Should brides opt for make-up trials before D-day?

ARE BRIDAL MAKE-UP TRIALS WORTH IT?

Ashita Rawat, a 29-year-old publicist, who will be tying the knot in December underwent two rounds of trials only to realise it was not entirely worth it. “The period between your make-up trial and your wedding day can bring about significant changes to your skin’s health. My skin had drastically changed between my first and second trial. I realised that make-up can react differently with our skin after treatments and a skincare routine, and what works on the day we take a trial may not work on the actual day.” However, different brides may have different requirements and must opt for options that work best for them.

Make-up artist Mausam Gandhi, who also specialises in bridal make-up says, “Trials are primarily taken by brides who have had a bad experience in the past with their look and aren’t confident. Further, for some brides who have certain skin conditions, a trial helps getting clarity on whether certain marks can be covered or not, so they know what to expect. Some brides also have a vision, and they want to check at the trial if the makeup artist can bring that vision to life or not.”

“A make-up trial is beneficial for both the bride and her make-up artist,” says Kanikka Gauraav Tandon, a bridal make-up artist. “Not only does the bride get to share her expectations but it also helps the make-up expert understand her requirements, skin type, the kind of products she wants and her overall vision.” She adds, “Make-up trials also help save time on the main day that can otherwise be wasted in experimenting with different looks before finalising the main one. It reduces the stress and panic on the wedding day.”

The average price of a trial ranges from Rs.10,000 to Rs.45,000 depending on the makeup artist and their expertise

WEAR THE RIGHT OUTFIT FOR THE TRIALS

• Brides must carry a heavy outfit and jewellery. Taking trials on your casual outfits can make it tough to get clarity on your look
• If you are yet to buy your wedding outfit, carry dresses of similar colours you plan on wearing for the wedding
• Blow drying your hair prior to the trial can also help you understand your hairdo

THINGS TO DO

• Take the trials at least four to six weeks prior to the wedding so that you can try out various looks, manage any skin reactions, and make necessary revisions
• Any new product should undergo a patch test at least 48 hours prior to the trial. This aids in the early detection of possible allergies
• Set your budget so that your make-up expert can offer you the looks within the set range
• Short-list a few references and carry it with you for your trials
• Factor in weather conditions during your wedding day and accordingly fix a make-up look
• Also choose looks keeping in mind what works during the day and at night
• Inform your make-up artist about your outfit and choice of accessories

SKINCARE POST TRIALS

• Don’t use any new skincare or cosmetic products right away
• To get rid of any product residue, use a gentle, sulphate and fragrance-free cleanser
• Apply a face mist or moisturising toner to bring the skin's pH back to equilibrium
• Use a mild, non-comedogenic moisturiser
• Use a calming serum containing niacinamide or hyaluronic acid to lessen redness or dryness
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield the skin from UV rays, particularly if the trial resulted in exfoliation or irritation
• Aloe vera gel can also be applied to reduce inflammation
• Stay hydrated