You guessed it! This months blog is all about finding the right Makeup Artist (MUA) for the big day... And trust me, there's so much more to it than just makeup!
I was fortunate enough to sit down over coffee and discuss all things makeup with the wonderfully talented Victoria Fox (@victoriamathiemakeup). Much like all the key suppliers featured in this series, her passion, knowledge and skills go before her! We love finding the best people for you... you can thank us later!
Whilst I could use this post to celebrate, share and oooogle over the incredible skill and techniques used by MUAs, I know that you all already know how amazing they are! *tip of the hat and all that* Instead, I'm going to really share with you all the top tips and amazing insight I've gained into the world of a MUA! It's so so enlightening... I have learnt just how much more your MUA can bring to you and your bridal party on your wedding day, they do your makeup, your bridal parties makeup, bring their wealth of knowledge and experience, their products, time, advice, consults and more than that, their listening ear. Wow.. they're good!!
First things first... and one of the alluring things about Victoria's work is the passion, pureness and kind natured air that she has about her and that certainly goes into her work! Throughout our entire chat I could only feel the strongest sense of positivity from her and how she really stands for empowering her ladies and making sure they not only look beautiful for their special day but feel it too!! Victoria stresses the importance of realistic expectations, transparency between client and MUA and an honest approach... This lead on from us discussing "top looks" and Victoria stresses the importance of not setting your heart on a specific look, but a style, shade, colouring or technique. Many of times Victoria says ladies come to her with an image from Pinterest or social media and they've set their sights on this "look" and are certain that their MUA can recreate this for them... But once they enter into a discussion, the bride wants a lightweight, dewy look and actually she's holding a picture of a heavily layered, full coverage buildable look (which actually has been photoshopped!!!). So, Victoria encourages you to look online for inspiration, but urges you to tailor your searches and perhaps enquire, ask, interact and find out more about the looks your falling in love with - if nothing else, chat this through with your MUA as they can definitely help tailor your ideas!
When enquiring with your MUA probe further into the services you're getting or potentially can add onto your package. Find out what you're paying for and when enquiring ask a few of these helpful questions that may not initially come to mind but you'll be grateful later on:
- How do I preserve my makeup throughout the day (think hugging, kissing, dancing, sweating (hu..hummm - I mean glowing radiantly whilst dancing)?
- Can they provide you with samples which will allow you to top up your makeup throughout the day (lipstick, blusher, powder) or can you purchase these?
- Do they leave you with any tools to keep your makeup looking fresh?
- If you or your bridal party are not paying for their makeup to be done by your MUA, can you buy a lipstick which will allow them to match yours? What product do they use?
- Do they provide you with blotting paper?
- Can they come back at an additional cost to top up your makeup half way through?
Have a little think about things you may need later on in the day!
Much like any service, quite often, skill and experience comes with a cost, BUT Victoria shed some light around pricing of MUA's and she really emphasised - DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Victoria and I discussed so many different scenarios, stories and examples, but the biggest thing I will share with all my couples, is when it comes to your MUA, price isn't always a reflection of skill, perhaps experience, but be wise when reasearching. Please look at reviews, ask for previous looks and most of all, talk to them! *enough said...*
A large part of Wedding Planning is budgeting - trust us, it's key -and it's also important to consider this when sourcing your MUA... Largely a MUA's focus on the big day is the bridal party. Depending on the size of yours, you may need to consider firstly time and secondly who you're going to pay for (yourself, Maid of Honour, Mother of the bride, Mother of the groom, Bridesmaids/Best friends). As you can imagine, this can all take time, when planning for a MUA, Victoria advises planning for an hour per person (on average) and this will allow plenty of time on the morning of the Wedding for a good application per person without rushing. Equally Victoria recommends thinking prior to arranging your MUA who may be contributing to their own beauty regime and who you're going to be paying for, as you can imagine, priced per face this can add up, so you need to be aware of this prior to committing. Normally, Victoria says MUA charge price per face, but also have additional surcharges (early starts, mileage, overnight stays etc...) so please ask and make sure you read your contract! On this, especially since COVID, Victoria pleads you to read, re-read and re-read again your contracts!! Look for cancellations charges, change of date charges, admin fees, COVID guidance and also deposits! This has never been more apparent and unfortunately, the wedding industry has been heavily affected (along with so many other sectors) since COVID so people are preparing themselves for scenarios we've never faced before.
On a cheerier note, it would have been an injustice to you all not to ask this insanely talented lady what her favourite products are. - so, I did! They're all linked below if you fancy taking a look, Victoria, has kindly shared her secret weapons, the tools she uses and the magic behind her perfect bridal looks...
Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Brows- A tinted brow gel with brush to add texture and fullness to those furry friends £19.99
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation - Lightweight, buildable and 24hr coverage (oh and SPF!!) £29.00
Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream - a gel bronzer that helps create that healthy sun-kisses glow £43
Sweed Nikki Wolff No lash lash - an ultra-light weight lash, easy to apply and best of all all packaging is recyclable AND each lash can be used up to 10 times! Sustainable and beautiful £22
Dermatica - highly recommended by Victoria for its personalised and outstanding results! Dermatica has dermatologists who analyse your skin and ensure they create a skin care routine which is as unique as you! Victoria recommends starting this skin care journey at least six months before your big day to gain maximum results.
For all you wedding planners out there, or perhaps photographers or hairstylists or anyone who may love this as much as me, this ones for you! I learnt the most brilliant top tip ever! When the bride is having her makeup done, all of us (yup bridesmaids, mother of the bride, hairstylist, the next door neighbours) - leave the woman alone!! I had never thought of it like this, but this beautiful women is trying to feel extra beautiful for the biggest day of her life! If we all keep gassbaging to her, her poor MUA can't set her face, and enhance that beauty! And whilst many brides like to have 'getting ready' shots, ask if your MUA and photographer can make an arrangement where they can mimic these shots, or pick a time where this is appropriate to ensure the MUA's creation can really come to life... Something I've learnt is that this time between the MUA and the bride can be more than just supplier and customer, but it might actually be the first time the bride has stopped to take in that special day and as such there's a range of emotions... Sometimes, that moment just needs to be between the MUA and bride. Let them have that moment, that confident, that perhaps pre-wedding wobble or perhaps just time to sit down and take in a momentous day in their life. By allowing yourself, your bestie, your daughter or your client this time, you're giving them so much more AND the next time you see the bride, she's ready to take on the world, walk down the isle and finally marry her Prince Charming (or Cinderella)...
As with all guests featuring in our "back to basics" series - I asked Victoria her top three tips for Makeup artistry - Victoria honestly had so much great advice that I've had to shortlist them (spoiler alert, I could only narrow them down to four! If I'd have cut out anymore, that would have been an injustice to you all - thank me later!!). For now, Victoria's top four are;
Make sure, either with your makeup trial or if you're doing your own makeup, that when you look in the mirror, your makeup not only makes you feel great (feel is just as important as look), but that you recognise yourself looking back at you. Remember to try and not get swept up in ideologies by trying to be someone else, but embrace and allow your MUA to enhance all of your natural beauty.
Be prepared and don't be alarmed if you have to wear more product than your usual day to day makeup routine. This isn't for covering blemishes... no.... This is to enhance longevity and really add to the gorgeous bridal effect you're aiming to achieve. More product doesn't mean you'll be caked in makeup, but be prepared to perhaps wear more blusher and lipstick as these will fade first and oily skin will need to be powdered regularly.
Be strong and clear with your MUA about your Do's & Don'ts. By this I mean, communicate clearly with your MUA and make them aware of the things that you love and really want, and perhaps things that you're open to trialling or practicing with. For example, if you love your bushy brows and a subtle nude lip but hate a lined eye, then tell them! But if you are open to ideas too, on perhaps highlight or blusher shades, then let them experiment - you never know, they may see something in you that you've never considered.
RESEARCH!!! Please do your research and be open minded. Don't just take into consideration cost, a social following, or reviews. Someone who has just started out may be insanely good at makeup but currently at a lower cost because their new to promoting themselves online. Equally someone with a large insta following may not be best suited to your style or technique. Remember whilst primarily you're looking at their skills set and suitability as a MUA, this person is also going to be around you and your nearest and dearest on your wedding day, so you want to like them and for them to fit in too!
If you have any questions or wish to contact Victoria about her services, please click below.
As always many thanks for reading! O xx