LLW's STYLIST TIPS AND ADVICE
Photographer Credit: John Hook Photography
Today I am super excited to share some awesome tips and advice for working with your hair and makeup artist from two of our favorite stylists on the island. Lynn Yee, is a leader in luxury bridal styling services and is known for her fresh, natural and effortlessly beautiful makeup looks. Allison, the owner of Reveal Hair & Makeup, the fastest growing Hair and Makeup company on the island, is an expert when it comes to working with brides from all over the globe. If you want to know all their best tips and advice for what to look for in a stylist, how to prepare, dos and don’t and the significance of a trial session, then you are at the right spot.
How to Choose a Stylist
Lynn Yee suggests starting off by doing your research online. First look at photos of artists’ on multiple platforms (website, social media, review sites), read their reviews on multiple platforms (Google, Yelp, Wedding Wire, The Knot, etc) and connect with them directly (email/phone) or indirectly (social media).
Looking at photos is a good way to get a sense for each artist’s abilities, style and aesthetic. You want to find someone whose work you love and feel comfortable with.
Photographer Credit: Seeking Films
It is also very important to read reviews to gain further insight into what it would be like to work with that artist. In addition to seeing the quantitative rating, Lynn suggests reading the reviews in detail. She also points out that reviews can provide you with the best insight for how each artist differs and how they make each client feel.
You can also connect through email or social media to get a sense for personality fit and correspondence type. In one email you can often tell how detailed and attentive someone will be with you on your wedding day.
Allison adds that it is a great idea to ask your planner and photographer who they would choose to do their hair and makeup if they were getting married. Photographers do the editing so they see close up what the makeup looks like and how it takes to camera. Planners know first hand what it is like to correspond with a stylist. They will be able to tell you if they are professional and personable. They will also be familiar with how each stylist’s makeup and hair styles hold for an entire day. This insight makes them an excellent resource.
Wedding Day Prep
Allison stresses that the best prep is rest and hydration. The second best is to moisturize the skin every night and morning ahead of the wedding. If you want, you can also exfoliate the skin a few times a day the week before the wedding. Allison also recommends arriving on the wedding day with clean dry hair and your skin clean and moisturized.
Lynn points out that wedding day preparation will vary from artist to artist. She has a detailed wedding preparation sheet that she sends to all of her brides that outlines how to best prepare from the time you book until the day of your wedding.
Make sure to get your stylists guidelines ahead of time so you can prepare and so you can also share the information with your wedding party.
Do’s and Don’ts
Photographer Credit: Sav and Cam
Photographer Credit: June Cochran Photography
Do’s
Lynn starts off by saying her biggest “do” is “do you!”. Don’t worry about your mom, sister, best friend, etc. Do what makes you feel your best, most comfortable and special for your wedding day.
On that note, Allison suggests you plan for the right people to be in the room with you when getting ready. Having helpful bridesmaids and family there will help you stay relaxed.
Lynn also recommends voicing your opinion and asking your stylist as many questions as you would like. She would rather have clients ask more than less as it can only help her to better execute the perfect look for her client’s wedding day.
Allison adds some practical advice by suggesting you wear a sun hat and sunscreen if you are spending time at the beach before the wedding day. Make sure the sunscreen is one you have tried before too!
If you are worried about burning, but still want a nice tan, make sure you get a spray tan 1-2 days before your wedding.
It's also a great idea to go to bed early. The more sleep you get the fresher you will look on your wedding day.
Don’ts
Lynn advises against trying out a new beauty treatment for the first time the week before your wedding. Treatments would include but are not limited to spray tanning, medical facials, hair removal, hair coloring and eyelash extensions. If these are things you are considering, start experimenting at least one month prior.
Allison says don’t get sunburnt! So many of our clients are visitors to the island and want to spend time at the beach in the days leading up to the wedding. It is SO important to protect your skin if you don’t want to look and feel like a lobster.
Allison also encourages you to not drink too much. Along with too much sun, alcohol dehydrates you and doesn’t do your skin any favors.
Lastly, don’t exfoliate a spray tan.
Hair and Makeup Trials
Photographer Credit: The Present Perfect
Allison starts by stating trials are a personal preference. It is important to go with your gut. If you feel “your look” needs to be an exact way and can’t imagine leaving it to the day, then a trial is a smart choice. However it is also important to consider your budget. Perhaps you would rather spend that money on a larger bouquet then a hair and makeup trial.
Lynn says she doesn't require trials but she highly recommends them. A trial is the best way to test out the makeup and hair look you’ve been envisioning in your head, as well as test the look’s longevity through Hawaii humidity and wind. Furthermore, it is a great way to get to know your stylist.
Lynn goes on to say, if you are not able to do a trial, not to worry. Communication is key. The more you can tell your artist about the look you desire the better the result will be.
Allison suggests narrowing down your vision and finding ideas of hair and makeup on people that look like you. Also make sure you are clear with what you don’t like when you have had your hair and makeup done before. This can be even more defining than what you DO like!
Basically, if you can, a trial is recommended but a great professional will be able to make you look and feel amazing as long as you prepare and are able to communicate your vision clearly.
I hope this advice helps you get off to a good start when choosing your stylist! Big shout out to Lynn and Allison for their contributions.
Please feel free to leave your questions and comments below.
