Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life; it’s a day you will never forget and you want everything to be exactly how you imagined it would be.

There are “Bridezilla’s”, more laid back brides, and all the in betweens; but no matter what type of bride you are, you want to look your best, which is why selecting the right type of makeup artist is so important. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the makeup artist which best suits your needs:

Be Prepared: Before you even speak to a prospective makeup artist, do your research first. Make sure you have narrowed down your makeup look idea’s to a select few so you have a better idea of what you want to look like. You should also look into options for types of makeup you want to try when undergoing a trial; liquid, mineral, airbrush, etc. Definitely research the artist you are considering a trial with; look for reviews, background information, or recommendations. Trials can be expensive when they begin to add up, so weed out the group before investing actual money and just start by investing your time.

Style Compatibility: Every makeup artist has a style that they prefer for styling and applying makeup looks. Once you have decided the direction you want to go for your look, whether it’s “Ethereal”, “Glam”, “Romantic”, you want a makeup artist that can produce the results you are looking for. There are artists who specialize in certain genre’s of beauty and similar to finding a mate, you want to find an artists that understands your vision clearly.

Value: Budgets play a very big role in how a bride chooses their vendors, but don’t rule out an artist due to price, this can work both ways, whether they seem too expensive or too inexpensive. You want to examine what you are getting in comparison to how much you are spending. Artists with a lot more experience and industry demand can charge a higher price, but there are also less experienced artists who are capable of doing a fabulous job for a much lower cost. This is where trials are crucial, they give you the opportunity to test an artist’s abilities and you would be surprised at how much you may like or dislike the result.

Skills vs. Frills: Don’t be fooled by the fancy business card, updated website, or glamorous studio; these are all factors which make no impact on how well a makeup artist can perform. Focus on asking questions about their techniques, experience, education, and work style. Referrals can be a great way to find a good artist because the recommendation isn’t being made by a paid advertiser or third party, it is someone who put their fate in the hands of this particular artist.

Personal Connection: You are entrusting your appearance on one of the most important days of your life to this person, you want to feel safe, understood, and taken care of. Make sure you and the artist have good communication, that he or she is able to make the necessary tweaks to make you happy and give you exactly what you want. A pleasant demeanor is important because it makes you feel comfortable enough to express what you want and how you want it done. You are also going to be sharing your time with this person for the hours leading up to your ceremony, so you want positivity and support, not attitude and indifference.

Finding the right makeup artist who will produce the results you want, at the right price, with the right attitude can be difficult, but not impossible. Do as much research as possible beforehand, know what you want, and don’t be afraid to speak up about it.

Good Luck!