Let’s Get Ready for Your Trial!
Your bridal trial is our chance to play, collaborate and figure out exactly what makes you feel your most beautiful before the wedding day.
Whether you're coming to us for makeup, hair, or both, a little preparation beforehand can make a huge difference. This guide covers everything, so if you're only receiving one service from us, simply skip the sections that don't apply to you!
And remember: this is a trial. You don't have to walk through the door already knowing exactly what you want. That's part of what we're here to help you figure out.
BEFORE YOUR TRIAL: FIND SOME INSPIRATION
We want to make sure you and your artist are on the same page, and sometimes words can get lost in translation.
"Natural," "glam," "messy," "soft," "textured" and even "a lot of makeup" can mean VERY different things to different people.
That's where photos help!
Bring a FEW inspiration photos. A few. Not your entire Pinterest board. 😉
Having 2–4 images that show elements you love gives your artist a much clearer direction than scrolling through 47 completely different looks. And your photos don't all have to show the exact same finished look. Maybe you love the eyes in one makeup photo but the skin in another. Maybe you love the front of one hairstyle but the texture of another. Just remember once you put everything together, you may NOT like them together and that is OK! You just need to tell your artist. Don't feel bad to tell them because they did what you asked, they want to you love the end result as much as you do!
Tell us what you like about each photo. That's often even more helpful than the photo itself.
For makeup, bring a photo of YOURSELF, too! One of the most helpful things you can show your makeup artist is a photo of yourself from a time when you really loved how you looked.
REMEMBER, Professional inspiration photos can be deceptive. The person in the photo may be wearing significantly more makeup than you realize, and professional lighting, editing and filters can completely change how makeup appears on screen (or the photo is AI!).
A photo of you tells us so much.
Do you normally love a defined eye? Lots of blush? Barely-there skin? A strong brow? Do you feel most like yourself with a little more makeup than you realized?
Seeing you in makeup you already know you loved gives your artist another incredibly useful reference point.
CHOOSE INSPIRATION THAT RELATES TO YOU
We don't expect you to find your identical twin on Pinterest, but there are a few things worth paying attention to.
For makeup: look at skin tone. If you're very fair and aren't planning to tan for your wedding, an inspiration photo featuring deeply bronzed skin may give you a very different result than you're imagining. A lot of bridal inspiration online features very tan skin. Bronzer, blush, eye makeup and even lip colors can read completely differently depending on skin tone.
If you won't be tan for your wedding, look for at least some inspiration on people with a complexion similar to yours.
And if you are planning to get a spray tan for your wedding, we highly recommend getting one before your trial, too.
The goal is to recreate the conditions of the wedding day as closely as we reasonably can.
For hair: look at color, length and volume. Hair inspiration can be particularly tricky because hair color dramatically affects what you see in a photo. Texture and individual pieces tend to be much easier to see in highlighted or dimensional hair than in very dark, solid-colored hair. The exact same hairstyle can look surprisingly different on the two.
Also consider length and density.
If your hair is shoulder length and the inspiration photo shows a half-up style cascading to the middle of someone's back, there's obviously going to be a difference. 😉
You don't have to know whether someone in a photo has extensions or exactly how thick her ponytail is. That's our job! We just want you to keep the more obvious differences in mind. And if you're dreaming of length or fullness your natural hair doesn't have, tell us! Your stylist can talk with you about whether extensions or another option would help achieve the look. When it doubt, extentions do OFTEN help, particularly with down or half up/half down styles. We love the goo-goo brand you can find on amazon. Don't panic about an EXACT color match. They aren't clipped to the TOP of your hair. You just want to find a close match. If you want to order ahead of time but are worried, just reach out to the office to help!
HOW TO PREP YOUR HAIR
Clean beats dirty! We're officially retiring the old "dirty hair styles better" advice.
We would much rather have hair that's a little too clean than hair that's too dirty. We can always add grit, texture and grip with professional products. We can't make dirty hair clean.
For a trial, washing your hair the night before is completely fine for many people, but your normal wash schedule matters, too. Everyone’s hair is different, so there isn’t one magical “wash your hair exactly 24 hours before” rule.
You don't need to dramatically change your routine just for us but aiming for somewhere around the middle of your normal wash cycle can be a great guide.
For example:
Conditioner left behind in the hair can make it heavy, slippery and difficult to style.
Dry your hair the way you normally do. Do your usual hair routine at home, just stop before the actual finishing/styling portion.
If you normally blow-dry your hair, blow-dry it.
Please arrive with completely dry hair.
Light prep products are fine. A volumizing mousse, root lift or lightweight volumizing spray can be helpful.
Please skip:
And skip the flat iron. Unless you already know from experience that your hair curls beautifully after being flat ironed, please don't straighten it before your trial. For the vast majority of people, hair that has been flat ironed becomes significantly more resistant to holding curl. Just dry it normally and let us take it from there.
If you want us to work with your natural curl pattern, prep and dry your curls the way you normally wear them.
BRING YOUR HAIR ACCESSORIES
If you already have your veil, hair comb, pins, headband, flowers, extensions or other accessories, bring them with you! The veil is the LEAST important thing if you have a simple veil. Some can be a little more complex though so if you do have it, go ahead and bring it t show your artist.
Seeing everything together during the trial gives you a much better idea of the finished wedding-day look and allows your stylist to determine the best placement and make any necessary adjustments.
If you haven't chosen your accessories yet, that's okay, too. Your stylist may even be able to offer guidance once you've settled on your hairstyle. We do have some in the studio that are available for purchase. If you find one you love, we advise purchasing it the day of your trial and taking it with you. Your artist cant be responsible for it between the trial and wedding day and our accessories are scooped up often and we can not guarantee we will get the same style back in stock.
HOW TO PREP YOUR SKIN
Clean + hydrated is exactly what we want. Do your normal skincare routine before coming to see us, but arrive without makeup.
Your everyday serums and moisturizer are completely fine. In fact, well-hydrated skin is happy skin when it comes to makeup application!
What we don't need is a bunch of extra skincare that your skin isn't accustomed to.
Stick with the products you already know work well for you and let your artist handle the makeup prep from there.
This is mentioned before but we are saying it louder for those in the back! IF YOU'RE GETTING A SPRAY TAN...If you plan to have a spray tan for your wedding, we strongly recommend having one for your trial as well.
Your foundation match, bronzer, blush, lip color and the overall balance of your makeup can look different when your skin is several shades deeper.
It also gives you the opportunity to make sure you actually like your spray tan with your bridal look before the wedding!
If you're testing a new spray-tan artist or formula, your trial can be a great time to test that, too, rather than experimenting right before the wedding. If you don't have a spray tan artist, there are many artists on our team that do offer them and we are happy to point you in that direction.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear white or another light, neutral color. There's a reason for this beyond just making the moment feel bridal!
Color reflects onto your face and affects how you perceive your overall look. A bright red, neon green or black shirt can make your makeup appear different than it will against your wedding dress.
A white, ivory, cream or other light neutral top helps you see the entire look more accurately. (unless you are wearing a black wedding dress! But also, for others getting trials like a Mother of the Bride of Maid of Honor, please wear a color similar to the color YOU'd wear on the big day!)
Bonus points if the neckline is somewhat similar to your wedding dress!
HAIR-ONLY BRIDES: PUT A LITTLE MAKEUP ON!
Even if someone else will be doing your makeup on the wedding day, we recommend coming to a hair-only trial with your makeup done.
It absolutely does not need to be professional. Do your own makeup however you normally would when you're getting dressed up.
Seeing a completely finished bridal hairstyle while looking at a totally bare face can make it surprisingly difficult to envision — and love — the overall finished look.
We're trying to eliminate as many of those visual distractions as possible so you can concentrate on your hair.
DURING YOUR TRIAL: TALK TO US!
This might be the most important advice in this entire guide:
Tell your artist what you're thinking.
You will not hurt our feelings. We promise!
A trial is not a test where your artist creates something and you either pass or fail based on whether you love it immediately. It's a collaboration. If something feels too dark, too light, too tight, too loose, too polished, too messy, too much or not enough, tell us.
Those little pieces of feedback are how we get from "I like it..." to "YES. This is it."
And try to be specific when you can.
Instead of simply saying, "It doesn't feel like me," think about why.
Is there more eyeliner than you normally wear? Do you usually like more blush? Does the shadow look too Orange/Purple/Gray, etc (even if they are brown tones)? Does the front of your hair feel too slick? Do you want more pieces around your face?
You don't need to know beauty-industry terminology. Just tell us what you're seeing and how it makes you feel, and we'll figure it out together.
GIVE YOURSELF A MINUTE
Seeing yourself with professional bridal hair and makeup can sometimes feel surprisingly different at first, especially if you don't regularly wear much makeup or have your hair professionally styled.
Look at yourself up close.
Then step back.
Take a few photos.
Look in different lighting.
And give your brain a minute to adjust before deciding how you feel.
Makeup in particular is designed not only for the person standing two feet away from you, but also to translate beautifully in photographs.
That doesn't mean you should ever feel uncomfortable or unlike yourself. It simply means the first five seconds in the mirror don't always tell the whole story.
AFTER YOUR TRIAL
Pay attention to your hair and makeup as you go through the rest of your day.
Look at it indoors and outside. Take photos. Notice how everything wears. See how your makeup looks several hours later and how your hairstyle feels as you move around and go about your day.
And if you think of something later that you'd like adjusted for the wedding day, that's okay!
Maybe you decide you'd like a little less eyeliner. Maybe you'd like the face-framing pieces softer. Maybe you loved everything but want a slightly different lip.
Your trial gives us information. That's exactly what it's supposed to do.
Take note of anything you'd like your artist to know so those details can be incorporated into your wedding-day look.
REMEMBER, THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TRIALS! Your trial isn't just about choosing a lipstick or deciding exactly where you'd like that face-framing piece to fall. It's also a chance for you and your artist to get to know each other, communicate and make sure everyone feels confident heading into the wedding day.
Please, please talk to your artist during your appointment.
We promise, you are not going to hurt our feelings! If you'd like something softer, fuller, less dramatic, more dramatic, higher, lower, messier, smoother — whatever it may be — tell us.
We would always rather make adjustments while you're sitting in our chair than have you leave wishing you had said something.
Our artists aren't mind readers (although after this many weddings, we're getting pretty good 😉), and words like "natural," "glam," "loose" or "textured" can mean something completely different to you than they do to someone else.
Your feedback is an important part of the process.
AND PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH US, TOO. Sometimes you don't realize how you feel about a look until you've left, seen it in different lighting, taken a few photos or simply had some time to sit with it.
If something feels off afterward, reach out to us. Whether thats your artist directly, or you feel more comfortable reaching out the the Cotton Rouge Office.
That doesn't automatically mean anything went wrong.
Sometimes it's a small adjustment we can make for the wedding day. Sometimes another conversation with your artist is all that's needed. And occasionally, two perfectly lovely people simply aren't the perfect creative match.
One of the wonderful things about working with Cotton Rouge & Company is that you aren't booking just one person — you have an entire team behind you.
If you ever feel that another artist's style, approach or personality might be a better fit for you, please tell us. We would much rather have that conversation and help find the right fit than have you stay quiet because you're worried about offending someone.
Our artists understand that, too.
The goal isn't for you to protect our feelings.
The goal is for you to walk into your wedding day feeling completely comfortable, confident and excited about the team getting you ready.
So speak up, ask questions, request changes and keep us in the loop.
That's exactly what the trial process is for. ❤️
ONE LAST THING...Your inspiration photos are a starting point, not a blueprint.
Your face isn't the face in the photo. Your hair isn't their hair. And we don't want it to be.
We're using those images to learn what catches your eye, then combining that inspiration with your features, your coloring, your hair, your dress, your personal style and your comfort level.
The goal of your trial isn't to turn you into the bride on Pinterest.
It's to figure out exactly how you want to look and feel when you're the bride.
We can't wait to create it with you.
Whether you're coming to us for makeup, hair, or both, a little preparation beforehand can make a huge difference. This guide covers everything, so if you're only receiving one service from us, simply skip the sections that don't apply to you!
And remember: this is a trial. You don't have to walk through the door already knowing exactly what you want. That's part of what we're here to help you figure out.
BEFORE YOUR TRIAL: FIND SOME INSPIRATION
We want to make sure you and your artist are on the same page, and sometimes words can get lost in translation.
"Natural," "glam," "messy," "soft," "textured" and even "a lot of makeup" can mean VERY different things to different people.
That's where photos help!
Bring a FEW inspiration photos. A few. Not your entire Pinterest board. 😉
Having 2–4 images that show elements you love gives your artist a much clearer direction than scrolling through 47 completely different looks. And your photos don't all have to show the exact same finished look. Maybe you love the eyes in one makeup photo but the skin in another. Maybe you love the front of one hairstyle but the texture of another. Just remember once you put everything together, you may NOT like them together and that is OK! You just need to tell your artist. Don't feel bad to tell them because they did what you asked, they want to you love the end result as much as you do!
Tell us what you like about each photo. That's often even more helpful than the photo itself.
For makeup, bring a photo of YOURSELF, too! One of the most helpful things you can show your makeup artist is a photo of yourself from a time when you really loved how you looked.
REMEMBER, Professional inspiration photos can be deceptive. The person in the photo may be wearing significantly more makeup than you realize, and professional lighting, editing and filters can completely change how makeup appears on screen (or the photo is AI!).
A photo of you tells us so much.
Do you normally love a defined eye? Lots of blush? Barely-there skin? A strong brow? Do you feel most like yourself with a little more makeup than you realized?
Seeing you in makeup you already know you loved gives your artist another incredibly useful reference point.
CHOOSE INSPIRATION THAT RELATES TO YOU
We don't expect you to find your identical twin on Pinterest, but there are a few things worth paying attention to.
For makeup: look at skin tone. If you're very fair and aren't planning to tan for your wedding, an inspiration photo featuring deeply bronzed skin may give you a very different result than you're imagining. A lot of bridal inspiration online features very tan skin. Bronzer, blush, eye makeup and even lip colors can read completely differently depending on skin tone.
If you won't be tan for your wedding, look for at least some inspiration on people with a complexion similar to yours.
And if you are planning to get a spray tan for your wedding, we highly recommend getting one before your trial, too.
The goal is to recreate the conditions of the wedding day as closely as we reasonably can.
For hair: look at color, length and volume. Hair inspiration can be particularly tricky because hair color dramatically affects what you see in a photo. Texture and individual pieces tend to be much easier to see in highlighted or dimensional hair than in very dark, solid-colored hair. The exact same hairstyle can look surprisingly different on the two.
Also consider length and density.
If your hair is shoulder length and the inspiration photo shows a half-up style cascading to the middle of someone's back, there's obviously going to be a difference. 😉
You don't have to know whether someone in a photo has extensions or exactly how thick her ponytail is. That's our job! We just want you to keep the more obvious differences in mind. And if you're dreaming of length or fullness your natural hair doesn't have, tell us! Your stylist can talk with you about whether extensions or another option would help achieve the look. When it doubt, extentions do OFTEN help, particularly with down or half up/half down styles. We love the goo-goo brand you can find on amazon. Don't panic about an EXACT color match. They aren't clipped to the TOP of your hair. You just want to find a close match. If you want to order ahead of time but are worried, just reach out to the office to help!
HOW TO PREP YOUR HAIR
Clean beats dirty! We're officially retiring the old "dirty hair styles better" advice.
We would much rather have hair that's a little too clean than hair that's too dirty. We can always add grit, texture and grip with professional products. We can't make dirty hair clean.
For a trial, washing your hair the night before is completely fine for many people, but your normal wash schedule matters, too. Everyone’s hair is different, so there isn’t one magical “wash your hair exactly 24 hours before” rule.
You don't need to dramatically change your routine just for us but aiming for somewhere around the middle of your normal wash cycle can be a great guide.
For example:
- If you wash your hair every day, washing it the night before is perfect.
- If you wash your hair every other day, washing it the morning before is usually great.
- If you wash your hair once a week, washing it about three days before may be ideal.
Conditioner left behind in the hair can make it heavy, slippery and difficult to style.
Dry your hair the way you normally do. Do your usual hair routine at home, just stop before the actual finishing/styling portion.
If you normally blow-dry your hair, blow-dry it.
Please arrive with completely dry hair.
Light prep products are fine. A volumizing mousse, root lift or lightweight volumizing spray can be helpful.
Please skip:
- Hair oils
- Heavy cream-based products
- Gel
- Hard-hold hairspray
- Anything that leaves your hair stiff, greasy or heavily coated
And skip the flat iron. Unless you already know from experience that your hair curls beautifully after being flat ironed, please don't straighten it before your trial. For the vast majority of people, hair that has been flat ironed becomes significantly more resistant to holding curl. Just dry it normally and let us take it from there.
If you want us to work with your natural curl pattern, prep and dry your curls the way you normally wear them.
BRING YOUR HAIR ACCESSORIES
If you already have your veil, hair comb, pins, headband, flowers, extensions or other accessories, bring them with you! The veil is the LEAST important thing if you have a simple veil. Some can be a little more complex though so if you do have it, go ahead and bring it t show your artist.
Seeing everything together during the trial gives you a much better idea of the finished wedding-day look and allows your stylist to determine the best placement and make any necessary adjustments.
If you haven't chosen your accessories yet, that's okay, too. Your stylist may even be able to offer guidance once you've settled on your hairstyle. We do have some in the studio that are available for purchase. If you find one you love, we advise purchasing it the day of your trial and taking it with you. Your artist cant be responsible for it between the trial and wedding day and our accessories are scooped up often and we can not guarantee we will get the same style back in stock.
HOW TO PREP YOUR SKIN
Clean + hydrated is exactly what we want. Do your normal skincare routine before coming to see us, but arrive without makeup.
Your everyday serums and moisturizer are completely fine. In fact, well-hydrated skin is happy skin when it comes to makeup application!
What we don't need is a bunch of extra skincare that your skin isn't accustomed to.
Stick with the products you already know work well for you and let your artist handle the makeup prep from there.
This is mentioned before but we are saying it louder for those in the back! IF YOU'RE GETTING A SPRAY TAN...If you plan to have a spray tan for your wedding, we strongly recommend having one for your trial as well.
Your foundation match, bronzer, blush, lip color and the overall balance of your makeup can look different when your skin is several shades deeper.
It also gives you the opportunity to make sure you actually like your spray tan with your bridal look before the wedding!
If you're testing a new spray-tan artist or formula, your trial can be a great time to test that, too, rather than experimenting right before the wedding. If you don't have a spray tan artist, there are many artists on our team that do offer them and we are happy to point you in that direction.
WHAT TO WEAR
Wear white or another light, neutral color. There's a reason for this beyond just making the moment feel bridal!
Color reflects onto your face and affects how you perceive your overall look. A bright red, neon green or black shirt can make your makeup appear different than it will against your wedding dress.
A white, ivory, cream or other light neutral top helps you see the entire look more accurately. (unless you are wearing a black wedding dress! But also, for others getting trials like a Mother of the Bride of Maid of Honor, please wear a color similar to the color YOU'd wear on the big day!)
Bonus points if the neckline is somewhat similar to your wedding dress!
HAIR-ONLY BRIDES: PUT A LITTLE MAKEUP ON!
Even if someone else will be doing your makeup on the wedding day, we recommend coming to a hair-only trial with your makeup done.
It absolutely does not need to be professional. Do your own makeup however you normally would when you're getting dressed up.
Seeing a completely finished bridal hairstyle while looking at a totally bare face can make it surprisingly difficult to envision — and love — the overall finished look.
We're trying to eliminate as many of those visual distractions as possible so you can concentrate on your hair.
DURING YOUR TRIAL: TALK TO US!
This might be the most important advice in this entire guide:
Tell your artist what you're thinking.
You will not hurt our feelings. We promise!
A trial is not a test where your artist creates something and you either pass or fail based on whether you love it immediately. It's a collaboration. If something feels too dark, too light, too tight, too loose, too polished, too messy, too much or not enough, tell us.
Those little pieces of feedback are how we get from "I like it..." to "YES. This is it."
And try to be specific when you can.
Instead of simply saying, "It doesn't feel like me," think about why.
Is there more eyeliner than you normally wear? Do you usually like more blush? Does the shadow look too Orange/Purple/Gray, etc (even if they are brown tones)? Does the front of your hair feel too slick? Do you want more pieces around your face?
You don't need to know beauty-industry terminology. Just tell us what you're seeing and how it makes you feel, and we'll figure it out together.
GIVE YOURSELF A MINUTE
Seeing yourself with professional bridal hair and makeup can sometimes feel surprisingly different at first, especially if you don't regularly wear much makeup or have your hair professionally styled.
Look at yourself up close.
Then step back.
Take a few photos.
Look in different lighting.
And give your brain a minute to adjust before deciding how you feel.
Makeup in particular is designed not only for the person standing two feet away from you, but also to translate beautifully in photographs.
That doesn't mean you should ever feel uncomfortable or unlike yourself. It simply means the first five seconds in the mirror don't always tell the whole story.
AFTER YOUR TRIAL
Pay attention to your hair and makeup as you go through the rest of your day.
Look at it indoors and outside. Take photos. Notice how everything wears. See how your makeup looks several hours later and how your hairstyle feels as you move around and go about your day.
And if you think of something later that you'd like adjusted for the wedding day, that's okay!
Maybe you decide you'd like a little less eyeliner. Maybe you'd like the face-framing pieces softer. Maybe you loved everything but want a slightly different lip.
Your trial gives us information. That's exactly what it's supposed to do.
Take note of anything you'd like your artist to know so those details can be incorporated into your wedding-day look.
REMEMBER, THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TRIALS! Your trial isn't just about choosing a lipstick or deciding exactly where you'd like that face-framing piece to fall. It's also a chance for you and your artist to get to know each other, communicate and make sure everyone feels confident heading into the wedding day.
Please, please talk to your artist during your appointment.
We promise, you are not going to hurt our feelings! If you'd like something softer, fuller, less dramatic, more dramatic, higher, lower, messier, smoother — whatever it may be — tell us.
We would always rather make adjustments while you're sitting in our chair than have you leave wishing you had said something.
Our artists aren't mind readers (although after this many weddings, we're getting pretty good 😉), and words like "natural," "glam," "loose" or "textured" can mean something completely different to you than they do to someone else.
Your feedback is an important part of the process.
AND PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH US, TOO. Sometimes you don't realize how you feel about a look until you've left, seen it in different lighting, taken a few photos or simply had some time to sit with it.
If something feels off afterward, reach out to us. Whether thats your artist directly, or you feel more comfortable reaching out the the Cotton Rouge Office.
That doesn't automatically mean anything went wrong.
Sometimes it's a small adjustment we can make for the wedding day. Sometimes another conversation with your artist is all that's needed. And occasionally, two perfectly lovely people simply aren't the perfect creative match.
One of the wonderful things about working with Cotton Rouge & Company is that you aren't booking just one person — you have an entire team behind you.
If you ever feel that another artist's style, approach or personality might be a better fit for you, please tell us. We would much rather have that conversation and help find the right fit than have you stay quiet because you're worried about offending someone.
Our artists understand that, too.
The goal isn't for you to protect our feelings.
The goal is for you to walk into your wedding day feeling completely comfortable, confident and excited about the team getting you ready.
So speak up, ask questions, request changes and keep us in the loop.
That's exactly what the trial process is for. ❤️
ONE LAST THING...Your inspiration photos are a starting point, not a blueprint.
Your face isn't the face in the photo. Your hair isn't their hair. And we don't want it to be.
We're using those images to learn what catches your eye, then combining that inspiration with your features, your coloring, your hair, your dress, your personal style and your comfort level.
The goal of your trial isn't to turn you into the bride on Pinterest.
It's to figure out exactly how you want to look and feel when you're the bride.
We can't wait to create it with you.