When I started looking for a hair and make-up vendor, I was very discouraged. I didn't think I would be able to afford a professional for the day of my wedding. I did two make-up trails for make-up and neither of them were up to my standards. The other issue was my budget. Some vendors were charging CRAZY amounts, even for a trial.

Thank GOD for PW becuse I never would have found Giao!! Prismis and SfbridefromLA posted their trail pics, and I really liked them, so I contacted Giao..and her prices were just right! Once I talked to her on the phone, I was sold! But..I was afraid of being disappointed again. I live in Fairfield, and was dreading having to drive to San Jose, so Giao offered to meet me at her salon on her day off in Fremont. This was a HUGE plus for me.

I got to the salon a bit too early and got to watch Giao finish the trial of another PW girl...this made me even more excited! Giao was very honest with me, when I asked her about extentions, she laughed at me and said no. lol. (check my bio and you'll understand why). I felt very comfortable with her, and for the first time in this wedding process, I decided not to micro manage! lol

There came a time in my trial where I almost crapped my pants lol. Giao brushed my eyebrows and gave me a wierd look. She told me we need to do something with them. Not only did they need to be trimmed, but they also needed to be shapped. They dont match! lol. (I knew this) but, I had two wax ladies royally F up my eyebrowns. So, naturally I was freaking out when Giao said she was going to take a "wee bit" off. I closed my eyes and prayed. When I opened my eyes, my eyebrows looked amazing!!

Giao was also VERy patient with me when I wasn't patient enough to keep my eyes closed long enough for the glue on my lashes to dry! haha. She is always very responsive with my emails, and I cant wait for her to be there on my wedding day!

Take a look at my trail and decide for yourself: http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/pic-hair-and-make-up-trial

*UPDATE*
Giao arrived right on time to the hotel, put my hair in curlers then got started on the girls. My HOM was a little skeptacule, shes a picky girl, she gets her makeup done at MAC all the time, and does her make-up flawlessless...even she was pleased! The girl's hair looked flawless and beatuiful, as did their makeup. I was so anxious to have my turn for make-up, i could hardly contain myself. but once I got in the "hot seat" time flew by! My hair was great and we even did a few changes the day of, to give me "side swoop bangs".

there is oNE thing though, Giao waxed my eyebrows and lip the morning of. I had some blistering on my upper lip the morning after the wedding (thank GAWD it didnt show the day of!) Now, it turns out I was allergic to the wax, just my upper lip though. I told Giao I wasn't allergic, (i use to get my lip waxed all the time) so I must have developed an allergy. Ladies, if you want Giao to wax you the day of the wedding, have her wax you before your trial too!!! This could have bneded very badly for me!

I will recommend Giao to everyone!!

Giao is such an amazing person, not only as a makeup/hair artist, but as an individual person and mother. I found Giao via WeddingWire and then soon realized that she also worked on my friend’s wedding. I contacted my friend regarding her services and received nothing but positive remarks. I decided to contact Giao and request for availability and pricing. With her availability on my wedding day and fair pricing, I decided to arrange for a trial hair and makeup to be done on the same day I scheduled an engagement shoot. If you’re gonna spend that money for a trial, might as well look good for something.

After my first trial and engagement session, I went back to hang out at a friend’s house and everyone complimented on my hair and makeup. They all suggested I book Giao for my wedding day and not to bother doing any other trials. So I did. During my first trial, I had planned to have my hair down with loose curls for the entire wedding, but then changed my mind and wanted an updo for the ceremony and then have it down for the reception. Giao was very accommodating and had also suggested that it would be a good idea so that I don’t have the same hairstyle as guests. Giao had me come in for a second trial to see how I would like the updo, since I was afraid how I would look since I have a narrow and long face structure.

During my entire wedding process with Giao, she was quick to respond to my numerous emails. She helped me with recommendations for accessories as well as hair styles for my bridesmaids. In all honesty, I would have booked Giao for my bridal party as well, but I wanted to keep her all to myself. My one day to be selfish =)

Giao was more than just a vendor, she became a good acquaintance/friend. I enjoyed talking to her about life, family, or even wedding every time we communicated via email or in person. She is very professional, sweet, outgoing and talented. So talented that she even created a custom bridal hair piece for me. Giao is very fair priced. You get your money’s worth. Thanks Giao for turning me into a beautiful bride! I still get compliments from people on how well my hair and makeup turned out. I am definitely spreading your name around the wedding world.

I first met Giao back in August, 2009 when she did my good friend's hair and makeup for her wedding. Giao made my friend look absolutely stunning! I booked Giao to do hair and makeup for my wedding shortly after that, along with her husband Thai as our photographer. This decision came almost two whole years before my actual wedding, but I am sure glad I did. Giao did an amazing job for my trial, e-session, and wedding day. I am not the type of girl who wears makeup everyday, so I was very pleased with Giao's work. She skillfully enhanced my features, but did not make me look over-done at all as I had experienced in several other makeup trials. I received numerous compliments from my friends and relatives on how beautiful I looked on my wedding day. All thanks to Giao! Giao also knows very well how to do Asian makeup, which is not easy to find. My husband even commented at the e-session, "Hey, you look more Japanese!" He was also very impressed with how I looked at the wedding. He said that Giao made me look more beautiful than I have ever looked before. Some of my relatives also commented that at first they didn't recognize me and that I looked like a model. As for may hair, I did not really have a very specific vision for what I wanted, but Giao was great in helping me find a look that was absolutely perfect! It was clean, elegant, and held throughout the whole day. Giao also skillfully placed a crystal headband I had and helped position my veil nicely. Giao was also there the whole day to touch up my makeup and hair as needed which was so helpful and kept me looking fresh. Giao also served as another photographer with her husband Thai which was awesome. Giao and Thai are definitely a great team. I recommend Giao highly for anyone who is looking for a sweet, friendly, and amazingly talented hair and makeup artist. You will be thrilled with her work. Thanks for everything Giao!!!