Should I Hire a Makeup Artist or Hair Stylist for my Wedding?
For your wedding day, it’s crucial to hire a makeup artist and hairstylist who understands your vision. They can ensure you look your best on this special occasion.
Deciding on Bridal Beauty Services
So you're getting married. Details and planning galore for the day you've been waiting for and somebody asks you... are you having your hair and makeup done?
Your wedding day is a canvas.
Just as a painter selects the finest brushes to craft a masterpiece, you too must choose your tools carefully for that perfect picture.
Hiring a makeup artist or hair stylist transforms your natural beauty into an awe-inspiring vision, capturing the essence and elegance of your special day for eternity. Their expertise ensures every photograph reflects not only your happiness but also a timeless elegance.
Choose your artist wisely.
Bridal Hair & Makeup. WarPaint International.
This question comes up every day. Do you ask the advice of your friends? Do your friends do it for you? Do you hit the internet? Do you need these services? The answer largely depends on you and you alone, but I do have a story to tell.
Choosing whether to hire a makeup artist or hair stylist for your wedding, particularly for expert bridal makeup, is a personal and pivotal choice.
This decision, as with every significant element of a wedding, requires thoughtful consideration, aligning your preferences with the expertise you desire, ensuring every aspect of your vision comes to life. Having professionals by your side not only alleviates stress but also maximizes your confidence on a day when every detail counts.
Remember, this is more than a service—it's an investment in your happiness and peace of mind. By researching thoroughly, you equip yourself with the knowledge needed to choose artisans who value your dreams and transform them into tangible reality.
Ultimately, making an informed decision about your bridal beauty ensures that you walk down the aisle with poise, knowing that your dreams are materializing flawlessly. Trust in the seasoned hands of beauty professionals who weave magic with their expertise, turning moments into cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
“Let’s make a bold statement here. Its not all about the perfect look or artist’s instagram profile. The process from your initial inquiry to “I’ Do” will make the difference.”
Understanding Your Wedding Day Expectations
Your wedding day is a culmination of dreams and plans, reflecting your essence and timeless connection.
Achieving your envisioned look requires thoughtful preparation and honest communication.
Deciding whether to hire a makeup artist depends on your specific expectations. Consider how your desired appearance aligns with professional expertise, artistry, and the nuances of what you want captured on camera.
The right artist or stylist offers more than just skill—they possess the ability to see beyond the surface, ensuring your inner beauty is celebrated and your outer elegance magnified. With professionals, you’re not merely enhancing features; you’re immortalizing your vision, providing comfort and confidence as you step into this enchanting chapter of your life.
For Brides-to-be and Beauty Service Providers
Achieving your envisioned look requires thoughtful preparation and honest communication. There are many pitfalls to arranging the day of your wedding. My story and advice on how to master the beauty aspect of it is in these following paragraphs.
I am a makeup artist. I also operate a beauty agency called WarPaint International, so my team is full of professional hair and makeup artisans. We help our clients "Prepare For Battle", in that life is a stage and everyday is a showcase to the world. We focus on special evenings (nights on the town), life events (such as weddings), print / editorial and corporate jobs. These are all special occasions that require 100% attention and talent from myself and my team. But in all my years of working in the beauty industry I have been taught the best (and hardest) lessons from my bridal clients.
I have been a bride and I know what my own expectations of that day were. But it wasn't my expectations alone that weighed heavy on the decision process; it's the mother of the bride, the best friend, the mother-in-law's best friend, the groom. Everyone will have their opinions and directives on how your day is supposed to go. So let's address some important points from the point of view of an artist, a bride, and a perfectionist.
Minimizing Photo Editing with Professional Makeup
Professional makeup artistry not only enhances your natural beauty but significantly reduces the need for extensive photo editing.
When expertly applied, your professional makeup creates a flawless canvas that meets the discerning eye of the camera, minimizing imperfections. This attention to detail ensures fewer revisions are needed in post-production, allowing your photographer to capture your beauty authentically and naturally.
Makeup professionals understand the impact that lighting and angles can have on your appearance. By skillfully applying products that highlight your best features while diminishing any perceived flaws, they ensure that your photos convey your genuine self without over-reliance on digital enhancements.
Ultimately, embracing the expertise of wedding makeup artists and hair stylists in your wedding preparation not only complements your aesthetic desires but also streamlines the photographic process. This synergy between artistry and photography maximizes the quality of your wedding images, preserving the magical essence of your special day with minimal intervention, offering memories that are timeless and true.
Enhancing Natural Beauty for Your Big Day
As you prepare for your wedding, enhancing your natural beauty can make a significant difference in your overall look and confidence.
Professional on-site makeup artists and hairstylists excel at crafting a refined and subtle makeup application that accentuates your natural features, ensuring you feel authentically beautiful throughout your celebration. With their expert eye, they help highlight key areas such as cheekbones and eyes, allowing you to bask in the glam and glow of effortless elegance.
Moreover, this minimalistic approach often means a shorter preparation time, offering a more relaxed start to your special day. By combining professional techniques with high-quality products, makeup artists enhance your true beauty without overwhelming your natural charm or distracting from your wedding ensemble.
In essence, hiring a professional is not just about makeup application; it’s about boosting your confidence, ensuring you feel radiant and picture-perfect. With their assistance, your natural elegance shines through, capturing your true essence in timeless photographs and memories you will cherish forever.
That "ah ha" moment when a bride first looks in the mirror... It's what drives me to keep going.
Finding Quality Makeup and Hair Artists
Let’s make a bold statement here. Its not all about the perfect look or artist’s instagram profile. The process from your initial inquiry to "I' Do" will make the difference.
Discovering exceptional makeup artists and beauty artisans is key. But one mistake we see over and over and over, and over again… is the Bride-to-be, her mother, her sister or Maid of Honor get hung up on the “perfect look”. Potential clients will scour portfolios an instagram profiles and if they don’t find the one “look” they are after, then they assume there’s now way any of the talented individuals in our beauty agency can achieve this look. The single most important thing that will help you achieve the look that you are after is communication with your Artisan.
When clients book with WPI Beauty, we pair them with the best Artisan that matches their criteria based on availability. Professional makeup artists and hairstylist have mastered many looks from natural, glam, simple, to contoured, to ethnic skin types and hair types. If you don’t see the exact look that you’re looking for in a portfolio, its likely becuase of one of two things:
Those client examples didn’t request that look and work through a trial with the Artisan for it
Or they simply don’t have images of every look they’ve ever done.
Your trial (if you’re a bride or a wedding party member wanting a trial) will be your time to ask questions, make changes, and master the foundation for your wedding day hair and makeup. Subtle changes and even more involved changes can be made verbally on the day of your wedding or beforehand and a skilled professional will be able to implement them. You don’t need extra trials with other Artists.
A Brutal Reality in Example
At WarPaint International we have served thousands of brides and wedding party members for the last 15 years. On many occasions, the scenario presented the above paragraph has come to our doorstep at the last minute with clients looking for a lifesaver booking. When a client (or the family members or friends they allow to dictate their flow) becomes focused on a single individual artist and has taken painstaking steps to find and book them - supreme disappointment will often follow for the following reasons:
That Artist possessed skills to create a look but has no process
They lack communication skills
They don’t have a contract that protects them or their client’s expectations
They don’t have an administrative team that handles details
Or most commonly, the preverbial bus hits them the week, or worse yet the day of, the wedding. This can be sickness, car accidents, death in family, pregnancy, theft of their Artisan tool kit, etc.
We have helped to resolve every single one of these instances including the most disappointing instance - their Artist simply cancelled because a trip to Vegas with their friends was sounding better than showing up on your wedding day. When you hire an agency, you don’t have to worry about these challenges. The entire idea behind hiring an agency, is so that you can enjoy the time period leading up to and on your wedding day without being stressed out about who and where your Makeup/Hair Artist is. We handle that and we guarantee it in your contract.
Begin Your Search with Basics
Start with thorough research to identify potential candidates. Enlist the assistance of your photographer or wedding planner, as they likely have valuable recommendations. Additionally, seek honest feedback by reading online reviews and testimonials, and consider asking for references from past clients to assess reliability and quality.
Examine artists' portfolios for style congruence.
Seek professionals who use high-quality products and tools—understanding their approach is crucial. Transparent communication is essential; connect directly with potential artists by phone or in-person to gauge their professionalism and sincerity. Ensure they align with your vision and possess the skills needed.
Lastly, prioritize trial sessions to pave the way for a seamless wedding day. Such engagements allow you to evaluate artists' talents and foster trust, enabling their creativity to flourish. Ultimately, these careful considerations ensure your beauty team enhances your bridal radiance on this momentous occasion.
Importance of Professional Credentials
Professional credentials hold immeasurable significance.
They reflect an agency and it’s artisans’ commitment and mastery. A robust portfolio showing certifications or formal education in cosmetology, self-development, and milestones elevates an artist, guaranteeing that they adhere to industry standards and trends. Consequently, knowledge of the latest techniques and an understanding of various skin types become part of an agency’s repertoire.
Credentials increase confidence in your chosen beauty agency and Artisan.
When credentials are present, they allow peace of mind - on your special day, the last thing you want is uncertainty about whether your artist has adequate experience or skills for the task - enabling effortless interactions and stress-free experiences.
Similarly, these credentials affirm adherence to hygiene and safety protocols, safeguarding against potential adversities. Given the evolving beauty landscape of 2025 and beyond, ensuring your makeup artist holds relevant certifications means their expertise aligns profoundly with contemporary standards, fostering confidence and delivering enchanting transformations for your wedding day.
Researching Online Reviews and Recommendations
Online reviews highlight firsthand experiences, a treasure of invaluable reflections, shared with you. Reading reviews can unveil both exceptional artists and cautionary tales, granting reassurance or prompting further investigation until confidence in your chosen professional is achieved, ensuring you entrust your wedding day appearance to a skilled artist.
In exploring reviews and recommendations of a hair stylist, phrases such as "meticulous attention" stand as key indicators of a stellar artist whose dedication to precision mirrors their professionalism. As you proceed, weigh the consistency of the feedback and the resonance of their interpersonal skills to guide your final decision.
Agency Tip: WPI Beauty has hundres of postive reviews on Google, Yelp, The Knot, Wedding Wire, and more.
Leveraging Photographer and Planner Suggestions
Photographers and wedding planners possess a wealth of insight, having worked with countless brides. Leveraging their suggestions can help direct you to reliable hair and makeup professionals.
Consulting your photographer and planner may lead you to "hidden gems" in the beauty industry. They can quickly point you towards artisans whose talents are well-documented through previous weddings.
Image by Laura Alpizar Photography
Consider this approach: narrowing your selection through trusted sources not only saves time but also enriches your journey with stories and experiences that others have found to be invaluable. With their guidance, you'll be one step closer to a seamless celebration, surrounded by experts who excel in making dreams a reality.
The Necessity of Hair and Makeup Trials
Embarking on this transformative journey, a bridal makeup and hair trial is imperative. Trials ensure that each element of your envisioned look seamlessly integrates, providing reassurance and an opportunity to refine or enhance your choices with your beauty artist's expertise.
To eliminate uncertainties and arrive at a dream look, invest in a "dress rehearsal". The trial isn't just a preview of your wedding look, but a collaboration to align expectations. This way, the complexities of your desired aesthetic won't overshadow your day, ensuring every detail is impeccably curated for your grand entrance.
Agency Tip: At WPI Beauty, trials are required for brides unless you’re out of town and time does not permit or you’re having a courthouse or small wedding and we book your as a “Beauty on-Demand” appointment.
Testing Your Wedding Day Look
The key to a flawless wedding day appearance lies in a comprehensive trial with your chosen makeup artist and hair stylist, ensuring they bring your envisioned look to life.
Collaborate with your artist to explore potential styles and aesthetics in advance, including considering airbrush makeup to achieve a flawless finish.
During this trial, assess the durability of your makeup and hairstyle under diverse conditions, such as a full day of celebrations, tears of joy, and endless embraces from loved ones.
This crucial opportunity allows you to tweak any part of your look that may need adjustment to ensure you not only look but feel your best. Remember, this is your day to shine, and your comfort and confidence are paramount, making the experience as much about feeling your best as looking your best.
Again, changes that you may want to make for your wedding day, like eye color, eye liner technique or other cosmetic changes can be made on the day of. You often do not need another trial you most definatley don’t need a different artists. Wedding day changes are a core of the profession and we all do it - every single weekend.
Addressing Potential Skin Allergies
Ensuring a flawless look on your wedding day requires addressing potential skin allergies in advance.
Schedule a Consultation: Book a session with your makeup artist several months before the wedding to assess potential allergens.
Patch Test: During the consultation, request a patch test with all intended makeup products.
Monitor Reactions: After the patch test, observe any skin changes or reactions for at least 24 hours.
Communicate Concerns: Discuss any adverse reactions with your artist to adjust products accordingly.
Acknowledging potential allergies empowers you to avoid mishaps, ensuring a stunning and safe appearance.
Through proactive measures, you can embrace your special day with confidence, knowing your skin will be both radiant and comfortable.
Evaluating Agency’s Professionalism and Branding
In assessing an artist's or agency’s professionalism, a fusion of reliability, organization, and authenticity takes center stage. Observing how an artist communicates, honors commitments, and exhibits their creative portfolio offers insight into their dedication, which in turn, assures a seamless experience.
When considering the intricacies of a hair and makeup artist's branding, look for a "polished presence." This is not just a matter of having a vibrant logo, but rather an amalgamation of their artistic pedigree. The quality of their digital presence, social proof in client testimonials, and the immaculate presentation of their tools speak volumes about their commitment to excellence.
Importance of Clean and Organized Equipment
Attention to detail isn't just about aesthetics; it extends into maintaining a pristine and meticulously organized set of tools.
In the world of professional hair and makeup artistry, a carefully curated arsenal reflects not only craftsmanship but also respect for the client's experience. Clean, organized tools eliminate the distractions and inefficiencies that come with disarray, serving as a testament to the artist's commitment to unparalleled service.
Moreover, an immaculate setup is a hallmark of professionalism that builds confidence. Clients recognize the added value brought by an artist who attends to sanitation standards, ensuring a hygienic environment that enhances comfort and ultimately heightens the beauty experience.
Finally, maintaining impeccable equipment is about safeguarding and optimizing results, delivering a consistently excellent experience every time. It reflects the artist's regard for both the craft and the client, spotlighting a dedication that resonates through every detail, leaving an indelible impression of care and professionalism.
Agency Tip: At WPI Beauty, our Artisans undergo interviews, technical test, customer service basics and we mandate and collect policies for sanitation requirements, licenses (where required) and liability insurance for your safety and ours.
Selecting High-Quality Beauty Products
Choosing the right beauty products for your wedding day is crucial to achieving the perfect look. They not only need to withstand the emotional and physical demands of such a special occasion, but they must also enhance your natural beauty without compromising your skin’s health.
In 2025, sourcing high-quality, reliable cosmetics should be a top priority for both brides and professionals. These products can significantly affect the final outcome, ensuring your makeup remains flawless from the ceremony to the last dance.
Thus, it's essential to collaborate with a makeup artist and hairstylist who prioritizes the integration of superior products into their practice. This careful selection will ensure that the makeup withstands heat, tears, and time—a true testament to the artistry and dedication involved.
Besides the technical benefits, using top-tier products often translates to remarkable comfort and confidence throughout the day. Brides should feel pampered and privileged, uplifted by the knowledge that their beauty routine is comprised of the best the industry has to offer.
High-quality products paired with expert application form the foundation of an extraordinary wedding day beauty experience.
Agency Tip: At WarPaint International Beauty Agency, professional tools are a minimum expectation to work with esteemed clients.
Creating a Wedding Day Appointment Schedule
An essential tool for a seamless day.
Crafting a well-thought-out appointment schedule is a crucial part of the preparation. This schedule not only keeps everyone on track but ensures that each segment of the beauty routine can be enjoyed without the stress of running out of time. Therefore, consider the appointment schedule as the backbone of the day, enabling you and your beauty team to deliver the expected looks and memories.
Begin with a buffer of extra time.
Allocate sufficient time for each appointment, ensuring a cushion for unforeseen circumstances that may arise—whether that’s embracing spontaneous moments or remedying an unexpected hiccup. The idea is to maintain a calm atmosphere throughout, allowing for last-minute adjustments that are bound to bring you peace of mind.
Moreover, effective scheduling fosters enhanced communication and collaboration between all involved parties, whether it's the bridal team, photographers, makeup artists, or wedding planners, ensuring everyone is aligned. By devoting this attention to detail, you are more likely to have a harmonious and unforgettable ceremony, steeped in elegance and poise.
Agency Tip: At WarPaint International Beauty Agency, beauty schedules are included in your booking as well as coordinating with your wedding planner.
Importance of Contracts and Deposits
Contracts are crucial, ensuring every detail is fully understood, establishing trust between you and your beauty team.
Through contracts, both parties can anticipate expectations regarding services, timelines, and any additional requirements. They mitigate misunderstandings, allow for tailored agreements, and foster professional relationships that enhance satisfaction for all involved.
Deposits act as a "commitment" and "assurance" that secure investments of both parties. If you’re not paying a respectable intial payment to secure your Artisan or team, then the likelihood to end up without an Artist increases. It also likely means they do not have administrative support and a process in place to protect you. Your beauty service payments do not all go to hair and makeup services. 50% of them handle the rest of the coordination and communication about your booking.
Protecting Your Investment
Investing in your wedding day beauty involves much more than just selecting your look—it's about ensuring quality service.
Research Thoroughly: Investigate artists, read reviews, and verify their credentials.
Insist on Contracts: Secure services through written agreements.
Schedule Trials: Test your desired styles in advance to avoid surprises.
Request a Detailed Timeline: Ensure timely, seamless execution on your wedding day.
Maintain Open Communication: Regularly update your beauty team with any changes.
Criminal Background Checks: What’s the background of your Agency or Artist(s)? Do you know? Ensure the people you are working with are safe options as they’ll be in your home, hotel room, event venue, etc around your personal items.
Taking these steps not only guarantees exceptional results but also reinforces your confidence.
Protecting this investment ensures peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy your special day with absolute radiance.
Agency Tip: WPI Beauty firms up your beauty schedule timeline with you and/or your wedding planner with in 30 days of your wedding day.
Agency Extra Tip: WPI Beauty partners with Trusted Employees to run national background checks on every single member of our team. We have in fact denied Artisan applications due to criminal backgrounds or other documented criminal behavior that reflects on their character.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist?
Book in advance…
In the bustling world of wedding planning, ensuring timely bookings for beauty services is paramount to achieving the flawless look you envision.
You don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute or compromising on quality.
By securing your hair and makeup team well ahead of time, the stress surrounding availability diminishes. This foresight enables you to coordinate trials, communicate your specific desires, and establish a calming rapport with your artist or agency.
It can also be the difference between feeling confident or frazzled as your wedding day approaches, knowing you have entrusted your look to proven experts who have reserved that time exclusively for you.
Ultimately, the peace of mind gained from early bookings is priceless. Thoughtful preparation means your focus can remain on cherishing lasting moments.
Agency Tip: WPI Beauty books wedding clients anywhere from 2 years out all the way to just weeks before the wedding day (depending on availability). Most brides book their services 6-9 months in advance as prime season dates fill up quickly.
Is Hiring a Beauty Agency Worth it?
Choosing to hire a makeup artist and/or hairstylist for your wedding is an investment in glam, confidence, and poise, where every detail is meticulously refined for this extraordinary day. A professional's expertise ensures the enhancement of your natural beauty but also that things will proceed smoothly and as expected. This is where an experienced and vetted beauty agency is your closest partner on your wedding day. The details become the catalyst to your end result. Your look is the culmination of experience and tried and true process.
The substantial value lies in more than the aesthetic result; it is a process of personalized care that engenders genuine serenity amidst the excitement of your wedding. Ultimately, the talent of a skilled artist embodies peace of mind and transforms a moment into everlasting elegance, seamlessly preserving timeless beauty.
Contact WarPaint International Beauty Agency
Family-owned and established in 2010, WarPaint International is an agency that provides on-location hair styling and makeup application services. Our Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists are vetted, experienced, and criminally background-checked professionals working in corporate events and headshots, memberships, weddings, editorial, and celebrity hair and makeup artistry. WPI operates in 3 cities across the U.S.; we are currently located in Minneapolis, Jacksonville, and Chicago, IL.
The Queen of Dark: An Interview With Nyakim Gatwech
The Minnesota-based model has gained a lot of online attention after Yahoo News wrote about her unpleasant conversation with an Uber driver. The model-activist has been very vocal about loving her skin and who she is. She is not afraid to share her story and thanks to that she has appeared in local magazine covers to national campaigns. Getting to this point has been a journey for Nyakim to say the least and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Nyakim Gatwech is the Queen of Dark.
The Minnesota-based model has gained a lot of online attention after Yahoo News wrote about her unpleasant conversation with an Uber driver. The model activist has been very vocal about loving her skin and who she is. She is not afraid to share her story and thanks to that she has appeared in local magazine covers to national campaigns. Getting to this point has been a journey for Nyakim to say the least and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Q: How did you cope and deal with the negativity and ignorance from haters back when you were in middle and high school?
When I was in middle school, I didn’t know how to cope with the negative comments I received daily. Back then, the way I dealt with the negative comments was either locking myself in my room and crying or trying to fight the people that said mean things about me. I knew it wasn’t solving anything. Locking myself in my room was causing me to become depressed and fighting back was getting me suspended from school. My problems weren’t being solved, so I told my sister, “kids are making fun of me because of my complexion. What do I do? I wanna bleach [my skin] and all this stuff.” She told me that [skin bleaching] wasn’t the way to go about it.
“The way I dealt with the negative comments was either locking myself in my room and crying or trying to fight the people that said mean things about me.”
She was the shoulder I cried on. We talked a lot. She would give me such great advice and remind me constantly how I am so beautiful and there is nothing wrong with being different. They [the bullying kids] aren’t used to seeing someone that looked like me. They were scared of seeing [someone] different, seeing something new. In high school, I just didn’t care [anymore]. I love myself. I didn’t care what people had to say. I was just like, “you need help if you’re going to talk down to me like that - something is bothering you. You just need a friend, or a hug or something.” In middle school I didn’t know how to cope with the negative comments as much as I did in high school. I grew to learn to love myself.
Photography by Aidan Petrilla
Photography by Aidan Petrilla
Q: How do you deal with them now?
Now, I am not bothered by it [the negativity]. I accept my skin, I love myself, and I’m not insecure about my skin anymore. I don’t think I’m ugly anymore. I have confidence in myself. It doesn’t bother me as much because I am okay with who I am. Sometimes in the morning, I remind myself, “out this door, there are going to be negative people looking at you sideways, people are going to say negative stuff to you, [but] it doesn’t matter because you are beautiful inside and out and the people that see it will be more.”
If you are so affected by the mean stuff people say about you, the negative comments people write about you then you attract negative people. But if you are positive and confident, then you attract positive people. If you walk with pride, and confidence and love yourself then you are going to attract people who come up to you and say, “Oh, you’re beautiful!” I have become a strong woman who can stand up to anyone who says something to me and educate them. [I can tell them] the reason I look like this is because I come from this part of the world. There are so many beautiful human beings around the world, that you never get to see all of them. We all look different. We are all different shapes, different sizes, and its okay! We shouldn’t be scared of different.
Q: It’s one thing to deal with haters, but when you encounter Models, Designers or Makeup Artists, people who are supposed to be your peers, how do you push through?
That is the hardest thing when it’s your workplace. With my fellow models, peers, and friends, I wouldn’t say anything. Sometimes I would go to casting calls and I’d be sitting next to a group of girls and some of them would be nice and say things like, “Oh, hi! Where are you from?” While some [models] would look at me like you’re not a model, you shouldn’t be a model (for whatever reason). I deal with this by not letting myself be bothered or brought down by it. There’s a bigger picture. At first, I was doing it to just prove a point that I’m beautiful too. Now, I’m past that point, I am not just proving a point anymore. I’m standing up for all those little girls who were like me at one point, who are being bullied right now, who are going through the things that I went through.
You can do anything you put your mind to, right now I am doing this for them, for my younger self. For Makeup Artists and photographers, I feel like it has gotten better for me right now. When I shot with photographers in the past, I would do a photoshoot, and its dope, and the photographer would edit it and send me the pictures and they are so light. It’s gotten better, I would talk to them [photographers] and be like “Hey, I’m not trying to be rude, I know this is your job, [this is] something you’re good at, but I feel like this is just too light, its not my complexion, do you think you can tone it down the lightening?” And some of them [photographers] would be like “okay, thank you for letting me know that.” And they would fix it. For the Makeup Artists, when I’m getting my makeup done, either they would put a foundation two shades lighter because they didn’t have my foundation shade and my face would look different from my neck or they would say “Oh you don’t need a foundation” because they just don’t have my foundation. I just started to always carry my foundation with me. Instead of being hurt by it, [thinking] “Oh now I can’t do this photoshoot. My makeup doesn’t look right. I don’t want to offend the photographer”. I am nice about it and say, “Hey I have this foundation that I think is dark enough”. I just have a solution or try to talk in a very kind way, before I just didn’t say anything and go home and cry about it. “I had the worst photoshoot or fashion show”, “I looked so bad on the runway” but now I speak up.
“ I’m standing up for all those little girls that were like me at one point, that are being bullied right now, that are going through the things that I went through.”
Q: What do you do to practice self-love?
I look in the mirror every day and remind myself that I am beautiful, I am different, I am strong and I am confident. I talk about it [self-love] on my Instagram and Twitter. I love to do makeup. I get my nails done. I treat myself, because, in the past, I didn’t.
Q: During MNFW you mentioned not only black girls, but girls of all shades and sizes reach out to you. Why do you think they feel encouraged by you to do so?
I feel like it’s because I tell my story. I am easy to be connected to. I was willing enough to tell my story about how I got bullied because of my skin color and how I was told I shouldn’t be a model. The fact that I was able to open up and tell my story, is what made it easier for little girls and other models to reach out to me and be like, ‘Hey this is what I’m struggling with, what can I do?’ If I can, I would give them advice. With my story, I was just being myself. I did not plan to write the Uber story. I don’t even know how that came up! Honesty! I was just posting [as usual]! Every time I post a picture on Instagram, I write something motivating.
For the Uber story, I was looking at our skin color, because it’s the first thing you see when you look at the picture. And I just wrote the story [in the caption] and Yahoo! saw it. I feel like the reason they are able to reach out to me is because I am myself. I check my Instagram messages all the time. If you want to send me a message or email, reach out. I will give you the best advice I can. I always put myself in their shoes.
Q: If you could say anything to that Uber driver from that one day, what would you say?
I feel like I would say the same thing to them as when I first had the conversation. Which was ‘I am sorry you feel that way and feel concerned but the state I am in right now I love myself and I am beautiful. I would never bleach my skin for anyone or any opportunity,” because I [apparently] would miss job opportunities for whatever reason. That’s what I told the Uber Uber driver.have the right to feel that way, you have the right to your opinion, but I love myself right now. In the past, I did consider bleaching my skin, but right now I would never do it for that reason – or any reason at all. If he told me what he did while in middle school, I would have cried. I would have said “Yeah, I wanna do that!” but today, I am confident in what am I, who I am, and where I come from. If a guy doesn’t find me attractive because of my skin color, that’s his problem. If I don’t find a job, that’s their loss.
Q: What are your thoughts on Instagram and its impact on girls’ self-esteem?
Instagram is a good network and social media platform, but I also feel like it can tear you down as a person. There are so many “how you’re supposed to look” pages out there. So many people you follow are living lives that are so perfect, but you don’t see the stuff they go through daily on Instagram. Never trust what you see on the screen completely. That’s not always the truth. [However], at the same time, it is a good platform to make something out of your life. You can reach out to big brands through Instagram. It’s good and it’s bad.
I feel like there should be an age limit too. My little cousin is 10 years old and has an Instagram. She said, “Auntie, I am following you.” I said, “Where?” “Oh, I see you on Instagram!” “Through whose account?” “I just created an account [on my own].” I’m like, “No, no, no”. There are so many bad things on there. It can tear you down, it can build you up, you've got to be a strong person to not let what you see on a phone or laptop screen tell you who you are as a person or make you think twice about the life you have.
“today, I am confident in what am I, who I am and where I come from.”
Q: Lastly, do you have any words of advice for girls struggling with self confidence and self esteem?
My advice is to build self confidence, feel confident in who you are and love yourself. There are so many people who love you and want to be your friend. If you are having self-confidence issues you are not going to see the people who love you, you are going to focus on the negative people. So my advice is to just talk to the people who love you. Talk to your friends, if you are being bullied talk to someone. Talk to family. Work on loving yourself and know that at the end of the day it comes down to you. If you don’t love yourself, no one else will. But as a little girl, how do you work on that? How do you work on your self confidence? I didn’t know how to. I cried a lot and locked myself in my room.
So I’m not expecting you to be able to do this right away. Confidence takes time. It takes time to build yourself when you’re at that stage. Just know there are more people that love you than hate you.
Photoshoot Credits
This interview was done and the photoshoot was styled by Debbie Aderinkomi.
The Photography - Aidan Petrilla
The Styling Assistant - Cooper Felipe
Apparel provided by: Scout & Molly's Edina | Shop Hazel and Rose MPLS
Accessories provided by: The White Room MPLS | Gold Fine Jewelry
Sunglasses provided by: InVision Distinctive Eyewear
The Makeup Artistry
Nyakim Gatwech's makeup for this photo shoot was done by WarPaint International Founder, Jessica Mae.
Many thanks to Nyakim Gatwech for doing this interview and photoshoot, and allowing us the time to get well-spoken answers to serious questions in the beauty, social media, and other sectors of "real life".
The Nyakim Gatwech Photoshoot
Makeup Artist Jessica Mae Demonstrates Makeup Looks With Pantone Color Of The Year 'Viva Magenta' On Twin Cities Live
“One of the things I love the most about Viva Magenta is the feeling or attitude it creates within you when you wear it. It’s a powerful color that boosts confidence and swag - at least for me… It’s boldness, with a feeling of fun”, said Jessica Mae.
Putting Viva Magenta Into Your Makeup Look
If there is one thing that Minneapolis Makeup Artist & Founder, Jessica Mae, loves its bold colors and fun looks.
“I am personally obsessed with the year’s Pantone Color of the Year for 2023, Viva Magenta! There are so many ways you can wear this color!”
~ Jessica Mae, Professional Makeup Artist
Makeup Artist and Founder of WarPaint International demonstrated fun and easy makeup tips on Channel 5, Twin Cities Live on Monday, January 23rd, 2023. The airing of the news segment is done entirely live on camera so the techniques need to be easy for viewers to do and able to fill the time requirements of the program. So Jessica demonstrated 3 simple ways to incorporate ‘Viva Magenta’, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2023 into your daily makeup look.
“One of the things I love the most about Viva Magenta is the feeling or attitude it creates within you when you wear it. It’s a powerful color that boosts confidence and swag - at least for me… It’s boldness, with a feeling of fun”, said Jessica Mae.
Watch the Segment
View the full Twin Cities Live segment below.
Viva Magenta Makeup Tips
While you can certainly wear all three of these items at once for a monochromatic style, I prefer to wear one at a time. However, there are no rules when it comes to makeup in my opinion, so try one or all of these. You do you!
Eyes
Swipe a bit of viva magenta on your eyes. I like to focus on the outer corners of the eye with this shade while keeping the rest of the eyeshadow light in color in order for the magenta to really pop! The palette I’m using today is Blushing Berries from Dose of Colors. This is a great palette that you can create an array of looks from.
Blushing Berries by Dose of Color. $32 from Camera Ready Cosmetics.
Cheeks
An easy way to switch up your makeup routine without needing to invest in additional tools (if you don’t already have them) is using a cream blush. I love this Halo cream cheek and lip tint from Smashbox, in Pomegranate, to bring some Viva Magenta vibes to your cheeks.
Pop a small amount onto your cheeks using your fingertips. It’s a buildable color so you can have it be as subtle or dramatic as you want. Bonus, this formula doubles as a lip tint.
Smashbox ‘Pomegranite’ Halo Cream Cheek + Lip Tint. $28 from Camera Ready Cosmetics.
“It gives you that “just bitten” appearance”
Lips
Speaking of lips, I love a power lip. This is perhaps the reason I’m so pumped about Viva Magenta being this year’s Pantone Color of the Year 2023. I found a fabulous lipstick that’s a balm lipstick hybrid from VIOLETTE_FR. It gives you that “just bitten” appearance and with their color Sucette you get that soft but powerful effect. To wear during the day, I recommend applying lightly and then applying heavier to amp up your look for a night out.
Bisou Balm Sheer matte Lipstick. $28 on on their website.
Makeup For Weddings
The team at Twin Cities Live asked Jessica if she sees the bold color trend being used in bridal makeup artistry and the answer is yes! However, many spring and summer brides tend to follow the whimsical, soft fairytale natural makeup look. Our fall and winter brides like to step outside their box and try bold looks, cat eyes, and vibrant colors.
Getting married? WarPaint International has beauty teams in a few places. Book Makeup Artists in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Makeup Artists in Jacksonville, Florida, Makeup Artists in Chicago, and Makeup Artists in New York City for your wedding day beauty services. We also offer on-site hairstyling in downdo/blowout styles or complex updo and specialty hairstyles.
Top 10 Reasons to Hire Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists on your Wedding Day.
Have you considered the top reasons to hire a professional makeup artist or hair stylist for your wedding day? How about a Beauty Agency? Would your freelance artist pass a criminal background check? Here are our Top 10 reasons to hire a pro and some reasons to book your wedding with WarPaint International.
Top Reasons to Hire Beauty Professionals on your Wedding Day
A Beauty Professional's Point of view.
So, you're doing your own hair and makeup...
Have you considered the reasons to hire a makeup artist or hair stylist for your wedding day? While there are many reasons to hire a makeup artist AND hair stylists for your wedding, they are all rooted in looking your best on your special day. Your wedding will be forever remembered through wedding photographs and the hiring of professional artists will help ensure that you are flawless and beautiful the day of and in the lasting memories of the event.
Furthermore, the benefits of a Beauty Agency vs. freelance artists are numerous. Considering the financial commitment and high expectations, the "beauty" of not worrying about the last minute proverbial bus - sickness, criminal backgrounds, poor character, or other hurdles - is a benefit that only reputable agencies can provide. Read our top 10 reasons why you need a professionally vetted makeup school graduate and hair stylist on your wedding day.
1. Be stress-free on your wedding day
Of all the reasons to hire a professional makeup artist and hair stylist for your wedding day, this may be the single most important benefit. Take it from experienced brides... your wedding day is guaranteed to be busy and will likely include a few unexpected challenges, so don’t let your appearance be one of them. You shouldn’t have to spend time worrying if your eyeliner is straight while ensuring that your vendors deliver on time. Any reputable artist that is a professional will meet with you prior to your wedding day to do a trial run of the makeup look or hairstyle you want. On the day-of, your beauty team rolls in, on location, and knows your skin type, your desired outcome, your theme, and any complications in the trial.
P.S. Your photographer will love you for it
See how your booking process looks with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
The Bride Experience. Your booking process with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
2. You want to look "natural"
Professional makeup artists study the art of their craft. They live it and breathe it like a musician, and the proper selection of colors is part of their DNA. From your foundation to your lips to the perfect eyeliner, makeup artists know how to choose the colors that match your unique character and features. Your wedding day will keep you photographed, possibly more than any day in your life. High definition optics can do some interesting things to your complexion and pores.
Even if you tend to live in the "natural" state and your photographer does to, find a makeup artist that specializes in "natural" looks so that your memories and face-to-face interactions are striking and memorable. The natural look is far more involved than most brides think. In fact, what most people categorize as difficult is the avant-garde, high-fashion looks you see all over the internet. If this were the case, more Instagram makeup artists would be showcasing breathtaking, natural looking brides than stamping out glorified brows and winged eyeliner.
3. Professional grade products that last
Like it or not, there is a big difference behind mainstream, less expensive makeup and hair products vs. professional grade products that have been engineered for specific applications. Since makeup artists apply cosmetics for a living and hair stylists test the quality of hair products every single day, most have a kit stocked with high quality (and possibly very expensive) products that are designed for wearability and flexibility that you may not own or be able to afford. Not to mention, most artists endure years of professional training to keep up with the trends, techniques, and industry concerns. You simply can't put a price on their experience or the luxury and intimacy of having them apply it and perfect it. It is after all, what they live for - your beauty.
4. Just enjoy the day
Don't fool yourself. You likely don't have the experience mentioned in point number 3, and even if you do why in the world would you want to exercise it on your own wedding day? Experienced makeup artists practice the art of makeup every single day. Experienced hair stylists nearly double that rate. Professional makeup artists and hair stylists have painted hundreds, if not thousands, of faces and designed hair in dozens of eras, themes, and personal taste categories. If you’re not a makeup artist or hair stylist and you haven’t studied the proper methods of executing flawless looks that withstand heat, wind, tears and very long days, then pass on the notion that you'll save a few dollars. The key to being a perfect bride is to be yourself; that usually still requires professionals to extract that state and keep it there for your wedding day.
On a more important note, most brides envision their day beginning in an artist's chair with champagne in hand and the loving banter of their bridal party - not a stress-filled morning of racing the clock and no human interaction.
5. Application techniques
It's not that you don't already wake up looking breathtaking... We actually wouldn't change a thing about you. Industry professionals study tricks to emphasize a person’s best facial features while disguising other, less flattering ones just by applying makeup. Hair stylists have an in-depth knowledge of hair types and tendencies, scalp problems, and product benefits. If you want to really highlight your eyes for your big day, your makeup artist can use special makeup techniques to make that happen without caking on the product.
Want to pull off a bold lip color, but are afraid of transferring it onto your groom when its time to “kiss the bride”? A professional makeup artist can help prevent that, too. Scared of your hair flying away or falling due to heat? Yeah.. they've got that covered.
6. Ensuring perfection
This is one of the most important pieces since the bulk of your day will be spent saying "CHEESE". Experienced makeup artists and hair stylists will sculpt your look using contouring techniques to add the illusion of depth in 2-dimensional photographs and in real life. You instantly turn into a 2-dimensional image instead of a 3-dimensional being when your photo is taken. If you choose to not use a makeup artist or hair stylist, you're likely to be a flat image in your captured memories. If you use a makeup artist that is not experienced, or your makeup and hair are applied and styled improperly, you'll also appear flat and in some bad cases that we've seen - orange! Lastly, you don't want to appear shiny, gray, over, or underdone. Perfection is the key. You are perfect, right?
7. Product, product, product
Like we mentioned above, beauty professionals use high-quality products that are blended with rigorous expertise. When you a hire a makeup artist or hair stylists for your wedding, you won’t have to worry about your makeup wearing off during your wedding festivities or your hair falling from its form. There are special primers, setting sprays and powders that your artists will know exactly how to apply to ensure complete bliss. Your groom may also be appreciative at the end of the day :-)
8. A cohesive look
It is amazing how many women will visually match their friends for Halloween, themed parties, even "pajama parties" but when it comes to their wedding day - the one day everyone should look the same - they turn the other cheek. Think about the last wedding you attended (or even stood for) that had no beauty or dress direction, no orchestration, and no attention to detail. Though that may be the personality of the wedded couple, it certainly spells frustration for their guests and mixed feelings about their captured memories. If cost is a factor, skip the bachelorette party and treat your ladies to luxurious beauty. Nothing is more memorable than sitting back together in a bridal suite, sipping champagne, laughing and letting the professionals unfold your beauty desires. Stress-free is the key and your entrance and impact to your guests will be memorable.
9. Trial pains...
We said it above, but its a pain point for many. We've met brides that have paid in full for 3 or more trials and come to realize they were dealing with an amateur, or their sister's friend or aunt (who can do it for them) and walked away only spending more money on the right fit.
Demand a trial. No makeup artist or hair stylist can walk into your wedding day and smash it out of the park. This relationship is an intimate one and takes discovery questions and a few dry runs in some cases. Always, always have a makeup and hair trial. You'd hate to be orange from the chin up on your wedding day, or worse yet... your artist leaves for Vegas instead.
10. Wedding day beauty schedules
Hire a Beauty Agency. Yes there are talented, dedicated freelance individuals all of whom deliver endlessly, but they do get sick, have car accidents, run late, endure family deaths, etc, etc. When hiring a beauty agency, your selection of top professionals is much broader, but the security of not having a mishap with an artist on your wedding day is alleviated. Even if your artist gets hit by the proverbial bus, their trial notes and opinions are available to the agency and an artist that matches their skill-sets and schedule will simply step in to ensure a flawless wedding day for you as if nothing ever happened. At WarPaint International, we screen our artists, do technical interviews to test their skill level and work with a wide array of schedules.
Criminal background checks. We are also a national partner to Trusted Employees, so we criminally background check our Artisans across state and federal databases for background information. We have passed on applicants that work for our competitors or on their own. You wouldn't want a convicted felon in your home, hotel room or personal space scoping out their options. Be smart when hiring on-site professionals.
Learn more about Safety in hiring freelance Artists at our article “Has Your Onsite Beauty Service Provider Had a Criminal Background Check?”
~ Added advice and experience
You may also find benefit in pre-wedding day skin care tips to ensure smooth delivery and a "day of" itinerary for your wedding party to follow and depend on. No one should have to ask "when is Jenny's hair getting done" or "when does this person arrive". We've got that covered. Project management comes at no extra cost and ensures that you look beautiful and we provide superior expertise and service on the most memorable day of your life.
SO... Will you be hiring a professional to do your makeup and/or hair on your wedding day? You won't regret it and though we recommend shopping around to find the perfect match for you and your bridal party, if you're looking for excellence in hair and makeup artistry with the added benefit of a wedding planner for your beauty needs, seek a beauty agency. WarPaint International.
See how your wedding day will look with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
The Bride Experience. Your wedding day with WarPaint International Beauty Agency.
Want to chat with us about your wedding day beauty services? Check out our weddings page and contact us to set up a time speak with a WPI bridal consultant about the details of your big day!
3 Top Trending Wedding Makeup Looks
When thinking about what style of makeup you are going for, the way in which you communicate to your artist is essential. Here are the top 3 trending wedding makeup looks and my recommendation on how to acheive them.
There is so much that goes into planning your wedding. The venue, Photographer, Flowers, THE Dress, etc. When it comes time to think about what you want your wedding makeup looks to be for the big day, there is SO much to think about. Not to mention the countless photos on Pinterest, Instagram and Google. Where to begin?
“When thinking about what style of makeup you are going for, the way in which you communicate to your artist is essential. ”
My recommendation is to stay true to who you are. Really think about what your personal style is, and make your goal to accentuate that. Too often I hear about brides who go against what they truly want, and where their comfort zone truly lies. Now, if you are someone who wants to do something different and out of your comfort zone, by all means, go for it girl!
When thinking about what style of makeup you are going for, the way that you communicate to your makeup artist is essential. Having photos of inspiration is a great starting point, but also knowing what you want and using the right terms to describe it will lend to the success of the look.
I am here to help! I have broken down 3 Top Trending Wedding Makeup Looks to aid in not only narrowing down the look you want, but also being able to then communicate that to your artist.
On to the wedding makeup looks!
Natural
For ladies that want to slightly enhance their natural beauty, keeping your makeup look simple is the way to go. This is what most brides ask their artists for, but knowing what natural makeup means to an artist versus you is very important. Coming prepared with photos is key. When this makeup look is requested it is also helpful to have a photo of yourself with your daily makeup done. This way it gives your artist a gauge of what you're used to - if anything at all.
“Knowing what natural makeup means to an artist versus you is very important.”
When a natural makeup look is requested I recommend airbrush foundation as it tends to look more like your actual skin and is lightweight while still giving nice coverage. When requesting this look from your artist it is helpful to use descriptive words like; fresh, glowy (if you like a glowy look), not over done, myself but slightly enhanced.
Pro tip: When thinking about lashes for a natural look, ask your artist about individual lashes or a half strip lash.
Natural
You, but a little more than your every day.
Romantic
I love this look for brides who want to have a hint of glam, but not too much. This type of makeup look is great for clients who want more than their every day look, but still would like to look like themselves. For me, what makes a look romantic is adding lashes and a little hint of smokiness to the shadow. This makeup look works for any type of venue or time of year. When requesting this look from your artist it is helpful to use descriptive words like; medium spicy, natural glam, romantic.
Pro Tip: For an extra pop, have your artist use shadows with some shimmer to them!
Glam
Full on bold and spicy! Glam looks are great for clients who love to wear makeup and want to make a statement with their look. If you're considering this look you can count on a bold lip, a smokey eye, some contouring (or sculpting which I prefer to call it) and of course lashes! I typically see brides request this type of look if they have a Fall, Winter or evening wedding, but the Glam bride can rock this look any time she wants. When requesting this look from your artist it is helpful to use descriptive words like; sassy, sexy, bold.
Pro Tip: Take your look to the next level by adding wings to your eye liner!
Glam
For those not afraid to make a statement.
Whatever style of makeup you decide on, make sure it makes you feel like your most beautiful self. Too often I have brides in my chair who are easily influenced by others (ahem... Mother of the Bride and sisters...) of what they think the bride should have for makeup. Remember, you're the one getting married - not them.
One last piece of advice...
Keep in mind when you are looking for inspiration images... any image you find online is likely edited. Some more so than others, but they are all edited. It is also a good idea to find photos where the person in it has similar features to you. Having realistic expectations not only sets you up for success but your artist as well.
Photo Credits:
Banner Image: Brovado Weddings.
Natural Makeup: James Stokes Photography.
Romantic Makeup: De La Vue.
Glam Makeup: Justina Louse Photography.
Want to learn these looks on your own? Book an in-home makeup lesson with a WarPaint International artisan, we also do personal makeup shopping!
PRIDE Hair and Makeup Looks
#TCPride 2015. This year, WarPaint International Beauty Agency worked with Minneapolis's premier GLBT Journal, Lavender Magazine, to create a few Pride hair and makeup looks with three local Minneapolis celebrity figures. Nothing compliments a Pride festival like Hair, Makeup & Glamour. Check out how these three Minneapolis celebs "Prepare For Battle™" with WarPaint International's "Pride Paint" for 2015.
"Pride Paint" #TCPride.
Celebrity Hair & Makeup looks for Twin Cities Pride.
“So how do three of our local celebs show their Pride? Doug Melroe, Grant Whittaker, and Jamie Yuccas give you an Event Look, an Everyday Look, and a Special Occasion Look.”
Gay Pride Throwback with WPI Beauty
#TCPride 2015. What a year, WarPaint International Beauty Agency worked with Minneapolis's premier LGBTQA+ Journal, Lavender Magazine, to create a few Pride hair and makeup looks with three local Minneapolis celebrity figures. Nothing compliments a Pride festival like Hair, Makeup & Glamour. Check out how these three Minneapolis celebs "Prepare For Battle™" with WarPaint International's "Pride Paint" for 2015.
WarPaint International Beauty Agency proudly serves LGBTQIA+ Same-Sex Wedding Makeup and Hair couples.
Doug Melroe
LOOK: PRIDE EVENT
"You may recognize Doug Melroe as the face of The Firm, where he has been teaching since 1986. He has also led the warm up for the MN AIDS Walk every year for 30+ years. Or you might recognize him as the guy at the end of the Pride parade wearing his pride and not much else." ~ Lavender Magazine.
On Doug: Makeup Artist and Lifestyle Influencer: Carla Anderson
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
Grant Whittaker
LOOK: EVERYDAY
"A Twin Cities style catalyst and fashion and events producer, Grant sets the table with European flair and new and original ideas." ~ Lavender Magazine.
On Grant: Hair & Makeup: Benjamin Rodich
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
Jamie Yuccas of CBS National
LOOK: SPECIAL OCCASION
CBS local news and now national Los Angelos news anchor by morning. Fervent philanthropic cheerleader by night. Friend and supporter of the LGBTQA+ community — always and forever.
On Jamie: Hair & Makeup: Anna Giuliano, Artisan, and Jessica Mae, Creative Director; WarPaint International.
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
Photography by Kyle Lieberman
PRIDE PAINT
By Brandon McCray June 11, 2015
Categories: Featured - Home Page, Our Scene, Style & Entertaining
Orignial article: Lavender Magazine Pride Edition.
Book your Pride Hair & Makeup online, with WarPaint International Beauty agency.
Top 5 Wedding Day Skin Care Tips for Brides.
Your wedding day is here but your skin is FREAKING OUT!
One of the biggest concerns that a Bride-to-be has on her wedding day is what her skin is going to look like. Brides and wedding parties will often spend quite a bit of time and money investing into Wedding Day Beauty services such has hair and makeup, but will then be disappointed by the appearance of their skin. There is a way to help...
Your wedding day is here but your skin is FREAKING OUT!
One of the biggest concerns that a Bride-to-be has on her wedding day is what her skin is going to look like. Brides and wedding parties will often spend quite a bit of time and money investing into Wedding Day Beauty services such has hair and makeup, but will then be disappointed by the appearance of their skin. There is a way to help...
Wedding day advice from our preferred Skin Care Specialist. Call today to talk to Jill.
Jill Schierholz | Owner of Skin Savvy
Aesthetician & skin care specialist.
Stress, weather, and other external forces will often dictate what our skin looks like but there are many things can be done leading up to your big day in terms of a skincare ritual that can help alleviate this from happening. I'll address the most common questions about wedding day skin care tips below.
1. How long before a bride's wedding should she start a skin care regimen to improve tone and texture of her skin?
A consistent treatment and product regimen should be between 2-4 months prior to the wedding. For more mature skin, where there can be more concerns with uneven color, laxity, lines and wrinkles; 4 months is crucial. Acne problems can be stubborn and controlling, so it can take more time to get it under control- start earlier for better results. For someone with little concern, but looking to get a fabulous glow and texture improvement to the skin; 2 months can be enough. All the while for all people, using an AM and PM skincare routine to maximize and maintain is important to ensure the BEST results for the big day!
2. What is the difference between a facial and a peel? What type of results can you expect to see from each?
A facial is deep cleansing, mildly exfoliating, and hydrating. A chemical peel is regenerating, smoothing, pore minimizing, tone evening and can be antibacterial depending on which used. The two compliment each other so much, the best results can really be seen when done together.
3. For brides that are looking to reduce the appearance of acne scars, what treatment would you recommend?
It can really depend on the skin color and skin type for this one. More olive skin types can get brown discoloration on spots of acne, which would then be treated best with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and/or a medium-depth chemical peel. For lighter skin types with red/pink scars, Derma-pen treatments would be the best. For "ice pick" or any scar that causes an indentation in the skin, Derma-pen would also be ideal.
4. For us "oily-skinned" gals, what products and treatments do you recommend to help reduce oiliness?
Being an "oily gal" myself, I've always tried to find the best combination to conquer the shine! For treatments - definitely peels. These help to shed the built up layers of dead skin and thickness that can lead to excess oil. The best are medium depth peels. (The Vitalize Peel or The Perfect Peel)
The best products to help exfoliate to maintain the results of the peels and flush out and shrink pores are professional strength Retinol, Alpha Hydroxy acids and the amazing Clarisonic Cleansing Brush with deep pore or acne brush head.
5. For the night before wedding prep; what can a bride do to ensure a radiant flawless glow?
The night before, exercise if possible to stimulate circulation, a hot bath with a mask suited for their specific skin type, drinking TONS of water to flush toxins and hydrate the skin from the inside out and of course plenty of sleep. Using a satin or silk pillowcase will prevent "sleep lines". All this along with topically applying a professional Retinol cream or Alpha Hydroxy cream along with an individually suited luxurious eye and lip cream will have the skin canvas perfect for a WarPaint International Makeup Artist to work their magic for impeccable skin!
Below are some examples of skin care procedure before and afters. Click them to expand and have a closer look at the results.
I offer the "Perfect Derma Peel", which is a bride and mother-of-the-bride favorite.
What ingredients are in Perfect Derma Peel?
Glutathione - an anti-aging ingredient and skin lightener.
Kojic Acid - skin lightener. (The combination of both these ingredients are unique to this peel)
Trichloroacetic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Phenol
Retin-A
Vitamin C
- The percentages are not noted as this is a proprietary blend, however this is proven to help with Melasma, Rosacea, Hyper-pigmentation, acne and some other skin problems.
Is it safe for all Fitzpatrick's (Skin type scale - 1-6, 1 = super pale white to 6 = dark black)?
Yes, the "Perfect Derma Peel" is safe for all skin types.
How long do you leave it on?
Six hours. Overnight if there is no discomfort for you.
How long does the Perfect Derma Peel last?
Results with maintenance can last a long time. It can be done 3 - 4 times per year (4 - 6 weeks apart) and with the Perfect A it will elongate the effects. How long this procedure lasts depends on how well you care for your skin (i.e. staying out of the sun, tanning, etc).
What does a kit cost and what does it include?
Its $300 for a kit. It includes six customer take home kits with six peels in a kit and A moisturizer and Retin-A pads.
