3 Reasons Why you should Hire Professionals for your Hair and Makeup (even when you’re on a budget)

Yay, it’s Friday!  As I mentioned before, I had a hair and makeup trial a couple of weeks ago.  I loved the makeup but I am not sure I want to wear my hair up.  Next week I am going to have bridal portraits and have my hair styled half-up, half-down to compare.   I thought I’d share these pictures in case anyone needed up-do hair inspiration.  For the curious, I relied on the pros at MakeupforyourDay.  Also, because I think this is something that budget-conscious brides struggle with, I thought I would include my 3 reasons to hire professionals, even when you’re on a budget. 

3 Reasons to Hire Professionals for Wedding Hair and Makeup:

1.  Reduce stress.   I have crazy curls and basic makeup skills, yet I have high expectations for my wedding day hair and makeup.   An easy way to ensure that I have the “bridal” look is to simply have someone with the appropriate tools, skills, and experience style my hair and apply my makeup.  Not to mention that a little extra pampering on your wedding day is always a good thing . 

2.  Ensure professional results.   I believe there is a difference between doing makeup for a night out on the town and being able to apply it for wedding pictures.  Below I have a comparison picture.  The first is an amateur shot by a friend after I had my makeup and hair professionally done.  The second is a professional engagement photo in which I did my hair and makeup – and it looks like I am not wearing makeup.   Applying makeup for film or photography is a skill, as is knowing which products to use on different skin types and colors.  Of course you can learn how, but if you’re not someone who wears a lot of makeup regularly, it might be a bigger time or money investment than it appears at first. 

Bridal Makeup Before and After

3.   Save money.   If you’re like me and have a limited makeup bag that’s better suited for Bobbi-Brown-goes-to-work than blushing-garden-bride, then purchasing all the make-up for a wedding can be expensive.   Purchasing foundation, blush, the perfect shade of lipstick, waterproof mascara, etc. adds up quickly.  If these are items that you don’t use regularly  (and you will uncover in your makeup drawer a year later covered in dust…) than perhaps it’s less expensive to  have a makeup artist instead of purchasing everything yourself.  This is certainly true for me, as my version of foundation is a tinted moisturizer. 

Now, that said, here are my up-do hair pictures – I’ll be sure to share the half-up/half-down next week!

Bridal Hair Low Up-do

Are you planning on diy-ing your hair and makeup or bringing in a professional?

Bridal Hair: Up, down, or somewhere in between?

Tomorrow we will discuss a big picture view of wedding planning, and Wednesday will be another Budget Breakdown for a $4000 country-side wedding. Today, however, we are going to discuss bridal hair.   

To put it in context, I have very curly hair.  Think Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman meets Anne Hathway in Princess Brides (before the makeover!).   As many curly hair girls know, a big decision is deciding to wear our hair up, down, or somewhere in between.  I have a strong connection with my head of curls – their big, crazy, and usually the most memorable thing about my appearance.   My hair & makeup trial is tomorrow – sometime before then, I have to decide which way to style it!

3 Options for Bridal Hair:

1.  A Classic Up-do.   This style will promise classic photos with that timeless, bridal look.  Practically speaking, it’s also great for day of hugging friends, posing for pictures, and dancing the night away as it will stay in place and keep you as cool as possible (no hot hair hanging down your back!).    One up-do I like: 

Bridal Hair Classic Updo

2.  Somewhere in-between.   Ah, the seemingly perfect mix between up-do formality and free-flowing curls.  For many, it is a sure winner:  a half up-do that artfully frames the face (banishing large foreheads and minimizing those jawbones in one sweep!) while languishing in long, flowing locks.   Here’s a style I love: 

Bridal Hair half up, half down

3.  All down & loving it.  The perfect style for casual beach weddings, romantic country affairs, and any diva in between.  Both romantic and diva, this style lends itself well to those blessed with long locks (and those who create them with extensions!).  While I think I would like to keep at least half of my hair out of my face for practical reasons, like many of you, I’ve been growing my hair out for the wedding and I’d like to show it off.   Here’s one style I’d love to emulate:

Bridal hair, all down

But I would love it if I could have a style the transitioned effortlessly from up for the ceremony to down for the reception!  Something like this:

Bridal Hair - Up to Down

Given the nature of my curls and desire for to stay cool (my wedding is Memorial Day weekend in southern North Carolina!), I will most likely end up with something like this:

Curly Bridal Hair - updo

Which one would you pick?