The real unsung hero (/potential villain) of any wedding day is the makeup artist.  And I should admit this right off the bat: I’m a control freak about makeup & I pretty much hate anyone who attempts to do mine.  It’s no fault of the artist, it’s just that I’ve had my somewhat clunky features for 31 years now & I know the tricks to play up the good stuff & try to hide the things I hate.  And there’s no way, cute little makeup lady with delicate features, that you’re going to pull out some eye shadow and know better what to do.   So I’m inherently a skeptic.  Which I explained at length to makeup guru Kristen Therese (http://www.kristentherese.com) before our makeup trial,  such that her feelings would be spared when she was inevitably insulted.

But then guess what?  I actually loved it.  In fact, Richie STILL says to this day that when Kristen did my makeup, it was the prettiest I’d ever looked (which I’m choosing not to take as an insult but more as a reflection of why she’s won The Knot’s Best of Weddings for 2012 & 2013).  So when the trial went well, I knew she was my girl.  With caveats, of course.   I’d be doing 90% of my own makeup (told you about that control freak part), but she could do the remaining facial components that I wasn’t hung up on (you’re just never going to see me without a liquid liner cat eye and it’s time you accept that).

On the big day, Kristen showed up at the hotel bright & early and dove right in, making my bridesmaids and my mom look absolutely beautiful.  I was pretty much on the verge of a nervous breakdown all day, so my plans to perfectly put on my own face went just about out the window (I managed the eyeliner, obvi).  Kristen calmed my nerves (with the help of champagne) and made me look and feel beautiful.

Not only did I leave the hotel looking great, Kristen worked her cute booty off all night touching me up, fixing my lipstick and making sure the makeup held.  And you might take that for granted, but let me tell you- without her, I would have had my face in a compact all night making sure I was camera ready.  There was a level of comfort and relaxation knowing someone had my back.  Or my face, actually.

Kristen worked around my eyeliner demands.
Photo credit: DonHwang.com

You are witnessing rare makeup artist trust!
Photo credit: DonHwang.com

She really brought out my bone structure.
Photo credit: DonHwang.com

I finally relaxed when Rupert joined me in the makeup chair.
Photo credit: DonHwang.com

Final product, courtesy of KristenTherese.com.
Photo credit: DonHwang.com

I felt confident, thanks to Kristen.
Photo credit: DonHwang.com

And it held up all night!
Photo credit: DonHwang.com

Don’t just plan on doing your own makeup on the big day.  Because you can’t.  100 crazy things are going to be happening & knowing you can hand off how you look to a professional is going to keep you sane.

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