The Freelance Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist

What does being a bridal hair and makeup artist entail?

The opportunities for bridal hair and makeup artists may have been reduced drastically during the past year due to covid restrictions but this is an industry that is going to have a major boost in the upcoming years. Due to many weddings being postponed and restrictions now easing the wedding industry is going to have a huge surge of clients.

The wedding industry is an industry that will always be around, people who usually don't hire a hair and makeup artist will want to do so for their special day. They want to feel special and be pampered, they want the whole process of being taken care of on the one day they won't ever want to forget.

As a bridal makeup artist it is important that you have the skills and qualities required to meet the brides needs. It's vital that as a makeup artist you remain professional yet approachable and friendly. You need to be able to communicate with the bridal party and make them feel at ease, the nerves and tension on the big day is enough for any bride to be and they need to feel confident in the makeup artists abilities and feel comfortable in their presence. The best way to build a good relationship with your bride is to make sure you meet with them prior to the big day. Communicate with them on a regular basis, keep them informed and involve them in all decision making. It is after all their special day.

Wedding makeup isn't only about applying makeup on the day. It involves making the bride feel amazing, inside and out. Taking care of their skin, giving them a relaxing facial treatment prior to makeup application, using high quality products that will last the whole day, offering other treatments to enhance their makeup, such as dermaplaning, lash extensions, spray tan, camouflage for tattoos, etc. By being able to offer a range of treatments to enhance the makeup on the day you are offering the best possible service to your bride to be, all in one place, taking away the need for them to have to outsource anyone else and taking away any added stress.

While wedding makeup can be classed as a timeless makeup look each bride is different and new trends for weddings are always evolving. As a bridal makeup artist it's important to keep up to date with current trends, to be able to offer your bride anything that they may require. Some brides want a more natural look, others prefer a glamorous look, some may require an opulent look. Whatever your bride requires you must be able to deliver. By keeping up to date with current trends ensures that you are capable of offering the most up to date application techniques.

Social media is an important tool for marketing as a bridal makeup artist. It is also a tool for keeping up to date with current trends. There are many wedding and bridal pages on social media that other wedding professionals use to share information, advice, experiences. It's a great tool for building relationships with other wedding professionals who will recommend you to a bride they are working with. Sharing images of work you have done on social media platforms reaches a huge audience, this means that you are showcasing your work for future brides, friends of brides to be, family of brides to be, etc. Social media is used as an informal portfolio tool.

Being a bridal hair and makeup artist is not all pampering, flowers and confetti though. Along with the practical side of the job there is also the administrative work to be done. A good bridal makeup artist has to be insured, qualified and registered as self employed. The administrative side of the job involves keeping a record of all bookings, ensuring that trials are in place, communicating on a regular basis either by phone or email with the brides. It is also important to ensure that finances are documented, any incurred costs must have receipts such as fuel, accommodation, products, these can then be used for filing a tax return. To ensure smooth running of a business means being organised and committed.

To be a good bridal makeup artist means being friendly, professional, a calming influence, organised, multi-skilled, patient, committed, positive and knowledgeable.