Globally renowned Daniel Galvin OBE, famous for giving Twiggy the blonde hair that she is known and loved for (as well as styling and colouring the hair of an endless list of celebrities), speaks to Bridebook about wedding hair and how to make sure your hair looks its absolute best on your big day.
Daniel Galvin
How far in advance of your wedding should you be thinking about a regime?
I always recommend that you should have your highlights / colour done 1-2 weeks before your wedding day to give the colour plenty of chance to settle.
What can you do to ensure your hair is at its best the day of the wedding?
The best thing to do is keep hair in amazing condition by using good treatments a few times a week, at least 3-6 months before your wedding. This will ensure your hair is shiny, healthy and beautiful looking on the day.
What else other than products can effect the health of your hair?
Blow-drying, tongs, straighteners, swimming and everyday wear and tear will affect the condition of the hair and should be avoided as much as possible in the run up to your wedding.
Is there anything else that is important to keep in mind?
Maintaining the colour of your hair, using Daniel Galvin detox to clean the colour and get rid of impurities, and Daniel Galvin clear gloss to make it shine for at least a year before the wedding is important so that it looks amazing on the day.
Where did you get married and what was your favourite part of your wedding?
In Muswell Hill, London. My favourite moment was undoubtedly seeing my beautiful fiancée coming down the aisle looking ever more radiant, but the whole ceremony and reception were equally as special. Finally driving to Fronton On Sea for our honeymoon also makes the top of this list.
Your wedding makeup has to look flawless, gorgeous and most importantly, like you! Don’t worry, we know exactly how to find the right makeup artist for you, so sit back and enjoy the trial runs – here are some questions to ask!
1) Do you specialise in wedding makeup?
Wedding makeup artists have different skills to fashion and editorial artists and will know how to make you look spectacular and natural in your wedding photos, no matter the lighting. Some makeup artists specialise in wedding makeup, and they will know what the bride usually wants, and how to make you look stunning on your wedding day.
2) Can I see photographs of brides whose makeup you did?
You will want to know if the artist’s style works well with yours and if you can imagine yourself wearing one of their looks on your wedding day. Its always a good idea to do your research before picking the makeup artists that will take care of you, seeing pictures of other brides is a good way to get your doubts out of the way.
A wedding makeup artist will be with you on the most exciting morning of your life and you want a professional who will keep you calm and relaxed. The only way to find out if the artist is a calming presence is by asking previous brides.
Once again, you can take care of this step yourself by checking out the reviews on your favourite makeup artists’ Bridebook profiles!
4) What does your price include?
Find out if the overall price includes a makeup trial. Getting a makeup trial is really important since it will help you find your dream wedding look with your makeup artist and relieve some of the “will I look perfect for my wedding” jitters! You can also ask about the prices for Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaid makeup – arranging their makeup is a great gift idea for your team!
Don’t know how much you should spend on your wedding hair and makeup? Go to your budget tool and we will figure it out for you!
5) Are you able to travel to my location?
The majority of artists will charge you more if they have to travel to your destination, so make sure you know how much you will be required to pay.
Essential information for you to know exactly what your timings will be on the day, at what time the makeup artist needs to be there etc.
Pro tip: Put together a schedule of the day, with contacts to your suppliers. and ask your Maid of Honour to make sure it’s followed by everyone involved on the day! Definitely something to add to your wedding checklist.
7) How long will you be staying for on the day?
This is a good question to ask because you are almost guaranteed to get teary during your ceremony and it is handy to have someone there to touch up your makeup for the photos or to leave a touch-up kit. Not only that but if your makeup artist is staying for a good portion of the day, plan to have a meal or a snack made for them!
8) How long will the makeup trial take? Do I need to prepare for the trial and how do I prepare?
The more looks you want to try, the more time the trial will require, but some artists will only have certain time slots available. We also advise you wear a white top for the trial, to give you an idea of how your skin will look next to your dress on W-Day, but your makeup artist will also let you know what to wear!
9) Will a fake tan affect my makeup?
You need to communicate if you are planning on bronzing yourself in the run-up to your wedding day, so that the artist is prepared with the correct colours and shades! You can also ask them for advice on what fake tan to get and how to make sure it’s the right one for you and for your makeup!
10) What brands of makeup do you use?
The products your artist uses should be allergy tested and of the highest standard for your wedding day. It’s always good to know what kind of products they use, and if you need to bring your own concealer (more on that below).
For some brides it is paramount that they use their own make-up, especially if they have sensitive skin. It is also a great idea to ask the artist if he/she has used these products before. Bring them to the trial and decide exactly what you will be using from her and from you, and make sure you don’t forget your makeup (if you have to bring it) on the day!
12) Do you have the right makeup/makeup skills for my skin tone?
Your potential artist should have extensive knowledge of skin types and the products that they use, so they should advise you which products would work best with your skin. It’s important that you know this now: some makeup artists have more experience working on all skin tones than others, so this question is absolutely vital!
It’s great when you can find a makeup artist that also does hair (or a team of hair and makeup that work together). If not, find out if they would be happy working alongside your hair stylist, or if you haven’t found a stylist yet, ask for some recommendations!
14) If you are happy to travel to my home, do you have any specific space requirements for the trial and for the wedding day?
The majority of makeup artists will need an open space and natural light to do the makeup in. Make sure you can provide that during the trial and on the day of the wedding (if the artist is travelling to you). This is also something which you should communicate with your wedding venue, in case they need to provide a space for this on the day.
15) What will happen if you can’t make it on my wedding day?
Reputable artists will always have a professional at the ready to make sure you look flawless on your wedding day. Make sure you have a contingency plan, accidents happen!
On your wedding day, all eyes are on you and you’ll want to feel as beautiful and confident as you can be as your friends and family watch you say, ‘I do!’
Achieving that perfect look can take time, dedication and – unfortunately – money. But, it’s worth it when you look back on your photographs and admire just how great the two of you looked on your big day.
But how much does wedding beauty cost and what should your regime be during the build-up to your wedding? In this post, we’re going to take a look at how much wedding hair and makeup costs, and the money you might spend on beauty ahead of your wedding.
In the UK, the average amount of money couples spend on hair and makeup for their wedding is £690 (the breakdown is £330 for makeup, and £360 for hair).
A big chunk of this cost goes towards the bride’s hair and makeup on the morning of the wedding, but other parts of the pre-wedding beauty regime contribute towards this cost, such as nails, tanning and teeth whitening.
If you’re on a strict budget, there are things you can do to save money on wedding makeup. You can also get an overall idea of what your wedding might cost with our ultimate wedding budget breakdown. Below is a rough guide on what you might expect to pay when it comes to your beauty regime.
Hair
While you’ve been doing your hair yourself for years, there’s nothing quite like how it looks when a professional does it. A hairstylist knows exactly what to do to get your hair looking perfect for the moment you walk down the aisle. Costs for the bride’s hair start from £100, but highly skilled and experienced hairstylists can charge as much as £300 or more.
Makeup
Along with hair, makeup is possibly the second most important aspect of a bride’s beauty routine. Costs start from around £100.
Lashes
Eyelash extensions are a great way to give yourself fuller, thicker lashes. Costs start from around £30.
Nails
There’s a variety of different nail extensions to choose from, including acrylics, hard gel, dip powder and more. Even if you’re not interested in extensions, having a manicure (and even a pedicure – why not?) will help you feel gorgeous. The cost of a basic manicure starts at £20 and the cost of extensions can start from £35.
Getting your nails done is also something you likely won’t want to leave until the morning of the wedding, and is something you should do a day or two beforehand.
Male grooming
A pre-wedding beauty regime isn’t something exclusive to the bride – the groom should look great and feel confident too. A pre-wedding haircut and shave (or beard trim) by a professional barber will do just that. Costs start from around £25.
It’s also possible to hire a stylist to do the hair and makeup of other members of the bridal party, including parents, bridesmaids and flower girls. While there will be a cost for each extra person, it will usually be less than the cost of the bride’s beauty.
While your stylist will take great care with your hair and makeup on the morning of your wedding, that’s not always where it starts. There’s plenty you can do ahead of the big day to prepare. However, each of these will add to your budget and aren’t necessarily a vital part of your routine.
Nail colour – Why not test out some colours, which you can apply yourself to save money?
Hair colour – If you’re colouring your hair for your wedding, try out some possible colours during the months before your wedding.
Teeth whitening – You can arrange for professional teeth whitening, such as through your dentist, or buy at-home kits.
Exfoliate – Look after your skin as well as you can during the months – and especially the weeks – before your wedding.
Botox – If you’re having Botox for your wedding, this can take a couple of weeks to take effect and can last several months.
Eyebrows – Wax or thread your brows around two weeks before your wedding to avoid spots or red skin.
Tan – A spray tan can be done a few days before your wedding, but if you’re hitting the sun beds make sure to do it over a few weeks and no more than two or three sessions a week.
What factors can affect the cost of wedding beauty?
Several factors play a part in the cost of wedding beauty, which means you may pay considerably less – or more – than the average. It also depends on what you’re looking for – many couples are happy with basic hair and makeup and still look absolutely stunning on their big day.
Expertise
Much like any other wedding vendor, makeup artists and hairstylists will base their prices on their own experience. For example, a recently qualified or inexperienced artist might charge as little as £50 to do your wedding makeup. An experienced artist with an established reputation, on the other hand, could charge upwards of £180 for bridal makeup.
Location
You can have your hair and makeup done at a salon or you can ask the stylists to come to you. If your stylists are travelling to you, they’ll add travel fees to their wedding makeup prices. That means that travelling to your stylist’s salon can save you as much as £60 since it doesn’t require any petrol, toll charges or extra time from the artist.
Where you are in the UK can also affect how much you’ll pay. For example, stylists in London often charge a lot more than those outside the capital.
Trials
If you’re planning to have a make-up trial (and we recommend that you do if it fits your budget) before hiring your artist, many will charge you because trials still use up both products and time. An experienced artist could charge you as much as £90 – £150 for a trial. To save some cash, look out for a package deal which will include both the trial and the makeup for the day.
In addition to having their own makeup done, many brides like to treat their bridesmaids or mum to professionally done hair and/or makeup. Since this doesn’t require as much time as bridal makeup, almost all stylists will charge a little less for this service. A trial and day of make-up for a bridesmaid or mother-of-the-bride tend to come in at £85.
Many brides, including Kate Middleton herself, choose to do their own makeup for their wedding day. However, we would strongly advise that you book a lesson beforehand. It’s the best way to learn some new techniques and find the best products for a long-lasting look. Head to your favourite makeup counter (our favourites are Bobbi Brown and MAC), where you’ll be able to get some free tips and stock up on beauty products. For more information, check out our article on wedding makeup by Bobbi Brown.
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This is your first step to amazing wedding hair. If you have a great hairdresser and they do wedding hair, then stick with them! If they don’t, ask them for some great recommendations. Visit suggested stylists and get a blow-dry – that way you can decide if you like them and their style. Another option: ask for recommendations from friends who have beautifully styled hair. Your venue might also have some suggestions.
By Weddings Vintage
Maintenance
Once you’ve found a stylist you like, ask their advice on hair treatments and consider a new hair routine. Your hair will look even better if it’s strong and healthy, so start this as soon as possible! Steer clear of split ends and dead hair by investing in regular trims (even if you are growing out your hair). You want some va va voom in there so we recommend a trim every six weeks.
If you want to dye your hair for your wedding day we would advise you not to experiment with colours close to the wedding. Ask a professional for help and advice. We would also suggest that if you’ve never dyed your hair before, do so at least three months before the wedding, so that you can get used to it. You don’t want to give your partner a shock as you walk down the aisle.
By Chris Giles Photography
Wedding Style
Surround yourself in inspiration but before you set your heart on a hairstyle, tell your stylist as much information as you can about the neckline, colour and style of your wedding dress. Be open to your hairdressers’ suggestions, as they might have some pretty awesome ideas.
It’s a good idea to decide on your hairstyle before purchasing any hair accessories to make sure they fit your look perfectly. A little reminder: if you want to incorporate flowers, make sure your florist knows exactly what you need for your hairstyle and brings it all on the day. It’s all about delegating people!
By Allister Freeman
Finalities
Want your harem of bridesmaids to have their hair done? Make sure you keep your stylist in the loop. Confirm numbers (note: with the various hair lengths) before the big day, so that your stylist allocates enough time for everyone.
Finally, make sure you ask about prices – whether the trials are included and how much it would cost to style the rest of your wedding party. Now it’s time to get inspired and get booking!
You have bought the perfect wedding dress, booked the ideal venue and coordinated the best seating plan. You’re planning the party of the century but don’t forget about yourself. Your wedding day is probably the only time you will have a professional make-up artist pampering you and making you feel incredible. If you are still undecided, here are our top reasons for booking a make-up artist for your wedding day:
By Raw Silk Photography
1) Look after your skin
A make-up artist will work out your skin type in seconds and advise you on steps you should take to avoid dry skin, oily skin or an unexpected breakout on your wedding day. Following their expert advice will give you one less thing to worry about! But there’s always a thing called ‘cover-up’ so don’t worry too much.
By Ross Harvey
2) Highlight your best bits
A properly trained artist will know how to highlight your best features, whether it’s your flawless skin, high cheekbones, kissable lips or sparkling eyes. They will also know how to hide any features that you aren’t as keen on. Whatever happens, you’re going to look hot to trot so just let the make-up artist work their magic.
Professionally done wedding make-up will guarantee you looking beautiful under any light, whether it’s outdoor sunshine, evening candlelight or flashing photography. So you can smile knowing that there is no risk of the dreaded ghost face or sweaty-looking skin.
While you may be great at applying your everyday make-up, you are going to want something special for your wedding day. A makeup artist also knows how make-up will look in black and white photography, and can adjust accordingly. As adorable as the panda look is, it isn’t one you want to be sporting on your wedding day – unless you’re a panda.
By Raw Silk Photography
5) No bronzer lines here
On your wedding day all eyes will be on you, so you want to make sure that you are not washed out by your white dress and that your shoulders, face and décolletage are all the same colour! A make-up artist will blend the colours seamlessly and make sure that your gorgeousness can withstand tears, hugs, sweat and anything else your wedding day throws at you.
With a hired make-up artist, you will not be at risk of getting an unexpected allergy on your wedding day. They will know which ingredients could irritate the skin – phew.
By Cinzia Bruschini
7) Relax
They will be exactly what you need on the morning of your wedding day – so just sit back and relax while they pamper you. This will be a moment to yourself before getting married! And if you are feeling a tad nervous, then it’s a good thing you won’t have that liquid eyeliner in your hand.
As well as pampering you, an artist can create a unique, yet universal look for your bridesmaids, so that you won’t have anyone battling for black lipstick or electric-blue eye shadow.
By John Lennie
9) Take the hit
Think about your budget! Hiring a make-up artist may seem like an “extra” expense, however, if you pay for a lesson and then buy all the make-up on top of that (that you probably won’t use again), in an attempt to do DIY make-up, then it may well be cheaper to hire an artist. And on the morning of your wedding, you are going to be glad you listened to us.
By Weddings Vintage
We hope this advice has been helpful and know you will look flawless (whether you hire a make-up artist or do it yourself) on your wedding day and in your photographs for years to come.
