4 Surprising Reasons to book a professional for your wedding hair and make up

Ok, so most brides know the basics when it comes to what they’re looking for with their wedding hair and make up artist. Maybe you’re after someone who offer airbrush make up ( me! ) , or someone who can create a fabulous waterfall braid ( also me! ) . However, there are a few important things that you might not have yet considered ….

1. Allergies and hygiene.

A professional will use a selection of professional and trusted products. They know how to care for them and clean them. They know how to ensure that something will last all day, that it wont aggravate your skin and they know the correct way to work with your personal skin type and texture. Always be sure to make your artist aware of any allergies you have before the application process begins. That way they will know what products to avoid and what products to suggest and substitute if needed.

2. It’s their reputation , and they are not going to take that lightly!

Most artists have spent thousands of pounds and taken years to perfect their art. They want their work to be exceptional. They want you to look amazing and they want people to know that they created that! You don’t want to look ‘ok’ on your wedding day, you want to look incredible. You want your look to last and your artist wants you to be so pleased that you go on and recommend them to your friends and family without hesitation.

3. They know how to deal with the situation.

Sometimes things don’t go to plan. Timings may change, things might happen outside of your control, but a professional will be able to take that in their stride and deal with it. You don’t want someone who is going to get flustered and anxious, you want someone who is confident and makes you feel comfortable. They know what they are doing, they have experience and even if you might find yourself in a situation you hadn’t anticipated , a true professional will be able to remain calm and deal with it.

4. They can work alongside other professionals.

Chances are that this isn’t the first wedding your hair and make up artist has had the honour of participating in. As time goes on you learn the expectations of other suppliers as well as your own. Maybe the photographer wants to get some prep shots of you getting your liner applied, or the wedding co ordinator wants to take you to see the room dressed before your guests start to arrive. Most of these things we can anticipate and even suggest to ensure that you are getting as much out of your morning as possible. Often, your hair and make up artist might even find that they know your photographer or are familiar working at your particular venue.

Everyone wants to ensure that they play their part in making sure you have the most amazing wedding morning. If you think you might like me to join you in making yours one to remember then please do get in touch. I only work with one wedding per day so once your booking is confirmed you can rest assured that I’ll be with you until the moment you head off down the aisle!

All Blog Posts

Finding the perfect wedding underwear

Katie meets: The Bra Boss of Kent

So many brides have the same dilemma when it comes to wedding underwear….Infact so many ladies have the same dilemma when it comes to underwear in general! How do you actually find a bra that fits!? What size am I?! Well ladies, Meet Joanna….

Who you are and what you do?

Hello! My name is Joanna and I am The Bra Boss of Kent. I am a fully qualified, advanced bra fitter and I have worked in the lingerie industry for almost 10 years now. I hadn’t always planned to work fitting bras & knickers, but as many people do, I fell into the industry, and have never looked back! I started off my bra fitting career in Fenwick Canterbury, where I received my bra fitting training and I got a lot of experience on the shop floor. I was then poached by the brand Gossard(who invented the Wonderbra!) and was asked to help them out with bra fitting events and merchandising. I then moved into an Area Sales Manager role and looked after the independent lingerie boutiques, department stores and online retailers who stocked Gossard in the South East of the UK. After working for a few other lingerie brands, I decided I wanted to take the ‘plunge’ and open my own lingerie fitting boutique and help women find their perfect bra!

What kind of ladies come to you?

I have so many ladies come to me, all looking for different things in lots of different sizes! No two days are the same at Bra Boss HQ. For example, I might have a new mum who is breastfeeding and looking for a supportive nursing bra in an H cup, then I will help someone who has had a mastectomyand are looking for something soft and comfortable in a C cup. I stock a wide range of bra sizes at Bra Boss HQ. I stock bras from an A to a K cup and from a 28 to a 44 back.

What you can offer?

At Bra Boss HQ I offer ladies a bespoke bra fitting in a private, cosy little bra haven. Private fittings are an hour long, which sounds like quite a long time, but the time really does fly by! When you arrive, you will be offered a drink and a cupcake and then we will have a short consultation about what size you are currently wearing, and what type of bra you are looking for. Then it’s time for the Bra Boss magic to begin! After fitting hundreds of ladies over 10 years, I do not need to use a tape measure to get your bra size – I fit by eye.

It is important to point out that as a bra fitter, I will fit you to each product rather than measuring you as a ‘set in stone’ bra size. You will not be the same size in every single bra that you try on. Bras can come up very differently depending on the brand, the style/shape, the fabric and even the colour! Just like clothes and shoes, bras can differ so much and that is why it is so important to try every single bra on before you purchase it. My job is to bring each of the products into you, help you adjust it properly and to then highlight what a good fitting bra should look and feel like.

Bra Boss HQ is full to the brim of lovely branded lingerie made with the finest fabrics, elastics, wires and lace. The lingerie brands I stock are all well known and respected within the lingerie industry and produce award winning products, designed with comfort, fit and support in mind. I specialise in Sports, Nursing and Mastectomy bras, but also offer a small selection of everyday bras too.

Alongside the private bra fittings, I also offer pop up bra fitting events and “Fizz and Fitting events, which can be held for you and a group of your friends in the comfort of your own home.

Why would they come to you?

I am a fully qualified, advanced bra fitter with 10 years’ experience in the lingerie industry, therefore I would like to say that I know my stuff when it comes to bras and all things boob related!

When I set up The Bra Boss of Kent, I wanted to create a nice, cosy relaxing space for ladies to come and enjoy a private bra fitting. So many other large department stores on the High Street can be a bit overwhelming or impersonal and so I wanted to make sure that it is a fun, enjoyable experience, rather than a daunting one!

Why is it important to wear a bra that fits?

It’s so important to wear a bra that fits correctly! Firstly, a good fitting bra can help to improve your posture. If a bra is too loose in the back this means that the bust will naturally fall forwards, and if the bust is heavy, this could then lead to back, shoulder or neck problems. Secondly, a good fitting bra can actually make you look slimmer! I have helped a lot of ladies who have not liked their bust size, or the way their clothes fit. However, after their bra fitting, they have left happy and more confident with their shape. If the bust is being lifted and supported properly, then this will give you such a great silhouette and a great shape under your clothes. Many ladies who come to see me may actually go up in the cup size, but once their top is back on, they will look smaller than before! This is because the bust has been lifted properly and is sitting where it should be! It also goes without saying that it’s so important to wear a good sports bra – this can make such a huge difference to your performance and you should get fitted for a sports bra if you are an A cup or a K cup!

What’s your Mission statement?

My mission as The Bra Boss is to support the lovely ladies in Kent, one bra fitting at a time! I want to ensure that the ladies I help feel supported, uplifted and confident in their new bras.

What do people get from visiting you?

Usually, they will come out as a completely different bra size compared to what they arrived in, and sometimes a completely different style of bra to what they would usually pick (usually because they wouldn’t know which style suits their shape and they would go for the safe option of a T-shirt bra!)

Ladies will get a bespoke, personalised service from someone who is really passionate and genuinely cares about making sure their customers walk out of Bra Boss HQ happy and comfortable. Helping ladies discover their new bra size and a new-found confidence fills me with joy!

Do you also still collect bras for charity?

I do collect bras for charity. I have a bra bank at Bra Boss HQ where you can donate any unwanted or unloved bras to Against Breast Cancer. The donated bras raise vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research. They also help to support small businesses in Africa.

The textile recovery project prevents these bras from going into landfill and gives them a new lease of life in developing countries such as Togo, Ghana and Kenya, where bras remain too expensive to be produced locally.

For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund their research. With over 30 million women in the UK – we can definitely make a difference!

Where can people find you? (physically and socially)

Bra Boss HQ is based in Priory Row, in Faversham. For a private bra fitting appointment, you will need to make an appointment via my website: www.thebrabossofkent.weebly.com where you can then select the date and time that suits you best.

You can find me on:

Facebook – “The Bra Boss of Kent”

Instagram – @the.bra.boss.of.kent

Thank you Joanna!

If you provide a wedding service that you think might be of interest to my brides then please do get in touch, id love to hear from you!

All Blog posts

7 Step Checklist for Choosing a wedding hair and make up artist

Finding someone who you trust to create your wedding hair and make up is no easy feat! With so many artists it can all be a little overwhelming when it comes to selecting who you want to spend your wedding morning with. I’ve worked with hundreds of brides and all of them tell me that choosing their hair and make up artist is something that they can get quite nervous about. So, in my attempt to help a little , I’ve put together 7 easy steps that you can follow to make sure that when it comes to choosing your wedding hair and make up artist , you can be sure that you’re getting the right person!

1, Can they do what you’re after?

Chances are that you’ve found their details and taken a look at their social media pages. I’m really proud of the looks I create and post them here so that other brides to be can get inspiration when it comes to finding their own unique style too. Can you look through images of their work and imagine yourself in those photos? Are you attracted to the styles they are creating? If you want to then you can always ask to see some similar styles to what you have in mind that they have previously created.

2. Do your like their ‘vibe’?

Have you taken a look at their website? Does it resonate with you? Do they seem like someone who will understand what you want from your day? Can you imagine that this might be the kind of person that you could trust?

3. Do you like their personality?

When you contact them are they friendly? Is it easy? Do they seem to know what they’re talking about!? Someone that takes time to chat with you about your wedding, and give you the information you’re after is much more appealing than someone who simply fires back a price list. I have a contact page on my site that allows brides to be to fill out their details and I will always personally respond to all of my enquiries.

4. Can you see reviews?

Can you get any feedback from anyone who has actually used them? What do they have to say? Was it a positive experience for them? You can read reviews from my past brides on my facebook and google pages. This is important as it helps my potential brides to know that I can be trusted with the biggest day of their life! ( no pressure! )

5. Is the work you’re seeing their own work?

This might sound like a basic request but many artists looking to attract brides will use stock images of pictures and tell you that they can create a look ‘just like this one’. Ask to see their own work, ask to see pictures from weddings they have personally worked on and styles they created themselves.

6. Can you imagine spending a morning with them?

Are they chatty? Friendly? Approachable? Polite? Will they fit in? It’s the biggest day of your life and you’re inviting them to be a huge part in that, make sure they make you feel comfortable. Some of the best compliments I’ve had from brides is that having me there is like having another friend helping you get ready on your wedding morning. The wedding morning is an experience in itself, it’s fun, it’s emotional, it’s nerve wracking and I’m there to help you through that!

7. Are they professional?

Do they take a deposit? Have they sent a contract? You don’t want to get caught out weeks before your wedding with someone who has ‘let you down’ after saying they will do your hair and make up for you who then simply changes their mind or cancels at the last minute. A professional artist will set a contract, take a deposit payment and confirm your booking so you don’t need to worry. Sadly, I get so many last minute brides contact me panicking because the person they thought they had booked didn’t show up or changed their mind. For me, wedding hair and make up is my full time profession. Its something I do because I love it, and I wouldn’t dream of letting anyone down. I have contracts, policies and booking processes in place so you can be sure that your wedding hair and make up services are booked, and that I’m taking it seriously.

Your wedding day is a big deal. You’ve put so much love and energy into all of the details it’s only right that you work alongside a variety of suppliers willing to do the same! After over 7 years in the wedding industry I’m proud to know a whole host of fabulous suppliers who really will go above and beyond to make your day the very best! If there’s anything that you’re not sure of or that you’d like help with then please do just ask! I look forward to speaking with you!

All Blog Posts

The 5 most important words when it comes to your wedding hair and make up

Undone.

A really popular word for 2019 , and it seems that 2020 brides are continuing the trend. ‘Undone ‘ hair , is soft hair that moves, hair that is less structured with more texture but not forgetting the shine. It’s the whole ‘I woke up like this’ , just a slightly more polished version! Just because hair looks ‘undone’ does not mean loose or falling out, the hair is still held and structured in the same way as any style in order to allow it to last all day for a wedding. Simply put, undone styles tend to be more sweeping, following the hairs natural movement rather than constricting it to be something else.

Natural.

When a bride tells me they want to look natural, they mean that they want to look ‘like themsevles’. Your wedding day hair and make up should enhance your usual features, not mask or change them. You simply want to look like you – on a really good day! Perhaps you don’t usually wear make up, or it’s rare that you ever really do anything with your hair. Sometimes the smallest change can make the biggest difference. The simplest of styles or the smallest change to a make up application can really enhance someone’s natural beauty.

Elegant.

This is a word that I hear a lot. My brides tell me that they want to look flawless, glamorous and elegant. The definition of elegant is stylish, grateful, tasteful, sophisticated, dignified and beautiful. Need I say more!

Wow. ‘Nice’ just doesn’t cut it. I want you to not only look amazing, but feel it too. It’s one of my very favourite moment of the morning when a bride turns to the mirror after stepping into her dress and sees her wedding hair and make up complete for the very first time. I don’t want you to look or feel anything less than amazing.

No.

This is perhaps the most important word when it comes to wedding hair and make up. Both yourself and your chosen artist need to know when to say no. If you ask me for something that really doesn’t work with you, doesn’t compliment you at all, and leaves me with genuine concern about how it will look or last then I’m going to tell you no. Of course I will provide alternative suggestions and options but you are paying me for my professional advice, and if something goes strongly against that, then I have to speak up. On a wedding day it’s my job to consider not only what your make up looks like in person , but also what it will look like in photographs, how it will work on camera and ultimately whether I can be proud of what I have created for you, knowing that it’s to the best of my abilities. It also goes for you too. If you don’t like something – say no. If you don’t want something – say no. I always tell my brides to be honest with me, If I didn’t get it quite right, didn’t use the exact colour you wanted, or you simply want something a little different, don’t be afraid to tell me. These photos are going to last you a lifetime -I want to get it right for you. I don’t want you to think it’s ‘ok’. I want you to think it’s perfect so honesty is definitely the best policy!

Wow

The whole point of booking a professional is so that you can guarantee that not only do you look good, but you feel it too. The moment a bride steps into her dress and see’s herself in the mirror for the first time is my favourite part of every morning. I want you to know that you look like the very best possible version of yourself and I want you to be proud of that! Even at your trial session I love to hear compliments like ‘’Wow is that really me?’’ or ‘’I cant believe that’s actually my hair!’’. The whole ethos of my role as a wedding hair and make up artist is to transform you into the beautiful bride that you had imagined ready for this day. Having that ability to make people feel amazing is such a special thing, I get such satisfaction watching you head off down the aisle knowing that I helped to create the confidence and glow that you’re wearing!

If you want to chat about the details for your wedding day then be sure to get in touch. Maybe you’re not sure yet as to what look you want to go for – or maybe you know exactly what you want. Either way, feel free to contact me or send me a message. You can find lots of inspiration over on my instagram page too so be sure to stop over there aswell!

All Blog Posts

Why you DON’T need to book a separate wedding hair and make up artist for your wedding day

If I had a pound for every time I heard something along the lines of ‘’You can’t have one person for both hair and make up on your wedding day , because they will only be any good at one or the other/ because you’ll run out of time/ because they won’t be able to get everyone ready ( you can insert your own totally untrue limitation here! ) ‘’ then I’d be a rich woman!

Don’t believe everything you hear!

When I first started out I felt a little hurt when I heard things like this, and I felt the need to justify why it’s not true, or maybe point out how many weddings I’ve done where I’ve got everyone ready, both wedding hair and make up, on time and without any problems. Nowadays, I just simply smile to myself when I hear things like this as it simply could be more wrong! I smile even more so when the person saying it, or the person who told the bride this valuable advice, is infact someone who offers only hair or only make up and not both ( funny that eh?! ).

What’s the truth?

The truth is that many professionals have spent many years training in order to be able to provide a complete and bespoke hair and make up service to their clients. Just like some artists will specialize in face painting, or hair extensions – I specialize in bridal. It’s where I’ve honed my skills, spent my time and attention and it’s what I love. I love being given complete control in bringing someone’s bridal vision to life. The opportunity to provide both hair and make up services works so well for several reasons and just a few of them include the following:

1. I can take the time to understand.

We spend a lot of time talking about what your likes are, and even what you dislike too. I want to make sure that I fully understand other aspects of your day in order to understand your desires and expectations of your look too. Sometimes when I tell people that a trial can take up to three hours they think it sounds like a long time but it quickly passes as we discuss everything in-depth and start to try out a variety of looks based on your initial ideas.

2. I know what compliments and I can make suggestions and give a professional opinion.

Maybe you don’t know exactly what you want and rest assured not every bride does! It’s my job to provide you with the options to make an informed decision. You might have not considered changing your hair part, or wearing lashes and I can offer advice based on things like your face shape or hair colour which you might not even have thought about!

3. You can see everything come together.

Your bridal hair and bridal make up have to work together. They have to complement and enhance one another. By doing both, I can be sure that your entire look works in unison. You can see everything at the same time and once we’ve completed your trial session many brides to be tell me that seeing themselves as they will look as a bride really makes it all seem that little bit more real!

4. I can work to my own timings

Working alone means that I can set my own timings and deadlines based on your timeline for the day. I can work to a schedule if needed and I know how long I need to carry out the services I’m there to do. If I want to put your rollers in, then prep your skin, then start your updo, then return to apply your eyeshadow I can. I know exactly how long I need to complete each service and what order to work in to give you the best results. It means I’m not waiting around or stepping aside whilst someone else needs you to fit in with their needs too.

Being given the opportunity and the responsibility to bring someone’s bridal vision to life is not something to be taken lightly. It’s not ‘just another day’, you don’t just want to look ‘nice’ and you certainly don’t want to ever look back on the photos that will last you a lifetime and worry that you should have done something differently. I have a fantastic team that works alongside me with larger bridal parties meaning that I can cater to anyone who wants to get in on the action on the wedding morning and offer both hair and make up services to everyone.

That being said, and as much as I love the chance to offer both hair and make up services on your wedding day, sometimes I’m booked alongside other suppliers for just one aspect of the services I offer. Maybe your friend is a make up artist and is doing your make up for you as a gift, or maybe you’ve got a very talented mum who wants to be the one to create your bridal updo – that’s fine too! When this is the case then I always make sure to have a quick chat to organize timings so everyone can organize things exactly as they need to. It’s really important that everyone on your wedding morning is working together to make everything as stress free as possible for you!

If you’d like to know more or you want any further information on how your own wedding morning might work then please do get in touch. You can see some of my bridal creations on my gallery pages so feel free to pop over there and get inspired, there’s even a video on my about me page that will give you a little peek behind the scenes on a real wedding morning!

I look forward to speaking to you!

All Blog Posts