What hair and makeup brands do you use?

My hair & makeup kit is a selection of professional products from various brands such as Dior, CHANEL, ARMANI, YSL, Lancôme, Embryolisse, Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier, Nars, M.A.C., Smash Box, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Urban Decay, Zoeva, O.P.I, REDKEN, L’Oreal Professional Hair, Delorenzo, Kevin Murphy and many more.  

I love to constantly try out new products so I am always updating my kit. 

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What are your OH&S procedures ?

 

I am meticulous  & obsessed when it comes to your Health & Safety while you are in the chair with me.  I use individual disposable items where needed, I use hospital grand cleaning fluid for brushes and tools. All makeup is sprayed between bookings with antibacterial spray and I take the upmost care to keep all items and tools clean and in working order.

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What’s the difference between a trial and a preview?

The trial is a chance for you to meet  in person before making your decision to book  services for the wedding day. Trials are available during the week of your quotation either in person if possible or via FaceTime. Please note  services on your wedding date will not be confirmed until the booking fee has been transferred.

 

The preview is a ‘dress rehearsal’ on a day close to the wedding date, where you meet in person to set the look for your hair/beauty/both and finalise the details. The preview date is booked at the time of confirming your wedding date.

 

Should I have a preview?

Yes, it’s highly advisable to book a preview date – see this as an opportunity to work with me in a low pressure environment to create your perfect wedding day look. A preview saves so much time on the actual day and minimises any last minute issues; you don’t want to be deciding on false eyelashes or your lipstick colour just hours before slipping in to your wedding dress. With a preview done the big decisions will be made and you can enjoy the process of getting ready, confident that the end result is exactly what you’ve asked for.

 

A preview also serves the purpose of testing any product sensitivities and skin reactions. We recommend booking the preview 2-4 weeks before the big day, and for those brides travelling interstate or internationally, book the preview during the week prior to the wedding. If you can’t squeeze in a preview I am available for a meet and greet or FaceTime consultation to discuss the looks and preparation for your big day.

 

How long will my preview take?

For a preview including hair AND makeup, the approximate length is 2 to 3 hours.

 

Previews for hair OR makeup last 1 ½ - 2 hours.

This includes a personal consultation, makeup application/hair styling followed by any adjustments and photos for reference.

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What can I expect from my preview?

During your preview, we'll start with an in-depth discussion to ensure I understand your unique wedding vision. For makeup, we'll explore your preferences and desires, and I'll guide you through the process to create a look that exceeds your expectations. Don't worry if you're unsure – I'll ask all the right questions to understand your comfort level and style.

For hair, we'll discuss your preferred styles, hair management, and your vision for your wedding day look. Based on our conversation, I'll provide personalized guidance to enhance your natural features and bring out the best version of yourself.

Your Input is Essential

To ensure your preview is a success, I ask that you:

• Share your honest likes and dislikes for hair and makeup

• Raise any important details about the wedding day, such as photographer timings or special shots with your bridesmaids

• Provide feedback on the preview looks, so I can refine my approach for your wedding day

Your input is invaluable in creating a customized look that makes you feel confident and beautiful on your special day.

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What should I bring with me to my preview?

To ensure we make the most of our time together, please bring the following items to your preview:

• Any veils or hair accessories you plan to wear on your wedding day, so we can incorporate them into your style

• Your preferred lip product, if you have one

• If you plan to tan for the wedding, please come to your preview with your desired level of tan, so we can see how the look will come together on the big day

By bringing these items, we'll be able to create a more accurate and personalized look for your wedding day.

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How can I prepare for my preview?

Please take the time ahead of your appointment to complete your reference image questionnaire so I have all of your information on file ready ahead of our meeting of hair and makeup styles you envision for your wedding day. When choosing your references, keep it to celebrities/women with the same skin tone and hair colour as these will most likely suit you best and work with your features. For example, blonde braids don’t translate well to brunette hair.  

A look created on pale skin may not work as well for an olive complexion. 

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What time do you suggest we start on the wedding day?

I will work with your wedding day timetable to recommend a starting point for your hair and makeup, always allowing extra time for unanticipated holdups. Time flies on the wedding morning and the many little interruptions all add up – phone calls from special friends who can’t make the day, any children present who need attending to, the arrival of your photographer and flowers, family members popping in to see you before the big moment. My goal for our  brides is to create an enjoyable and stress-free environment with plenty of time to bring all the small details together – plus there is guaranteed to be a last rush to ensure everything is perfect and in place.

Why not allow yourself that little extra time to get things perfect…it is your wedding day after all!

 

How long does each person take?

For a bride’s hair OR makeup, it’s usually one hour approx.

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For both bridal hair AND makeup, allow two hours approx.

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For additional wedding party members:

 Hair OR makeup is around 25-40 minutes, hair AND makeup can take between 45-60 minutes.

 

How many people can Ava Belle & her team  accommodate?

We can accommodate any size party from small to large, we have experienced in large wedding parties and have a team of professional hair and makeup artists to bring on board if you require services for big numbers. Fees for additional artists will be included in your quote and may incur extra travel costs. Please get in touch for a tailored quote to your specific needs. 

 

 

Will the person who goes first in hair and makeup still look fresh by the time everyone is finished?

We have worked with hundreds of bridal parties and have adapted our timetable to ensure everyone’s hair and makeup is just-done perfect. We schedule time at the end to do touch-ups and finishing touches for everyone and leaves lipstick to this point so the party can enjoy a glass of champagne and nibbles while they get ready. For hair down styles, we set the locks in pins when needed and only takes them out just before the party leaves for the ceremony.

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Will my makeup hold all day in to the evening?

Our professional makeup applications hold up beautifully all day in to the evening. We uses key products to prime the face and eyes for long lasting, weather-proof (and tear proof!) wear. We also offer a selection lipstick & glosses available for purchase at your preview or on the day.

The areas you may need to touch up are your lip colour, blush,

under eye area and potentially dabbing a little powder or blotting papers on oily skin. 

 

What do I need with me on the day for touch ups?

 I recommend you keep your in your bridal bag:

• Your favourite lipstick or gloss

• Blush

• Translucent powder 

• Hair brush or Large comb ( Beach Waves ) Small Comb ( Up Styles )
   

We will provide a mini touch up kit for the bride with a sponge, blotting papers, Q-Tips, spare hair pins. 
Extra kits are available for purchase if needed by party members. 

 

We can also provide a VIP service to be with you throughout the day for touch ups and look changes,

please enquire for quote. 

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I have allergies to certain types of makeup.

Can you work with my products?

We will need to be advised of any skin sensitivities and any issues prior to your appointment. We will accommodate to the best of our ability to work with your products; please advise as early as possible as this process needs discussion and research. We take no responsibility for results using unfamiliar products as we can not guarantee the out come.  

A trial is essential in this situation. 

 

Can you work with hair extensions?

We specialise in creating hair styles with hair extensions on models, actors and her many brides.  We can provide semi-permanent tape-in extensions which require an appointment a few days before your wedding and are perfect for multi-day events, clip in extensions just for the day, or pre-bonded and clip-in pony pieces. We recommend extensions for extra wow factor and these can be discussed in your trial and preview.

 

What if it’s a hot/rainy/windy day –

will my hair and makeup last?

We can guide you to the best options for these weather conditions - however there is a limit in what hair and makeup can endure. If you are concerned about the climate at your wedding location or the weather isn’t in your favor on the day we offer VIP  standby (where schedules allow) for touch-ups and fixes.

 

Can you create hair & makeup looks for all ethnicities?

Yes, we are highly skilled at working with all skin tones, types, hair types and ethnicities. Our  hair &makeup kits are equipped with a range of diverse shades, tools & products to accommodate for all. Take a look at our Instagram images to see brides of all cultures looking the best version of themselves on their wedding day @avabellebridal 

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Should I have semi permanent lash extensions or a lash lift ?

These aren’t necessary as we will provide individual false lashes within your makeup service for all bridal party members. Your wedding is not the time to try lash extensions for the first time – they are very dramatic and not for everyone, and once they are on they require touch-ups every two weeks and upkeep to ensure they look fresh. If you think you would like to have semi permanent lashes try them a few months before the wedding day and advise us of your decision as soon as you can. Please note if you decide to have extensions our artistry will be limited, we won't be able to apply mascara or liner in the lash bed or top waterline. Lash lifts, we may not be able to apply any false lashes. 

 

Do you offer airbrush foundation, and what’s the difference from normal foundations?

Airbrush foundation is not our recommendation as in our opinion, it tends to look more ‘made up’ and obvious compared to traditional foundation applications (done with brush or sponge). Airbrush foundation is a unique formula of foundation that is water, alcohol or silicon based and it’s sprayed as a very fine mist through an airbrush gun. It sits on top of the skin and can appear a little more obvious to the naked eye than traditional makeup application than blends into the skin creating a flawless finish.

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What happens if I don’t like my hair or makeup,

or certain aspects of the hair and makeup?

We fully understand that sometimes it can be tricky to communicate your exact vision. To solve this we encourage our clients to communicate freely with on your likes and dislikes – our only goal is for our clients to be completely happy and enjoy the process.  If it takes a few tweaks and adjustments to create your vision, 

we will maintain a fun space for you to speak freely about your hair and makeup and guide you with professional advise. 

We will work with your preferences so that you are in love with every aspect of your look.

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How should I choose my wedding day HAIR STYLE ?

We recommend staying with a style that feels comfortable for you and works with the nature of your hair. For example if you have naturally dead straight hair that doesn’t hold a curl, keeping it in a curl may be unrealistic with everything a big day can throw at it – heat, humidity, wind and the 12 hour day with dancing in to the night. We recommend a style that works with your hair & the conditions, please have a down style, half-up and an up-style selected and we can choose the best option that works with the weather conditions on the day. We will talk through suitable hair options during your preview.

 

HAIR PREPARATION NOTES

 

If you are having: 

GHD WAVES/ BEACH WAVES/ GLAM WAVES/ 

UP-STYLES/ HALF UP STYLES  

(Any style using flat irons or curling wand)

 

DO NOT WASH your hair on the day

Instead wash it the night before and let it dry naturally or rough dry with the hairdryer and absolutely no products.

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If you are having:

BLOW WAVES / BLOW DRY STYLES ONLY 

 

DO WASH your hair on the day 

Towel dry and arrive with damp hair, leaving it slightly damp with absolutely no products. Please do not use Pantene or Tresemme shampoo or  any heavy conditioners to wash your hair as this makes the hair too slippery and difficult to work with. 

For all hairstyles, aim to have your hair trimmed and any usual maintenance around two weeks before the wedding.

 

MAKEUP PREPARATION NOTES 

 

Glowing skin starts from within so ahead of your wedding drink plenty of water, get lots of rest and do some light exercise in the morning to keep stress levels down. 

 

PLEASE DO: 

 

• Cleanse 

• Gently exfoliate 

• Pop on a lip balm 

• Keep eyedrops handy

• Brush teeth before sitting in the chair 

• Pop contact lenses in before sitting ( have spare set just in case ) 

• Remember to wear a button or zip through top (not a T-shirt) for your makeup and hair preview plus on the wedding day, to ensure nothing is smudged or tousled.

• Please share these tips with your bridal party ahead of the big day!

 

PLEASE DON’T

 

• Use heavy moisturiser

• Ware Makeup to your appointment 

• Use any products containing SPF or oils

• Touch any spots 

 

• DO NOT WAX eyebrows or any facial hair for at least 8-10 days before the preview or the wedding, as this can cause issues with foundation adhering to your skin surface resulting in a very uneven makeup base.

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What about tanning/body moisturising and other beauty preparations?

If you’ve never had a fake/spray tan before, your wedding day is not the time to try it out as it may look orange, patchy or too dark and this will be exaggerated in the photographs. However if you do wish to tan have a trial with the beautician you’ll be using and take photographs to test the colour in the few weeks before the wedding. And if you regularly have a spray tan and you’re happy with the results use the same tanner for your wedding day. Ava also loves the Dove gradual tanning moisturizer to give a hint of colour and sun-kissed feel without being too obvious or collecting in the skin creases as spray tans can do.

 

Use any deodorant, perfume,  body lotions and hand creams long before you dress in your wedding gown, 

this will ensure they are fully absorbed and don’t rub off on your dress.

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How do destination bookings work,

do we provide the accommodation and travel?

We will send an estimate for accommodation and travel with your hair/makeup services quote. Once your booking fee is paid all accommodation and travel will be booked and paid for by Ava and these expenses will be detailed in your invoice which is due 30 days prior to your event. An inventory of further expenses such as taxis, transfers and additional costs will be detailed in a final invoice following your wedding (if they exceed the amounts estimated). Ava Belle is a highly seasoned traveller adept at organising her itinerary quickly and cost-effectively.

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Do we need to provide food for you on the day?

For bookings under seven hours, Ava (and her team if relevant)

will provide their own food and stop for a short break at a suitable time in the day.

For bookings over seven hours a staff meal is appreciated.

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What is Ava Belle’s background in hair and makeup?

Ava worked in the arts in her teenage years - theatre, music, film and television and on stage as a singer and dancer. During this time she spent so long in the hair and makeup chair it sparked her interest and creativity, so following her University degree studying music Ava Belle enrolled to train across hair and makeup in Sydney. She began her career creating hair and makeup for fashion magazines, events, special effects for films, commercials and actor/models before specializing in luxury destination weddings and working with bridal magazines and designers across the globe.