Hair and Make-up Trial Questions: Timing + What to Do After

A lot of people do trials before their engagement pictures not just because it’s something to be dolled up for, but it’s also a way to judge the HMUA’s work in photos edited by your photographer. I did this and I made changes to both the makeup and the hair based on how the photos turned out (for instance, the eye shadow was just a little too subtle in the photos). Since we drove out several hours to take our photos, I was able to also judge how well the makeup and hair lasted after 8 hours or so. This trial was about 3 months before the wedding. But for my second trial, I didn’t leave it on for very long because I didn’t do it before a big event or anything. This trial was about a month later.

I think if anything, having the trial will give you peace of mind that you can trust your HMUA, or if you need to find someone else. Since I’m half Asian and half white, and have very mixed features, I needed to make sure that I could trust my HMUA to flatter my features and hair and not just slap on the same makeup and hair job they do with most of their other brides. I ended up doing two trials to figure out my look, and even on my wedding day, tiny changes were made here and there to make it just right.

I wouldn’t be too concerned about whether FH sees the look or not. Chances are, you’ll adjust the look as the HMUA asks for your feedback, so the look you finish with may be slightly different than on the day of, where HMUA will know exactly what the end result should look like. And also, without the dress and veil, it’s just a pretty makeup and hairdo. Put the whole look together and you look like a bride.

I personally say as far in advance as possible. What if you do not like it? You have another $65-$100 to go the next day? LOL. When I get mine done I was thinking to do a bit of a night out with the girls or date night with my FH. You could do it the day of your bridal shower or bachelorette.

I'm getting mine done on New years Eve. We're going to a party that night. Go to an event or a big date since you're all dolled up

This is going to sound crazy, but I’m not doing a trial before the wedding. I don’t have an option cause it’s a DW, so I booked a hair stylist the day of the wedding and I’m planning on doing my own make up to be safe. I have a 10a appointment, and we don’t have to leave the hotel until 1. That gives me 2 hours... I hope it’s enough time.

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We aren't planning any parties associated with our wedding, except for maybe a rehearsal dinner the night before.

Our wedding is in late May and we live in New Hampshire, so winters are super dry (ie: horrible for my hair and skin). I was thinking of maybe doing it in March so it would give me enough time to re-trial if I have to but wouldn't be so far out that my hair and make-up artist would completely forget my look.

I did my trial 8 months out because I had to travel and that’s when I had time off. After my trial I experimented with different shades and brands of red lipstick, ruminated over the fake eyelashes, and let my hair grow out. All of those things were harder than I imagined lol. I wasn’t planning to show my husband my look but someone told me I looked like Kristin Bell in one of the photos and we had a good laugh over it. But my wedding day look looked different anyway so it didn’t take away from him seeing me walk down the aisle.

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Cool but why not still just have a girls night out with your hair and make up?

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I don't have any close girlfriends nearby. I haven't been able to do any bridal stuff with my best friend (who is my MOH and only bridesmaid) or mom because they live in a different state, so I'd feel a little guilty doing my trial and then having a girls night with the wives of the groomsmen or my coworkers because I know my MOH really wants to be more involved but it's just hard. I'm hoping my mom will come visit in March or April and maybe I can get my MOH up here before the wedding too, so if I can coordinate some bridal stuff (like my trial or a dress fitting) a visit from one of them I think that would be nice.

I just wore mine around the house and went out later that night but took the fake lashes off haha.
I didn't have any events planned and got my makeup done when I had time and they had an available time slot.

I used my trial for my bridal portraits about one month ahead of my wedding. It was super hot and humid and there were some outdoor photos, so it was a good test of how the hair and makeup lasted. As for letting my FH (at the time) see my look, what we decided was that I would dress it down a bit before he saw... so it took some of the hair down and finger combed out some of the curl, then I blended out some of the eye makeup. So still got to test out the hair and makeup a bit but in a somewhat incognito way. 😁

I did mine about a month in advance. It worked well because my hair didn’t grow much in that month so my hair stylist knew exactly what to do the day of. I had the trial in the morning and we had a party to go to that night and I left my hair up and makeup on. It actually worked out great because I got to see what everything looked like as the day went on and after a crowded party etc. I didn’t mind that my husband saw my look because my dress was a surprise and honestly he forgot anyways .

I'm considering having my trial before either a boudoir photo shoot or our engagement photos

I'm doing my trial this Sunday and my wedding is 2/1. My FH doesn't want to see my style because he wants to be surprised so basically I get to have it for 2 seconds then I'll take a pic and throw it up in a bun most likely.