Finding A Makeup Artist in Puerto Rico: Your Bridal Guide
ELEVATED BEAUTY FOR THE MODERN BRIDE // View more of Lulu: https://luluacebeauty.com/
We’re interviewing Lulu Ace Beauty, a Wedding Makeup artist based on the island of Puerto Rico. Serving the island since 2020, she has been in the makeup industry for more than 15 years. Gaining expertise everywhere from the backstage of New York Fashion Week to working for beloved companies like MAC and Dior. With her background in fashion, styled shoots, events and bridal makeup, Lulu is able to skillfully provide a soft glam look that leave brides feeling like themselves but gorgeously enhanced on their wedding day. There’s no better way to get advice on how to find your Makeup Artist in Puerto Rico than from talking directly to one.
1. What are some things to look for when hiring a Puerto Rico Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist?
It’s really important to know your style before finding an artist. When you book based on recommendations or who’s popular in the area but the style doesn’t correlate with your own personal style, problems can arise. Often times destination brides can’t do previews because they’re not local. If they are hiring an artist that specializes in full glam and they are wanting something softer, there’s going to be discrepancy in the artist’s version of “softer” and what the bride is envisioning.
You can find lots of makeup and hair artists on instagram now, so when you’re looking through their page make sure to pick up on all the different skin tones, textures and styles that the artist is working with. It’s important to be able to find yourself in your artist’s work so you know that you’ll love how they work with your specific skin tone and texture, because you’ve seen it done before.
2. Is a preview necessary for a bridal look?
It really does depend on the bride and the relationship they create with the makeup artist. I have a lot of brides tell me they trust me, love my work and don’t need a trial. From there I have them send me “look” inspiration from within my own work. That way I know they see what they want from what I’ve already created or that similar style.
If we’re not able to do a trial, we’ll do a phone consultation where we go over what they want, what their dress style is and I always give suggestions if they’d like. I have noticed a lot of brides feel more comfortable with scheduling a trial, and we try to set it up for a time they’re coming over for a tasting, viewing a venue or sometimes even the same week as the wedding if they arrive early. I want brides to feel confident in their signature look.
3. What hairstyle or veil recommendations do you give brides from past experience?
A lot of my brides tend to be beach brides. They love to get married at the beach, which is beautiful but very windy. I take that into account when I recommend hair styles and we always talk about what the dress and veil combination are in case that factors in. If they tell me they want to have glam waves, for example but they know their hair gets naturally frizzy, I let them know we can do it but I strongly recommend using clip-in extensions. It helps with the longevity of the hairstyle, adds volume and helps the hair wear better.
When we talk about bridal hair, if they tell me they’re always pulling strands behind their ears because the hair bothers them, I mention that having the hair down or face framing pieces might not be the best idea comfort wise. I like to walk through what their day-to-day hairstyle is and see how we can take elements of that into their wedding day hair. We tend to go off facial features as well. If they always part their hair a certain way, I let them know it’s helpful to keep it parted as normally as possible so they feel comfortable and beautiful instead of not being used to it.
In terms of veils, because of the wind, I recommend weights they can put at the base of their veil so it helps the veil stay in place, lay more flat and help the hair and veil not fly all over the place. I love to talk through styles like up-dos, buns, half up half down so we can find something they’re going to love, will have longevity for the climate and feel like them.
4. What do you find are some advantages of hiring a local Puerto Rico Makeup Artist for your wedding day?
I would say one of the main advantages of hiring a local Puerto Rico Makeup Artist is we know the area really well. We’ve seen and lived the weather, know what products work and have trusted products we hear time and time again lasted all day and without separation. Makeup is going to wear different in all locations and Puerto Rico is very humid, sweaty and hot. When all those things come into play, hiring someone that knows the area, understands what products work and helps you with skin prep is crucial. Working often with the same venues, I can also help brides know what time we’re allowed access to locations, when we have to get ready by because of different venue rules and other helpful location notes.
5. How do you help your client’s makeup last in the Puerto Rico climate?
This is a big part of what I strive to do. I know what products work in the humid weather and what to do so your makeup doesn’t separate or get sweat off and will always leave you with a touch up kit and powder puff. I remind brides not to touch their faces because we have oils on our fingers and hands that affect the makeup.
If you have an itch, I always recommend a tissue. Q-tips for tears and air kisses for everyone. Save that one big kiss for the alter, but everyone else, try to give air kisses. Often people aren’t used to wearing full makeup daily, so the biggest thing is reminding them not to touch their face, rub their nose, or drag down on the makeup. Aside from that, knowing my products well and working across a broad range of skin textures and climate on the island helps me know how to apply your makeup well.
6. What do brides love about your specific makeup style?
Time and time again I hear that they love how it looks like them and they feel so beautiful. They mention that you can tell they have makeup on and they’re ready for their wedding day, but it still looks and feels like them. I love that my brides also mention that I make them feels so calm and that I’m listening to them really well.
I always want to make sure they are 100% happy with their look and like to check in with them and how they’re feeling. If I can sense they’re a bit more nervous or stressed, I like to ask if they want to see how its coming along so far, even though I know we’re on restricted time. I’m very communicative and I want them to feel comfortable telling me if they want to add something or change something. They always end up saying it’s exactly what they wanted and that makes me so happy.
7. How much time should we plan for getting ready if the bridal party or other loved ones are also having their makeup done?
I like to give myself 1 hour per service of hair or makeup. As for the bride, 1.5 to 2 hours is best. Depending on the size of the group, I might have to bring an associate or colleague to assist. I can do 6 services alone, but still like to give an hour per service because there are always little delays.
I create a prep guide for the bride and bridal party that goes over tips on what to have done prior to the wedding morning and gives them an idea of how the morning will go. This has everything included like set up, and how long each service will last. I always tell them it is very important for them to be prepared for the appointment. Already be wearing something that’s easy to remove over hair and makeup, already have teeth brushed if they just ate something, etc. It’s important to come prepared so that the delays don’t push into other people’s time and the brides service.
8. What’s something you want people in the room to be mindful of when you’re doing the bride’s makeup?
I want people to know how special a time it is for brides to be able to sit down and get their wedding day makeup done. It’s a moment for them to relax and enjoy the process of becoming a bride. So much has happened to the lead up of this moment and they should enjoy it, getting to really relax into the calm before the big day.
It happens all the time, the bride sits down and everyone has a question. This cuts down on them being able to relax, and cuts into our time because we have to pause for the bride to look away, answer questions, find something or stand and direct. It’s important to keep these questions minimal to none during this time especially because we are working together to create a signature look and it sets a great tone for the day if we can do it stress free and relaxed.
9. What is the best way for a bride to find inspiration photos for their makeup look?
Like I mentioned before, finding inspiration images from the artist you hired is ALWAYS best. They are able to instantly know what you’re wanting and you both know what the outcome will look like. It’s easy to find inspiration pictures that are AI generate off of Pinterest, which I can still learn a little about colors you’re wanting to use and such, but we still have to have conversations around what the makeup will end up looking like on real skin.
We have pores, we have textures, we have fine lines, all that kind of stuff, and that’s normal and totally beautiful. Often we can fixate on makeup looks because the model looks beautiful, but the feature don’t look similar to our own features. If you can find images that have similar eye shapes to you, skin tones, hair color and skin texture it can help you really see yourself reflected in the makeup. We can always try our best to create something based off of features very different from our own, but it can leave room for some disappointment at the end because it doesn’t look exactly like the image you had in mind.
10. If someone isn’t happy with how their makeup is looking, what’s the best way to speak up and ask for adjustments? Why is it helpful to share that feedback?
It’s important to be honest. Sometimes I think its more important to say what you DON’T like at the beginning of your session with your artist. If you don’t like to wear lashes for example, or you hate eyeliner, this is super important to let your artist know. If you don’t like heavy blush or blinding highlighter that’s okay, just let them know. Communication is key in everything so if you let them know what you don’t like they can fix it.
This also goes in hand with hiring someone that does work you like. If you’re wanting a soft, glowy and natural look, do not hire someone who’s work is much more full glam than you’re going to want. It’s important your makeup artists style resonates with you. Don’t feel bad about communicating your likes and dislikes before the service or after, they are there to help you get to the look you want.
11. What kind of skin preparation do you recommend in the days or weeks leading up to the wedding?
Right before the wedding I always recommend dermaplaning or getting a Dermaplaning facial because this is going to remove a lot of excess dead skin and peach fuzz so makeup looks really smooth and lays well on the skin. Peach fuzz tends to add texture to the makeup and you’ll notice the makeup doesn’t lay smoothly because it’s sitting on top of the peach fuzz. Once that’s removed you have more longevity, a smoother finish and a great canvas for the makeup.
Leading up to the wedding a good skincare routine that focuses on adding moisture back in and light exfoliation always help. I also tell brides if they can work it in to do facials, getting those done early in the year is always a plus. I don’t like to recommend facials too close to the wedding day and I always say to avoid doing anything too abrasive. If you wear makeup daily, lightly exfoliating once or twice a week and double cleansing to remove the makeup is what’s going to make the most difference in your wedding look.
13. What is something you want to remind brides about getting hair and makeup professionally done?
When you hire someone that is an expert in their area, location and service, there is a lot of education, time invested and product investment that went into that artist and their ability to provide these services. At the end of the day, getting your makeup professionally done isn’t a necessity, but it is a luxury that you’ll love investing in so you can worry about one less thing. Investing in someone who you know has the skill to work with multiple skin textures and tones and will absolutely deliver the result you want is such an energy saver and a luxury you can give yourself on your wedding day. Having the makeup look you want helps you feel your absolute best and is reflected in all the photographs and videos of the day.
14. What’s the best time to reach out and book?
I like to book out my wedding clients 6 months to a year before their day. This gives us time to really set up their day, book it and have it reserved. If you have an artist you really want to work with, booking as soon as you can helps you know they’ll be available for your date or won’t be out of office during that time. I have also had last minute brides I was available for so never hesitate to reach out even if it is close to your date, but if you have everything else squared away, reaching out sooner rather than later is best.
I hope these 14 tips help you on your search for a Puerto Rico Makeup Artist. If you’re looking for tips on how to find a Wedding Photographer in Puerto Rico, take a look at this blog post here: Tips for Hiring a Wedding Photographer in Puerto Rico | From a Destination Photographer.
Inquire today and let’s discuss how we can capture your dream wedding in Puerto Rico!
Con amor y cariño.
Angélica B. Rodríguez
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PUERTO RICO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER SERVING SAN JUAN, ORLANDO, ST. PETERSBURG AND BEYOND
Instagram: @casabriro
Email: angelica@casabriro.com
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