Preview Prep Guide
When to Schedule
Previews are typically scheduled 1-3 months prior to wedding dates! An ideal time to reach out is 4-5 months prior your wedding date. Typically, morning times are the best so you can see how your hair and makeup wear through out the day!
How to schedule
To schedule your preview, send Riley + Chrissy an email at hello@clevelandbeautycollective.com or simply respond on our existing email thread!
where previews occur
All of our artists either rent out studios or have home studios. Addresses, contact info, and pertinent parking information will be given out upon scheduling. If you are scheduling hair and makeup with CBC artists/stylists on the same day, we cannot guarantee they will be held at the same location.
How to prepare for your makeup preview
Please arrive with clean, makeup-free skin!
Consider wearing white, ivory, or a similar color to what you will be wearing on your wedding day.
If you are currently using any topical retinoid (Tretinoin, Retinol, etc) or any other topical that can cause dryness, we highly recommend weaning off of it leading up to your preview and wedding day. Use your most hydrating products in the weeks leading up to your sessions!
If you plan on receiving any spray tans, hair removal, or skincare services prior to the wedding, we suggest doing them for your preview as well! It will allow you to see the full wedding day vision.
How to prepare for your Hair preview
Please arrive with clean, dry, smooth hair! Clean hair without product build-up will give your stylist the best canvas to create your vision. Your hair should not be straightened or curled with hot tools prior to your preview, however, a blow out beforehand is encouraged!
Please bring any hair pieces or veils you plan on wearing day-of! Our stylists can show you what it will look like with them in.
If you are interested in extensions for your wedding-day, we highly recommend having them at your preview, as well! Our stylists typically recommend Luxy, Bellami, or Goo Goo for clip-ins. If you need help color-matching, please send us a message! For longer-lasting extensions, we are happy to send over stylist recommendations!
Additional Guests
Please let us know if you plan on bringing an additional guest and we can update your artist or stylist accordingly! If you have someone in your party who would also like a trial, we can absolutely accommodate! The cost of additional previews are associated with your chosen package.
finding inspiration
Inspiration pictures are always helpful! Here are some great places to look for inspo:
-The Cleveland Beauty Collective Portfolios
-The Cleveland Beauty Collective Instagram
-If working with Riley or Chrissy, their instagrams are a great place to look, as well!
-Celebrity red carpet looks - especially if they have similiar features as you!
While Pinterest, Google, and Tiktok can have some beautiful makeup looks, oftentimes, they are heavily edited. Drawing inspiration from real people will help your artist gauge the kind of looks you like and open up a discussion about your level of comfort with the makeup you drew inspiration from.
Things to consider
-Are you planning on doing your hair and makeup preview on the same day?
If so, please consider not planning it for an event where your significant other will see your completed look (think engagement pics, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, etc). Your wedding day look is extra special when you can surprise your significant other!
-Are you planning on having either preview for your engagement pictures?
If so, please consider that you will be wearing normal clothes and your ideal wedding-day look may not mesh with that. A lot of our brides do opt to get a separate session for engagement pictures!
-What style of photography does your photographer have?
Is your photographer more moody and dark? If so, you may want to avoid darker eyeshadow and contours. Even a subtle smokey eye can seem darker in your pictures. Is your photographer light and airy? Adding a little more bronzer or using a darker eyeliner than you normally would may play to your advantage here.
-Are you an avid makeup wearer?
Think about what colors you typically gravitate towards! All of your color and coverage preferences should be discussed in an open conversation with your artist. We are here to make your vision come to life!
-Are you a non-makeup wearer?
If you wear little to no makeup, this whole process might be a little overwhelming for you. You may be wondering “am I still going to look like myself?” or “will it be too much?” rest assured, when you work with a professional artist, they will absolutely make sure you still look like yourself. While it may be more than you are used to, the goal is to have you look naturally beautiful, while still camera ready.
Please keep in mind that on your wedding day, you will be wearing a gown and have your hair styled, so your makeup at your preview might look more "Appropriate" to you on your wedding day.
Post preview
Should you have any questions or feedback after your preview, please reach out to us at hello@clevelandbeautycollective.com! We would be happy to pass along any feedback to the team.