We got advice from the expert … here’s your ultimate bridal beauty prep sheet.
As a makeup artist with nearly a decade of experience in bridal beauty under his blush brush, Ryno Mulder knows a lot about what works. And what doesn’t! His approach is based on two things … the methods celebrities use to prepare for events, and the preventable beauty disasters he’s seen brides experience. By following his guide, you’ll be sure to look and feel your best on your big day.
DO remove facial hair. Even if it’s blonde peach fuzz, it will emphasise unwanted texture once covered in foundation and powder. To ensure fuzz-free and luminous skin, figure out which hair removal technique works best for you. Options include waxing, threading, hair removal cream, or dermaplaning, with dermaplaning resulting in not only fuzz-free skin but also a glowing complexion. Remember to schedule a trial run ahead of time to ensure that your skin doesn’t have an adverse reaction, and be sure to get the hair removal done at least four days before the wedding to allow time for recovery.
DON’T do facial treatments right before the wedding. Rushing into treatments shortly before the big day often leads to unwanted side effects like rashes, pimples, and skin abrasions. Give your skin time to heal by avoiding treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser or filler treatments for at least a month before your wedding day.
DO have a hair and makeup schedule for your wedding day, managed by an A-type personality friend and communicated well in advance to everyone involved. This will help to avoid any last-minute stress and ensure that everyone is ready on time. Allocate an hour per person for hair and another hour for makeup, with the bride getting her makeup done second to last. This ensures that the makeup artist is not tired and can give you the attention you deserve, as well as leaving time for the bride’s pre-ceremony pictures.
DON’T skimp on your hair and makeup artists. Remember that you are the star of the show and that your photos will live on forever. It’s not the time nor the place in your wedding budget to be penny-pinching. Invest in the absolute best artists who specialise in hair and makeup … they are the ones who will make you look and feel amazing.
DO schedule a trial well ahead of your wedding date, at least three months before. This gives you plenty of time to consult with your hair stylist and makeup artist about your preferences, beauty style, and expectations. You’ll also have time to improve your skin or hair if necessary, and, if you find you and the hair or makeup artist are just not a good fit, you’ll have time to retrial with another artist.
DON’T get lash extensions. They can be damaging to your lashes and, according to eye specialists, even pose a risk to your eye health. Instead, let your makeup artist determine the best length, density, colour, and style of strip lashes to complement your eye shape and makeup.
MAYBE reference images can be helpful to give your hair and makeup team an idea of what you like, but it’s important to keep in mind that an exact replication of a Pinterest picture is not likely. Photos are often retouched and the model may have different features than you do, so it’s best to approach your bridal look with an open mind.
DO show up with a perfectly clean face and a simple moisturizer. Removing yesterday’s leftover eyeliner and washing your face is not the makeup artist’s job, as it will cut into your precious makeup time. Additionally, properly removing mascara and eyeliner can sensitise the delicate eye area, so it’s best to come with a fresh, clean face. When a client tells me no one ever sees her without makeup and that is why she needs to arrive at her booking already made up, I wish she would love herself better.
DON’T be tempted to stick with your regular stylist for your bridal styling. It’s in your best interest to find a specialist who exclusively shapes hair for weddings, photo shoots, and events. Unlike full-time salon stylists, session stylists have the expertise, training and experience to create styles that will look good and stay in place for hours on end, so it’s worth investing in their services.
DO make sure to wash your hair on the morning of your wedding day – or the night before at the latest. Dirty hair is limp, smelly, and lacking in lustre, which won’t hold a style well.
DON’T overdo conditioning your hair. Be careful with leave-in oils or masks, as they can make your hair tacky, limp and impossible to style.
DO check out the rates – as well as the artist’s work and reviews of their clients’ experiences. Then, when it comes to cost, it’s important to provide as much information as possible when asking the artist for a quotation. This includes the wedding date, ceremony time, venue address, and the number of faces in the bridal party.
Ryno’s rates are R1300 for bridal makeup, R850 a person for others in the bridal party, and a return travel fee based on the distance to the venue. To see his tremendous work, pop over to @makeupbyryno on Instagram.
Details: If you have any questions or would like to book Makeup by Ryno’s services, reach out on WhatsApp at 071-688-0242.
