Just like a tennis bracelet or a pair of drop earrings, makeup is an accessory that ties a wedding look altogether. Accentuating your natural features with cosmetic products for your big day will help boost your confidence, express your personal style, and coordinate with the overall aesthetic. Not to mention, your nuptials will probably be the most documented day of your life—meaning, your makeup look will live on through your wedding photos. Needless to say, your big-day glam is an essential aspect of any celebration. That’s why many brides delegate the job to the professionals.

If you’re hiring a makeup artist for your wedding glam, you might assume that the task is entirely in the hands of your stylist. But, even if you won’t be the one physically putting product on your face, you’ll still need to coordinate and keep track of a handful of logistics, from scheduling appointments to communicating your vision. Since this is likely the first time you’re planning an event as multifaceted as a wedding, without knowing how it works, it’s easy to forget some steps in the process or neglect essential tasks.

To put your mind at ease, we asked three professional wedding makeup artists to reveal the top mistakes brides tend to make with their bridal glam. Making a note of these common blunders will help you feel prepared ahead of the event and will maximize the final product on your big day. 

Read on for 10 of the most common wedding makeup mistakes that bridal artists want you to avoid.

Neglecting Your Pre-Wedding Skin Prep

Many brides forget that their big-day glam starts well before the day they tie the knot—up to a year before the event, that is. “Makeup can only look as good as the skin underneath,” says Katherine McCall, studio director of Face Time Beauty. Of course, your makeup artist will work their magic on the morning before your ceremony, but to maximize the results, you’ll need a healthy base. 

To attain a radiant complexion, it’s advised to meet with a dermatologist about 12 months before the affair, so they can recommend the best ingredients, products, and treatments for your skin concerns and skin type. With their suggestions in mind, establish a consistent skincare routine, before adding in treatments at the halfway point (if desired) and facials three months out. McCall also encourages you to protect your skin from UV rays and stay hydrated every day.

Booking a Vendor You Don’t Mesh With

When deciding on a makeup artist, it’s definitely important to evaluate the professional’s level of expertise and talent, but another essential factor that brides often overlook? Compatibility. Since you’ll be spending a significant amount of time with your beauty team on arguably the most important morning in your life, choosing someone who you mesh well with will make the start of the festivities as enjoyable as they should be. “While having beautiful, amazing makeup is important, making sure you have a great rapport and personality match with your makeup artist is key,” McCall explains. 

Skipping the Trial

Some brides think they can skip a makeup trial—whether it’s to save money or because they can’t seem to find the time—but Tiffany Chiang, makeup director of Design Her Image, confirms this decision will backfire. “Some brides think they can wing it with their makeup artist on the day of, but trust me, the wedding day is not the time for experimentation,” she emphasizes. Having a preliminary run-through will help you assess and refine your look, so you’ll have complete confidence in your glam. For best results, book your trial three to six months before you’re set to walk down the aisle.

Blindly Following the Trends

While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with following a trending makeup look if it suits your preferences and personality, opting for a viral eyeshadow color or a popular blush application just because it’s trendy won’t feel authentic. Your wedding day should be an extension of who you are, and blindly following the pack won’t give your guests an accurate representation of that (plus, you probably won’t feel all that comfortable in your skin). Instead, select a look that feels true to you. When in doubt, stick to a timeless makeup look, according to both Chiang and McCall. Not only is it flattering on everyone, but it will also hold up in your wedding photos.

Trying a Completely New Look

Your nuptials are not the time to test out a completely new look—the last thing you want is to be unrecognizable at your grand event. “If you're not used to wearing heavy makeup, don’t suddenly go full glam on your wedding day,” Chiang advises. And, if a bold lip and a smokey eye aren’t in your rotation, per McCall, now is not that time to try it. As you choose your bridal glam, don’t stray too far from your everyday beatification process—just make it elevated.

Thinking More Is More

On that same note, if your go-to makeup look leans glamorous, by all means, go for it. But, even if full-on glamour is standard for you, makeup artist Shannon O'Brien discourages you from going too heavy on the product. The cosmetics that you use should accentuate your natural features, not conceal them. “You do need ‘more’ on the wedding day, but it doesn't necessarily mean more product,” O’Brien notes. “It might mean more time, more steps, more sheer layers, more expertise, more precision, more brushes. It's the nuance and the details that your artist brings to the table that can transcend your normal look without transforming you.”

Doubting Their Recommendations

Another wedding makeup mistake that brides make is ignoring their makeup artist’s recommendations. While we completely understand that you are the expert on your own skin, your stylist is a professional with years of experience under their belt, so placing your trust in them is essential (not to mention, less burdensome for you). “They’ve likely seen every skin tone, face shape, and makeup style imaginable,” Chiang says. “Be open to their suggestions, especially regarding product longevity.” If you are a bit hesitant about a particular proposition, instead of outright rejecting it, discuss your concerns with your stylist—they’re there to help.

Overlooking the Impact of Lighting

From your skin type to your everyday makeup routine, there are so many different factors to consider when picking out your beauty look. One element that brides typically overlook? How lighting will affect the final product on the big day. “Makeup can look dramatically different under various lighting conditions,” Chiang points out. To guarantee a consistent look, Chiang suggests gauging the impact of your cosmetics in an indoor and outdoor setting during your trial.

Failing to Purchase Your Lip Color

If you’re wearing lipstick or lipgloss on your wedding day, don’t forget to grab the color from your artist before you say “I do”—a task that many brides fail to do. Since the hue will fade throughout the festivities, especially after eating and drinking, you’ll probably want to reapply several times. By having the exact combination on hand, you’ll be able to seamlessly restore the original look. “I always say do a lip check after your first look, before portraits, before the ceremony, and before the cocktail and reception,” O’Brien recommends.

Forgetting to Hire Your Artist for Touch-Ups

Your lip color isn’t the only component of your makeup look that might fade. From shedding a tear at the ceremony to sweating on the dance floor, any cosmetic product on your face is prone to smearing or melting off. Instead of accepting defeat or trying to improvise with products from your own collection, have your makeup artist on call. Not many brides know this is an option, but O’Brian explains that most artists will stay past the morning beautification session to freshen you up throughout the festivities—as long as they’re available (make sure to check with them in advance).

At the very least, McCall recommends having your artist stay until after the ceremony. “There is often a large amount of time from the initial makeup application to the ceremony and reception, and it always makes a bride feel better to have a little refresh before stepping into the next portion of the day,” McCall says.