Wedding Vendor Spotlight: Makeup by Diana LLC

Wedding VendorsWedding Tips
Written By Micah Kuhse

Hi guys, 

I have decided to start a series on our blog where we talk with wedding vendors who are experts in their fields. It can be overwhelming trying to plan a wedding and you may realize that you don’t even know what questions to ask vendors! The goal of this series is to ask the questions and get the answers that you need to know, and give you personal insight with the best wedding vendors around us! 

First up is Diana Anghelus with Makeup by Diana LLC. She is a makeup artist and skin care advisor and sat down with me to talk about all things bridal makeup! 

Micah: Hi Diana! Thank you so much for taking time to talk with us about bridal makeup! I’d love to dive right in. Can you tell us about your background and education as a makeup artist?

Diana: Of course! In 2006 I studied esthetics at beauty school and then took an online makeup course in 2008. I worked for a few cosmetics lines including Dior, Lancome, Guerlain, Perspectives, Origins, Estee Lauder, and 8 years with MAC. I went to all of the trainings that were offered and read a lot of books on makeup. Above all, hands-on training is the best one can get.

M: Perfect! So when a bride inquires with you, do you show them before and after photos of past brides?

D: Typically my clients have already checked my work before they contact me. Sometimes they even show me a picture of my own work. If they did not look through my portfolio, I happily direct them to my website and Instagram to check out, as I have many examples there especially with recent work.

before and after soft glam wedding makeup

M: Along that same question, do you prefer brides to show you inspiration photos for their makeup?

D: It’s great if the bride has pictures as inspiration. However, the same look might look different on her than what is shown. I always ask her questions about her makeup style because that tells me what can be “too much”. And then I will adjust it based on the look that she requires. Questions about the colors in the wedding, as well as the flower bouquets are always asked at the makeup trial, as well.

M: Speaking of makeup trials, that leads me to my next question! Do you offer trial runs? If so, where do those take place and how far in advance do you recommend the trial run being before the wedding?

D: I always recommend brides having a trial before the wedding. It is the best time to decide on the look and make any adjustments if needed. This is going to take away a lot of stress from the wedding day. Another good reason to have a trial before is to see if you are allergic to the products that were used. That is the last thing that you want to happen on your big day. 

My trials usually take two hours. I like to ask questions and make sure we get the desired look. Trials, as well as all my makeup services, take place on location so I travel to my clients. 

As for when the trial should happen, it all depends when the booking is done. Trials could run 2 to 6 months in advance. It is ideal to be done a few weeks/months before the wedding, in case of an allergic reaction or if the bride changes her mind on the look. 

M: Since we talked about allergic reactions, what are some good ways for a bride to prep her skin the week of her wedding to avoid any unwanted skin issues?

D: The preparation of the skin is actually recommended to start months in advance. When we meet for the trial, I like to do a mini consultation about their skincare routine as well. I find out that many brides do not use skincare at all and have no idea what to use. Or, some use body creams on their face. That can be too heavy and create some damage, so I happily make some recommendations. Many times I noticed their skin looked so much better on the wedding day than at the trial. By having great skin, the makeup will look better and last longer.

M: That’s great for brides to know! Going back to that wedding day makeup, do you suggest colors based on the bride's skin tone and type of skin?

D: Neutral colors are preferred for a wedding, I would not recommend anything too bright or trendy, as we want to keep it classy. That way when they are looking at the pictures many years from now they would still be happy and in love with their look.

wedding makeup inspiration before and after smokey eye

M: Ok my next question, how long should a bride plan on her makeup taking the morning of her wedding? 

D: For the bride, the makeup can take between 1 to 1.5 hours; it all depends on the look. I pay more attention to small details, so having 1.5 hour would be ideal. That way the bride will also feel relaxed and enjoy the time without any stress.

M: It doesn’t hurt to have a mimosa in hand too! Now should brides make sure their getting ready space has a lot of great natural light for you? 

D: I carry a makeup light with me at all times that stays in my car for when I need it. If we can have natural light, that’s great. However if that is not possible, I am prepared. More importantly than lighting, I prefer to have some space, like a table for example, so that I can lay the makeup on.

M: Got it! So with bridal makeup, do you have favorite products or certain lines that you love?

D: I like to use different brands of makeup and skincare and all of them are professional products. MAC is predominant in my kit though, especially for foundations and powders. I like how it creates a smooth base without looking like too much and photographs beautifully.

M: Ok speaking of your kit, do you clean or sanitize your brushes after each wedding or trial? 

D: Yes! I am very particular about working clean and sanitarily. All of the brushes are washed before going to any job. I never use the same brush on two different people without being properly cleaned. Not only are the brushes clean, but also the makeup. I always spray the makeup with a cosmetic sanitizer in between clients. I did that before the pandemic started, so for me it comes naturally. My clients are safe with me.

M: That’s great to hear! Another question I thought of: how do brides minimize shine and make the makeup last through the tears?

D: To keep the skin less shiny, a matte powder is recommended. If the bride could carry one for touch ups throughout the day, that would be ideal. Translucent powder is preferred so that it would not deposit more product on top of her makeup. Blot Films are also a great add on, as they will absorb the oil without altering the makeup. 

Waterproof products, especially for the eyes, are a must. If I find that my brides are crying easily, I add more translucent loose powder under the eyes, so that it can absorb the tears. A great tip I always share with them is to carry a tissue and blot the tears instead of rubbing them off. 

M: That’s a great tip! Thinking about the wedding day, do you have an assistant? 

D: At this time, I am the only one working as an artist with my business. However, I hope in the future to have a team. I can do makeup for up to 10 people by myself. Everything over that might require a second artist.

bridal makeup before and after glitter eyeshadow

M: Okay perfect! What is something for brides to consider that they tend to forget? 

D: Drinking plenty of water, wearing moisturizer day and night, exfoliating 1-2 times a week and always taking your makeup off before going to bed is something that your skin is going to thank you for. 

M: We’re getting so close to the end of our interview! If you could sum up your top 5 tips about bridal makeup, what would they be? 

D: 1. Choose a professional makeup artist and check her/his portfolio before booking them.

2. Make sure there is great communication between the artist and the bride.

3. Never skip the trial.

4. Bridal makeup is different from everyday makeup, so don’t get shy if it seems a little more than you are used to…it will look beautiful in the pictures.

5. Do not choose trendy looks that might be outdated in a few years, nor super long feathery lashes.

M: On the topic of trends, what do you think will be trending for 2022/2023? 

D: Graphic liner, bold color eyeshadows (lime green, sunset orange etc.), fluffy brows, and super glossy lips are in trend. I still do not recommend them for a wedding. We could adopt them at a less intense level though and personalize them to each person’s features. 

M: Ok last question! What is your favorite part of being a makeup artist? 

D: I love every aspect of it; it is a very relaxing moment not just for the brides, but also for me. Seeing the transformation is so fulfilling. I usually focus on working, don’t talk too much, especially on the wedding day, otherwise I would be slowed down, and I do not want the bride to be late because of me. It just brings so much joy when I see everything put together when the bride steps into her dress, as well as the smile on her face.

Thank you so much Diana! I appreciate you giving us so much amazing information and I’ll link all of your contact info below for people to use! 

Micah Kuhse
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