As a professional Wedding Makeup Artist and Hairstylist here on Long Island, some of the most common questions I get from brides are about the Trial, which I like to call a Bridal Preview. Here’s a useful guide that should answer these questions of what to expect at your Bridal Preview.

A Bridal Preview is the perfect time for you to get to know your Makeup Artist and Hairstylist, and most especially, for me, to get to know all about you, the Bride! Also, this appointment also is just a lot of fun!

I truly believe that as a Bride, the you should have everything your heart desires leading up to the biggest day of your life, and this includes enjoying and embracing all the experiences prior to your wedding, This especially includes your Bridal Preview aka a Trial.

I understand how important it is for you to still look like yourself, but also feel your most beautiful, glamorous and confident. A Bridal Preview gives you a preview of what it could be like on your wedding day, both your hair and your makeup.

WHEN DO MOST BRIDES SCHEDULE THEIR Bridal Trial?

Most of my local, Long Island brides schedule their Bridal Previews (aka trial) 8-10 months before their wedding. Bridal Previews with Ali, Long Island Makeup and Hair are scheduled Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-6pm as the latest appointment. A full Bridal Preview experience takes up to 3 hours. A Bridal Preview may be scheduled on a weekend (Friday-Sunday) with an additional charge. If your Wedding is in less than 90 days, you MUST secure your wedding date with a retainer before scheduling your Bridal Preview.

Out of town brides often find it difficult scheduling a Bridal Preview before their wedding. Typically only scheduling Bridal Previews during the week, I will make exceptions for my Out-Of-Town Brides, who have already placed a retainer for their wedding date for a Long Island Wedding. If you find it difficult to plan your Bridal Trial in advance, we can schedule it up to a few days before your wedding, depending on availabilty. If you find you are unable to schedule a Bridal Preview prior to your date, I can add some additional time the day of your wedding to do a quick consultation before finalizing your look.

Bridal Previews (aka trials) are recommended, but not mandatory. It’s a great way to preview your look, but it’s certainly not necessary in order for you to be happy with your end results on the day of your wedding.
You’re the bride after all , so whatever works for you!

How to Prepare for the Bridal preview?

Days, even weeks before the Bridal Preview you should have your hair similar to how you will have it for the day of your wedding. Whatever color or length you have for your Bridal Preview, should be similar to what you will have for your wedding day, so you can really evaluate your trial hairstyle realistically. Of course, we can add in clip-in extensions, or even extensions that last longer, like Keratin Fusion Extensions. And these details we can discuss prior to the Bridal Preview during a 10 Minute Phone Consultation.

If you haven’t already, you should be implementing a skincare regimen for both your face AND your body. Makeup can do wonders, but having a great canvas to work with will make all the difference. At your Bridal Preview, I will complete a skin care analysis, and make specific product recommendations that will help bring out that glow from within and correct any skin issues you may have.

Bring the Inspiration

"Natural makeup" can mean anything from minimal cosmetics to a bronzy metallic tone. Same for smoky eyes, which can vary in their intensity. Bring photos to illustrate your vision, rather than relying on vague descriptions. Combing through Pinterest, browsing your favorite beauty feeds, or searching through your celebrity icon's best makeup moments should all be part of your homework. When you and your makeup artist & hairstylist do finally come together, you'll be collaborating on your bridal look—not guessing your way through it.

Tanning before the Bridal Preview

If you plan to self-tan before the wedding, then you should also self- tan before the Bridal Preview. This will give a more accurate representation of how you will look on your actual wedding day, and a good opportunity to see how you like a spray tan if you’ve never done one before. Keep in mind, wearing a white dress will already make you look tanner than usual, so keep it minimal so you don’t end up looking too dark. If you’re planning on being in the real sun, you should be using SPF and avoid tan lines 8-10 months prior to your wedding!

The day of the bridal preview

For the Bridal Preview, you should have clean, dry & smooth hair, and no makeup. I recommend wearing a white colored shirt, so that you can see what the final look will be, and avoid any color from your clothing reflecting onto your face.

I just need a table or countertop to work at, and a regular height chair with not too high a back for doing your hair. I bring a high chair for makeup, as well. If you have a mirror to place in front of us where we are working, that would be great as well, but please don't redecorate! I’ll have everything else with me. And don’t worry about the lighting either, I bring that with me too! Wait til you see my cool setup!

What Happens at a Bridal preview?

I work one-on-one with you at your Bridal Preview to come up with the perfect look for your Wedding Hair and Makeup. Whether it's a natural, glowing look, with a soft-updo, a dramatic & intense style, or a combination of both, I will create a look that will make you look like your most beautiful self. I’ll even teach you how you could switch up your look for more drama at night!

We’ll look together at photos of your dress, veil, accessories and inspiration board for your wedding. We will discuss all the little details of your wedding, and together come up with the perfect look for you, which includes a full airbrush makeover and hairstyle. This is a great opportunity to become familiar with the makeup application, and nail down the perfect wedding day glow, that makes you still feel like yourself, and look amazing in photos. We will also do a test-run of your desired wedding day hairstyle, including incorporating any headpieces, veils or other accessories. I’ll even go over how I create the schedule for the wedding morning makeovers and all the planning details.. I make everything simple and organized, so your planning and morning flows with ease.

At the end of your Bridal Preview, you will feel beautiful, glamorous, and confident! Maybe you should make some plans to head out afterwards! (Maybe without the veil!) 😉

At the finish of the Bridal Preview is when you would place a retainer in order to reserve my services for the Wedding day, if you haven’t already. This retainer would go towards the balance for the big day, and locks in the date and pricing. And that’s it!

A Bridal Preview is the perfect opportunity to try out your “look” for your wedding, and make any adjustments as necessary, so that on the big day, you can sit back, relax, and feel confident that you will look as beautiful and glamorous as you’ve always dreamed.

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