your wedding day is basically a marathon of emotions, hugs, dancing, and yes, probably some ugly crying (the happy kind!). The last thing you want is to worry about your makeup sliding off or your hair going flat by the time you hit the dance floor.
That’s where makeup and hair trials come in. Think of them as your beauty dress rehearsal. And trust me, you definitely want one!
Trial Prep: Come Ready to Play
Okay, so you’ve booked your trial. Now what? Don’t just show up with a Pinterest board and hope for the best. A little prep goes a long way.
Bring ALL the photos. I’m talking inspo pics, screenshots, magazine tears – whatever speaks to you. But here’s the trick: bring examples of what you DON’T want too. Sometimes it’s easier to say “not this” than explain exactly what you’re after.
Take notes about your skin. Does your T-zone get oily? Do you break out when you use certain products? Got sensitive skin that freaks out randomly? Your makeup artist needs to know this stuff! Write it down before your trial so you don’t forget to mention it.
Show up with a clean face. Let your artist start from scratch. They need to see your actual skin, not your everyday routine.
Wear a white or nude top. Wedding dress vibes, you know? Colors can totally throw off how your makeup looks, so keep it neutral.
Bring your accessories. Got a veil? Hairpiece? Tiara? Bring them! Your hairstyle needs to work WITH these things, not fight against them.
Pro tip: Schedule your trial for the same time of day as your wedding. Morning wedding? Book a morning trial. Late afternoon ceremony? You get the idea. The lighting matters!
Before planning anything else, nail down your timing! Check out our free wedding timeline generator to figure out exactly when you need to start getting ready (spoiler: probably earlier than you think).
Longevity Tests: Put That Face Through Its Paces
Here’s where things get fun (and slightly ridiculous). Your trial isn’t done when your makeup artist puts down the brush. Nope! Now it’s time to test that beauty look like it’s going through boot camp.
The Cry Test
Watch a sad movie. Look at old photos of your grandma. Think about your dog waiting at home. Whatever makes you tear up, do it! Your makeup needs to survive emotional moments, and your wedding day will have plenty.
Check what happens when tears roll down. Does your mascara run? Does your foundation get patchy? Take notes (and photos!).
The Sweat Test
Go for a walk. Do some light exercise. Stand outside if it’s hot. Basically, get your body temp up a bit. You’ll be hugging approximately 847 people on your wedding day, so you need to know how your makeup holds up when you’re warm.
The Kiss Test
Smooch your partner. Kiss your hand. Does your lipstick transfer everywhere? Will you need to reapply after every kiss? (There’s gonna be a lot of those too!)
The Eat & Drink Test
Have a meal. Sip some water. Drink through a straw. Your makeup needs to survive the cocktail hour and dinner, so see what happens.
The Time Test
This is the big one. Wear your trial makeup for AT LEAST 6-8 hours. Take photos every couple of hours in different lighting – natural light, indoor lighting, flash photography. Your wedding day is looooong, so your makeup and hair need to last.
By hour 8, check:
- Is your hair still in place?
- Did your makeup fade or get blotchy?
- How does your skin feel?
- Would you be comfortable going out like this?
Take photos throughout the day and bring them to your next appointment!
Day-Of Order & Buffer Time: Don’t Rush Perfection
Timing is EVERYTHING on your wedding day. Like, seriously. You don’t want to be half-dressed with one eye done when the photographer shows up.
Who Gets Ready When?
Here’s the typical order:
- Hair first, makeup second – This is the golden rule. You don’t want makeup brushes hitting your finished hairstyle.
- Bridesmaids before the bride – They go first. This lets the artist warm up, and you get to see how things turn out before it’s your turn.
- Bride goes last – You want to be the freshest face in the room, plus you don’t want to wait around too long once you’re done.
How Long Does Everything Take?
- Bridesmaid hair: 30-45 minutes each
- Bridesmaid makeup: 30-45 minutes each
- Bride hair: 60-90 minutes
- Bride makeup: 60-90 minutes
Buffer Time is Your BFF
Add an extra 30-60 minutes to your total getting-ready time. Things happen! Hair doesn’t cooperate. Someone needs a bathroom break. Your mom calls crying happy tears. Build in buffer time so you’re not stressed.
The Math:
If you have 4 bridesmaids, you need about 5-6 hours total for everyone’s hair and makeup, PLUS buffer time. Yeah, it’s a lot!
Speaking of time and budgets – have you figured out how much to set aside for beauty services? Our wedding budget calculator can help you allocate the right amount for makeup, hair, and all your other wedding expenses. It’s free and takes like 2 minutes!
Getting Ready Schedule Example:
- 8
AM – Artists arrive, first bridesmaid starts hair
- 10
AM – Bride’s hair starts
- 11
AM – Bride’s makeup starts
- 1
PM – All beauty done, buffer time
- 1
PM – Get dressed
- 2
PM – Photos start
- 4
PM – Ceremony
Adjust based on your ceremony time, obviously!
Touch-Up Kit List: Your Beauty Emergency Box
Listen, something’s gonna need a fix during the day. That’s just facts. Put together a touch-up kit and assign someone (your MOH, your mom, a responsible bridesmaid) to carry it around.
The Essentials:
Makeup Stuff:
- Your lipstick/lip gloss (the EXACT one your artist used)
- Blotting papers (for shiny skin, not powder – it photographs better)
- Pressed powder (just in case)
- Q-tips (for makeup fixes)
- Makeup remover wipes (for emergencies)
- Mini mascara
- Concealer (your exact shade)
Hair Stuff:
- Bobby pins (like, a million of them)
- Mini hairspray
- Small brush or comb
- Hair ties (even if you’re wearing it down)
- Mini dry shampoo
General Survival Kit:
- Tissues
- Breath mints
- Stain remover pen
- Safety pins
- Mini sewing kit
- Band-aids
- Pain reliever
- Deodorant
- Perfume sample
- Phone charger
Pro Tips for Your Kit:
Ask your artist to contribute! Most will throw in samples or small versions of products they used on you. Don’t be shy – ask!
Test everything beforehand. Make sure you know how to use each product. Your touch-up person should too!
Keep it in a clear bag. Easier to find things when you can see them.
Label your lipstick. Seriously. Put your name on it. You don’t want someone accidentally using yours.
Bring TWO of your lipstick. One for you, one for the kit. You’ll be touching up that color all night.
Quick Tips for Trial Success
Come with an open mind. Your Pinterest inspo might not work with your face shape or hair texture. Trust your artist to adapt looks that’ll work for YOU.
Speak up during the trial. Don’t wait until you get home to decide you hate something. If you’re not feeling it, say so right then and there!
Take photos from every angle. Front, side, back, close-up, far away. Check them in different lighting.
Bring a friend, but not a committee. One trusted opinion is helpful. Five people with different ideas? Recipe for stress.
Book your trial 2-3 months before the wedding. Gives you time for a second trial if needed, and you’re not scrambling last minute.
Do a second trial if you’re not 100% happy. Seriously. This is your face on your wedding day. It needs to feel RIGHT.
Ask about product longevity. What setting spray do they use? Is it the good stuff? Will it really last?
Get the product list. Ask your artist to write down everything they used. Makes touch-ups way easier.
The Bottom Line
Your makeup and hair trials aren’t just a fun pampering session (though they’re definitely that too!). They’re your chance to work out all the kinks before the big day. Test everything, take tons of photos, and don’t settle for “good enough.”
Remember – you’re gonna be looking at these wedding photos for the rest of your life. Your grandkids will see these photos. You want to look like the best version of YOU, not like someone else entirely.
And hey, with the right prep, testing, and touch-up kit, you’ll look absolutely gorgeous from your first look to the last dance. Happy tears included!
Need help organizing all your wedding prep tasks? Our wedding timeline generator can help you schedule everything from makeup trials to the final send-off. And don’t forget to check out our wedding budget calculator to make sure you’re setting aside enough for all your beauty needs. Both tools are totally free and super easy to use!
Now go book that trial and get ready to look AMAZING!
