:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/03-Mother-of-the-Bride-Groom-Beauty-Trial-Andrea-Camarena-54df16cb543344a8b3f5bcb0a8b7b72e.jpg "Should the mothers of the bride and groom make a trial appointment for hair and makeup?")
As the mother of the bride or groom, your role in your child’s wedding will be largely determined by their personal needs. Some couples want their mothers to help organize the ceremony and reception, while others just want emotional support throughout the wedding planning process. However, there is a role all Matriarchs are expected to pose for photos on the big day, and of course, this shouldn’t come as a surprise since you’ve probably already started shopping (or buying!) your mother of the bride dress for those all-important pictures. But have you thought about your makeup? Do you know how you want to style your hair for the big day? Depending on your answers, you might be inclined to ask, “Should the mothers of the bride and groom book a hair and makeup trial?”
The short answer: It depends. While pre-wedding trials are helpful, there’s no hard and fast rule that dictates whether or not a mom should book one, says Amy Conway, a global professional artist for Bobbi Brown. “While a trial is helpful, it’s still a luxury, so it’s OK if it depends on the budget,” she explains. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but we asked Conway and several other experts to explain the circumstances in which a hair and makeup trial would be appropriate.
Meet the expert
- Amy Conway is a global Bobbi Brown professional artist and a UK-based bridal beauty expert.
- Trista Evans is a professional makeup artist based in Whatcom County, Washington.
- Lishma Patel is a celebrity and bridal makeup artist who works with brides all over the world.
Should the mothers of the bride and groom arrange a trial appointment for hair and makeup?
Booking a hair and makeup trial as a mother of the bride or groom is entirely up to the individual’s wants and needs, so Conway recommends that mothers consider several factors when deciding if this pre-wedding service is right for them.
“I think it’s important to think about how you want to look on the day. Is it very close to your everyday look? Or do you want to try something different?” she asks. “If the look is new, like a smokey eye, and you only wear mascara every day, it’s important to try the look out before you decide to try it for the first time on the day.”
Continue to ask yourself these two questions: “Do I have a specific idea of how glamorous I want my big day to be?” “Can I tell the artist my wishes on the morning of the wedding?” If you answered “no” to one or both of the above questions, consider scheduling a trial. “If moms are still undecided about how they want their hair and makeup done, they would likely benefit from the artist’s expertise during a trial,” says professional makeup artist Trista Evans.
Photo by Collins Nai
The benefits of a beauty test with the mother of the bride or groom
“A huge benefit of a trial appointment is that (moms) can really see how their makeup will match the outfit and can even help choose a shade of lipstick to match the color of the dress,” explains Conway. “A lot of people bring me a sample of the material of their outfit, which is a great way to see what it looks like.” And since these pre-wedding services typically last 60 to 90 minutes, hair and makeup trial appointments give you the freedom to experiment and even learn from your artist; compared to the 30 to 45 minutes you’ll have on the actual wedding day. “On the day of the wedding, the artist is on a very tight schedule and won’t have time to change your look,” Evans adds. “The bride is the artist’s focus.”
Another reason to try out your glam? During a trial, you may find that you need to book a different artist, saving you a lot of stress on the big day. “You may also find that the artist isn’t a good fit for you,” says Evans. “In that case, you may decide to find another artist yourself.” Conway adds, “I love the peace of mind that a trial can give – I find the mums can sit back and relax, knowing that they’re going to absolutely love the finished look.”
The disadvantages of a beauty test with the mother of the bride or groom
If you’re looking to save money, a trial is an additional expense to your budget, which is a huge downside for many people. Additionally, a trial is another task to add to your already full pre-wedding checklist, so if you know what you want or have a very simple beauty look in mind, you can probably skip it (just make sure to bring photos of what you like and/or want on the wedding day – preferably from the artist’s portfolio).
What you should know when booking a hair and makeup trial for the mother of the bride or groom
Have you decided on a trial appointment for hair and makeup? Here are the most important tips you should know before making an appointment.
Confirm who is responsible for payment.
“If the mother of the bride or groom chooses to have a hair and makeup trial, it is right that she covers the cost as she is the one who requested the trial,” advises celebrity makeup artist Lishma Patel. However, if your child requested a trial, they should be expected to cover the cost (unless you choose to cover that cost, of course).
Look for a reputable professional.
Always evaluate the experience of the aesthetician you book and see if they have worked on women with your particular facial features, skin tone and hair type before. “Visit the artist’s website and social media to view images of their work,” says Evans. “Characteristics to compare include age, skin and hair color, length and texture of hair, and facial structure.” If an artist has many examples of women who look like you, a trial appointment may not be necessary, as you can expect similar results to what you see.
Make your appointment three months before the wedding.
Evans recommends making an appointment three months or less in advance. That’s because you want your natural hair and skin to look the same on the day of the wedding as it did before. “Also, make your trial appointment in the morning so you can see how long it lasts and on a day when you have a chance to wear your look,” she advises.
Get beauty inspiration before your appointment.
“Moms should do thorough research and find inspiration online,” advises Patel, adding that moms should “consider their individual hair characteristics – such as color, thickness, length and texture – when evaluating hairstyle options,” she notes. “Hairstyle inspiration pictured on thick, curly hair may not translate to fine, straight hair.”
“Similarly, it’s important to consider skin type, color, texture and unique features when trying out makeup looks,” Patel continues. “Since makeup can look different on different skin tones, it’s wise to choose images that are closest to your skin type to get a better idea of how the makeup will look on you.”
