You're getting ready for your bridal preview, that's so exciting! Keep reading below for all of my helpful tips to get the most out of the day.
What is a bridal preview? A bridal preview is what I like to call my bridal trial.
When should I book my bridal preview? I like to do the bridal preview about 1-2 months before the big day, so it is fresh in both of our minds and we have a good idea of the length and color of your hair going into wedding day. A lot can change in a year if you do your preview too early.
Please reschedule your bridal preview if you are sick!
Where does the bridal preview take place? The preview takes place in the salon I work out of in La Jolla.
The bridal preview typically takes about 2-3 hours (if you are doing both hair and makeup). I block out 3 hours to give us plenty of time to execute the look(s) we're trying to achieve. At the bridal preview, we can do one hair and makeup look with minor adjustments (if needed). If you are wanting to try two completely different looks, you will need to request a longer appointment which will be an additional cost.
Find 1-2 photos for inspiration for both your hair and makeup. It is most helpful when these inspiration photos are of my work. I can try my best to re-create a photo you find online, but please keep in mind, every artist is different and you are different than the person pictured so it will not look exact. Try to dwindle it down to your top favorites. Too many photos = too many ideas. What do you like about these styles? What don't you like about these styles? While finding photos online, keep in mind most of them have been edited and most ladies do wear hair extensions for their wedding day. Learn more about the hair extensions I offer here.
Bring any hair accessories you plan on wearing the day of the wedding. I also carry bridal hair accessories if you have not found yours yet. You can find those here. You can also request for me to bring the bridal hair accessories to your preview so you can look through them in person. You do not need to bring your wedding veil to the appointment.
Please let me know if you are allergic to anything hair or makeup related.
Arrive at your appointment with COMPLETELY dry hair and a clean face. Blow out your hair smooth before the appointment. If you have wavy, frizzy or curly hair and you have a hard time achieveing smooth hair on your own, please book a blowout with me or with someone you trust in the salon. You're going to get the best results when you start with a smooth foundation with professional products in the hair. Once the hair is dried, it is really hard to go back and smooth after the fact. I do not recommend straightening your hair before your appointment because then your hair will have a hard time holding a curl. The ONLY exception to this is if you have nautally curly hair and plan to rock your natural hair with your bridal style. Then please style your curls as you normally do. If you have any questions or concers with your hair, please reach out to me I am happy to help!
Be honest at your preview. I can't read minds. If you don't like something, please tell me! You won't hurt my feelings, I promise! I would rather you tell me at our appointment that you're not liking something so we can fix it, than for you to go home unhappy.
Can I bring a guest to my appoitment? Yes, I can fit one guest in the studio. The studio is small so I have to limit it to one guest. Children and pets are not allowed in the studio. While I love children and have two of my own, this is not the place or time for them. Please arrange for childcare outside of the salon. I want you to be relaxed and fully present at our appointment together.
What should I wear to my bridal preview? Some brides like to wear a white top that mimics the shape of the top of their wedding dress to get a better visual overall.
HAIR
I recommend washing your hair the day before your preview (day of only if it gets extremely oily). It's not entirely true what they say..."dirty hair styles better." I can't work very well with dirty, oily hair and you aren't going to like the results either. Oily hair is heavy so it does not hold a curl as well. Instead, we will "dirty" your hair up with products to get the best result.
We have a salon saying that goes, "wash for the hair you have and condition for the hair you want." Meaning, use professional hair care products that combat any of your hair challenges and leave you with the best results. If you have fine, flat hair, use volumizing products. If you have dry, frizzy hair, use hydrating products. If you need product recommendations, please reach out to me. I like a lot of different professional lines that are available at all different price points.
MAKEUP/SKIN
Gently exfoliate your skin to ensure any of the dead, dry skin is off of your face the morning of your appointement. You can do this with a wash cloth. Notice I said, gently! Scrubbing your face too hard can cause irritation.
Work on keeping your skin and lips moisturized leading up to your preview so you don't have dry, cracked lips & skin. The dryness of your skin will make your makeup look patchy. Incorporate a consistent skincare routine leading up to the preview and wedding day.
Stay hydrated! This helps with the overall health of your skin and body. Drink an insane amount of water, my friends. Dehydration will show through your skin and hair.
If you're on the fence about wearing false lashes for wedding day, try them at the preview. This is our day to experiment, so take full advantage of our time together.
Remove any unwanted facial hair before your preview. I usually like to get waxed about a week before my big events to give my skin time to recouperate. I have always had a good experience at European Wax Center (locations everywhere).
You might be thinking, this seems like a lot of prep for my preview, I'll skip on all this and put in the effort for the wedding day. And to that I say, you do you, boo, but I have done hundreds of previews in my day and you are not going to be as happy with the look if your skin is breaking out or unhealthy, your brows are a mess and you show up with frizzy hair, I can promise you. This is why I share the prep so much because it is very important. You want to feel your best for your preview and for wedding day.
Sit back, relax and enjoy this time! I'm looking forward to our time together and I hope you are too!
I hope this helps you prepare for your bridal preview. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
XOXO,
Jodi Snowden
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