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Picture perfect hair & make up for your dream wedding Bristol & South West
Frequently asked questions for wedding hairstylists and bridal makeup artists
Please get in touch with any questions you have about your wedding hairstyle and bridal makeup,
I'd love to hear from you. You'll also find lots of answers to your questions on my blog 'top questions for brides to ask a hair and makeup artist.'
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How far will you travel?I am happy to travel to wherever you need me. I am based in North Somerset just outside Bristol and mainly travel to wedding venues in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, S Wales and the Cotswolds. I also do destination weddings overseas and work with brides from overseas who are getting married in the UK.
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Do you offer a bridal hair and makeup trial?Of course and I recommend it. For more information please visit the working together page and also the advice blog where I explain what happens at a bridal hair trial.
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How many people are you able to style on the wedding day?I can accommodate bridal parties of any size and can create wedding hairstyles and makeup for Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom and other members of the bridal party if time allows. I’ve spruced up grooms and father of the bride on several occasions! I also offer trials for bridesmaids and mothers of the bride and groom.
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Do you style hair and makeup for other special occasions like an updo for Prom?Absolutely. I’d love to be involved in styling your special occasion hair and makeup. Drop me a message and I’ll get back to you. Take a look at the Inspiration Gallery and my Instagram where you will see some Prom hairstyles that I have done. I do get booked up early for Prom though so please do get in touch as soon as you can. Prices for Prom and Special Occasions can be found at the bottom of the working together page.
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Can you do destination weddings overseas?Yes I have done destination weddings from the far edges of the UK to Italy and Croatia. I’d love to be there for you if you’re marrying overseas. It is important that you pick a wedding hairstylist who has this experience and who understands the climate, the best way to get your hair looking its best and what your hair will do in high humidity, baking sunshine and beach environments!
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Do you offer eyebrow shaping?Yes. I think this is particularly important for a bride on her wedding day as your eyebrows and hair frame your face. I offer threading and tinting to get a really sharp neat look. I also offer a package for brides that includes eyebrow thread and tint and eyelash tint along with hair and makeup for trial and your wedding day.
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Do you offer any other services like eyelash tinting, eyebrow tinting and spray tanning? "Yes I am fully trained in all of these services and they are available for booking. They will need to be booked in before your wedding day. I offer threading and tinting to get a really sharp neat look. I also offer a package for brides that includes eyebrow thread and tint and eyelash tint along with hair and makeup for trial and your wedding day.
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What hair products do you use?I love the Milkshake range of products because they not only smell beautiful but they are predominantly plant/milk based. There is a full range for you to purchase if you fall in love with them like I have! I also use the Design Me range of styling products because they give great hold and are not strong smelling.
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Can you supply hair decorations? And should I wear beads, jewels, clips, tiara or flowers in my hair?"Most brides supply their own hair decorations as everyone has their own way of expressing themselves. ‘Heirlooms’ are a fab way of getting the ‘something old’ in on the day. I can always advise you and this is something we can discuss at your bridal hair trial.
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Where is the consultation and bridal hair and makeup trial done?The free consultation takes place over the phone or a FaceTime call at a time convenient to you. And the bridal hair and makeup trial takes place in my home studio in Backwell, N Somerset.
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How do I secure my wedding date with Bridal Hair by Kimberley?I will have already set aside the date of your wedding for you after we first speak. In order to confirm and secure this date a deposit will need to be paid at your bridal hair trial where we will also sign a contract together.
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What form of payment do you accept?I accept most cards, paypal, bank transfer or cash. But no Cheques please. For wedding hair prices please take a look at how we work together where they are listed. If you have any questions please get in touch.
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My hair is short what can you do?I get asked this a lot. Something can always be done with short hair! Colour can be applied to enhance before or left natural. Plaits/braids can be put into even the shortest of hair although 2inches is perhaps the minimum. It can be blow dried bigger for tiaras or veil to sit in or a few pretty flowers, combs, slides can be secured in. Short hair looks as beautiful as long hair - and for more ideas see my advice blog ‘Pretty wedding hairstyles for short hair.’
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My hair is curly will it go into a neat bun?Absolutely. Curly hair can be smoothed first and then put up. My only advice would be to remember that the photos will last a lifetime so if you look completely unlike yourself on your wedding day it may feel strange to look at yourself forever more with very different hair to normal. Of course this may be what you are after but please remember your photos will take pride of place at other family members houses too and you might prefer to look like you!
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What is wedding hair and makeup? What is the difference between bridal makeup and regular makeup?Wedding hair and makeup is a special kind of look that will - Last all day and into the evening - Compliment your wedding theme - Look amazing in photographs The main difference between bridal makeup and regular makeup is that Bridal makeup needs to last all day and into the evening, it takes longer to apply because of the care needed, it is very thoughtfully planned to match the brides overall vision, is complimentary to the brides overall look and theme, and each makeup product needs to be made to be long lasting. Of course each bride is different so the makeup artist will also often have to work to figure out what the bride’s vision of her dream look is. This will usually be worked through during consultations and at your bridal trial. The makeup artist will typically apply a combination of long wear products such as primers, powders, setting sprays and waterproof mascara, take into account allergies and sensitive skin, and use techniques to create long lasting looks. Special makeup is used so there is no flashback in pictures. A professional makeup artist will have a large kit of products they can choose from so that they will be able to create the exact look you are going for. So whilst your daily foundation might do the trick for a night out your wedding makeup needs to stand the test of time against other factors without regular touch ups such as summer heat, indoor heating, outdoor weddings in wind, rain, and still look picture perfect in photographs.
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How to choose your wedding hairstylist and make up artist? / What should you keep in mind when picking a bridal makeup artist?You should look for someone who is experienced in weddings. Ask them for real bride examples or see their Gallery on website/instagram/facebook. Ask what qualifications they have and read their reviews. Check that they keep up to date on latest looks and trends and can create the look that you are after. And it should be someone you click with - someone who you think will ‘get you’ so that you can work together to create your perfect look. I keep up to date with the latest trends, looks and products and am constantly researching and training in bridal hair and make-up looks to help my brides. I have a lot of kit which I have built up over the years to help create a wide range of looks.
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How long will my wedding make up last? How can I make sure my wedding makeup and hair looks good all day?Your wedding makeup should last all day and into the evening. Bridal makeup artists are skilled in being able to create looks that will look great all day. Ensuring that your skin is in the best shape possible helps - if it is too oily your makeup can slide off or too dry then it can absorb the makeup. So getting a good skincare regime is important. As a professional makeup artist I can work with all skin types and help to advise you. This includes applying your makeup using the correct primer, good foundation and finishing products that will ensure that your makeup lasts.
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What Brands do you use? What products do you recommend for bridal hair and makeup?For hair I use the Milkshake and Design Me range. For makeup I tailor this for each bride and in my kit I use Mehron, Urban Decay, Charlotte Tilbury, Mac, No7, Revolution, Estee Lauder and Laura Geller.
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How do you deal with sensitive skin for wedding makeup?I always consult fully with my clients first to understand what works for them and what doesn’t. It is important that you let me know of any allergies you might have and reactions you have had to makeup and other products in the past. After all you want to be able to enjoy your day! A good bridal makeup professional will be able to address your concerns and provide solutions as they will have an extensive kit available to you. Wedding makeup needs to have staying power so it is important to understand exactly how your skin is going to react to certain makeup. With sensitive skin I find using a mineral based primer is vital. Primer is key for all long lasting looks but very important for combination/sensitive skin. It acts as a barrier between your skin and the makeup. Some primers contain colour correcting properties to disguise red skin or broken capillaries in the skin. Primer is also used as a great base to get foundation to sit on. It fills and smooths uneven surfaces so the makeup looks flawless. Silicone primers are used to mattify the skin. Non silicone primers are better for dry/normal skin
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Do you offer wedding hair and makeup near me?I am happy to travel to wherever you need me in the UK and overseas. I am based in North Somerset just outside Bristol and mainly travel to wedding venues throughout the South West in Bath, Bristol, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, South Wales and the Cotswolds. I also do destination weddings overseas.
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How does hair and makeup work for destination weddings?When I do destination weddings we usually have the trial as normal in the UK 3 months before the date and then I travel to the venue and run the wedding hair and makeup as normal. I have done destination weddings from the far edges of the UK to Italy and Croatia. I’d love to be there for you if you’re marrying overseas. It is important that you pick a wedding hairstylist who has this experience and who understands the climate, the best way to get your hair looking its best and what your hair will do in high humidity, baking sunshine and beach environments. For brides getting married in the UK who are from overseas or for whom travel to my salon is not possible then we will meet on Facetime so you can share with me what you are after and we can create that look virtually together so you are confident, happy and ready for your big day.
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How much does wedding hair and makeup cost?All my prices are updated on my working together page. For a great deal I offer a Picture Perfect Bride package which includes all hair and makeup trials as well as on the day at your venue along with eyelash tint and lift and eyebrow shape and tint. I also offer separate prices for just hair or just makeup and also hair and makeup for bridesmaids and other guests. I try to keep my prices in line with the market. I am not the cheapest but not the most expensive either. You will be able to find cheaper prices for less experienced providers and also a lot more expensive salons too.
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How do I choose my wedding hair and makeup look?I always advise taking a look at Pinterest and Instagram as they are full of ideas and inspiration for brides to be. It can be a daunting venture though as there is so much choice. A good place to start is to think about what suits your face shape, your wedding dress neck line, your wedding dress back and your overall wedding theme. Also think about how you want to feel on the day. For example if you are wanting a boho country feel then a sleeked back high bun is probably not for you. You will also need to consider the time of year you are having your wedding, the location and the weather. With this information I will be able to work with you to create a truly unique look just for you that compliments you, your dress and your theme. Take a look at my online website Gallery, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest pages as you may see something you like and also you will get a feel for how I work. It is always important to have a trial with your hairstylist/MUA beforehand to try out different looks and agree on the perfect one for your special day. These links provide a wide range of choice and advice to create 100’s of different looks: How to decide what wedding hairstyle you want? What goes with my dress? What is the best wedding hairstyles / what are the biggest trends right now, according to bridal hair and makeup artists? Get the wedding hair other brides are asking for. How to choose wedding hair updos? The most amazing wedding hair updos. How to decide on wedding hair half up half down? 16 bridal updos halfup halfdown inspiration for winter brides What is best style for short hair
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What wedding hair accessories to choose, how to wear them and do I supply them?"When accessorising your up or down do you have to take into consideration how the accessory will sit and stay in your hair. For example a tiara needs to sit and be pinned to something or a comb needs to be pushed into something. You supply the hair accessories and it is helpful if you have them for your trial.
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How to style with a bridal hair vineAt the moment hair vines are a popular accessory to be threaded into longer hair although there are shorter vines now available that can be entwined into short and medium hair. A hair vine is a length of bendable wire which you can twist through the hair. It creates a really romantic and pretty bridal hair finish. Some hair vines have crystal and/or pearl like jewels and some are flowers or natural themed. I love working with hair vines and there are a lot of examples of both on my website and instagram pages.
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What are ideal wedding hair and make up timings and how long does wedding hair and makeup take?Wedding hair and makeup can take 2 hours for the bride depending on what is planned. For bridesmaids and other guests it is usually between 30-45 minutes for hair and 30-45 minutes for makeup. Once we have discussed what you are after and had your trial I will be able to give you exact times and will have the beauty timeline all planned so you don’t have to worry. I will be in control of all the timings and ensure that you are ready on time to walk down the aisle.
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How many hair stylists and makeup artists do you need for a wedding?For weddings with the Bride and up to 3 bridesmaids normally one hairstylist and makeup artist is needed. For bigger weddings where there are more than 3 bridesmaids then you may need more stylists. When I work on bigger weddings I compile the perfect team that I trust and have worked with before. I work with some incredible people and will organise the other stylists so things run quickly and efficiently.
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When should I book my wedding hair and makeup?Book as far in advance as possible. Even if you don’t know what makeup or hairstyle you would like. Having exact ideas isn’t necessary, but booking as early as possible is, because I get booked many months in advance. There are certain times of the year where there is a bit of a wedding rush and where I get lots of enquiries - following Christmas and Valentines engagements for example. And then in the Winter or early Spring ready for Summer weddings. So if you would me to help you achieve your dream look then get in touch as soon as possible.
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What happens at a wedding hair trial / makeup trial?This is your chance to try out the different bridal hair styles you’ve been researching and see them come to life. You will discuss your preferences and talk about how you want to feel on the day. If your thing is more bohemian than classic then you probably want to avoid formal hair styles - so it is helpful to know what vibe you are going for. Classic, boho, vintage, princess, bright, monochrome whatever you are going for don’t be afraid to let me know so I can create the final look that all fits together. I make sure we take lots of photos and notes so you have a record of the final look you are going for. For more details see my blog what to expect at your bridal hair trial.
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Why should I have a hair trial and makeup trial?You should always have a wedding trial if you can. It is your chance to try out all the styles and looks you have been thinking about. And to agree on what you are looking for. You also get to test out the products and make sure they work with your hair and skin and have lasting power. Other things can also be discussed at your trial - Evening switch up - If you would like to mix things up with your makeup and hair on your wedding day but perhaps want a softer look for the ceremony rather than all-day drama, then you could change up your style for the evening and have the best of both worlds. Once we have agreed upon your look I can let you know the ideal timings for the wedding day. I will organise the timings to run smoothly so there are no hitches and everything will run on time and as planned. But it is always good if you know the timings too so you can let other people know and ensure that you walk down the aisle on time. We will document the lot - photos from every angle and I take notes too.
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When should I have my wedding hair and makeup trial?Booking a hair and makeup trial about 3 months before your wedding day is ideal. That said anytime when you are ready is good enough. I have done trials the week before a wedding. It is important to book in early if you can as I get booked up many months in advance.
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How many wedding hair and makeup trials should I have?You can have as many trials as you like. It is important that you get the look you are after. I want to work with you until it is just right. Your trial is totally collaborative and you will have lots of input. I keep in touch with my brides to discuss any new ideas and thoughts they have had after your trial and right up to their wedding day.
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How do I prepare for my wedding trial? Should I wear makeup or have my hair washed?Come fresh faced and keeping your face clean before your trial will allow me to accurately assess your skin and colouring from the start. That way makeup removal also won’t eat into your appointment time. If you are thinking of having a fake tan for your wedding now is the time to mention it! It will change your skin tone and therefore the makeup choices and colours. I offer a tanning service for my brides as it makes sure they keep a natural healthy glow and I can work with them on the tone and then make sure the makeup works seamlessly. Clean hair that has been washed the day before is ideal - but it isn’t vital. As near to your natural state as possible is good but don’t worry if you are having one of those bad hair days - it won’t matter we will sort it together. Wear ivory, white, your dress colour… It can be helpful to wear a colour that is as close to your dress colour as possible. That way I will be able to build a better picture of how your makeup will look sitting next to your outfit and the effect that the colour has on your skin tone.
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What should I bring to my wedding trial?Summarise your vibe - I like to see photos and general ideas of everything from your dress to your wedding flowers, shoes and jewellery before a bridal hair and makeup consultation. And most importantly photos of yourself that you love. I like to get to know my brides and what you are after - everyone has a different idea of perfect - that way we create an authentic look that is not only you - but you living your best day. Hair accessory - Hair accessories are important to be talked about or brought along so we can try these in your hair. Bring your Pinterest board - You’ve probably checked out wedding pictures on Pinterest and Googled lots of different bridal hairstyles, so you know what you are looking for. It really helps me to see the looks you like - and also those you don’t like. For example you might like the way the back looks but not the front. I also get a feel for your style which all helps me understand where you are coming from so that we can work together to create your perfect look A friend - please do invite your best mate, mum or someone fun who gets you - but you don’t need to have everyone there. The more the merrier might be true for a party but it is also true that the result is chaos with lots of confusion and the danger that you lose sight of what you actually dreamed of in the first place - a picture perfect look that you love.
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Should I get a fake tan for my wedding?If you are thinking of having a fake tan for your wedding make sure you mention it at your initial consultation as it will change your skin tone and therefore the makeup choices and colours. I offer a tanning service for my brides as it makes sure they keep a natural healthy glow and I can work with them on the tone and then make sure the makeup works seamlessly. I’d always advise getting your tan done ahead of time by a professional because bridal tanning can be tricky to get right at home especially as the pressure is on and self tan plus beautiful white dress is a big challenge even for the most experienced home tanners!
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Why should I have a professional wedding hairstylist and make up artist?I believe that all brides look so happy on their wedding day that they simply glow no matter the level of hair styling and makeup. That said looking stunning on your wedding day and being picture perfect is something no bride should have to give up. The lead up to and your wedding day itself can be stressful as there is just so much to think about and it’s always a relief to know you have someone professional taking care of your hair and beauty. Remember those photographs will last a life time and you will want to look your best you and picture perfect no matter the time of day or conditions.
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How am I going to be calm and enjoy my wedding day with everything I have to think about?Most of all Do Not Panic. You’re in expert hands. As a professional bridal hairstylist and makeup artist I have become extremely skilled at soothing fraught nerves, creating an enjoyable relaxing atmosphere for the bride and politely encouraging less than helpful wedding party members to go and do something else! And I've obviously got the technical stuff sorted too - your makeup and hair will stay in place and you will look as good at the end of the night as you did at the beginning of the day - picture perfect!
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