Thinking about Hiring a Makeup Artist? Consider These 3 Tips!

Hire a Licensed Professional

Set yourself (and your bridal party) up for success by hiring an experienced and licensed professional. In Pennsylvania, Makeup Artists, who collect compensation for their work, are legally required to possess either a Cosmetology or Esthetician license, whether working in a salon or not. While certifications in Makeup Artistry can be beneficial in terms of additional training, the content and requirements for online makeup certifications are not regulated by the State Board of Cosmetology or the Department of Education. They are not a substitute for a State License. Regardless of where Makeup Artists provide their services, if a Makeup Artist is collecting compensation, they are legally required to possess either a Cosmetology or Estheticians License in Pennsylvania.

Why is State Licensure essential? A Makeup Artist who has invested in the required licensure is educated and trained in public safety, hygiene and sanitation, skin diseases and infections, skin types and characteristics, and skin care. A state-licensed makeup artist has attended a cosmetology school in person, has passed their State Board test, and demonstrates proficiency in these areas. In an industry with close contact with the public and a wide variety of skin conditions, a Licensed Professional Makeup Artist has the proper education and training to prevent contamination and the spread of bacteria and skin infections. For these reasons, hiring a Licensed Professional Makeup Artist is essential. A bride with pink eye and a raging cold sore doesn’t need to go on her honeymoon.

(State Board of Cosmetology, Cosmetology Law Section 2.1)

“Aunt Selma’s daughter said she can do our makeup!”

While it is very kind for Aunt Selma’s daughter to offer her time and effort to save you a few dollars, unless she is a licensed professional, you might be better off keeping the friendship and graciously declining before her gift becomes too costly. Even the most well-intentioned family and friends may not entirely understand the need for timeliness, reliability, and skill on your wedding day. Not to mention, if they are out with you the night before, likely, they may not be on time the following morning. If they haven’t coordinated with other professionals, including your Hair Stylist, Photographer, and Coordinator, things might begin to feel a little chaotic and disorganized in the Bridal Suite. Instead, calm, confidence, and joy are typically the vibe most brides desire for their loved ones, especially on the morning of such an important day.

Also, let’s remember, this is your face. On. Your. Wedding. Day. Wedding days are typically no less than a hot and sweaty 12-16 hour day and night. This means professional cosmetics and reliability are required. Drug store brand makeup is typically excellent for daily use, such as going to work, school, a girl’s night out, or even a date night. However, typically within a few hours, water-based, drugstore makeup curls down the slip and slide when exposed to heat, sweat, or rain. When your professional photographer is still taking photos twelve hours later, you need to know that your makeup application will stand the test of time, without feeling or looking cakey. So, let Aunt Selma’s daughter feel included and participate in your wedding day, by perhaps passing out the cake – just don’t let her put it on your face!

Do a Makeup Preview!

Schedule your Makeup Preview with your Licensed Professional Makeup Artist as soon as possible. Your schedule is busy, and so is your artist! Schedule your Makeup Preview for a special occasion, such as your Engagement Photo Session, your Bridal shower or even a date night. Not only do you get to enjoy looking like your best self for a special occasion, and see how your makeup application appears in photos after the fact, but testing out the durability of your makeup application and how it feels on your skin is very helpful for deciding on your desired look.

For your Makeup Preview, feel free to bring your artist your inspo pictures, but they are unnecessary. While inspo pictures provide a generalized idea of the shades and style you are looking for, they often don’t consider your unique face shape, undertone, features, and colorations. For these reasons, inspo pictures can sometimes create unrealistic expectations, as do makeup pictures or edited or filtered portfolios. So, let’s be realistic: inspo pictures can help communicate a generalized direction to your artist, and aren’t a bad place to start, but looking like your best self should always be customized and tailored to you.

Equally important, since you and your loved ones will be spending the entire morning of your wedding day together with your makeup artist, you want to get a sense that you have good teamwork and compatibility. Does your artist present themselves professionally, organizationally, and positively? When you communicated your preferred shades and style, did your artist hear you and deliver what you requested? Or, when you asked for a lighter shade of lip color, did your artist’s facial gymnastics win an Olympic gold medal? Although behaving like a Bridezilla will similarly chase a good artist away, if you have communicated clear and reasonable expectations, respectfully, your Makeup Artist is paid to be flexible, skilled and deliver precisely what you are looking for positively and professionally. When this kind of teamwork and responsiveness is achieved, your Makeup Artist could likely become a life-long friend, and may even be the most compatible choice for Aunt Selma’s daughter’s wedding too!

Summarily, when thinking about whether or not to hire a Makeup Artist, ensure your artist is licensed, experienced, skilled, reliable, compatible, and able to work together as a team. It’s not too much to ask when it’s your wedding day, and especially when you and your loved ones have likely invested an incredible amount of time, energy, emotion and money into your special day. From Beautiful You Professional Makeup Artistry, and everyone here at Pittsburgh Brides, we wish you all the best in your wedding planning and are happy to help if you have any questions. Don’t hesitate to be in touch by clicking/following the links below. Congratulations!

Verify your Pennsylvania makeup artist or hairstylist by searching here. 

About the Author

Sandy Martin, Licensed Professional Makeup Artist
Owner – From Beautiful You Professional Makeup Artistry
facebook.com/beautifulyoupromakeup
instagram.com/beautifulyoupromakeup