What can brides do to ensure makeup perfection?

The trial

Come with no makeup, and your skin moisturised
Bring pictures of makeup looks you like, but remember to ask yourself: do I like the makeup, or the model’s face?
Extra points for bringing pictures of times when you’ve felt exceptionally gorgeous
Bring any makeup products you’re obsessed with and might want to wear in the big day - lipstick, blush etc
Wear white! (or whatever colour your wedding dress is)
Plan your trial for a day you’re doing something fun. It’s a great test run and you’ll get tons of compliments!
No extra people sitting and watching. A peanut gallery’s live commentary can override your vision and becomes their dream makeup rather than yours

The happier your skin is, the happier you’ll be with your makeup. Makeup can do plenty but texture and dehydration cannot be altered with a brush. 6 months out, get in touch with a skin specialist to figure out a plan for your bridal skin goals

I’m a big fan of dermaplaning. Removing excess facial fluff leave behind a smooth canvas that makeup can adhere better to
A tan trial is a fab idea if you’re planning on a spray tan for the wedding. You have so many options when it comes to undertones, depth of colour, and how your skin reacts - especially if you’re on the sensitive side
Focus on hydration and your skin barrier. I recommend wearing sunscreen daily, using products meant for your skin type, and avoiding unnecessarily harsh cleansers
Avoid trying any new facials or skincare close to your wedding date. A giant cystic spot due to a disagreeable ingredient would be a real bummer
Lash lifts can be gorgeous, but if you want individual lashes applied - a lift can cause a serious headache due to the angle. A very soft lift, or avoiding one all together is the safest route
A brow wax too close to your wedding can mean makeup won’t adhere to the waxed area and create a patchy effect

Drink lots of water!
Avoid too much sodium - salt can make your face puff up
If you do wake up a touch puffy, use an ice roller or cold metal spoon (trust me here) under your eyes, on your cheeks, and wherever you need!
A hydrating sheet mask for everyone getting made up is always fun and adds an extra shot of moisture pre-makeup. I find many people forget to actually use their masks, so pop it by your getting-ready outfit, set a reminder alarm, or next to the coffee machine (another important aspect is caffeine for all)
Bring straws to preserve lip application
Eat something substantial!
Brush your teeth (and remove eye crusties) before your allotted makeup time
Remove all hair ties and watches from wrists, and consider if your socks or bra may leave visible marks on your skin
Allocate someone to answer questions for you while you’re in the makeup chair. As soon as you sit down, the whole world suddenly has questions and it will make the whole process slower and more stressful. Redirecting q’s to your bridesmaid/sister/best friend will give you some peace!