Opinions That Matter (or don't)

Being a Bridal Makeup Artist means experiencing a number of different environments, personalities, friendships and family dynamics. Every single wedding morning is different, from the calm and peaceful morning where the number of people in the bridal suite is kept to a minimum, to the high energy, music filled mornings where the prosecco is poured for breakfast and the sing-along-songs are in full swing.

The same goes for the trials - I'll have brides who come alone, some with their bridesmaids, or others with their mums and/or family members... and every experience is a different one. Thoughts and feelings are offered out to the bride once the makeup is complete (usually, fortunately for me) to the tune of ooo's and ahhh's. Other times it that of constructive criticism. I'm here for it!

However, in true 'Unfiltered' fashion, here are my thoughts, sit tight...

Your makeup artist will always achieve the best makeup they believe will suit YOU. There may be some notes post makeup of things they think might be better or they suggest maybe doing differently on the day (hindsight can be a wonderful thing), just like when your bridal party, or you yourself as the bride, might feedback some thoughts on the makeup. Of course, I welcome feedback, UNLESS....

YOU (the blushing bride), are doing just that when you look in the mirror, because what you are faced with is the most beautiful version of you, and you absolutely LOVE it. Your smile says it all, and honestly, you're on cloud 9. It's exactly what you'd hoped for, and feel giddy at the sight of your reflection!

...Then in come the unsolicited opinions from those that can't read the room very well. Despite your elation, the inspection begins, and the feedback arrives:

"Hmm, I'm not sure about those lashes babe!"

or

"Are you sure about that lip colour!"

or even

"Ya know what, I'm not sure I like it!"

I've even had a bride be dragged outside by her mother (she wanted to see it in daylight, which I do actually welcome), grabbed by the chin while having her face moved left to right for a complete magnified analysis. (It wasn't as aggressively done as I may have made it sound, but the actions of the mum were very real). And all that, despite the bride being over the moon with the finish! Needless to say, there were opinions that followed by mother dearest...

So you can see how easily your bubble can burst before our good old friend Miss Self Conscious moves in. She's a doll.

My point is, if you LOVE what you see, then actually, that's all that matters. You know what you're comfortable wearing on your wedding day, you know if it's a bit much, or not enough. And so from there, we adapt. We adjust the look until you're happy.

Opinions are great from trusted friends and family, but I only believe they're truly warranted when you yourself are unsure or a bit tentative with such a polished look that you're not used to. Then please, share your thoughts. Else if you see the bride is a happy bride, maybe keep your opinions to yourself.

They're subjective anyway - it's not to say that what they think is even true or correct, because you'd like to think that if a professional has done the makeup, then there'll be minimal elements (if any) of the makeup that are actually wrong so to speak, and so whatever is left is just your opinion or preference as a bystander. Maybe keep that feedback for your own makeup when it comes to it.

And that's just my Unfiltered opinion.