You’ve probably seen some of the pictures from our styled shoot at few weekends ago at  Hotel Viking. If you haven’t, go check out the first three looks Low Backed Beauty, Boho & Beautiful, and The Ballerina Bride. For the shoot we had makeup artist Lyndsay Simon work her magic. Lyndsay has been doing professional makeup for years and now runs her own business, Lyndsay Simon Beauty and during the shoot we did a mini interview asking her for some tips and tricks!

Tips to Having the Best Wedding Day Makeup:

1. Finding the Right Makeup Artist for You – Research artists in your area that have a portfolio filled with images that fit your beauty style. Does that artist produce a range of looks on a variety of faces? Do these makeups translate flawlessly on camera without obvious photo editing? Once you narrow your search down to a few artists, read through reviews past brides have posted. Hopefully, reviews give a good idea of the personality of your artist. Lastly, research your artists rates. If they are much lower than other artists in the area, that may be a warning sign that they use lower quality products. An experienced bridal makeup professional should also provide you with an agreement which guarantees their presence on your big day.

2. Choosing Your Look – After booking your makeup artist, the next step is preparing for your makeup design appointment or makeup trial. Create a mood board with a collection of images and looks you feel are timeless and will be beautiful for years to come. I always tell my brides to save the trendy looks for their bachelorette party or boudoir photos, and keep their wedding day look romantic and soft. When describing your vision to your artist, bring in photos of your dress, hairstyle, venue and color scheme to help pull inspiration for your look. Pull inspiration from colors, textures, and intensities. Pictures go so much further than words when describing your desired look. Show your artist what you mean by a “smokey eye” or “nude lip”. Most times, your definition of these terms will differ from your artists. Being clear with your artist will make locking down a look easy and enjoyable.

3. Skin Is Always In – Taking care of your skin leading up to your wedding day is so important for your makeup to look its best. Removing any unwanted facial hair (I’m obsessed with threading!), getting regular facials, moisturizing, and exfoliating every few days will make a noticeable difference in the way that makeup sits on your skin. Water will be your most important beauty ritual. It plumps the skin, flushes out toxins, and gives your skin an overall healthy glow.

How did you get into being a makeup artist: Growing up I was always obsessed with beauty in the human form. It all began with a little purple Covergirl eyeshadow kit my classmate brought me in third grade. After proceeding to expertly apply the shadow on my face (so I thought, anyways) and parade around the classroom, I was told by my teacher to wash my face and take a letter she wrote home to my parents. Being the mini-rebel I was, I ripped open the envelope on the bus and was horrified to read the word “ridiculous” to describe my self expression. Ever since, I was determined to prove the world wrong and create looks that made individuals feel beautiful and fearless. After many years of doing makeup on thousands of faces, from special effects to clean beauty, bridal makeup has become one of my favorite mediums.

Photos: Sweet Alice Photography | Makeup: Lyndsay Simon Beauty | Location: Hotel Viking | Styling: The Newport Bride | Dress: Alexandra’s Boutique