WHETHER I’M TEACHING THE BUSINESS OF MAKEUP OR PERFORMING A MAKEUP TRIAL, I ALWAYS APPROACH THIS PART OF THE MUA’S JOB AS THE SINGLE MOST CRUCIAL ELEMENT TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL MAKEUP ARTIST.
It can be quite overwhelming as this is likely to be your first face to face meeting with your client.
You’ll need to engage and get familiar very quickly. You’ll be expected to listen and translate her vision into her dream look and… you’ll have to put makeup on someone while fulfilling their brief and many other factors. You might also be expected to make them perfect cup of tea… so all in all, a lot pressure!
I really did use to dread trials and get quite panicky about them simply because there was so much to consider and of course getting the makeup booking was resting on my shoulders. Would she like me? Would she like her makeup. Would she then book me for her wedding? Complete over whelm!
One simple trick and a shift in my approach changed all that and now the makeup trial has become part of my brand and most importantly a great insightful aid to me performing a better job.
Firstly think not of the trial as merely a tick in the box for your makeup package but rather a system that if performed right will help you and make your job so much easier. Plus confirm your status as the go to bridal makeup artist that gets booked up months in advance.
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NOW HERE’S MY #1 TIP TO PERFORMING A SUCCESSFUL MAKEUP TRIAL…
Ask the client to attend her trial wearing her full face of special occasion makeup whatever this maybe. Basically we want her to come to there trial wearing the absolute most makeup she feels comfortable with.
But why you ask, especially if you’re only going to have to take it all off before you start applying makeup?
Seeing how a client does her own makeup gives me an incredible insight into how they see themselves. There face matches their description. I cant tell you how many times a client has told me they love the natural look only to turn up at the trial with heavy base and strong defined eyes… because that is their interpretation of the natural look.
I get to understand their comfort level with makeup and I get to understand any personal insecurities or concerns they have in greater detail.
Another common trial dilemma is a client who thinks they have ‘bad skin’ and consequently cake on the heavy matte foundation to cover up rather than enhance. Through part educating and part applying a different product a different way, I get to demonstrate how a dewy luminous base is far more flattering.
More often than not I take their own look on board (very few people will sway from what they know) and simply apply it to a more professional, blended and long lasting standard. I may tweak the colours or demonstrate the benefit of lashes or a defined brow, but always aim to stay within their comfort zone.
Lastly my advice for applying makeup on the day is to recreate the look from the trial (you’ve taken pics) but almost subconsciously turn up the glam a notch. This is because it’s likely at the trial the bride would have been wearing casual clothes and unstyled hair. On the day she’ll almost certainly be having ‘big hair don’t care’ and a red carpet ready gown. So upping the anti on her makeup means her face won’t get lost in the rest of her look.
So don’t be afraid to ask your bride to wear her makeup and also explain why (so not to baffle her).
This simple request has transformed how I conduct trials and made my standard of customer service synonymous with my brand.
Let me know how you get on with this.
Anna x
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