Makeup Artistry

Getting Ready Together

Bring your inspiration. A few photos of hair and makeup inspiration go a long way. Not sure where to start? Check out our latest work on Instagram @michellewight.hmu, explore styles on our website, or browse our Pinterest board for curated favorites.

Skin, freshly washed. Arrive with clean, residue free skin so we have the best base to work with.

Clean, dry hair, always. Everyone receiving hair services should arrive with clean, completely dry hair, washed and blow dried either the morning of or the night before. No damp roots, please. Wearing extensions? Let us know ahead of time so we can adjust the timeline (a small fee may apply). Please note, we do not offer blowout services. Natural curls? Prep your hair as you normally would. Planning to wear it smooth? Skip the flat iron, we've got it covered.

No steaming, please. Steam is one of the fastest ways to undo a finished look. It relaxes curls, deflates volume, and can cause makeup to slip before it's had the chance to set. We strongly recommend steaming dresses the night before the wedding. If steaming absolutely must happen the day of, it needs to take place in a separate room, away from where hair and makeup services are underway, and only by someone who hasn't started their own services yet.

Bring your lip color. We'll apply a beautiful base, but it's always nice to have your go to lipstick or gloss with you for easy touch ups throughout the day.

Makeup Inspiration

Arriving with inspiration photos is one of the easiest ways to set yourself, and the bride, up for a smooth, stress free morning. Knowing what you're drawn to helps us get right to work, eliminates guesswork, and keeps everything running on time.

A few things to keep in mind when gathering your inspo:

• Be realistic and reflective. Styles like natural, soft glam, dramatic glam, or no makeup makeup all have distinct differences. If you're not sure which is which, we're happy to guide you.
• Consider your features. Look for photos that reflect your current skin tone, hair color, and texture. A look that works beautifully on a fair skinned blonde may translate very differently on a deeper complexion or darker hair, so the more aligned the inspo, the better we can tailor it to you.
• Think big picture. Your dress, the overall vibe of the wedding, the season, and the weather forecast all play a role. If rain is in the forecast, we strongly recommend opting for an updo to help maintain your look all day long.

When looking for photos, choose images that reflect your skin tone specifically. Pay attention to what you love about the image: is it the eyeshadow tone or placement, defined liner or something soft and diffused, warm peachy tones or cool rosy hues? We'll talk through all of this during your consultation. Eye shape matters too, a look on someone with lots of lid space may not translate the same on hooded or deep set eyes, but don't worry, we'll customize everything to suit you.

One more thing to keep in mind: makeup often photographs about 30% softer than it appears in person. If a look seems dramatic in photos, it will likely feel even more so in real life. Our job is to strike the perfect balance between camera ready and authentically you.

Skin Prep

One of the best investments you can make in the months leading up to your event is consistent, professional skincare.

If you're local to Seattle, we love SkinSpirit at University Village. Their team is experienced, welcoming, and results driven. Ask for Kayla or Megan, and mention Michelle Wight at booking, you'll receive a special discount on services just for being part of our community.

A couple of favorite treatments:

• Dermaplaning. A gentle exfoliation that removes dead skin and peach fuzz, leaving skin noticeably smoother and brighter.
• Targeted facials. Tailored to your unique needs, these help minimize fine lines, soften texture, and balance out skin tone.

And of course, hydrate. Drink plenty of water, moisturize regularly, and show your skin a little extra love in your daily routine. Great skin is the secret to a flawless finish, no matter what makeup style you choose.

Hair Prep

To help your wedding day hair look its absolute best, it's important to prep based on your hair's type, texture, and density. Whether your hair is fine, thick, straight, or naturally curly, the foundation of a beautiful style starts with clean, completely dry hair.

We recommend washing your hair the morning of or the night before your event. Freshly cleansed hair gives us the perfect base to work with, allowing products to perform better and styles to last longer throughout the day.

If you have natural curls and plan to wear a smoother or straighter style, please come with your hair already blown out before our team arrives. We do not offer blowout services and do not travel with blow dryers in our kits, so coming prepped saves time and lets us get started right away.

Blow drying at home? Be sure your hair is fully dry, no damp sections, even at the roots. Slight dampness can impact how your hair holds the style and adds unnecessary time and stress to the morning. The better you prep, the better your results, and we're here to help you feel confident, polished, and beautifully you from the very start.

Hair Inspiration

When choosing inspiration photos, look for images that reflect your current hair color and texture. If you're a brunette, seek out styles on brunettes. If you're blonde, the same goes. Hair that's highlighted, colored, or naturally virgin will each respond to styling differently, especially with the added texture that comes from lightening.

Pinterest and Instagram are amazing for inspiration, but many images are heavily edited or feature added extensions and volume. Don't get too attached to one specific photo, bringing a couple of options gives us more flexibility to create a look that works beautifully for your hair type.

Not sure whether to wear your hair up or down? Start with what feels most like you. And if your dream style calls for extra length or fullness, extensions can make all the difference. We love recommending brands like Luxy or Bellami, and we're happy to guide you through options, just note that extension application is an additional service. Accessories go a long way too, whether you're leaning timeless, modern, or romantic, choose pieces that complement your overall style, we'll help bring it all together.

Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, our professional hair and makeup team will arrive promptly, fully equipped and ready to begin styling. We'll bring everything needed to create the looks you've envisioned: tools, products, and the expertise.

We'll set up in a well lit, spacious area to ensure a smooth and efficient experience for everyone. Each member of the bridal party will receive personalized attention, with styles thoughtfully tailored to reflect both the wedding's aesthetic and individual preferences.

If you have any sensitivities or specific product preferences, we recommend bringing those items with you. While we carry a full kit of professional grade products, we may not always be able to accommodate specialty requests on site.

Wedding Day Prep

To help everything run smoothly on the big day, here are a few important reminders for each member of the bridal party:

• Arrive with clean, dry hair, washed and blow dried the morning of or the night before. No product, please. Styling over oil or product buildup makes it harder for your look to hold throughout the day.
• Be on time. Even a few minutes' delay can affect the overall schedule. If a unique circumstance requires a late arrival, please notify both the bride and our team ahead of time.
• Bring your go to lip color. We'll apply your initial look, but having your favorite gloss or lipstick on hand makes touch ups easy throughout the celebration.
• Avoid food and drinks post makeup. Try to hold off on eating or drinking after your makeup is complete to help maintain a polished look for photos and beyond.
• No steaming in the beauty space, ever. Steam is a fast way to undo a finished style, softening curls, flattening volume, and causing makeup to slip before it sets. Steam dresses the night before whenever possible. If day of steaming is unavoidable, it must happen in a separate room, away from hair and makeup services, and only by someone who hasn't been styled yet.
• Wear something easy to change out of. A button up shirt or robe is perfect, it ensures your hair and makeup stay intact when it's time to slip into your dress.
• Direct any last minute questions or changes through the bride, to keep things stress free and streamlined.