Here's a few helpful tips in preparation for your wedding or special event to ensure it's as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
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Skincare and Makeup Preparation

Please ensure that you (and anyone else that we're getting ready) have cleansed their skin and removed all traces of any long lasting lippy and waterproof mascara so that we have a nice clean blank canvas to work on.

It is also a good idea to do a gentle exfoliation as well as any dermaplaning 24 - 48 hours before the day to ensure that the makeup goes on smoothly.  

Feel free to add any of your usual face serums and day creams as long as they have been tried and tested with makeup. 

If you're unsure, you're welcome to skip this step and we will select the correct moisturiser for your skin type.

If you're staying overnight in a hotel and have forgotten your day cream  - whatever you do, don't reach for your body cream or night cream as a substitute as this will be too rich for the makeup to sit on and will slide right off quicker than a prosecco fulled promise at 2am!

Worried about getting sunburnt? Rest assured that we have SPF for your face in our kits too!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Ideally we'd like to to apply your makeup in natural daylight ideally next to a big window or if you have a conservatory this ideal (if you've booked a photographer they will appreciate this for a nice natural getting ready photo).

​We want you to be comfortable when having your makeup applied so kitchen or bar stools with back support or a dining chair will do the trick nicely.  

During the Summer months it can get pretty warm whilst you're getting ready.  A handy accessory can be a floor, desk or handheld fan.  Sometimes you'll find one of these tucked away in your hotel wardrobe.

If not, it's always worth asking reception if they can help you out.

Hair Preparation and What to Wear

If you're having your hair styled please wash your hair the day or evening beforehand and ensure it is fully dried on the morning (unless otherwise agreed with your stylist).  

If you or any of your party have booked in for a blow dry - washed and 80% towel dried hair is peach!

For garms, a dressing gown, zip up hoody, shirt or loose fitting top does the job nicely.  No-one wants to ruin their freshly styled hair and take off half the makeup once ready to get dressed.

You may want to remove your bra to avoid any tight bra strap print marks for when you slip on your dress (especially if it's a strapless, low back or bardot style neckline).​

Order of Service

As we offer a relaxed and laid back approach to getting ready we don't prepare a strict timeline as these tend to go out the window!

Some services will take longer/shorter than others but generally we allow 30 - 45 minutes per service and 1 hour per service for brides or special occasion hair and makeup.

As a rough guide we like to carry out hair and makeup in the following order: 

1. Mums and Guests 
2. Bridesmaids or Groomsmaids
3. Bride
4. Maid or Matron of Honour
​5. Flower Girls

(Note that Flower Girls tend to get very excitable and find it hard to sit still afterwards which is why we style them last!)
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If anyone has any special requirements such as a medical condition or a baby to feed we always try to be flexible and work around this. 

​Please let us know in advance where possible. 
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Wedding Prep in Hayling Island

Last Minute Touch Ups

We aim to have you ready 1 hour before your event. 

We allow some time at the end to make a final check before we pack up and leave to ensure that your hair is picture perfect and that your lipstick is freshly applied and mop up any makeup mishaps such as smudged mascara.

Some of our artists also carry lipsticks, glosses and lashes for you and your wedding party to purchase. 

Please speak to our artist directly at the time for prices.

Please have bangers and mash (cash!) available for any impromptu purchases as not all of our artists and stylists have the facility to accept payment by card. 

Or you may want to set yourself a reminder to bring your own lippy or gloss with you so that you can re-apply throughout your event.

Wedding Makeup at Kingston Country Courtyard

Tissues and Straws

Although we use long lasting primers, powders and setting sprays you may want to arm yourself with a couple of essential products to preserve your makeup throughout the day - straws and tissues!

Straws:  For you to sip your drink through whilst getting ready to avoid your lippy from slipping off.  

Tissues: If you're prone to oily skin, you can use it to dab away at your T Zone if you start to shine.
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Image: Kirsty Louise Photo

Location, Location, Location!

If your house or venue is in a remote area with limited signal and on the tricky side to find, tying a balloon to a lamp post or a handwritten wedding sign is a simple and inexpensive way for us your other wedding suppliers and wedding party to find you - don't underestimate this tip!  

If your wedding prep is in a hotel room, don't forget to let us know your room number once you have checked in to avoid any delay in us finding you.  If your room is named rather than numbered it's also super handy if you could let us know which floor this is on. 

For peace of mind you might to take a note of all of your wedding suppliers contact numbers in one central place to pass on to your wedding party for any last minute thoughts that you need to communicate.  

Olga can be reached on 07787 566564.

Get your play list ready and relax! ​You're going to have a great event!  

Oh and finally........if you want good weather for your wedding -  superstition is to bury a sausage the night before!

If you have any questions at all - please do not hesitate to get in touch!