Choosing the Perfect Wedding Hair and Makeup Artist

Picking a HMUA doesn’t have to be intimidating!

Your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable occasions in your life, and you deserve to look and feel your best. Hiring a professional hair and makeup artist (also known as an HMUA) that’s skilled in the style you’re going for can make a significant difference in your overall look.

One of the things I most often hear from brides I work with is how daunting it feels to find a make-up artist. So, I put together this quick reference to guide you in your quest to find the perfect HMUA for you!

Tip 1 | Start looking early —

Start your search for a wedding hair and makeup artist well before your actual wedding day. Popular and skilled HMUAs get booked far in advance and for good reason! Give yourself ample time before your big day to research and secure the services of your preferred artist. Ideally, you’d start this search at least four to six months before your wedding date.

Tip 2 | Ask for recommendations —

Chances are, your family, friends, recently married acquaintances, or even your wedding coordinator (heyyyy!) likely have some solid recommendations on wedding hair and makeup artists for you. Referrals for connections the people you know have actually worked with can be invaluable, and you’ll get honest, uncurated feedback about their experience.

Tip 3 | Doing research and gathering inspiration —

Before you start connecting with potential HMUAs, do research and gather inspiration for your desired look. For the most part, you’ll know what your preferred style is (are you more light and natural, or brushed and bronzed, or maybe something in-between?).

Browse Pinterest and the portfolios of popular HMUAs on their websites to create a mood board of images that resonate with your vision. This visual reference will help you communicate your preferences clearly to your chosen makeup artist. They’ll also want to know what your hair and skin are like so they can best style you, so make sure you have some photos of your skin + hair to offer them as you reach out.

Additionally, as you’re narrowing down your list of HMUAs to reach out to, review their portfolio to get a sense of their style and expertise. Look for consistency in their work and check if they have experience with wedding hair and makeup specifically. Also, pay close attention to the skin tones and hair types in their portfolio to make sure they can cater to your specific needs.

Tip 4 | Consider your budget —

Before you reach out, establish a realistic budget for hair and makeup services and be sure to communicate this clearly when you do start connecting with the artists you’re considering. Keep in mind that rates and prices vary based on the artist’s experience, location, and other services offered. I certainly don’t recommend compromising your budget, but I DO recommend you give proper consideration to the funds required for quality HMUA services. Remember — your wedding photos will last a lifetime! Investing in professional services is worth it.

Tip 5 | Start contacting and scheduling consultations —

As you narrow down your list and review the availability of your remaining options, share your inspiration images with your top HMUA choices, and be sure to ask for their advice and suggestions. They’re the experts! Their responses might also help you narrow in on the one artist you want to go with.

Schedule a trial session (if you’re wanting to be practical, many use their planned wedding hair and makeup artist for their engagement session or formals before the big day). Evaluate how they’ve interpreted your vision and whether their skills align with your expectations.

Once you’ve selected your artist, be sure to sign a contract that outlines all the agreed-upon details, including the date, time, location, services provided, and payment terms. Double-check their availability for your wedding date and create contingency plans, if needed.

Selecting the perfect wedding hair and makeup artist requires careful research, planning, and consideration, but by starting early, you can be sure that it’s a smooth process. With these tips, my wish for you is that you'll be well on your way to finding the ideal artist who can bring your style and vision to life. Remember, your wedding day is a time to feel confident and beautiful, and a skilled artist will help make that happen. Get in touch if you have any questions or browse my latest blog posts to see which artists my recent clients have used!

♥ The Everson Events Team