Finding the right person to do your hair and makeup on your wedding day can be the difference between divine and disaster. These are the questions you need to ask before you commit.

Finding the right person to do your hair and makeup on your wedding day can be the difference between divine and disaster. 

Whether you want your wedding to be an elaborate affair or low-key, you want it to reflect your personality. That goes for your look, too. And the best way to get your vision off Pinterest and into your wedding photos is by hiring the artist who can translate your personal style into your hair and makeup.

Blossom Hair & Makeup won Yellow Pages’ "Business of the Month" award for August, 2014. We asked the owner, Sarah Young, what questions you should ask before choosing a makeup artist for your wedding.

How would you describe your style?

Wedding hair and makeup needs to fit you as seamlessly as your wedding dress. Style is personal. It’s about embracing who you are as individuals and allowing this to be reflected in every element of your wedding, from fashion to décor, to bridal photography. You need to make sure your make-sup artist understands your sense of personal style.

What experience and training background should you look out for?

Sarah Young has had an exciting career as a Senior Stylist, and boasts a catalogue of work including countless weddings and advertisements, catalogues, commercials, head shots, events, performances, fashion editorials, runways, and independent films.

She suggests that in order to keep skills sharp, a make-up artist needs to regularly attend professional training and workshops, work with other artists in the field, and take on new challenges. It’s important to ask your make-up artist what training and experience they have. 

What makeup brands and products do you use?

Make sure you know and like the products your make-up artist uses. Sarah Young suggests your make-up artist should only use the highest quality products. And what’s in her make-up case you ask? You’ll find a mix of Georgio Armani, Tom Ford, Nars, Makeup Forever, Chanel, MAC, Laura Mercier, Bobbi Brown, Dior and Dermalogica.

How much time do you need for each person on the wedding day?

Young says you can rely on an experienced team to do the work involved in planning a hair and makeup schedule and have all people in the bridal party looking gorgeous and ready on time. Hair styling will take approximately 45-60 minutes per person, depending on the type of hair style. Makeup applications take approximately 45-60 minutes per person. If you have a large group and an early ceremony time, ask your stylist to bring extra assistants along to save time.

Will the makeup look great in person and in photographs?

Young says that makeup will absorb or reflect light. An expert makeup artist will know what to use on your face and décolletage for a flawless, cohesive look in person and under lights and cameras. Body blemishes can be addressed with water resistant and transfer resistant products. 

Do you offer a trial service?

A trial is the first meeting and the best time to determine the perfect hair/makeup for your wedding. It’s just the spot to discuss exactly what you have in mind for your big day, so make sure your makeup artist offers a trial session.

Don’t worry if you are unsure about what you want, just bring along pics you like and your stylist will walk you through the process. Ask how long the makeup trial usually takes.

Will I need to touch up my makeup at any time? What happens if my lipstick wears off?

Here are Sarah Young’s indispensible makeup tips for a flawless finish, all day long.

• Ask your matron of honour or bridesmaid to carry a Bridal Touch-Up Kit and ask them to tell you if your makeup looks less than perfect;
• Your lipstick is going to get a workout on your wedding day! Make sure you’ve got your favorite on hand for regular touch-ups;
• Make sure you’ve got a small compact mirror on hand;
• If you’re prone to oily skin or getting married on a sunny day, blotting papers can be a great to blot away shiny spots;
• Pressed powder sets makeup, reduces shine and evens skin tone – it’s an essential makeup basic for your photo-ready touch-ups for your big day.
• Tissues. For those teary moments – dab, don’t wipe!