Stacey Kilpatrick, S.A.K Designs, multi-award winning makeup artist to share with us her most frequently asked questions and give us an insight on how to choose the right makeup artist for your wedding day.
STACEY ANGELINE KILPATRICK S.A.K DESIGNS
Choosing your bridal makeup artist is a massive decision and one that is vital to get right. Northern Ireland has an amazing wedding industry, full of highly skilled suppliers so choosing the right person for you can be daunting to say the least.
How far in advance should I book my makeup artist?
Popular bridal makeup artists do book up two to three years in advance, especially for favourable dates, bank holidays and Saturdays. As with most wedding suppliers, if your preferred makeup artist has a one wedding per day policy (which I highly recommend), then book them as soon as you know they’re ‘the one’.
How do I choose the right makeup artist?
It’s cliché, but do your research. The makeup industry is thriving at present and selecting the right makeup artist for you is so important but also can be quite difficult. Word of mouth recommendations are in my opinion the most valuable; whether these come from a family member / friend or another wedding supplier, these are tried and tested and most importantly trusted recommendations that should not be over looked. Most makeup artists will have social media links and more importantly a website; look at their real-life brides, read client reviews. Be aware photos can have filters and postproduction enhancement, it’s important you will look as incredible in real life so research is key to ensure your artist can deliver this. Attending wedding fairs is a good way of meeting a makeup artist in person and seeing if you ‘connect’. Be sure to follow this through with additional research.
I normally wear a bright lipstick but have been advised to wear a ‘bridal shade’ on the wedding day, is this what you recommend?
No. This is a conversation I recently came across on social media where a bride was being encouraged to move away from her signature look and opt a for a more neutral / bridal shade. I feel quite strongly about this. On your wedding day you want to be the most enhanced, radiant version of yourself. A signature look is exactly that: if you wear a red lip, keep to these tones and, likewise, if you don’t, then don’t suddenly walk up the aisle with a new look. You want your partner’s reaction to be WOW and you don’t want any regrets personally for not keeping to your true self.
I’m a vegan, can I book a makeup artist who uses cruelty free products?
Absolutely! Again, this comes down to ensuring the artist you pick not only matches your style but also your ethics. There are incredible vegan and cruelty free makeup brands on the market and a makeup artist should be more than accommodating with your request.
Is there anything you should do before / bring to your makeup trial?
Your makeup artist should provide you with a list of do’s and don’ts in relation to your bridal trial. My personal recommendation is to have your trial approximately 4-6 weeks prior to your wedding. If you plan to wear a tan on your wedding day, do so for your makeup trial, otherwise you may feel too pale overall. I also advise my brides to wear a white/ivory top to their trial for a truer representation of how the overall look will be. At your trial, be honest with your artist. It’s important they listen to you and you create the look together. If you don’t like something your artist has created, tell them so it can be perfected and put your mind at ease.
Stacey is a multi-award-winning makeup artist with accolades including Getting Married Best Bridal Makeup Artist, Irish Makeup Artist of the Year and UK Makeup Specialist of the Year awarded by Professional Beauty London. With almost 10 years’ experience in the industry, she is evidently one of Northern Ireland’s most sought-after makeup artists and holds a one wedding per day policy.
Top 5 Makeup Products
Delilah Hush lipstick
I adore this neutral shade and Delilah lipsticks in general. They are long lasting with a semi-matte finish.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
I am loving using this lightweight moisturiser on my clients, leaving their skin feeling smooth, soft and most importantly hydrated.
Delilah liquid lipstick in Flame
A stunning warm red, perfect for a winter bride who loves a statement lip. These liquid lipsticks last a minimum of 9 hours, requiring minimum maintenance, sitting to perfection, which is a bride’s dream.
Delilah Underwear Primer
I simply cannot live without this product! The perfect base for your makeup application.
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter
I love mixing this with my foundations to create a beautiful dewy glow to the skin, especially on drier skins.
Website: www.sakdesigns.co.uk
Email: info@sakdesigns.co.uk
Phone: 07738090660
