One of the most common questions I get asked by brides is:
“What should I do before my wedding day to make sure my hair and makeup look their absolute best?”
After more than 20 years in the beauty industry, I’ve learned that beautiful bridal hair and makeup don’t start on the wedding morning — they start weeks before the big day.
Here are some of my top recommendations to help you look and feel your best when you walk down the aisle.
1. Invest in Your Hair Before Your Wedding
Your hairstyle can only be as good as the foundation it’s built on.
If you’re considering a hair perm, body wave, colour refresh, balayage, highlights, or a haircut, I recommend having these services completed at least two weeks before your wedding day.
This allows your hair time to settle naturally while still looking fresh and healthy.
Adding colour or highlights can also help create more dimension and texture in your bridal hairstyle, making curls, waves, and upstyles appear more defined and beautiful in photographs.
2. Choose a Hairdresser You Trust
This is probably one of my biggest pieces of advice.
As someone who works with brides every weekend and is incredibly particular when it comes to hair, I can honestly say that having healthy, well-maintained hair makes a huge difference to the final bridal look.
My personal favourite salon in Melbourne is Aery Hair Salon, located on Collins Street in Melbourne CBD.
Whether it’s balayage, hair colouring, hair cutting, or digital perms, I have consistently been impressed by the quality of their work.
I can be very difficult to please when it comes to my own hair, and Aery is one of the very few salons I trust completely.
Even better, many of the brides and clients I’ve referred there over the years have come back absolutely loving their results.
As a bridal hair and makeup artist, my job becomes much easier when a bride’s hair is healthy, beautifully coloured, and professionally maintained.
Beautiful bridal hairstyles always start with beautiful hair.
3. Look After Your Skin
Bridal makeup sits best on healthy, hydrated skin.
You don’t need expensive treatments or complicated routines.
The basics matter most:
- Drink plenty of water
- Moisturise consistently
- Wear sunscreen daily
- Avoid trying new skincare products right before the wedding
- Get enough sleep
Consistency will always give better results than last-minute fixes.
4. Schedule Your Bridal Trial
A bridal trial is one of the most important parts of wedding preparation.
It allows us to:
- Understand your vision
- Test hairstyles
- Adjust makeup colours
- Find the perfect balance for your features
- Ensure you feel confident about your final look
The goal is for you to feel completely relaxed on your wedding day because we’ve already perfected everything beforehand.
5. Gather Inspiration Photos
Save photos of hairstyles and makeup looks you genuinely love.
When collecting inspiration, look for:
- Brides with similar hair colour
- Similar hair length
- Similar skin tone
- Similar face shape
This helps create realistic expectations and gives your artist a clearer understanding of your style preferences.
6. Avoid Major Beauty Changes
The month before your wedding is not the time to experiment.
Avoid:
- New hair colours
- Drastic haircuts
- New skincare treatments
- Cosmetic procedures you’ve never tried before
Your wedding day should showcase the best version of you—not a completely different version.
7. Relax and Enjoy the Process
It’s easy to get caught up in wedding planning and strive for perfection.
Remember that your guests aren’t focusing on whether every curl is perfectly placed or if your lipstick needs a touch-up.
They’re there to celebrate you, your love story, and one of the happiest days of your life.
The most beautiful brides are often the ones who are relaxed, confident, and genuinely enjoying every moment.
Final Thoughts
Preparation is the secret to beautiful bridal hair and makeup.
Healthy hair, good skincare, professional guidance, and a bridal trial can make a world of difference to how you look and feel on your wedding day.
At Nanette Bridal Hair & Makeup Artist Melbourne, my goal is not only to make you look beautiful but to help you feel calm, confident, and radiant from the moment your wedding day begins.
I can’t wait to be part of your special day.