Helen Brady

What brands of make-up do you use?

My kit is full of premium-branded make-up and skin care. Although I am a Mac Pro member and hold professional accounts with many other brands, I'm not affiliated with any company; all of the cosmetics I use are ones that I have researched, tried and tested and I know are going to last all day, look amazing and photograph beautifully. Nars, Mac, Chanel,  Armani, Illamasqua, Bobbi Brown, Inglot, Becca and Urban Decay are just some of the brands I stock in my kit.

Who needs to have a make-up trial?

Make-up trials are optional for bridesmaids and mums and many choose not to have them but as a bride it's really important to have a wedding make-up trial before the big day. Trials are an opportunity for us to have a chat about the colour scheme and feel/theme of your wedding, the kind of make-up you feel comfortable wearing and what you've got in mind for your wedding day make-up. It's also a chance for us to try a few different looks so, when it comes to your wedding day, you can just sit back and enjoy the experience of being pampered, knowing that your make-up will be exactly what you want it to be.

When should I have my trial?

Ideally trials are best done around 4-6 weeks before your wedding day. By that point you will probably have the other details of your wedding arranged so will know exactly what your colour scheme is, have chosen your dress, possibly have had your hair trial and will hopefully have a clearer idea of what you'd like your make-up to look like. 

I do trials on Saturday afternoons after my weddings that morning so times obviously vary depending on the ceremony time and location of my wedding that day but I'm often free from 2pm-ish. I ask all of my brides to get in touch with me around 3-4 months before their big day to get a date for their trial organised so we've got plenty of time to find a date that suits both of us. 

How do I reserve my wedding date?

To reserve a date I ask for a deposit of £100. Deposits are non-refundable and are deducted from your overall package cost.

How long will it take to do our make-up on the wedding day?

This varies somewhat depending on what each person is having done but it usually takes around an hour for the bride and 45 mins each for everyone else. Once you have confirmed the number of people wanting their make-up done we can discuss timings. We'll come up with a schedule at your trial so you're happy with and informed of exactly what's going to happen and can then arrange times with your hairdresser too.

How long will my make-up last on my wedding day?

I use professional-quality make-up and primers, all applied in thin layers, ensuring your make-up will last right through to the evening! It is worth having a powder or blotting paper to use throughout the day to keep any shine at bay and you will need to top-up your lipstick. I discuss these things in depth with my customers at their trials and recommend products then but the make-up I use is designed and applied to last as long as possible.

Do you offer airbrush make-up?

Yes, I do do airbrush make-up and this can be added to any make-up service for a small additional cost. 

What is the difference between airbrush make-up and traditional make-up?

Airbrush make-up is sprayed through an airbrush gun using a compressor and is applied to the face in tiny droplets. Because it is applied in a fine mist it feels incredibly light-weight on your skin and these tiny droplets mimic the pixels of a camera which means that airbrush make-up photographs very well. 

The airbrush make-up I use is silicone-based which also means that it's incredibly long lasting and very water-resistant. It is a luxury service that can be added on to your make-up trial or make-up on your wedding day for an additional cost.

However, I do not recommend airbrush make-up for all of my clients; I find it works best on ladies who have fairly clear skin and who prefer a natural-medium coverage. If you're a full-coverage girl or have problematic skin, this probably isn't for you. Silicone-based make-up also leaves a dewy finish so it's great for girls with dry skin but if you prefer a more matte look this may not be your cup of tea either. 

If you're considering airbrush make-up for your wedding day the best thing to do is to have a chat with me prior to your trial. If we then think airbrush make-up may work for you we can then test it on you at your trial. If you had your heart set on airbrush but after discussing it we think another type of base would better suit your skin then please don't worry; traditional make-up if applied correctly to properly prepped skin looks beautiful, photographs brilliantly and lasts a long time too. I love both traditional and airbrush methods of application and regularly use both on my brides so it's just a matter of working out which would suit you as an individual and give you the best result.

Why does bridal make-up cost more than bridesmaid make-up?

Firstly we'll be in touch a fair bit via e-mail prior to your wedding date so bridal make-up also covers the time spent doing this as well as up to 40m travel (10m both ways to your trial venue and wedding venue) and kit costs. I also spend at least 2 hours with my brides at their trials and an hour on their wedding day  so in total the bride has around 3 hours of consulation and make-up time whereas anyone elses' make-up is around 45 mins. And lastly you're the bride and along with your partner, you're the most important person on your wedding day and you'll receive a premium service because of that; I always stay until the last minute at weddings, I often end up helping my ladies get dressed, put veils in, dry flowers off, take group photos etc. At the end of the day I'll be there to make you feel ultra special first and foremost! 

What payment methods do you accept?

I accept Cash or Bank Transfer. Once you've decided to book, I will send you an invoice which details all of my payment methods and a breakdown of costs.

Are there any additional travel costs or expenses?

Wedding prices include travel of up to 10 miles of DE12 7AQ. Distances over this are charged at 45p per additional mile. 

Please note that travel charges apply both to and from your venue, on the day of your trial and also on your wedding day. If your home is not in the area I cover with travel included and you'd like to come to me on the day of your trial you are more than welcome to. 

If parking charges apply at your chosen venue, please inform me of this prior to your booking. These will also be billed to the customer.

For groups of 6 or more or weddings with very early ceremony times an assistant may be required. My assistant fee is £60.

All prices listed are from 7am onwards. For earlier starts there is an out-of-hours fee of £25 per additional hour. 

I am very happy to travel further afield for weddings but do require overnight accommodation to be booked and paid for if the venue is over 90 mins away from my home. 

For more details please see my price list or get in touch if you have any questions. 

What areas do you cover?

I am booked for weddings across the UK and am more than happy to travel but I am predominantly based in the Midlands and the following are areas in which I work regularly:

Warwickshire: Nuneaton, Rugby,Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington, Tamworth, Polesworth, Atherstone, Kenilworth, Evesham and surrounding areas.

West Midlands: Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield, Coventry, Solihull and surrounding areas.

Leicestershire: Leicester, Hinckley and surrounding areas.