bridal beauty dept. {makeup artist Joy David-Tilberg}

After the dress, makeup is a bride's best friend! Finding the right makeup artist is key, try looking like your everyday self but better. Sometimes no matter how good you think you can apply makeup a little help goes along way.

For a little help,  I interviewed Joy David-Tilberg from The Joy of Makeup.  Joy is a certified freelance makeup artist in the Toronto area. She also is a beauty blogger like myself and that's how I met Joy a couple of years ago. Here she spills all her beauty bridal secrets. Take notes, as she reveals some of her beauty product favourites.

(1) Bridal makeup! How far in advance should a bride-to-be book a makeup artist for her wedding? What should she look for in a makeup artist.
In my opinion, I think brides should start researching makeup artists as soon as they start planning. This way you can compare work, prices, and really find the right one that fits your budget and style. For a good makeup artist who is well known in the wedding industry, I would book a trial no later than 6 months. A good makeup artist will get booked quickly. Otherwise, the latest I would recommend booking a trial is 3 months. If you're not happy there is still some time to find another artist. If you're absolutely sure about the artist and love his/her work, book no later than 1 month before your wedding. I've had some brides do that and even leave it a week before the wedding! Things to look for in a good artist: 

• Referrals - Referrals are the best way to find a quality artist. The MUA's has been referred for a reason and usually means he/she does amazing work, are great to work with, and give amazing customer service. No one will refer a bad MUA. 
• Experience and portfolio - make sure they have some current work they have done and have a variety to look at. Most MUA's have their work online now. You want someone that not only has experience in weddings, but professional photography as well. 
• Style - Does the MUA's style compliment yours? If you're generally a natural gal, don't choose someone who does mostly avante garde work. Not to say that he/she can't do natural makeup, but it may not necessarily be their forte. 
• Price - Makeup is just as important as the hairstyle. It completes the overall look, plus your face is what you'll see in all your photos so you want to make sure it looks good. A more experienced artist will charge a little more than someone who doesn't have that much experience. Prices range but I always say you get what you pay for. Find an artist that is within your budget rather than trying to bargain. Most artists aren't willing to budge on the price especially if it is their full-time job. I generally don't lower my prices unless it's someone I know really well. I've even recommended other MUA's to brides who couldn't afford my rates.

(2) On average, how much should a bride-to-be expect to pay? And consultations?
Again, prices range from artist to artist. For an experienced artist, brides-to-be should expect to spend on average a total of $150-$175 for the consultation and wedding day makeup for herself.

(3) How much time to you as a professional makeup artist need with the bride?
Timing for consultations can range. I always allot at least 2 hours for the trial in case the bride wants to try a 2nd look. On the wedding day, I like to dedicate 1 hour for the bride to ensure her look is flawless.


(4) Does a bride need to provide her own makeup? How about touch-ups later in the day? Essentials items in her Emergency Kit are:
Most or all MUA's have their own kit, but brides are more than welcome to ask the MUA's to use what's in their own makeup bag. A good MUA will assess what you have and make sure it truly works for you and will work on the wedding day. I do recommend that brides carry their own products for touch-ups during the day. Some MUA's will give the bride a complimentary lip colour. Emergency kit should include: 

• Blotting papers or powders 
• Lip products or multi-use products that you can use on your lips and cheeks for touch-ups
• Mints
• Q-tips in case for smudging and eye touch-ups
• Small hand mirror
• Kleenex especially if you're a crier!

(5) What are your bridal beauty must-haves? And any additional beauty bridal tips?
Bridal beauty must-haves: 

• A good primer: Korres Vitamin E Primer for sensitive skin or dry skin, Make Up For Ever HD Primer for normal skin, and CARGO blu_ray HD Mattifier or CoverFX CleanPrep FX for oily skin.
• Good coverage foundation: Face Atelier Ultra Foundation
• A brightening under eye concealer: Benefit Erase Paste for really dry skin or a new fave Lancome Teint Miracle for normal skin. Find it covers better than YSL's Touche Eclat. 
• Blotting Powder and papers: To keep the shine away
• Eye Primer: Urban Decay or Too Faced for drier lids and M.A.C. Eye Paint for oilier lids. You don't want your shadow fading or creasing.
• Water-proof mascara: Self explanatory ;)
• Lash curler: Open up those peepers especially if your lashes are straight and short.
• Fake lashes: a must for brides! It will really transform your look and make your eyes stand out in photos. To keep it more natural choose one that suits your eye shape. 
• Bronzer: Warms up the skin and is great as a natural contour. You don't want to look pale in photos. I like CARGO's blu_ray HD Bronzer or Benefit Hoola.
• Blushes: Blush is essential for bringing life to your face. Don't shy away from it. Love CARGO Cannes and Make Up For Ever #7 for peach tones, CARGO Amalfi and Catalina and MUFE #4/5 for pinks, and NARS Douceur for neutral or natural tones. 
• A finishing gloss: I say 'finishing" because these glosses don't alter the colour of the lipstick and finish the lips with the perfect amount of shine and shimmer. I have a lot of favourite lippies but I LOVE my Chanel Glossimers in Mica, shimmering pink, and Beige Guitare, shimmering peach. I use these glosses 90% of the time on my brides! 

(6)Most requested bridal makeup look? Any unusual requests.

The request I get the most is for a natural look with more emphasis on the eyes. A lot of brides like me to use neutral tones on the eyes, but still want fake lashes to add a little drama. Everything else on the face is kept soft and natural. I think the most unusual request I got was for a bright fuchsia lip. I wouldn't say it's unusual because I love a bright lip but it's not the most requested among brides. Overall, I always recommend a bride choose a look that is themselves but better. You don't want to look like a completely different person on your wedding day because you won't feel comfortable and it will show. 

(7) And for the bride that can't budget for a makeup artist, what advice can you give.

For the bride that can't budget for a makeup artist, I definitely recommend flipping through magazines and trying different looks on yourself. It's all about practicing. Once you find that perfect look practice, practice, practice! Especially if you'll be applying fake lashes yourself. You don't want to test this on your wedding day - it will more than likely be a complete mess. Even visit a beauty counter that has a good MUA that can try a look on you. If you like it, buy the products so you can replicate on your wedding day. Bring a camera with you too so you can capture the look for future reference. And if you have a bit of money to play with I highly recommend booking a lesson with a MUA. They will show you what products and techniques to use for wedding photography.

Hope that helped any of you brides-to-be.

Thank you Joy for sharing your expertise! xo

For more info visit The Joy of Makeup

(all pictures are property of The Jot of Makeup)