HAIR & MAKEUP TRIAL GUIDE

Your hair and makeup trial is the dress rehearsal for your event look. It is the one opportunity to communicate, experiment, and fix anything without the pressure of a room full of guests. Skipping it is one of the most common regrets people share after their big day.

 

Pro Tip:  Book your trial 8-12 weeks before your event. Close enough that your hair length is similar, but far enough in advance to re-schedule if needed.

 

Fake Tan — Plan This First

If you are planning to fake tan for your event, schedule your spray tan or self-tan application before your trial — not after. Your artist needs to see your skin at the tone it will actually be on the day so they can colour-match your foundation accurately, blend your contour correctly, and ensure there are no mismatched lines at your jawline, neck, or décolletage.

 

•       Schedule your trial fake tan at least 24–48 hours before the appointment so it has fully developed

•       Use the exact same tanning product or method you plan to use on the event day

•       If trying a new tanner, do a patch test well in advance to check for reactions

•       Exfoliate and moisturise before tanning to ensure even coverage

•       Inform your artist whether you will be tanned on the day — this affects product selection

 

Important:  Do NOT get a fake tan after your trial if it is for the event. The tan changes your skin tone, which means the colours your artist chose at the trial may no longer match.

 

Complete All Other Beauty Appointments First

Your make up or hair trial should be the last appointment you have, not the first. Any treatments that change the appearance of your skin, brows, or face should be done before you sit in the artist’s chair. This ensures the look created at the trial is an accurate representation of your event-day look.

 

Brow Tint & Shape

•       Get your brows tinted and shaped at least 48–72 hours before your trial

•       Freshly tinted brows are darker and slightly swollen — give them time to settle

•       Bring a photo of your ideal brow shape so your brow artist and makeup artist are aligned

 

Dermaplaning & Skin Treatments

•       Dermaplaning (manual exfoliation that removes peach fuzz) should be done 5–7 days before your trial

•       This allows the skin to settle and any redness to fully subside

•       Facials, chemical peels, and skin treatments should also be completed at least one week before the trial

•       Avoid any new or aggressive skin treatments for the first time right before your trial

 

Lash Appointments

•       Lash lifts and tints should be done 48–72 hours before the trial

•       Lash extensions should be applied at least 24 hours before to allow adhesive to fully cure

•       Your artist needs to see the lashes to calibrate eye makeup and liner accordingly

 

Rule of thumb:  Treat your trial like the event itself. Arrive as close to your event-day state as possible — same tan, same brows, same lashes. The more accurate the trial, the more accurate the result.

 

Be Upfront About Your Skin Type, Conditions & Allergies

This is not the time to be vague. Your makeup artist is a professional and needs complete, honest information about your skin to keep you safe and to make the best product choices. Disclosing this information is as important as any other preparation.

 

Skin Type

•       Know your skin type: oily, dry, combination, normal, or dehydrated

•       Describe how your skin behaves throughout the day — does it get shiny by midday? Does it feel tight?

•       Mention if your skin is sensitive to heat, humidity, or stress

 

Skin Conditions

•       Disclose any diagnosed skin conditions: rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, acne, perioral dermatitis

•       If a dermatologist has advised you on product restrictions, share that information with your artist

•       Mention any known irritants or ingredients that have caused reactions in the past

•       If you have active breakouts, open wounds, or post-procedure skin, be transparent

 

Allergies

•       Disclose all known allergies — including fragrance, latex, nickel (eyelash glue), specific preservatives

•       If you have had allergic reactions to makeup or skincare before, describe what happened

•       Ask your artist to review ingredient lists if you have a known allergy

•       Ask for the name of the products ahead of the trial to research if their product is right for your skin type

 

Know What Products to Avoid — Especially Retinol

Certain skincare ingredients can cause increased skin sensitivity, redness, or peeling that will directly affect how your makeup sits and lasts. If you use active ingredients, you need to pause them before your trial and before your event.

 

Retinol & Retinoids

Retinol speeds up skin cell turnover, which is great for long-term skin health but causes sensitivity, dryness, and sometimes flaking or redness in the short term. Makeup sits poorly on retinol-compromised skin.

•       Stop using retinol at least 5–7 days before your trial

•       For prescription retinoids (tretinoin), stop 7–10 days before

•       If your dermatologist has you on a retinoid regime, ask them specifically when to pause before your event

 

Other Actives to Pause

•       AHAs and BHAs (glycolic acid, salicylic acid): stop 3–5 days before

•       Vitamin C serums at high concentrations: stop 2–3 days before if your skin reacts

•       Exfoliating scrubs: stop 3–5 days before

•       Benzoyl peroxide spot treatments: pause 2–3 days before on areas being made up

 

Dermatologist advice:  If your dermatologist has shared any restrictions, medication interactions, or specific guidance about your skin, bring those notes or share them verbally with your artist. A professional artist will always accommodate medical skin needs.

 

Inspiration photos are one of the most powerful communication tools you can bring to a trial. But there is a right and wrong way to use them.

 

Choose Inspo That Matches Your Own Complexion

This is the most overlooked step. A photo of a fair-skinned model with a specific smoky eye will look completely different on a deeper skin tone — not because the technique is wrong, but because pigments, shadows, and highlights interact differently with every complexion.

 

•       Look for inspiration photos featuring people with a similar skin tone to yours

•       Consider your undertone — warm (golden, olive), cool (pink, rosy), or neutral

•       Look for similar eye shapes and eye placement if you are choosing an eye look

•       If you have hooded eyes, monolids, or deep-set eyes, search specifically for those eye shapes

•       Hair texture matters too: fine, thick, curly, straight, and colour-treated hair all behave differently

 

How to Build Your Inspo Collection

1.    Step 1: Save 5–10 photos of looks you genuinely love

2.    Step 2: Save 2–3 photos of looks you absolutely do not want — knowing what you dislike is equally useful

3.    Step 3: Include a mix: full face photos, close-ups of eyes, and close-ups of lips

4.    Step 4: Note what specifically you love about each photo — the lash style, the glow, the brow shape

5.    Step 5: Bring them saved to your phone in a folder or printed for easy reference

 

Honest tip:  If your inspo photo is a heavily filtered or retouched image, mention that to your artist. Makeup cannot replicate post-production editing. A good artist will help you achieve a beautiful version of that look in real life.

 

Choosing the right artist is as important as the look itself. Your face is the centrepiece of your event-day photos. Before booking anyone, invest time in researching them properly.

 

Review Their Portfolio

•       Look through their Instagram, website, or portfolio for recent work

•       Check that they regularly work on people with your skin tone and hair type

•       Look for consistency across different clients — not just their one or two best photos

•       Pay attention to the finish: does the makeup look natural in photos? Does it avoid flashback (that ghostly white in flash photography from too much SPF or setting powder)?

•       Look at the back of updo styles — not just the front

 

Check Their Reviews

•       Read Google Reviews, Facebook reviews, and any testimonials on their website

•       Check wedding-specific platforms such as Easy Weddings, Marry Me, or local directories

•       Look for reviews that mention longevity of the look, communication, and punctuality

•       Pay attention to how they respond to any negative feedback — this tells you about their professionalism

 

Ask for References if Needed

•       For a significant event, it is completely appropriate to ask for two or three references from past clients

•       A confident, reputable artist will happily provide them

 

Verify Their Credentials

•       Check that they are professionally trained (Certificate III or IV in Makeup, or equivalent)

•       Confirm they carry public liability insurance — especially for on-location work

•       Ensure their kit uses professional, hygienically maintained products

•       Ask how long they have been working in the industry and how many events of this type they have done

 

Morning of the wedding | Equipment

 

•       Check if they will have an assistant on the day

•       Will the require parking or lift access?

•       Ask how much time they need to prep and lay out their equipment (this will impact the runsheet)

•       Ask if they require the make up application done near natural light

•       Check if they need an extension or power board

•       Check if they will provide their own high chairs

•       Check if they have bobby pins in case you need help with bustling into the gown

•       Ask if they will have an assistant with them?

•       Check how much time is required for your make up  / hair and time this during the trial

 

 

Red flags to watch for:  Reluctance to show their portfolio, no reviews or social media presence, inability to answer questions about their products or techniques, or pressure to book without a trial first.

 

6.    Book early: Book the trial 6–8 weeks before your event, after all pre-trial appointments are scheduled

7.    Prep your hair: Arrive with clean, dry hair. Day-old hair holds styles better than freshly washed. Avoid heavy styling products

8.    Prep your skin: Come with a clean, moisturised face. Skip heavy SPF or silicone-based primers — let your artist start fresh

9.    Wear the right outfit: Wear a button-up or zip-up top so you can change without disturbing your look, wear a white blouse

10.  Bring your accessories: Bring your veil, hairpiece, tiara, and jewellery. Everything affects how the look is placed and balanced

11.  Communicate upfront: Share your inspo photos, disclose your skin information, and mention any concerns before the artist begins

12.  Assess in multiple lighting: Step outside and take photos in natural light, under flash, and in warm indoor light before you decide

13.  Photograph the details: Capture detailed shots: back of the updo, brow shape, liner, lip colour. These are your day-of reference

14.  Wear-test the look: Wear the look for 4–6 hours after leaving. Notice if it fades, slides, or irritates before committing, ask for the products used and buy mini samples from Mecca so you can have these in your emergency kit e.g lip gloss,

15.  Follow up promptly: Send your artist specific, kind feedback within 48 hours. Note what worked and what to adjust

 

Use this as your go-to reference. Print it, or work through it on your device.

 

Before the Trial

□     Book the trial 8-12 weeks before the event

□     Schedule fake tan appointment before the trial (if applicable)

□     Complete brow tint and shape 48–72 hours before

□     Complete dermaplaning or skin treatments at least 5–7 days before

□     Complete lash lift, tint, or extensions at least 24–48 hours before

□     Stop retinol 5–10 days before

□     Stop AHA/BHA exfoliants 3–5 days before

□     Build and save your inspiration photo folder

□     Note any skin conditions, allergies, or dermatologist recommendations

□     Research and verify your artist’s portfolio and reviews

 

What to Bring

□     Veil, hairpiece, or hair accessories

□     Earrings and necklace to test with the look

□     Button-up or zip-up top

□     Inspiration photos saved and accessible

□     List of allergies, skin conditions, or product restrictions

 

During the Trial

□     Share your inspo photos before the artist begins

□     Disclose skin type, conditions, and allergies upfront

□     Communicate any adjustments as they arise — do not wait until the end

□     Take photos outside in natural light

□     Take photos with flash to simulate photography

□     Capture detail shots: back of hair, brows, liner, lips

 

After the Trial

□     Wear the look for 4–6 hours and assess wear

□     Note what needs adjusting

□     Send feedback to the artist within 48 hours

□     Confirm final look details and day-of timeline

□     Ask for a list of touch-up products to carry on the day

 

Do not be shy. Every professional expects these questions. Asking them demonstrates that you are prepared and gives your artist a chance to show their expertise.

 

Q1	What products do you use, and are any of them long-wear or waterproof? Particularly important if you anticipate emotional moments, humidity, or a long day.

 

Q2	Have you worked with my skin tone and hair type before? Experience with your specific complexion and hair texture ensures better technique and colour choices.

 

Q3	How long will this look last without a touch-up? Ask about both hair and makeup longevity over a 6–8 hour event.

 

Q4	What should I do the night before to prepare my hair and skin? Specific instructions from your artist will always outperform generic advice.

 

Q5	What touch-up products should I carry on the day? Ask for a specific list: lip colour, powder, hair pins, setting spray.

 

Q6	I use retinol — can you advise when to stop before the event? A knowledgeable artist will have a clear answer. Use their guidance alongside any dermatologist advice.

 

Q7	Can we make a small adjustment before the event if I want to tweak something? Knowing their policy on changes avoids awkwardness closer to the date.

 

Q8	What time do I need to be in the chair on the day, and how long will it take? Build this into your run sheet. Being rushed almost always affects the quality of the result.

 

Q9	Are there any surcharges for travel, early morning starts, or on-location work? No surprises on the invoice is always the best outcome.

 

Q10	If I need touch ups before Reception, how much do you charge and how much time will I need? .