The Ultimate Beauty Marked Hair and Makeup Prep Guide

Written by: Gracie Gillis

Getting ready for a special event, photoshoot, or your wedding can be overwhelming and confusing, but with the right preparation, you can ensure you look and feel your best! Here’s our comprehensive guide so you can nail your hair and makeup prep.

STEP-BY-STEP SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Sticking to a consistent skincare routine in the weeks leading up to a big event can significantly enhance the overall appearance of your skin, creating a beautiful canvas for makeup application. Follow these steps:

REMOVE MAKEUP AND CLEANSE DAILY | Wash impurities from the skin's surface using a facial cleanser at minimum once daily. Best practice is to cleanse 2x morning and night.

EXFOLIATE 1X A WEEK | Remove dead skin cells to allow new skin cell growth & deeper penetration for skincare products. 

TONE | Remove excess dirt or oil while sealing pores and balancing pH levels in skin 

APPLY SERUM & EYE CREAM | Deliver essential ingredients directly on the skin. We recommend a hyaluronic acid serum to assist with hydration or a Vitamin C serum to boost your skin’s radiance. Eye cream will also provide hydration, promote elasticity and sometimes provide color correction to dark circles,

MOISTURIZE | Lock in hydration and block harmful UV rays from the sun with a SPF for day wear.

BEFORE-YOUR-EVENT SKIN AND HAIR PREP

HYDRATE | This is a small, but KEY step, and it shows! We recommend drinking an absolute minimum of ONE gallon of water everyday, but especially during the few days leading up to your event.

SKIN | If you've been following our skin care routine recs above, then you already know the drill. We ask that all faces are washed clean, exfoliated (dermaplaning is great or using an exfoliating scrub at minimum), and moisturized prior to the booking.

HAIR | Please ensure that hair is clean and blow dried straight with no excess products (oil, hairspray, etc.,) Hair that is washed 12-24+ hrs prior to styling is ideal. And whatever you do, DO NOT use a curling or flat iron on your locks - leave that up to us! If hair is wet or not smooth, a blow out can be added on for $85.

FOR OUR CURLY HAIR BABES

For the best results with your curly hair, follow these tips below:

FRESH, CLEAN HAIR | Start with clean, freshly washed hair using a gentle shampoo and conditioner suitable for your curl type. Ideally, wash your hair at least 24hours in advance to reduce frizz - some of our curly girls prefer their Day 2 curls - if this is you, stick to what you prefer!

PRODUCT | Avoid heavy styling products such as heavy hold gels, creams, or oils that can weigh down your curls or leave a residue. If you choose to use any leave-in conditioner or curl cream, apply it sparingly so our stylists can go in with additional products as needed.

DRYING | Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser on low heat, and avoid flat irons or curling irons before your appointment. While we will work with your natural curls, some hot tool adjustments may be needed for the final look.

WHAT TO BRING & PREPARE

To ensure a flawless and stress-free experience on your wedding day, please have the following items prepared:

JEWELRY, SHOES, & OUTFITS | Bring the jewelry, shoes, and outfits you plan to wear. This helps us tailor your hair and makeup to perfectly complement your entire ensemble.

BUTTON-UP OR EASILY REMOVABLE TOP | Wear a button-up or easily removable top to prevent any hairstyling mishaps and to keep your look pristine throughout the styling process. If your event attire/blouse does not have a zipper or buttons, you may need to wear this before makeup begins.

INSPIRATION PHOTOS | Bring photos of the hair and makeup looks you desire. This will guide us in achieving the exact style you envision for your special day. Be sure to choose images of people with your similar skin tone and hair texture/color/length.

EXTENSIONS & HAIR ACCESSORIES | Provide any extensions or hair accessories you wish to use at the time of styling. This ensures they are integrated seamlessly into your final look. This includes tikkas, flowers, head pieces, etc.

FOR OUR SOUTH ASIAN BABES

Dupatta Prep: 

If you are a South Asian or Fusion bride who will need dupatta placement over the head and do not have saree draping services booked with our team, please be sure the dupatta is prepped for the hairstylist ahead of time. If you have saree draping services booked, your draper will take care of this for you. For the most secure and comfortable dupatta placement, we highly suggest sewing extension clips to the border of your dupatta. You can find more step-by-step information about this method in our Dupatta Pinning Blog or this instructional TikTok, and here is an example of the extension clips you’ll need!

*Photos from @brittanymelissa.photo