ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS – HAIR AND BEAUTY

This week I have the pleasure of introducing you to the talented Toni Searle of Toni Searle Beauty.
She’s kindly sharing her insight into the world of wedding hair and beauty and treating us to a few helpful pointers.

Thank you Toni, the floor is yours!

Hi, I’m Toni. I’m a hair and makeup artist based in Berkshire.
I love to create looks that enhance your natural features with a fun and creative twist.
Sustainability is important to me and being a vegan, I only use cruelty free, vegan products to create unique bridal looks.
Let’s jump in shall we?

What Should I Bear In Mind When Looking For A Sustainable Hair And Makeup Artist?
Check the brands/products the artists use. Also the tools we use are important – I use a lot of disposables so now I make sure they are biodegradable and from sustainable sources (mascara wands, cotton buds, rubbish bags, etc).

Should I Ask To See A Portfolio Of Work?
Definitely!
You want to make sure you like their style. Most, if not all hair and makeup artists display their work on their website and/or social media. Take a look through and gather some inspiration.

Do I Need A Hair And Makeup Consultation?
Firstly, a consultation is recommended because this is a great opportunity for us to get to know each other. I’ll be with you on your biggest day and want you to enjoy it, so this is important!

Secondly, it’s the perfect time to discuss what look might work best with your skin type, hair type, personal style and wedding theme. The consultation is a chance to try a few different looks too, as you may find your original idea doesn’t work for you as well as another.

I also advise on a skincare routine to get your skin looking it’s best. It helps make your makeup application smoother and last much longer!

Do I Need To Bring Anything To The Consultation?
I always ask that you bring pictures of the styles you would like to try, a veil and/or hair accessories you’re planning on using on your wedding day, and a picture of your usual makeup style. Wear a white/cream coloured top and wash your hair the night before your trial. If you use Pinterest, I like to set up a private board beforehand so you can easily pin any images you like ready for our chat.

When Should I Have My Consultation?
I recommend booking a trial around 6-8 weeks before your wedding date.

How Long Should I Allow For My Consultation?
On average, I recommend 2-3 hours.
Daylight is best for this as it’s how the light will be when getting ready for your wedding.

How Long Will You Need On The Day Of The Wedding?
This differs depending on the person, due to hair types and the makeup style. On average I allow 2 hours for the brides hair and makeup, and 1 hour 15 minutes for the bridesmaids hair and makeup.

How Many People Can You Manage On Your Own?
Hair is usually more time consuming. If the booking requires both hair and makeup, I would be able to manage a maximum of three people, including the bride. Any more than three and I will need an assistant, which naturally incurs a fee. I supply this information at the time of booking so there are no surprises!

What Hair And Skincare Regime Should I Adopt In Preparation For My Wedding Day?
Get a good skincare routine well in advance of the wedding day – if you’re unsure what to use, ask your hair and makeup professional for advice. They can suggest things that are tailored to your needs.

Avoid a deep cleansing facial just before the wedding day to avoid any breakouts – do that a few weeks in advance instead.

If you’re getting a spray tan, definitely trial one first to make sure you like the colour and to check if there is any transfer – you don’t want an orange dress in your photos!

When it comes to hair washing, it’s usually best to do this the day before the wedding, although if you find you have really oily hair then it’s best to wash it the morning of – I have products in my kit to create texture and hold so it’s not an issue.

Will My Hair And Makeup Artist Provide A Touch Up Kit?
I don’t provide this as a standard service but other professionals might. I’m always happy to source and order products for you that we use at your trial so that you have them for your big day. My suggestion is that you buy the lipstick we use (or a similar colour) to carry with you – lipstick will usually fade throughout the day so it’s good to have the same or similar colour in order to refresh.

I hope you found this information useful 🙂