By Madelaine B. Landry
ChrisBrennanPhoto.com
The one day that a woman does not want an unexpected glitch to happen is her wedding day. That definitely includes her carefully crafted timeline for wedding makeup, wedding hair and overall wedding glamour. With as little stress as possible, the bride, her attendants and her close family members each want to look radiant.
Some local hair and makeup experts who have worked with countless brides and bridal parties sat down with us to give their advice. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to grab a glass of your favorite refreshment and settle in. Read and heed what the professionals want you to know about taking care of this important detail in your wedding day planning.
Every task on a bride’s to-do list is challenging, from finding the right vendors and venue to choosing wedding day stylist(s).
Where to start? How much money needs to be budgeted? What tips do the experts have? Research is easier than ever, but don’t procrastinate. You should narrow down your choices well in advance of the big day. Once you’ve done that, the research and planning continue.
The same consideration that goes into choosing caterers, location and menus should go into selecting your stylist.
First, prepare a list of the questions you want to ask before you sit down with a stylist. You will want to know if the stylist has a portfolio of their work. What happens if the stylist faces an emergency, gets sick, or cannot make it for any reason? There must be a backup plan.
As soon as you have your wedding date set, reach out to the stylists you want to interview. Your preferred stylist may be booked for that date, which is why you want to start way ahead of the big day. Some popular stylists are booked a year or even two years in advance.
Alana LeMelle, owner of Kaptivating Faces and Beauty in Lake Charles, began building her clientele while attending Southern University in Baton Rouge to obtain her degree in Rehabilitation Services. Currently, she is the marketing director for Calcasieu Community Care, Lake Charles’s newest skilled nursing facility. She enjoys the creativity in her day job, and it’s her passion for helping others that led her to her other career as a bridal makeup artist. In May of 2022, she launched her own cosmetic line.
LeMelle says to start your search for the perfect stylist by asking for recommendations from your wedding venue contact, your photographer, and friends and family. She advises attending bridal shows and events. And, she says, check local hashtags on social media. A few include #lakecharlesmua, #lcmua and #louisianamua.
During the consultation, be honest about any skin concerns, LeMelle advises.. “Ask what products the stylist uses,” she says. “On your wedding day, they should suggest long-lasting and waterproof items. Advise the makeup artist if you have any previous issues with acne, hyperpigmentation, scarring, sensitive skin or allergies. How will they handle these?”
If your preferred artist is booked, LeMelle says, ask them to make another recommendation for a makeup artist who uses a similar style. “We are living in a ‘no gatekeeping’ era; never be afraid to ask.” Visit LeMelle’s website at kaptivatingfaces.com, for additional information.
Kylie Renee Marcantel of Lake Charles has been working with brides for about 13 years now. “I thoroughly love my job and love wedding parties,” she says. “I love helping brides. I find that if you just connect with them on a personal level, really take the time to be calm and listen to their problems, and be honest, they will respect and trust you. That results in a very harmonious experience for me, as a stylist, and for the bride.”
Marcantel notes that it is important to choose a stylist you connect with on a personal level. “After all, your stylist will stay with you throughout the entire process — through engagement photos, showers, parties, bridal photos and the wedding day. Be open and honest. If you don’t like something, tell us. We cannot fix something once you leave. We have ideas of what we like, but we know that you do, as well. Our task is to get the perfect look for you.”
Marcantel suggests trial runs as a perfect way to turn the bride’s vision into reality. She also recommends a stylist who has connections and friendships in the industry. “If it turns out that you need more than one stylist, they can bring their assistants or stylist friends to help. I maintain a list of stylists and assistants on whom I can call if I need a few more hands.”
Also, she says, trial runs will allow you to get to know the stylist’s style in a more flexible, relaxed atmosphere.
And it’s critical, says Marcantel, to hire a stylist who is calm and steady. If there are any glitches, this attribute will be vital.
“You want someone who can handle a crisis in a timely and efficient manner and deal calmly with any circumstances,” she says. “I’ve taken flowers from random flower arrangements and put them in people’s hair. I’ve added earrings to a hairstyle. I’ve even helped with flower arrangements on the wedding day. Honesty and good time management skills are musts.”
For more information about Marcantel and her work, visit her Facebook page at hairandmakeupbykylierenee.
Paige Breaux-Forrest has been a licensed medical esthetician and a certified PMU Artist since 2013. In 2023, she accepted the Best of SWLA award as Best Makeup Artist. She offered some advice on stylist travel fees.
“Typically, if your makeup artist travels to you, there will be a small travel fee,” she says. “Take into consideration that we load up everything — our chairs, lighting, makeup, tables, towels and any other small things required to give us a comfortable working space. Make sure you tell your artist where the bridal party is getting ready in advance; that way there are no surprises when it comes to travel fees.” Forrest is the owner of PB Aesthetics in Lake Charles. See her Facebook page at paige.l.breaux.
“Always discuss your budget up front,” advises LeMelle. “Explore options for more affordable services. Some makeup artists offer customizable packages. You should always feel comfortable asking questions about (the stylist’s) ability to travel to your wedding location.
“And it’s okay to ask about their ability and experience. Can they accommodate any touch-ups or changes throughout the day, for example, like switching from your wedding look to your reception look? Will that incur additional fees? What is their cancellation policy? Most deposits are non-refundable. Do they book multiple weddings on the same day? This question is important, because you don’t want to feel rushed. If they are double-booked, ask them how they will handle that. And finally, if you have a large bridal party, ask the makeup artist or stylist if she has an assistant or backup artist for the day. Not all bridal makeup artists offer bridal party packages. Sometimes, you may have to book another artist to get exactly what you want.”
There are important financial questions that should be discussed beforehand, says Marcantel. “You should be prepared to sign a contract,” she says. “Prices should always be discussed beforehand, so every person who is getting a service should be aware of this. Additionally, it is the bride’s responsibility to ensure that her wedding party pays the vendors.
“Figure out if you want the wedding party’s hair and makeup to be the same. Do you have hair jewelry or any specific hair or make up products of your own that you prefer to use? If so, it’s best for you to bring it. While stylists should have absolutely everything that is needed, they may not have the exact item or color of a product you want.”
Marcantel also advises avoiding facials as the wedding day nears.
“Facials can cause skin irritations,” she explains. “Don’t do anything out of the ordinary the week before. Come with a clean face and clean hair. Oily hair won’t hold the style, so I prefer to get it texturized myself. Also come with dry hair. If blow drying is not on the schedule, it is not the stylist’s responsibility. Doing so can add up to 30 minutes or more, which puts the entire wedding party behind.”
Forrest adds another important detail: “Lashes! It’s always a question. When you’re in my chair, lashes are always included in the price. A look is not complete without lashes. There may be some ladies who opt out, but I usually try to encourage everyone to wear lashes for picture purposes. It ties the makeup together so beautifully if your artist pairs you with the right style.”
And as far as what the bride and her party should bring to the wedding-day session, Forrest stresses that this answer varies between different artists.
“This is a good question to ask your stylist in advance,” she says. “Some makeup artists require different items than others. For example, some artists want you to bring your own mascara; and some artists use disposable wands. Check and make sure. I typically like to provide everything, that way no one has to worry about small items while getting ready.”
What precisely is a “bridal?” All these artists agree that this is a very important part of the planning process. Forrest recommends lining up your bridals 1 to 4 months before the wedding. “Yes, it seems like cutting it close, but it also helps us keep everything uniform for the day of, since it’s fresh on our minds. Bridals are a good time to see what you like or don’t like, and to fix any problems that might need to be handled.”
Marcantel adds that while having photos to show your stylist is also a good idea, one must be aware that many bridal photos are touched up or enhanced.
“Consider the look you are going for. I love when my brides choose a traditional and timeless look over a ‘trendy look.’ If you choose a trendy look you could risk regretting it when looking back at photos.”
Marcantel cautions that the wedding party needs to drink plenty of water on the day of to avoid headaches, fatigue, bloating and dehydration, and to keep their skin and hair shiny. “Make sure to snack lightly, too. No bride wants to be sick on her big day.”
Marcantel stresses that stylists have a responsibility to consult with photographers to coordinate the photographer’s vision with the bride’s look.
“If the photographer prefers a moody look, I will go lighter on the makeup,” she explains.
“If he or she wants an airy look, I will do the opposite. This industry is constantly evolving, so experience counts, as does training. Constant communication is vital. I keep my phone on so I am always there for my clients. I’ve become friends with my clients; I’m excited to be part of their big day. I also take lots of pictures, time permitting.”
Says Forrest: “As an artist who’s been doing this for 10 years, I like to make this as easy as possible for my clients. Transforming the ladies on their wedding day is one of the most rewarding factors for me, so remember, I’m here to help you.”
LeMelle concurs. “Booking your stylist should be just as important as booking your caterers and venue. Every client I serve offers me an amazing opportunity to do what I love to do.”
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