ABOUT MAKE-UP BY MEGAN:I am a mobile freelance makeup artist and bridal make-up specialist servicing Sydney & surrounds. I will also travel interstate & overseas on request.
WHEN I BEGAN MY BUSINESS AND WHAT INSPIRED ME TO START:I was artistic from a very early age, began my working career as a graphic designer at 16 years old and have always been infatuated with make-up and beauty products, so it was no surprise to anyone who knew me when I started my business.
It was after attending an event and watching a make-up demonstration that I finally decided to bite the bullet and book my 1st course, and from the very 1st day of training I was hooked. I held a senior role in a prestigious events management company at the time, and my intention then was to run a small weekend business specializing in bridal make-up services while working full-time. But I fell pregnant with my son shortly after, and was made redundant shortly after that - which was devastating at the time, but gave me the push I needed to pursue my passion full time . As they say – “everything happens for a reason”, and I see now that that is so true!
MY FAVOURITE THING ABOUT WEDDING MAKEUP IS:The creativeness of it. Every face is a blank canvas. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction when an apprehensive bride walks through my door with a bare face and leaves elated as a perfectly painted and enhanced version of herself. It is humbling to have a bride select you to play such an integral part in one of the biggest days of their lives.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT MAKE-UP BY MEGAN THAT SETS US APART FROM OTHER MAKE-UP ARTISTS?I listen. The most common complaint I receive from brides is that makeup artists don’t listen. I have an extensive questionnaire that my brides are asked to complete prior to a pre-wedding trial, and I take every one of their answers into consideration when designing their look for the day. I then run through their answers verbally with them at the trial and discuss their options while providing advise & suggestions. Once that is done I apply a look that we have agreed on, and if necessary make alterations until my client loves their reflection.
There is so much more involved in a great wedding make-up than most people realise. A lot of makeup artists will apply a primer, some foundation (many only have one kind), concealer, powder, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush and perhaps some lippy or gloss. A great make-up artist will assess your skin type and apply a suitable primer & foundation accordingly. As a staple your make-up artist should carry at least 3 styles of foundations to cover most skin types. And by styles I do not mean brands. I carry a sheer light weight liquid foundation for normal skin, a medium weight liquid foundation for normal to oily skin and a heavier crème foundation for dry & mature skin, or anyone wanting a full coverage foundation. If your makeup artist arrives with one style of foundation in 4 colours to accommodate your entire bridal party..........RUN!
I also highlight & contour to give your face dimension, and work to enhance the features that you love while camouflaging your areas of concern.
HOW I KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE EVER CHANGING TRENDS IN THE BRIDAL INDUSTRY:I am addicted and am forever reading blogs, magazines, attending seminars, classes and networking events.
MAKE-UP BY MEGAN's STYLE IS:Flawless!
WHO INSPIRES ME: Kevyn Aucoin was a legendary make-up artist that is spoken about as much for the genuinely gorgeous person he was inside & out as the brilliant make-up artist he was. That is how I would like to be viewed. As an exceptionally talented make-up artist and an exceptionally lovely person too.
HOW I MAINTAIN THE PASSION FOR WHAT I DO:My passion comes from deep within, and is difficult to verbalise. Whenever I think about applying makeup or walk up to a makeup counter, a surge of adrenalin hits me and the excitement takes over. This is what drives me. A deep sense of knowing I am doing what makes me supremely happy, and that I still wake-up excited to be painting faces everyday.
THE NUMBER ONE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE I CAN PROVIDE FOR BRIDES IS:Shopping around for the lowest price is not the best way to select a makeup artist. Look at their portfolio, and phone them with a prepared list of questions about the products they use and their experience. If they won’t take the time to chat with you and answer your questions, then they are probably not the right make-up artist for you. Chatting with them also gives you the opportunity to gauge wether or not they are going to be the right personality fit for the day. Your wedding day should be as relaxed and fun as possible. Surround yourself with people you like!
MAKE-UP BY MEGAN's TOP TEN TIPS FOR BRIDES:1. Lock a make-up artist in earlier rather than later. Most people leave make-up artists until the last minute. The best make-up artists like the best venues & photographers book up quickly.
2. Ask the makeup artist how long they stay. Do they stay with you until the photos are taken and you depart for the church/ceremony? Try to avoid booking a make-up artist that books several weddings on the one day. You want someone who is focused on you and can take their time ensuring you look flawless, without staring at their watch and racing off to their next bridal party.
3. Start a skincare regime earlier rather than later. I recommend monthly facials from 6 months, increasing in frequency from 3 months until the day. Do not decide (having never had a facial before), to get a deep cleansing facial the week before your wedding. You would be surprise how many people do this and end up with a major breakout!
4. Exfolliate your lips regularly. Lightly brush over them with your toothbrush morning & night while brushing your teeth, to lift dead skin. And smother them with rosehip oil before going to bed. Get your bridesmaids into this routine too. Smooth lips make for beautiful lipstick/gloss application!
5. Don’t neglect your hands & feet. Many brides and bridesmaid are furiously painting their finger & toenails the morning of the wedding. Do yourself a favour and book a manicure & pedicure appointment for the day before the wedding. Let the professionals take care of this allowing you to relax on the wedding day, and lessening the chances of smudged nail polish on the day.
6. Prepare for your consultation with your hair and make-up artists. Collect images of styles and colours that you like, and have pictures of the dresses and fabric samples where possible as well as any hair pieces you are planning to wear on the day. Images assist with the communication process and ensure you are on the same page before you start. Makeup, like art is interpretive. There are a million versions of a smokey eye, so telling your makeup artist that this is the look you want will not necessarily result in the finished look you are after.
7. Try and book your make-up trial, hair trial and a dress fitting on the same day. This will allow you to see the entire look together, and make more informed decisions regarding your overall appearance.
8. Ask your make-up artist what lipstick brand and colour he/she has applied, and if she can sell you one on the wedding day. If your makeup artist doesn’t sell the lip colour they apply, I suggest you purchase one from a department store for touch-ups on the day. No matter how well you are told your lip colour will last, it will need to be re-applied at some stage during the day or night.
9. Invest in blotting papers. Powder will cake up your make-up by the end of the day while blotting papers remove excess oil & shine without lifting, moving or caking your makeup.
10. Have an area reserved for your make-up artist on the wedding day that is well lit with the most natural light possible (near a window or under a skylight is preferable), and with enough room for he/her to lay out their kit. If the weather is warm it is also advised to have the air-conditioning or a fan running to cool the room before the make-up artist arrives.
WHERE I SEE MYSELF IN 5 YEARS TIME:In 5 years time I will be represented by an agent and will be providing wedding make-up services of a weekend while working with the world’s best fashion photographers and the world’s top fashion magazines and design houses internationally during the week.
FINAL WORDS:Take time on the day with your new husband to just sit back, absorb your surrounds and enjoy the moment together. Your wedding day is like a whirlwind but you will ALWAYS remember that one moment you shared together xoxo
