I found this great article:
As a professional hair and makeup artist, one question I’ve been asked a lot recently is “Is a bridal makeup trial run really necessary?” On one of the biggest days of your life, it’s important to try to avoid any hiccups that may occur and make sure that the day goes smoothly.
You wouldn’t get married without a rehearsal or try your dress on only once, and it should be the same for your hair and makeup. Many brides think that a trial run is just a way for artists to try to make more money. In reality, it’s like a form of insurance for not only the bride but also the artist. In fact, many artists I know are starting to make a trial run mandatory, and include it in their bridal rates. While I still offer a trial run as optional, here I will give you 5 reasons as to why my response to that question is always “YES!”
1. A trial run is more than just a practice run for hair and makeup. It is the perfect opportunity to get to know your artist’s personality and their skill level, and to determine if they are the right fit for you. You want to be comfortable with them and make sure they are able to execute your desired style or makeup look.
2. As professionals, we will always try to please the client but sometimes, the desired look is not always possible depending on your hair or skin type or face shape. A trial run is a good time to discuss your options and to try different looks that will work for you. It may be necessary to purchase hair extensions or other products ahead of time to achieve the desired results.
3. While most professional makeup artists try to work with mostly hypoallergenic products, it is possible that you may be allergic to an ingredient in a cosmetic or hair product. Your wedding day is definitely not the day you want to discover you are allergic to latex eyelash glue or the red dye in purple eye shadow. A trial run gives you the opportunity to test out not only the final look, but also the products used.
4. Wedding day schedules tend to be pretty tight, so knowing exactly what look is desired and how long it takes to perform it can save a lot of valuable time.
5. A trial run is also a great opportunity to discuss any details such as the number of attendants and services, a timeline for the day, and recommendations from the artist. For example, I once had a bride mention during a trial that she wanted to get a facial on the morning of her wedding. I explained that makeup is not supposed to be applied after a facial, and oftentimes the makeup won’t adhere to the skin anyway. Had we not discussed this at her trial run, it would have been extremely difficult to achieve her desired look on her wedding day, and I can guarantee neither of us would not have been satisfied with the results.
A trial run is a very important and often underestimated part of the hair and makeup process. It may mean you have to adjust your budget slightly, but I assure you that it will be well worth it. Every bride wants to feel beautiful and confident on her wedding day. By knowing exactly how the day will go and exactly how you will look, both you and your artist can be confident that you will look and feel your best!