THE MAKE-UP TRIAL Suffolk-based professional make-up artist Abi May of Abilou Beauty (www.abiloubeauty.com) answers some of your frequently asked questions about the pre-wedding make-up trial. What is a bridal trial, and do I really need one? The simple answer is ‘yes you do’! You probably wouldn’t get married after only trying your dress on once, and it should be the same for your make-up. A trial is more than just a practice run, it’s the perfect opportunity to get to know your make-up artist and make sure you click with them. It also give you the chance to assess their skill level and decide if they are the right fit for you. You want to feel comfortable and at ease with them and confident that they can create your desired look. How can I make the most of the experience? It’s the perfect opportunity to ensure that you and your chosen professional are on the same page. When describing looks, especially details like colours, things can get lost in translation. I therefore advise all my brides to bring some pictures of the kind of thing they would like. It can be images of celebrities, your friends or that classic shot that always pops up online when you search ‘bridal make-up’. Having images of your gown, your bridesmaids’ dresses and your colour scheme is helpful too so your artist can tailor the look to suit your day. Trials are also a great way to test the staying power of the look you want. I’d recommend booking in the morning on a busy day to mimic how your skin or hair will cope during the wedding. It’s a good idea to have your hair trial on the same day too and wear a top or dress with a similar neckline to your bridal gown to get an idea of how you will look for the wedding. The trial will also help you plan ahead as you and your make-up artist will be able to discuss how much time to allow for you and your wedding party to get ready. You’ll also be able to test all the products to avoid any flare-ups on the big day. It’s best to come to the appointment with just a clean, bare face as we normally do skin preparation before applying the make-up and it helps make the appointment run more smoothly. Does the wedding party need to come too? This is completely up to you, some of your bridesmaids may not wear make-up very often and might like to try it out to see how they feel. I often find that the mother-of-the-bride and -groom tend to have trials to make sure the products suit their skin and it’s a nice bonding experience too. You can also get feedback from each other and work out if anything needs adjusting to suit the day. How many trials should I have? It’s best to have one with every make-up artist or stylist you’re interested in working with and go from there. Once you have decided who you want to work with, one trial is probably enough. When should I book my appointment? A few months before the big day is a good time as the look will still be fresh in your and your make-up artist’s minds. ABI’S TOP TREND ALERTS This year seems to be focused far more on enhancing natural beauty than covering up. Brides are opting for glowing, glasslike skin with a simple eye look and cluster lashes. Nude and pink lip shades remain an all-time favourite however, matte lipsticks have been sidelined in favour of satin finish as this gives the lips a dewy look without feeling sticky. 62
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