, I wasn’t just sweeping the floor - she handed me a pair of shears and put me to work. We dove right into designing and I was instantly hooked.

Going from working a desk job (wearing heels, doing my hair every day, sitting in from of a computer and being miserable)  to having sweat dripping down my face, dirt all over my jeans, and sitting in a car full of happy little flower faces, it all clicked and I realized I loved it. This work provided me a daily dose of nature, the ability to work with my hands, and so many moments of mental stress-release. After freelancing with Maria for several months, I knew I had to figure out a way to make this my full-time job. On a trip to London to visit family, my husband and I stumbled across a flower shop. My dear husband pointed to the sign which said, “Floral Design Diploma Course” I shrugged and said, “That’s cool, babe, but we don’t live in London.”, to which he replied, “Just go talk to them.” I sheepishly walked inside and asked about their courses, and to my surprise, she told me they have many international students come to study in Covent Garden. After my initial shock of, “What am I thinking? I can’t do this.”, I somehow mustered up the insanity to buy a plane ticket and head to London immersing myself in this newfound love. I left my family, my small-town comforts, and spent my savings to travel to London and receive a Diploma in Floral Design from the Covent Garden Academy of Flowers.

This life-changing experience gave me the courage and confidence to break out on my own and take on my own clients. I am forever grateful for my time working with Moonlight Iris Floral Design Studio and still closely work with Maria on projects. Thanks to her open-handedness, “community-over-competition” mindset, and continuous support I am now chasing a dream I never knew I had.

What do you have to say about people who think your service/product/space is too expensive?

One thing I think is easy for clients to forget is that flower design is an art and therefore florists are also artists. Anyone who’s ever purchased a bundle of flowers from Trader Joe’s and put them in a vase knows that designing flowers isn’t as simple as grabbing some colors that look nice and throwing them together. Part of the price you are paying for is the designer’s eye combined with their years of experience that makes it all work together. Another aspect that may be harder for clients to grasp is the true journey that flowers make from farm to table.

These are perishable products, and there is always some product loss. When we purchase from farms or wholesalers, there is no guarantee that we will get a particular product, in a particular shade - or that even if we do, that it will be in good enough shape by your wedding day for use in a design. When ordering from a florist, remember you are paying for the product, yes, but also, the time spent prepping, cleaning, and striking events, the craftsmanship involved,  an extra set of hands to set up at an event, or even vehicles for transportation - not to mention the back-up flowers to prepare for the all-too-common heat waves in Charleston that will wilt even the sturdiest of blooms. If you get sticker shock when you receive your proposal - we promise we’re not trying to rob you.

Try asking your florist if they have any ideas for repurposing, substituting for more affordable flowers, or any other ideas to scale down your vision so you still have that “wow factor” in the areas that matter most. Most florists will be willing to work with you to stay within your budget.

 What’s one piece of advice you would like to give to a soon to be bride?

As someone working in the wedding industry, I find it important to be a voice reminding every bride that this season of engagement isn’t about the wedding day at all, but about your future marriage. This may sound strange coming from your florist, but it is so easy to miss in the excitement of it all.  The most honest and loving piece of advice I could offer to my future brides would be to pour more time into preparing for the sweet and challenging gift of marriage than you are preparing for your sweet but fleeting wedding day.

Make Sure you connect with the amazing Alarie over on here nook of the internet

www.rosebayfloral.com

Follow her on instagram www.instagram.com/rosebayfloralco

Get Her FREE DOWNLOAD Average Pricing Worksheet

5 Essential Things for Your Wedding Day

5 Essential Things for Your Wedding Day!

Welcome beauties! It’s getting closer and closer to your wedding day; everything has been handled and is in working order, but you start to wonder, “What if?” One thing that’s for sure is that you don’t want to go through your wedding day without some sort of Bridal Emergency Kit. Have no fear, we’re bringing you 5 essential things to put in your Bridal Emergency Kit for your big day!

1. Water/Snacks

   This is so important! I’m sure that you’ve heard, “I didn’t even get to eat at my wedding!” It’s true, the Bride and her Mother/Mother of the Groom are always the last people to eat. With it being such a busy and exciting day full of loved ones, it can be easy to forget to grab a bite. Making sure that you have water, and some sort of snack stash will ensure that at least you’ll have some food on your stomach and be hydrated walking down the aisle!

2. A Sewing Kit

Yes, a sewing kit. You may be wondering, “Seriously, do you think I’ll actually need to use it?” We all know that it’s better to be a little over prepared than to not be prepared at all! Having a sewing kit in your Bridal Emergency Kit is an absolute must, even if you may not need to remedy a snag or tear in your dress, sewing kits do come with other handy items like safety pins; perfect for if you need to fix a spot that may not fit properly.

3. Clear Nail Polish/Super Glue

The old trick for handling those runs in your stockings! The key when working with stocking tears is to try to add a quick coat of polish as soon as you notice it, this way it can prevent any further tears. As for the super glue, again, it’s better to be prepared— should you have any broken jewelry or accessories that needs fixing, you’ll be good to go. However, these two are not interchangeable, so keep the nail polish for your tights and the glue for any mishaps; you don’t want super glue on your skin, queen!

4. Ibuprofen, other OTC Medications, Band Aids

Queen, you are not going to enjoy your wedding day with a headache that just won’t quit! Be ahead of the headache, so to speak, and be sure to have some sort of pain reliever so that you can enjoy your day without being in pain. Not only that, but if someone in your Bride Tribe or a family member/guest isn’t feeling so hot, you’ll have a remedy on hand. Keep in mind, it’s a good idea to add any allergy medicine to your Bridal Emergency Kit as well, especially if you’re tying the not in a season where heavy allergens are present. Band Aids are a great idea as well, not only to remedy a cut or scratch, but in case you or a Bride Tribe member need to prevent blisters from your shoes; blisters? Never heard of her!

5. Lipstick and Makeup Blotting Sheets

Our last Bridal Emergency Kit must have, is pretty simple, and will definitely be a life saver! Lipstick is always a great idea to include in your Emergency Kit, you’ll be ready if you need any touch ups, and can keep the perfect lip all night long! Makeup/Oil Blotting papers or sheets are also an absolute must. The last thing that you want when the photographer comes rolling around is an oily face. Stay picture ready, and looking flawless all night long with these life savers!

Loved these tips and looking for more? Be sure to join our newsletter for more tips like these! In the meantime, we hope that you feel a little more prepared/confident preparing your Bridal Emergency Kit. Don’t overthink it, and remember that you can personalize it to your likes and needs. Happy planning!

Vendor details and Mentions

Charleston Wedding Venue Merchants Hall

Wedding photographer Sacia Matthews

Wedding Planner Love Craft Events

Hair and Makeup Alter-Image

Rentals Event Haus

Flowers Roadside Blooms

Gown The Gown Collective

Tux Charleston Tuxedo

Cake Dana Dees

Stationary Letters by Lizzie

Top 5 Tips on How to Prep Your Hair and Skin for your Wedding.

How to Prep your Hair and Skin for your Wedding.

5 Tips to help you get ready on the morning of your Wedding for glowing skin and perfect hair.

That day is slow approaching an we know you’ve wondering “What should I do to my hair” or “How should i prep my skin care the night before my wedding” Well we get asked this question A LOT and we want to share with you our 5 top tips to prepare your self for hair and makeup before your wedding.

Best Kept Secrets for Perfect Wedding Day Hair and Makeup

Why hydration is most important the night before your wedding Day

Dehydrated skin on your wedding day can be avoided by making your that you balance out any alcohol that you skin with enough water through out the day.

Hydrated skin creates the best canva for your wedding day so that your wedding make makeup stays in place and is radiant through out the day.

Take your Makeup off at night

Did you know that one night without removing your makeup off before you go to seep can cause unwanted breakouts. When taking your makeup off you can use a makeup remover wipe and we still recommend washing your face and having a already night and day time beauty routine in place which takes us to tip number 3

Skin Care Routine Before The Wedding Day

Your Routine can have as little or as many steps as you would like. But we suggest the basics of a cleanser, expoliiator, toner and face moisturizer. Your Cleaner should be used in the morning and night time and your expolator should be used every 2-3 days. When finding your products your your personal preference as you know your skin better than we do.

Should i leave my hair dirty for my wedding day?

“is dirty hair better for styling?” I know you’ve heard it before that second day hair holds a curl better. Now as this may be true our stylist prefer that you hair 100% dry and clean hair on the day of wedding services. We carry an array of texture sprays, powders and many others ways that we use to create grip and grit to your hair. We let our products do the work for use.

How to get the most volume out of your Hair

Now it does not matter to us if you wash your hair on the night before or morning of your wedding just as long as its dry and clean. One way that we love to suggest to create more lift in your hair is to blow dry your hair upside down.

Remember when using any heat on your hair that you are using a heat protectant. You can apply a small amount of product to the mind shaft and end of you hair and blow dry until its fully dry. You want to keep as much product away from your roots as possible. Once your hair is dry perfect you can put your hair in a top knot and leave it until our artist or who ever you hires for your hair styling arrive!

Our team members know how important it is that you and your bridal party looks picture perfect. Your friends and family will be taking multiple photos of you and we are here to help in all ways possible. Our Carolina Bridal Hair and Makeup Team service all locations in both North and South Carolina. Some of our popular locations are Charleston, Hilton Head, Columbia, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington North Carolina.

Whats one step or product in you day or night time routine that you absolutely cant live without. Tell future brides in the comment below!

Want more Tips?

What is a Hair and Makeup Trial Run For?

If you're newly engaged and have already started the process of deciding on what you'd like your hair and makeup to look like on your big day, then you've likely heard about or been asked about booking something called, a 'Bridal Trial'. So, what exactly IS a Bridal Trial and are they worth it?!

Typically, once you've found the team or person you'd like to provide hair and makeup services for you, the stylist/makeup artist (MUA) will suggest that you book a trial with them prior to your wedding date.

 Bridal Trials are an extremely useful service when it comes to choosing a wedding hairstyle and makeup look, especially if you're feeling unsure!During a Bridal Trial, your hair and/or makeup artist, (who will likely be the person providing your services day of) will be there to help you brainstorm different ideas for both hair and makeup looks. 

Finding and bringing in pictures of inspiration for different looks via Instagram, Pinterest, magazines etc. will make your trial go much more smoothly, as well as insure that you and your service provider are on the same page. If you're using Pinterest as a medium for inspirational photos, this is the perfect time to make use of those wedding boards! Creating a separate 'Wedding Hair' board is a great way to keep your ideas organized, and in one place so that they're easy to pull up during your Bridal Trial. Bridal Trials are also great tools because they grant you the opportunity to make any necessary changes if the look that you choose, isn't actually the look that you wanted.

One of the best things that you can do for yourself before your wedding to help ease stress is to be proactive. The last thing that you want to be worried about on your wedding day is the way you look, so why wait until the day of to figure out what does and doesn't work?! Being a bride can be stressful enough, that's why we try to offer services that will only make your life easier!

So, what do you think? Are you convinced that trials are a godsend?! Let us know by leaving a comment and share your new Bridal Trial knowledge with a fellow Bride to Be!

Photo Mentions & Details

Venue Society Hall

Wedding photographer Candi Leonard

Flowers My Darling Flowers

Hair & Makeup Alter-Image

Wedding planner Nicki Paige Collection