Bonus Interview with a Pro – Michelle Campbell
Every bride wants to look and feel beautiful on her wedding day. You will certainly want your hairstyling and makeup to hold up throughout the day while you’re enjoying the celebration (and while your photographer is snapping away). Since this is one of the most important days in your life, you should seek out the services of professional hairstylists and makeup artists, who have the skills and knowledge to make you look spectacular!
Your attendants, your mom and future mother-in-law will also want to get their hair and makeup professionally done. In most cases, you’ll need to secure 1 hairstylist and 1 makeup artist for every 4 ladies in your group. It’s an amazing, fun experience spending this time together with your attendants and moms!
All Photos Courtesy of Underwood Photography
But on your wedding day, you don’t want to be running all around Lake Tahoe to get your hair and makeup done. Tahoe Engaged recommends a full-service salon that can do both hair and makeup, and that can travel to the location where you and your bridal party are getting ready. It’s a super timesaver for them to come to you, because you can slip into your gown immediately afterwards, while your photographer and videographer capture every moment.
Qualifications
You will want to find hairstylists and makeup artists that are state-licensed cosmetologists and aestheticians, and have a business license and business insurance. Licensed stylists and artists have been through many, many hours of training and certification. The right hairstylist and makeup artist will enhance your natural beauty, not cover you up with a mask. These beauty experts will help you truly look your very best on your wedding day.
You may be wondering if makeup artists who work at department store cosmetics counters would be an appropriate cost-saving choice. Keep in mind that these people are not necessarily professional makeup artists and usually do not have a state cosmetologist license. Typically, they are trained only on the products that the stores carry, and are behind the counter primarily to sell the line of cosmetics they represent. They are generally not required to blend or create specific colors needed for a professional quality of makeup, and are limited to the colors and products they have in stock.
On the other hand, seasoned makeup artists will have the skills and expertise that are beyond what most behind-the-counter artists are required to learn. The professional licensed makeup artist works with both professional makeup and consumer products, custom blending and color matching whenever necessary. Their goal is not to sell you more makeup, but to beautify your face on your wedding day.
Timing Is Everything
Having a relaxing, fun start to your wedding day is crucial, and your professional hair and makeup artist team will certainly get you off to the right start. That’s why it’s important to choose wisely, with a team of professionals who understand punctually and timing – they will develop a detailed timeline of services for you. Without a professional team to help you, if your hair and makeup runs late and creates havoc and stress, it just might ruin your day!
Tahoe Engaged believes in a flawless execution of hair and makeup, and we are here to guide you every step of the way. We highly recommend that you allow 45 minutes for each bridesmaid or mom to have her hair done, and 45 minutes each for makeup. For the bride, we recommend 1 hour to have your hair done, and 1 hour to have your makeup done. We prefer having hair done first, followed by makeup. The bride always goes last, so she looks freshest for photos.
For more insights into the essentials of professional hair and makeup, Tahoe Engaged spoke with Michelle Campbell, Owner of Love Is In The Hair. With over 15 years in the beauty industry, Michelle has trained under Eufora Global, Kevin Murphy, Glo Cosmetics, Redken and MAC, along with several nationally recognized freelance artists. One of the top professional companies in Lake Tahoe for hairstyling and makeup artistry, Love Is In The Hair offers the best in fully mobile, on-location services. Each artist on Michelle’s team is handpicked, licensed/insured, and continually educated.
What beauty tips do you have for a bride-to-be who is newly engaged?
Love Is In the Hair is a destination bridal beauty glam squad, but you will also need to assemble a local glam team and stick with them! Select one hair dresser, one aesthetician and one spray tan tech, etc. Don’t skip around town and try every beauty pro, you don’t want too many cooks in the kitchen. Allow time for your hometown pro to develop a haircare/skincare regimen, and stick to a schedule to allow time to work toward your beauty goals.
Make sure NOT to introduce any new products or services in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Use the months leading up your big day to hone in on your beauty regimen. The last thing you want is to have a reaction to a new product or new services in the days leading up to your wedding or worst have an orange spray tan.
Once the couple has selected Lake Tahoe as the destination for their wedding, what should the bride do?
Book a trial appointment. With Love Is In The Hair, the trial appointment is a great opportunity for us to get to know one another, for you to see how your hair and makeup will look on your wedding day. And it gives us a chance to look over your skin and hair. We also can determine if hair extensions need to be incorporated to achieve your desired hair style. Book this appointment up to three months prior to your wedding date.
What else should the bride do as her wedding day approaches?
Schedule pre-wedding day beauty appointments. We recommend booking hair color appointments 10-14 days prior to your wedding day to allow hair color to settle and blend. Don’t overlook the peach fuzz because the camera won’t! Squeeze one last facial in with your trusted skin care pro along with waxing appointments two weeks prior to your wedding.
Make sure to avoid salty, fried food or alcohol leading up to the wedding. Think green and lean. I recommend the Glowing Green Smoothie from Kimberly Snyder:
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 head organic romaine lettuce, chopped
- 3 to 4 stalks organic celery
- 1/2 head of a large bunch or 3/4 of a small bunch of spinach
- 1 organic apple, cored and chopped
- 1 organic pear, cored and chopped
- 1 organic banana
- Juice of 1/2 fresh organic lemon
What about when the bride arrives in the Lake Tahoe region for her wedding?
Be sure to stay hydrated especially at Lake Tahoe’s high elevation. We want to avoid dehydrated skin and lips because healthy hydrated skin equals youthful illumination and glow.
Are there any misconceptions about wedding day hair and make-up services?
The most common misconception about wedding day hair is to arrive with dirty or day old hair. This is the exact opposite, please arrive with clean dry hair and let the beauty pros prep your hair with the proper products to ensure longevity to your wedding day style. Oftentimes dirty or day old hair has an excess of oil, weighing down the style or making the hair look greasy. Your wedding day pro will be able to properly evaluate your hair and prescribe just the right hair care cocktail for success.
Any other advice for bridal beauty?
Skin Care is EVERYTHING. Make sure you have major moisture in your skincare routine. Hydrated skin illuminates and radiates youthful beauty. Great makeup starts with great skincare.
At Tahoe Engaged, we are your trusted confidante for wedding professionals that have been carefully vetted by submitting their references, business license and insurance. We are grateful to Michelle Campbell, a Tahoe Engaged member, for offering her professional advice to our readers. If you would like to learn more about her company, Love Is In The Hair, click here.