Expert Tips for Long Lasting Wedding Day Beauty

Your wedding day is a whirlwind of joy, emotion, and unforgettable memories—and you'll want to look and feel your absolute best from the moment you walk down the aisle to the last dance of the night. Our Chicago Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Team specializes in creating looks that enhance your natural beauty and creates a look that not only reflects you, but also stands the test of time, cameras, hugs, and yes—Mother Nature.

Many of our brides choose an outdoor element to their wedding day- ceremonies, cocktail hours, or a tour of the city for photos, and that means we’re no strangers to the challenges of wind, humidity, and heat. So today, we’re sharing our expert tips for making sure your hair and makeup stay flawless, fresh, and fabulous—no matter the forecast.

Start With Skincare

The best makeup starts with healthy, hydrated skin. In the weeks leading up to your big day:

• Stick to a consistent skincare routine.

• Exfoliate gently (weekly) to remove dead skin and help makeup glide on smoothly.

• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate—inside and out. Drink plenty of water and use a lightweight moisturizer suited for your skin type.

Pro Tip: Avoid trying new skincare products or treatments right before your wedding to minimize the risk of irritation or breakouts.

Go into the beauty process with an open mind

Our primary goal is to help you design your perfect version of wedding day beauty and to do this, we'll want to look at your inspiration, your dress or pantsuit, and talk through your specific plans for the wedding day in addition to learning about your unique hair and skin type.

Occasionally, a client may be looking for something that probably won't hold up in their circumstance, and we'll make recommendations for something similar. An example of this would be having hollywood waves if your hair doesn't hold a curl well and you plan on being outdoors for a while. In this case we might recommend adding clip in extensions for added hold and hiring your hairstylist to stay on with you for a few hours to touch up as needed. Your trial run can be a great test to learn what to expect on the wedding day.

Layer Smart, Set Strong

When it comes to long wear, it's all about layering:

• We use waterproof and smudge-resistant formulas customized for your specific skin type and concerns.

• A high-quality setting spray seals everything in and helps your look endure wind, tears, and dance-floor fun.

Bonus: We send our brides off with a lip touch-up kit.

Hair That Holds (Without Looking Stiff)

Chicago weddings in the summer bring a unique challenge: your style has to withstand wind, humidity, and movement—while still looking soft and effortless.

Here’s how we keep your wedding hair looking fresh:

• We prep the hair with anti-humidity products and heat styling to create a strong foundation.

• Flexible-hold hairsprays keep styles in place without looking stiff or over-sprayed.

• Strategic pinning and hidden support ensure your updo or waves last through the night.

• We always recommend testing out your look at your trial run similar to your plans for the wedding day to determine if we'd like to make any adjustments (for example; if you're having 2 hours of outdoor photos you should spend 2 hours outdoors after your trial).

Trust the Trial

A hair and makeup trial is the perfect time to test how your look holds up—and how you feel in it. We’ll evaluate:

• How your skin reacts to products.

• What hairstyles best resist the elements based on your hair texture and plans for the day.

• Whether the look captures your vision and feels like you.

Think of your trial as a dress rehearsal for your beauty—one that leaves you feeling confident, calm, and excited.

Breathe, Smile, Glow

The best beauty secret? Joy.

Your glow comes from within, and while the products, techniques, and timelines are important, what makes your look unforgettable is how you feel. That’s why our team is dedicated to not only making you look your best—but helping you feel calm, empowered, and radiant.

We’re honored to be a part of your big day, and we bring our A-game every time, from touch-proof lipsticks to flyaway-fighting hairpins.

Ready for your Wedding day glow?

Let’s create a look that lasts through laughter, happy tears, hugs, and everything in between. Get in touch to schedule your call—we can’t wait to help you feel like the best version of yourself on your big day.

Your Guide to Wedding Day Bliss: Making Your Hair and Makeup Session Fun and Stress-Free

Your wedding day is almost here! Amidst all the excitement, the anticipation, and the love, there’s an important event that sets the tone for your big day: your wedding morning glam session. It’s the time you’ll spend getting pampered, reflecting on your love story, and preparing for an exciting day ahead. The last thing you want is stress—so here are some tips to make sure that your hair and makeup session is smooth, enjoyable, and, most importantly, stress-free!

Prepare a Relaxing Environment

Your glam session should feel like a mini getaway before all the wedding festivities begin. Set up a relaxing, calm space for your hair and makeup artists to work. Whether it’s in your bridal suite, bedroom, or a well-lit living room, choose a place where you feel at ease. Play fun music, light a few candles, and make sure the space is organized and free of distractions.

Communicate Your Vision Early

Clear communication with your hair and makeup artists is key. Take full advantage of your trial run (and follow up afterward) to perfect your desired look and make sure you're on the same page with your artists. Bring photos of looks you love to your trial run, but also be open to suggestions that will work with your hair type, face shape, and wedding theme. The more your artists know about your vision, the easier it will be for them to create the perfect look.

Stay Hydrated and Eat Breakfast

We all know how easy it is to get caught up in wedding day chaos, but don't skip out on a healthy breakfast! A light meal will keep your energy up and prevent any unwanted headaches. Don’t forget to stay hydrated—sip on water or herbal tea throughout the morning to keep your skin glowing and feeling fresh.

Surround Yourself with Your Inner Circle

One of the best parts of your wedding morning is sharing it with your closest friends and family. Invite your bridesmaids, your mom, or other important people to join in on the fun. Share some laughs, reminisce about special moments, and enjoy the process together. Their presence will help ease any nerves and create positive energy, ensuring that you start your day on a joyful note.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Avoid rushing by building in plenty of time for hair and makeup. Your glam team should arrive early enough to work without feeling pressured, and you’ll have plenty of time to relax in between. Aim to have your hair and makeup done at least an hour before you need to leave for the ceremony to allow for any touch-ups or last-minute adjustments. Most importantly, trust your vendors' timeframes even if it feels like we're scheduling too much time for a task!

Trust Your Team

On your wedding day, you’ve already made the important decision of hiring the right team of professionals to help you look and feel your best. Trust in their expertise and know that they will make you feel stunning. If you’ve done a trial, they should already have a clear idea of your desired style. Take a deep breath and relax—you’re in good hands.

Wear a Button-Down or Robe

Before your hair and makeup are done, make sure you’re in an outfit that won’t mess up your finished look! A button-down shirt or a robe will make it easy for your artists to work without having to worry about smudging makeup or messing up your hair when you get dressed. Plus, these items make for cute pre-wedding photos!

Keep Things Light and Fun

Above all, your wedding morning should be fun and filled with positive energy. If there’s ever a moment where you start to feel a little overwhelmed, take a step back, breathe, and remember why you’re there. Enjoy every second of your glam session—this is your time to relax and indulge in the beauty of the day ahead.

Capture the Moment

Don’t forget to take some photos with your bridal squad while you’re getting ready. The moments before the ceremony can be some of the most precious of the day, so have your photographer capture some of the behind-the-scenes glam moments. Polaroids are always fun, you’ll treasure these pictures forever!

In Conclusion

Your wedding morning is one of the most special parts of the day. By planning ahead, staying organized, and focusing on relaxation, you can ensure that your hair and makeup session sets the tone for the rest of your wedding day. Keep things lighthearted, embrace the love and support from those around you, and enjoy every moment of being pampered. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, so make sure your journey to the altar starts off with pure bliss!

Happy glam, and happy wedding day!

Are Clip In Hair Extensions Right for your Wedding Day Look?

When it comes to achieving your dream wedding day hairstyle, you may find yourself considering clip-in hair extensions (or they may have been suggested to you). Our Chicago Makeup Artist and Hair Team believes in enhancing your natural beauty while keeping things authentic and effortless. For several of our brides, clip-in extensions have been the perfect solution to add volume and length as well as longevity of the finished look. But how do you know if they’re the right choice for you?

Our bride, Chandler who added clip in hair extensions to her wedding day style for more volume and longevity with her glam waves look.

One of the most important factors to consider is the look you want to achieve. Clip-in extensions can give you that perfect “best hair day ever” vibe, whether you’re dreaming of glam waves, an elegant updo, or a half up style when you haven't been able to grow out your hair as much as you had hoped. If your natural hair is on the shorter or finer side, extensions can provide the fullness and length that make your style feel complete. Our approach is all about enhancing what you already have. We can ensure your extensions blend seamlessly with your natural hair through our choice of styling techniques, so that no one needs to know you’ve added extra length—just the gorgeous, fuller look you’ve always wanted!

Chandler's finished look.

Another key factor to consider is comfort and confidence. Extensions are meant to feel secure without being too noticeable or heavy. We’re here to make sure that your hair looks stunning and stays in place from the ceremony to the last dance. If you’re nervous about extensions feeling artificial or cumbersome, rest assured that we’ve mastered the art of subtlety. The goal is always to help you feel like the best version of yourself on your wedding day, not to overwhelm you with unnecessary extra hair.

Chandler's beautiful style softening throughout the day's events & being outdoors.

In the end, clip-in extensions can be a fantastic way to elevate your wedding day look—adding that extra touch of glam while still looking totally natural. If you’re unsure whether they’re right for you, we’d love to chat ahead of your trial run session and help you make the best decision for your wedding day. We even have some great recommendations and tips to find your perfect color match! It’s our mission to enhance your beauty and help you glow with confidence on one of the most important days of your life.

Photos by Mikaila Dusenberry Photography