By Sandra Bullok 
It was two years ago that I officially started doing makeup for brides and the rest of their bridal parties; I can honestly say that it was the best decision of my life. Not only do I get to spend time with people on their special day, but I finally feel like I’m doing something valuable and worthwhile. Some people may think that applying makeup is a simple job, but when you’re doing it for a bride, it has to be flawless and I really do think it is like an art. There are a number of ways that I trained to do my job properly, and also a number of obstacles I needed to overcome on the way. If you’re looking to do something similar, hearing about my own experiences may help you on your journey…
My background
Firstly, I’ll speak a bit about me. I was born in the UK to a loving family and went to school in suburbia. I was never the brightest in terms of maths and science, but I did used to love art lessons and P.E. I didn’t end up going to university and instead I worked in the beauty section in a department store. Over time I started getting really interested in the makeup products and what looked good on people depending on their hair colour and skin tone, etc. I ended up using all of my friends as guinea pigs before I realized that I could actually make a career out of my new found appreciation for cosmetics.
My training
I first enrolled in a general beautician course at my local college where I learned the beginner’s skills for many beauty treatments. I knew that my interest was mainly towards makeup though so I wanted to seek additional courses I could do that would benefit my future. One of the ones I found was from Eyelash Emporium where they taught me that applying eyelash extensions is a lot more precise and intricate than people tend to believe. That allowed me to create more natural and glamourous looking eyelashes for my clients as opposed to using over the counter lashes. I like to stay up-to-date with all the current makeup trends though so I also like attending brand days at department stores so I can see all of the new releases!
My current situation
Now that I’ve been doing bridal beauty for a couple of years, I am looking to employ an assistant! I really never thought I’d be in this position but I’m so glad that I’ve put in the hard work. I’ll be doing a nail course next as I can currently do various manicures but want a few pointers for creating gorgeous nail art for honeymoon toenails. I am hoping that the assistant I find will be proficient in areas where I have space to learn, perhaps in terms of hair and accessory placement. In the long run, I’m thinking towards having my own team of bridal beauty experts who can get the whole wedding party looking fabulous!
Kelvin