Best Wedding Make-Up Artist Category
Kristina Gasperas, National Winner 2013
The Wedding Industry Awards judges love reading the feedback for the Best Wedding Make-Up Artist category because it’s clear to see not only what a transformative difference these artisans make to a bride’s big day, but also what a close relationship they foster with their clients.
The best wedding make-up artist is really a hotly contested title, due to their magical skills that leave brides feeling like the best possible versions of themselves. From the girls who just want that dewy, natural look (possibly the most often heard phrase of a wedding MUA!) to the daring glamazons who want to make a bold look and opt for big lashes and statement lips, it’s the make-up artist’s job to fulfil a brief that often exists either inside the client’s head or within the pages of a glossy magazine.
We know that make-up artists have to tackle what can be the most sensitive aspect of wedding planning – how the bride looks and what she feels about herself – in a friendly yet professional manner. We know that there is often more than one trial, frequent additions to the specifications and more often than not an alarm call before dawn.
We also know that there are frequent training courses and refresher workshops to ensure the very best level of knowledge and service. There’s kit cleaning and replenishment to make sure that the client only gets the very best products available. There are sometimes even tasks that go beyond the remit of make-up application – from lacing up corset dresses to calming down flower girls.
Kaz Fernando, National Winner 2012
What’s more, there’s occasionally a generational rift to overcome when elder members of the wedding party proclaim a wedding supplier to be an indulgence that they never had in their day; this is definitely something that many a make-up artist may have had to contend with.
And yet, many brides will swear that their wedding make-up artist was one of the greatest investments they made for their wedding. Why? Because that little magic wand known as the make-up brush instilled in them a confidence they might not otherwise have felt. Because they very rarely feel that beautiful or glamorous. Because they didn’t have to worry about how they looked from the moment they stepped down the aisle to the second they dropped into bed.
But mostly, brides tend to love their make-up artists because they provided a sense of calm and reassurance, from the first bridal trial to the last moment before the ceremony. A wedding morning is naturally a stressful time and those wedding suppliers who inject a sense of serenity to the otherwise chaotic, excitable proceedings are the ones who get breathless testimonials of joy from their clients.
So when it comes to the Best Wedding Make-Up Artist category, we’re looking for experience and skill, we’re looking for professionalism and unflappability, we’re looking for the ability to not only make brides look good, but to make them feel unstoppable as well.
If that sounds like your wedding make-up business, you can enter The Wedding Industry Awards 2014 now. Alternatively, if you would like to nominate a wedding make-up artist, please head over to our website and tell us why you loved working with them.
I am a freelance make-up artist and started my own business just 3 years ago having come back to the industry after a career break from having my family. With each passing year I am seeing the benefits of what a wonderful privilege this is, to be part of the Biggest Day in your clients life. Now I am starting to see bridesmaids come back to me as now its their turn to be the bride!
I see how the morning accelerates, starting very calm and subdued, and sometimes even “chilled”, but how, by the time the bride sits herself in my chair, her mood changes from bubbly and excited to quiet and thoughtful. Her nerves are clear and its at this point I feel our little relationship is at its best. Often others are busy scuttling around with excitement, getting ready, eating, drinking, re-telling stories of the hen night and how the bride and groom met, and although my bride offers a listening ear, its not really processing. She can be distant…but it gives us time to just be silent. Sometimes, if I feel its right, I comfort, sometimes I make jokes, sometimes I am just quiet and let her collect her thoughts. I like that! Its the calm before the storm….she knows it…and I know it. Our friendship is there, for just those 45 minutes but its nice. As I said, a real privilege. The families are lovely to be around too…so many stories tied up within each little family unit.
I leave but that bride is on my mind and I keep an eye on the weather right up until I know they are walking down the aisle and its funny, but I breathe a sense of relief. My job is done. I know they are about to have a wonderful day and often they pop into my mind in the evening too, I wonder how it went for them.
And then it all starts again the following week and I turn my full attention to the next one……