Planning your wedding day timeline comes with dozens of decisions, and one surprisingly common question is: should you do your hair or makeup first on your wedding day? While it may seem like a small detail, the order of these two can actually affect how your entire morning flows.
So, what’s the right answer? It depends on several things—your schedule, your hair and skin type, the number of bridesmaids getting ready, and even your photographer’s arrival time. In this article, we’ll break it down for you so you can make the best choice for your big day.
Why the Order Matters
Many brides assume it doesn’t matter whether they do their hair or makeup first. But professionals know that choosing the right order makes a big difference in:
- How long everything takes
- How fresh your final look appears
- How relaxed you feel during the process
Getting the timing wrong can lead to stress, smudged makeup, or flattened curls by the time photos start. That’s why we’re here to help you plan it smart.
Option 1: Hair First, Then Makeup
Many hairstylists recommend starting with hair, especially if you’re using heat styling tools. Here’s why this approach works well:
✅ Pros of Doing Hair First:
- Keeps your makeup from being exposed to hot tools like curling irons or hair dryers.
- Avoids sweating under a cape or hood while having makeup done.
- Lets curls set properly while you move on to makeup.
- Less chance of makeup getting disturbed during hair touch-ups.
Who Should Choose This:
- Brides with thick or long hair that takes time to style.
- If your makeup artist needs a “clean” face with no product until last minute.
- If your ceremony is later in the day and your makeup needs to stay ultra-fresh.
Option 2: Makeup First, Then Hair
There are some situations where starting with makeup makes more sense. For instance:
✅ Pros of Doing Makeup First:
- You’re “camera ready” sooner if the photographer arrives early.
- Makeup artists get a fresh, clean base to work on without interference.
- You’ll look more polished in candid “getting ready” photos.
Who Should Choose This:
- Brides with short or simple hairstyles that don’t take long.
- If your makeup artist needs more time and won’t work on multiple people.
- If natural light is better earlier in the day for makeup photos.
What Do the Experts Say?
According to many wedding professionals, the best timeline is to stagger services between multiple people. That means while one bridesmaid is getting her hair done, another is getting makeup.
But for the bride, experts lean slightly toward doing hair first. Why? Because finishing with makeup ensures a fresh, flawless look in your final photos—especially important if it’s a hot or humid day.
Final Tip: Talk to Your Beauty Team
Your stylist and makeup artist are your best guides. Share your timeline, your dress neckline, your skin type, and even your photographer’s schedule. They can tell you what’s best based on:
- How long each process takes
- What kind of products they’re using
- How many people need styling
- When photos are scheduled
Pro tip: Set aside 1.5 to 2 hours for hair and another 1.5 to 2 hours for makeup. This gives enough breathing room for touch-ups and unplanned delays.
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