"The biggest mistake brides make when doing a trial is in what they wear," explained Carey. "I've had brides come in for their trials wearing bulky turtlenecks and it just doesn't make sense, because the look doesn't translate well."
It's imperative for both hair and makeup trials that you wear a button-down blouse the color of your dress. This way, you have ability to slide it off your shoulders and mimic your gown's neckline. This will help you get a feel for the complete look.
Planning on getting a spray tan before your wedding? Get one before your makeup trial, too, but opt for a golden glow over a bold Miami tan, which could look dated or severe in photos. By booking spray tans before makeup tests, it'll help you nail down your bridal tanning specialist, as well as give artists a sense of your day-of complexion.
Most brides don't know how to articulate exactly what they want their hair and makeup to look like for their wedding day, but the old adage is true: a picture says a thousand words.
"I ask brides to bring in photos of when they felt their prettiest so I can understand what they mean when they say things like 'natural' and 'dramatic,'" explained Madron. "To some, natural means Kardashian contoured and to others, it's understated." I opted for a ballet-inspired look full of peach and bronze tones that simply accentuated my features.
For your stylists, it's essential that you bring in your veil or any hairpiece you may be wearing, along with extensions if needed. Carey recommends using human hair clip-ins if you plan on wearing your hair half up/half down to create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair. (I used tons of clip-ins!)
For both trials, don't forget to bring your bridal jewelry, a picture of your dress, photos of your color palette (flower choices work), and inspirational images pulled from red carpets or Pinterest. These will all help your specialists craft the perfect look for you.
