Fresh, natural makeup and hairstyles for Vermont brides

Whether your style is laid-back — flowers in your hair, a radiant natural glow — or glam, with a perfect cat eye, full eyelashes, and a bejeweled updo, you’ll want to choose a hairstyle and makeup that make you feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day.

A good makeup artist and hairstylist can ensure that you’ve got your beauty bases covered. It just takes a little planning, a spark of inspiration, and a test drive!

“The last thing a bride wants to worry about on her wedding day is her hair and makeup,” said Jamie Dragon, owner, artist, and stylist at Lush Salon in Stowe. 

Planning ahead

With so many decisions to make before the big day, hair and makeup may seem like insignificant details. You’ve got to pick a date! You need a venue! What are you going to feed dozens of guests? But if you’d like to hire a professional makeup artist and/or hairstylist, arrangements need to be made well in advance.

In Vermont wedding-makeup and hair specialists are in high demand, and finding that perfect artist who will travel to your site on a designated date can be a tricky equation.

“My general rule of thumb for the bride is once that ring is on your finger and your date is set, you need to call us,” said Sarah Crowley, a hair and makeup artist based in Burlington. “Ninety percent of my wedding season is booked the September before the next season.” 

Stylists will often book weddings one to two years in advance, although some prefer to wait until the year of the actual wedding before locking in an appointment. 

Finding the right ‘look’

While it’s important to book hair and makeup artists in advance, you’ll want to take your time deciding on the right style for your wedding day.

“A lot of brides are just looking for an enhanced version of themselves,” Sarah said. This often translates to very natural-looking makeup with a few special details — false lashes, a darker lip color, and a bit of extra highlighting.

“They want their makeup to represent something, whether it be romantic, completely natural, or bold,” said makeup artist Jennifer Perellie. “They want it to add to the overall feel of their wedding day.”

Jamie loves “natural and fresh” makeup, as well as elegant, timeless looks. 

“Cat eyes, 1920s waves, and an elegant French twist for the mother of the bride are classics,” she said. “They never go out of style!”

“Strong brows and the use of contouring and highlighting” are popular, said makeup artist Beatriz Jarvis. “Many Vermont brides love a polished natural look, and these two trends can be done subtly to accommodate their wishes.”

Deciding on a bridal ‘do

The possibilities for hairstyle choices are nearly endless, so you might want to consider other details — the dress, flowers, and style of the wedding — for cues on what hairstyle will be the most complementary.

“Braids and very loose, romantic styles are very popular amongst my brides,” Jamie said. “A lot of Vermont brides are looking for a very casual barn or rustic setting, which is complemented by loose waves, casual, and somewhat strategically messy styles.”

A bride’s hairstyle should match her dress and the overall feel of her wedding. A simple wedding dress requires a simple hairstyle; a more dramatic, over-the-top gown calls for a bolder hairstyle, Sarah explained. “My job as a stylist is to help achieve a hair and makeup style that goes along with the whole picture.”

Some brides have a clear idea of what they want, but many are looking for guidance from their stylist. It’s always helpful for your stylist to see photos of your dress and any other wedding details, or of makeup and hairstyles you love. 

“Most brides will have a Pinterest board of hair and makeup ideas,” Jamie said. “I’ll ask during the trial that the brides have their bridesmaids do the same for the wedding day.”

Many stylists offer a consultation and/or trial run. This gives you both a sense of the time required to complete hair and makeup. Plus, knowing what you’re going to look like on your wedding day “really eases those nerves,” Sarah said.

“The trial is the time to plan it all out so there are absolutely no surprises on the big day,” Jamie agreed.

Primping the wedding party

When it comes to other members of the bridal party, there are no hard-and-fast rules for hair and makeup. Ask your stylist what options she can provide, and keep your budget in mind when deciding if you’ll pay for your bridesmaids’ makeup and hair or ask them to contribute.

Some artists will require a three- or four-person minimum if they’re traveling to do hair or makeup, and will sometimes bring an assistant.

But it’s not just your bridesmaids who want to look their best. Grooming for the groom is also done on request. “It’s easy and very noninvasive,” Beatriz said. “Usually I’m covering a few blemishes or under-eye circles and cutting down on shine. Super simple!”

Communicating with your stylist

Ultimately, great communication with your stylist is the surest way to achieve a look you love, Beatriz said. 

Before the big day, let your stylist know what to expect at the location, and ask what they might need — table space, electric outlets, or lighting sources. Chances are, they’ve seen it all in Vermont, from barn weddings to mountaintop ceremonies.

“It truly is such an honor for me to help a bride look and feel her best on such a special day in her life,” Jennifer said. “Being a part of the wedding planning journey is really something I don’t take lightly.”

Good stylists have not only perfected their hair and makeup techniques, they’re flexible, responsive and eager to make sure clients are totally satisfied with their wedding-day look.

“Really, it’s like finding the wedding dress,” Jennifer said. “When you know, you know.”

Consulted for this article: Sarah Crowley, finishingtouchvt.com; Jamie Dragon, lushstowe.com; Beatriz Jarvis, beatrizjarvis.wix.com; Jennifer Perellie, jenniferperellie.com.