Don't Skip the Details: Masterful Makeup for Special Occasions

You are about to give your client the most gorgeous, finished makeup look that will pair with her stunning hair, carefully selected outfit, sparkling jewelry and everything else to complete their look. As the makeup artist, you can elevate your client’s experience and look with details and add-on services for any special occassion. In this article, we will discuss how you can add one or more items to your special occasion makeup booking.

Consultation and Skin Care Tips

When you book your client for special occasion makeup, a consultation is important! Each client will have a different communication style; however, I assure you that each client will be at ease when you take the time to discuss options, processes, scheduling, etc. You can also take this time to discuss skin care tips and their skin care concerns and questions that may have. If you have a confident background in skin care, use this to help your client address skin concerns by implementing the correct skin care ahead of time. You will want to do this months ahead of time. If this is a last minute booking, I do not recommend changing any skin care to avoid break outs or other skin conditions. Even if it is a hydrating masque that will help her makeup look more flawless on the special day, suggest it! She will feel even more confident in her booking with you and with her makeup when she is happy with the way her skin looks and feels.

This is also a good time to talk to your client about actions to avoid. We do not want to assume our clients know not to wax the skin the day of the special occasion, or not to use a new skin care masque the night before. These are helpful hints you can share with your client. You can even make a professional infographic and send to your clients as a general “helpful tips for a special day.” By going the extra mile, you will be appreciated!

Skin Prep for The Day

After having a previous conversation with your client about his or her skin, you will become familiar with what will be beneficial or not. If it is appropriate, have a hydrating serum in your makeup kit to use before the makeup application. If your client is oily, have a skin care product that you can use right before that will help combat the oil throughout the day. Our job on this day is to not deliver a new skin care regimen or to give lessons on skin care; however, by having something to pamper your client with right before the makeup application will take just a couple extra minutes and a couple extra dollars but will leave a last impression. Plus, it will greatly benefit the makeup application.

Body Makeup & Highlight

Another service you may want to offer is body makeup and tattoo cover up makeup. This will often involve different makeup and a different application process that you use on the face. Once you are confident in this skill set, you can offer this service ahead of time to your clients. I’ve had clients express concern about redness on their chest, acne on their back, scars, skin discoloration and various other conditions you can easily cover with makeup. The proper products and process is necessary so that it not only covers well but that it doesn’t easily transfer on to her dress.

Another gorgeous add-on you can incorporate is body shimmer and highlight. There are so many great products on the market now. A little blend with a fan brush of shimmer on the collar bone and other high points such as the shoulders makes a subtle yet stunning statement!

Add-on Services

Eyelash extensions are very popular. I have a lot of  clients that spend the time and money getting their eyelashes done before their special day. This is an area that you as the makeup artist can expand your skill set and offer it as a service ahead of time. Not only is this a great add-on for your business, but it is a great extra service to offer to clients. It is also a great way to have returning clients even after their special day. Eyelash extensions elevate a makeup look and are absolutely stunning in pictures. I recommend doing research on certifications and training for this service if you are not already trained.

Brow shaping is another service that could make a big different to your client's experience and  makeup look. If you offer brow shaping, you can recommend that your client comes to see you before the big day to get a brow shaping service done. If you do not offer this service, it would still be a great gesture to recommend a fellow esthetician to your client so that they can get this service done. You won’t regret it as a makeup artist since the brow shaping helps the overall makeup look.

As mentioned earlier in this article, skin care can be recommended ahead of time. Facials are also a great way to deliver great treatment to address client concerns before any special occasion. If you offer facials as a service, you will want to start this process months before the occasion. Again, it is important to know your client’s skin and to educate them on what would be beneficial and realistic expectations for results. As trained estheticians, we know helpful ways to make the skin feel and look great. Sharing this information with your client will be beneficial and allow them the opportunity to feel great in their skin for a special day. If you do not offer facial services, it would be beneficial to refer your clients to a trusted esthetician that does offer great facial services.

Touch Ups

Many times, the client will have her hair and makeup done hours before the big event. The makeup application should last for a long time, but sometimes a client may want a lip touch up in case of crying, sweating or all of the above. It is a great service to offer touch ups. I personally have a conversation at the time of scheduling to ask the client when she needs to be ready by and when the event is. This gives me a good idea whether she will need touch ups beforehand. This also gives me a good idea of how much time there will be between the initial makeup application and touch ups. This touch-up add-on service I offer includes a sitting fee while I wait and then a small fee to do the actual touch up. I also have an option to offer a touch up kit. In the kit there are a couple of cotton tips to help with any under eye smudges from crying, a small travel container of powder, a small powder puff, and a small container of their lip color that I put together, and a disposable lip applicator to apply with. This kit is an additional price but many clients appreciate the peace of mind to have something they can quickly touch up with if needed.

We as makeup artists offer a great service that is appreciated by our clients – a beautifully finished makeup look! We can elevate their experience and look by offering add-on services and suggestions prior to their booking and even during their booking.

Brittney Waugh is a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. She is the owner of Blushed by Brittney Waugh and co-owner of Willow Spa Suites. She has been a licensed instructor since 2012. She was voted Best Esthetician of OKC in 2011 by Oklahoma Magazine and Best Makeup Artist of OKC in 2019 by So6ix Magazine. Contact her at [email protected].