How to Make the Most of your Beauty Preview – With Feeling Pretty
WRITTEN BY Catherine Chlipala, Feeling Pretty Inc. | PHOTO BY Jenna Nielsen Photography
OK, you know to book your appointment and bring an inspiration picture or two. Maybe get a spray tan or wax that upper lip, if that’s your thing. But beyond the basics, there are a few less obvious tips that are just as important for a successful session.
Preparing for your trial — or preview, as I prefer to call it — actually starts a good amount of time before your appointment. I’m sure you’ve been Pinning and saving inspiration for a while, but now that some of your wedding details are ironed out, it’s a great time to go back through and start envisioning what will really look best on you. Here’s some tips on how to make the most of your beauty preview:
HAVE YOUR DRESS PICKED OUT
Often, a bride-to-be will call asking to schedule her preview, but she doesn’t have her dress yet. The neckline and style of your dress should be a major factor in shaping your beauty look, especially your hair. Is your dress romantic? Sexy? Modern? Timeless? All of these things matter when figuring out a look that complements your gown and overall vibe.
CHOOSE INSPIRATION THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU
One of my biggest tips as you scour inspiration photos is to actually look for photos of people who look like YOU! If you have blonde hair with a lot of dimension, certain styles — like a braid or twist — will stand out in a way they wouldn’t on my solid, dark brown hair. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear that style, but it’s helpful to see it on someone with similar hair so you know what to expect.
I stand by the same advice for makeup as well. If you have fair skin and green eyes but all your inspiration pictures are of Kim Kardashian, that makeup look will read very differently on you. Finding pictures of people who actually resemble you will give you a much better idea of what the style will look like on you. I also find that this helps avoid the feeling of being let down. Even if your artist or stylist executed your inspiration perfectly, it just won’t have the same impact if your inspo photo had completely different coloring or features.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Three months before your wedding is the sweet spot we suggest for scheduling your preview. By then, your hair will likely be close to the length and color it’ll be on the big day. At this point, you’ll also have most details finalized and a clearer vision of your day’s overall style. But if you are on the fence about details like hair extensions or accessories, you’ll still have time to get those after your preview, without adding stress or being crunched for time.
And from someone who lives for the fun parts of being a bride, I’ll also say this: hair and makeup should be something you look forward to. If you schedule your preview too close to the wedding, it can feel like just another thing on your to-do list instead of a fun part of the process.
DRESS THE PART
When you come to your beauty preview, wear something that’s close to your dress color, and if possible, try to match the neckline too. If your dress is white or ivory, skip the bright blue scrubs and opt for a shirt in a similar hue as your dress. The makeup colors and tones will definitely read differently when presented against a bold color shirt.
And this might sound silly, but if you’re just doing a makeup preview, take a few extra minutes to do your hair that day. If you don’t normally wear makeup and show up for your preview with a messy bun, it is going to throw you off the look.
If you are getting your hair done for your preview and your stylist didn’t give specific prep instructions, assume they want your hair clean and completely dry. The saying that “dirty hair holds better” is outdated and not true anymore. Products and styles have evolved! We can’t create a light, airy texture if your hair is weighed down with oil or product buildup. We can always add texture or grit, but dry shampoo only gets us so far.
COME WITH AN OPEN MIND
While most artists and stylists would love to be mind readers, even those of us with years of experience and lots of happy brides under our belt still need your feedback. Every professional appreciates their bride coming with an open mind and being as honest as possible. I know you are nice and don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but this is your day, and a true pro just wants you to feel your absolute best. This is exactly what a preview is for! It’s not to “test out” your team — you hired them because you saw their work and style, and could imagine yourself as one of their clients. Instead, your preview session should be about giving feedback about particulars, fine-tuning details and figuring out exactly what makes you feel your most confident, best self.
Wedding makeup and hair is personal, so while your glam team might love what they’ve created, you have to, too. Since makeup and hairstyling aren’t permanent, you aren’t hurting our feelings. Speak up and let us adjust, change or tweak it. We just want you to feel your most beautiful. Now, of course, this might not be everything you need to know about your wedding beauty preview. (I could get on a soapbox and talk about skincare routines and so much more!)
But if you keep these tips in mind before your preview, your glam team is going to be so excited to collaborate with you and execute the wedding makeup and hair you have been dreaming of.
About the Author
Catherine Chlipala is a Chicago-based bridal makeup artist and the Owner/CEO of Feeling Pretty Inc. What began as a childhood fascination with makeup has blossomed into a passion-fueled career centered on helping others feel confident and celebrated. After leaving a corporate job that didn’t spark joy, she dove headfirst into the beauty world — training with MAC, working with diverse clients and growing a team of talented artists. Today, Feeling Pretty offers makeup, hair and tanning services with good vibes, expert glam and an all-in-one experience designed to make brides feel truly seen and stunning.
