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Event season is just around the corner. If you have a special occasion to attend this summer, odds are you’re starting to think about how you want to look on the big day. For some, that may involve getting your makeup professionally done, which can be both an exciting and somewhat nerve-wracking experience—especially if you don’t often find yourself in a makeup artist’s chair. We get it: it can be difficult to (literally) put your face in someone’s hands. While the pressure to look perfect for a big day can add to your stress, it shouldn’t overshadow your experience. A seasoned MUA will patiently guide you through the process and ensure that you feel heard and understood throughout your entire appointment. “I think most people are a little nervous because it’s out of their comfort zone, but it’s my job to make people feel like the best version of themselves,” says Jodi Urichuk, L’Oréal Paris’ Canadian Makeup Artist & Expert with 25 years of experience in her craft. “I’m there to put them at ease and make them feel comfortable.” Although it’s been a few years since Urichuk regularly did makeup for events like weddings, the importance of building relationships with her clients—even with those that she’d work with just one time—has stuck with her throughout her career. “If you have great chemistry, everything else is going to fall into place,” she says. “You should feel so comfortable that you can easily ask questions and push back if necessary because, at the end of the day, you have to be happy.” Makeup artist Robert Weir has a similar approach to working on event-focused makeup, something he gained immense experience in when he started his career 25 years ago in a suburban salon. A common concern among his clients? Worrying that their personal style would be compromised by getting their makeup done. “If you’re used to seeing your eyeliner done a certain way, it’s kind of a security blanket. So I think a lot of people are afraid their makeup artist is going to take away the one thing that makes them feel secure,” says Weir. “That’s why it’s important to really listen to the client. I may not love turquoise eyeliner in the waterline, but if it’s something that she really loves, I’m going to give her the best turquoise eyeliner that you’ve ever seen.”
Photography courtesy of Robert Weir
In addition to finding a makeup artist who takes the time to listen to your concerns, Weir recommends coming prepared with references of how you’d like to look. This includes everything from Instagram inspo to photos of how you like to do your everyday makeup. Urichuk agrees, stressing that it’s always helpful to have a thorough one-on-one consultation with your MUA ahead of any big event. “You get curveballs for sure, but generally if you’ve had a trial it’s all going to run very smoothly,” Urichuk says. When it comes to getting prepared for the big day, Grace Lee, the Official Lead Makeup Artist for Maybelline New York in Canada, has a few tips from her nearly 30 years of experience in the industry. First and foremost, she recommends telling your MUA if you’re feeling nervous ahead of the appointment. Let them know exactly what about the experience is causing you stress. Additionally, it’s imperative to be upfront about any skin sensitives and allergies you may have so your artist knows how to work around them. In terms of skin prep, she recommends keeping it simple and sticking to your normal skincare routine ahead of an event to minimize potential mishaps. “Don’t go get a brand-new facial the night before because then you can have room for breakouts,” Lee shares. Urichuk also recommends that clients stay out of the sun if possible. Chasing a sun-kissed glow? Opt for a professional spray tan or a trusted self-tanner instead (but try to avoid doing faux tanning the day before). She also prefers if clients don’t apply sunscreen before an appointment as the MUA will likely have a great facial SPF in their kit—one that doesn’t pill nor cause flashback in photos. Above all, Lee stresses that a makeup artist is not only hired to make their client look beautiful, but to also make them feel their absolute best for their big day. “We’re there to make whoever is sitting in our chair feel totally comfortable, but the job of a makeup artist really comes down to 50 per cent skill and 50 per cent personality,” she says. “It’s our job to read a room and bring good energy to start the day.” [content_module id=”1″] Continue Reading
