Barcelona Spain
Wedding Makeup and Hairstyle
The hair and makeup process can feel new or uncertain for some brides, and that’s completely normal. Our goal is to make your trial experience thorough, enjoyable, and tailored to you.
Below, you’ll find our pre‑trial recommendations. These guidelines will help you arrive fully prepared.
Let’s work together to ensure your bridal hair and makeup trial is as smooth, relaxed, and successful as possible.
Pre-Wedding Process
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Book your wedding makeup trial around three to six months before the big day to ensure ideal preparation.
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It's smart to arrive with clean skin .
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Consider cutting or coloring your hair six months before your wedding to achieve the desired look on time.
A full hair and makeup schedule will be provided giving a breakdown of how timings will look on the wedding day.
Professional Kit- With an extensive range of high end products stocked, you will find Chanel, Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury, Dior, Haus Labs, WOW, Moroccanoil, Schwarzkopf, Loreal just to name a few brands.
All our make-up applications includes individual eyelash extensions if desired.
Your trial may take place at your home or hotel with no additional fee within central Barcelona. For locations outside the central area, transportation will be charged accordingly. Studio appointments are also available, subject to date and availability.
The service rate remains the same whether the trial is held in the studio or at your chosen location.
Hairstyle Prepping before the Trial:
WHAT TO EXPECT
Bridal hairstyle trials are scheduled for up 3 hours.
This provides 20 min to the setup, 10 min to consult, 90 min to prepping
30min to style, and 20 minutes to make adjustments.
The duration varies according to your hair texture, density, and the chosen style, and may take up to 3 hours.
Classic looks such as Old Hollywood glam typically require additional time
2. SEND YOUR INSPO Providing photos ahead of time helps us understand your desired style and allows us to make recommendations based on your hair's length, thickness, and texture. While you don’t need to fully commit to a style before your trial, it’s important to note that different hairstyles—whether an updo, glam waves, or a braid—each require unique preparation techniques. Sleek updos demand smoothing techniques. Romantic, whimsical styles involve base prep, texture spray, and pin setting. Glam waves often require extensions for fine or short hair to achieve the desired volume and length. If your dream look involves full, voluminous waves or intricate updos, clip-in extensions or hair inserts (like a mesh donut) are essential to making it happen.
3.NO DIRTY HAIR WASH PREP + PRODUCTS Shampoo Before your trial, start by washing your hair with a volumizing (clarifying) shampoo. This removes any residue from previous products + creates the perfect foundation for your hair prep. For best results, shampoo your scalp twice. Use a quarter-sized amount of shampoo + distribute it evenly across your scalp, working it into a rich lather. Remember, shampooing the ends is not necessary—focus on the scalp + mid-shaft to effectively remove buildup. Conditioner After shampooing, apply a lightweight conditioner to prepare your hair. Concentrate the product mid-length to the ends, keeping it away from the roots. A heavier conditioner can weigh down your hair, leave residue, create excess oil, and make it harder for your hair to hold a curl. Our Recommendations: Shampoo: EVO Gluttony Volumizing Shampoo or EVO Bride of Gluttony (fitting, right?) Conditioner: A lightweight, residue-free formula to complement your volumizing routine. NO DIRTY, HAIR! Don’t do it. Stop right now, and just don’t do it. Dirty hair is a myth. No amount of dry shampoo in the world can cut through the oil in greasy hair. When there’s too much oil, hair stays flat, sticky, and piecey, no matter how much you try to mask it. So if we could leave you with one tip for the day: come to your appointment with clean hair. Fine hair tends to show oil quicker than thick hair, so it’s esp important for you to show up with freshly washed, dry hair. If you’ve got super thick or curly hair and you know you can stretch it a day (or two), that’s fine—you know your hair best! But pls, don’t make your stylist suffer. Freshly washed + dried hair gives us a clean slate to work with, and we can bring in all the product we need to create texture + hold. It’s a win for everyone. ✨
4.FACE FRAMING PIECES! If you’re envisioning soft, face-framing pieces for your wedding day hairstyle, it’s important to consider the length of your front layers. We often encounter clients with long, heavy hair who want these pieces down to frame their face. However, long + heavy hair tends to fall flat within an hour or less, making it difficult to maintain the desired look. To prepare ahead of time, we recommend trimming front layers to just below chin length. This length is ideal for holding curls + perfectly framing the face, giving your hairstyle the best chance to stay beautiful and photo-ready.
5.KNOW YOUR HAIR! Hair Color When searching for hairstyle inspiration, match your hair color to the images you’re saving. If you’re blonde, look for photos of blonde hairstyles, and if you’re a brunette, opt for styles featuring brown hair. Here’s why: Blondes often have dimensional color that naturally creates depth + texture. For ex, braided styles on blonde or highlighted brunette hair tend to stand out more due to the shadow-and-highlight effect. In contrast, darker hair like brunette or black tends to appear more sleek + one-dimensional, particularly in intricate hairstyles. By choosing images that reflect your hair color, you’ll get a realistic expectation of how your chosen style will look on you. Hair Thickness If you’ve fallen in love with a voluminous, bombshell hairstyle, keep in mind that achieving it often requires more than natural hair. Extensions, the right products, and a blowout are essential to creating that full, fabulous look. For those with fine, thin, or short hair, a little extra fullness can work wonders for the perfect bridal updo or flowing down style. Adding extensions or volume-enhancing techniques ensures your hairstyle matches your vision.
5.CURLY HAIR! Curly Hair: Embrace or Recreate? The first question we ask our curly-haired babes is: “Do you want to work with your natural curls, or do you prefer to re-curl your entire head?” If you’d like to embrace your natural curls, stick to using your favorite curl-enhancing products. Allow your hair to air dry diffuse before your trial to minimize frizz + maintain the integrity of your curls. From there, your hairstylist can tailor the look to suit your natural texture and your desired style. For the best results, always consult with your hairstylist ahead of time to determine the ideal approach for your curls + bridal vision.
5.Wear white and pack your accessories. It is always advisable to come in a top that is close to the colour and neckline of your wedding dress so that it is easier for you to see how will the hairstyle complement the dress. If you plan to wear a veil, tiara, or any other hair accessories, bring them to the trial. I can incorporate these into your hairstyle to see how everything will look together.
1.FIND A INSPIRATION: When choosing bridal hair inspiration, look for images that match your length, color, and density. Our goal is to set realistic expectations based on your unique features. If your hair doesn’t match the style you want, clip‑in extensions can help add length or fullness. They won’t be a perfect match, but they can get you very close. Please note that we don’t provide extensions, so kindly bring your own.
Wedding Hairstyle Trends We’re Seeing for This Season
High Tousled Wedding Updo
Perfect balance of elevated and undone.
Ideal for brides who want a updo that feels modern, relaxed,—never stiff or overstyled.
Wedding Bun
Clean lines meet subtle texture for a look that’s polished yet organic the bun photographs beautifully and pairs seamlessly with minimalist gowns, veils, or statement accessories.
Half-Up Bridal Style with Clip-In Extensions
This bouncy half-up style is all about soft movement, lift, and fullness—perfect for brides who want volume without committing to a full updo. Clip-in extensions enhance body, length, and longevity while keeping the look light and natural.
Makeup Prepping before the Trial:
MAKEUP
Most brides at Mika envision their wedding makeup as a more elevated version of their everyday look—fresh, polished, and timeless.
Others prefer a more “made-up bridal look” that feels distinctly different from their daily routine. Both styles are beautiful, but it’s important to understand that “natural” and “bridal makeup” are subjective terms.
The criteria for each look will vary drastically depending on your interpretation of makeup.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Our bridal makeup trials are scheduled for up 2 hours
This provides 20 min to the setup, 15 min to consult, 1 hour to style, and 20 minutes to make adjustments.
Lip color is a personal touch and it will come down to what feels comfortable. At the trial, we can try/swatch a couple shades of lip color while opting for the color stay formula at the very end (upon request).
I recommend purchasing the lip color after your trial as a touch up for wedding day
1. Use Strategic Inspiration Photos Choose images featuring similar hair color + skin tone Make notes about what you like: lip color, lip shape, blush tone, brows, eyeliner, shadow shade, finish, etc. Remember: the same product or technique will look different on different face shapes and skin tones. Most inspiration photos online—especially from Pinterest and Instagram—are models, filtered, or heavily photoshopped. Even subtle phone edits can make makeup look overly smooth or AI-generated.
2. Wear a top with the color and neckline similar to that of your wedding dress Sometimes clients come for a trial makeup session in a T-shirt and it is very hard to visualise the whole look. It is always advisable to come in a top that is close to the colour and neckline of your wedding dress so that it is easier for you to see how will the hairstyle complement the dress. If your wedding gown and evening dress are ready for collection, you can bring them along for your trial session too. You can get a very good feel of the overall look. Sometimes client will schedule a fitting session after the trial session so they can see how the wedding hairstyle and makeup look matches the gown.
3. Bare Face Do come bare face with your contact lenses on if you intend to wear them on the day of your wedding
4. Facials Facials are a great way to address dryness, acne, or dullness, but timing is crucial: If you’re new to facials, start at least two to three months before your wedding to test different treatments. If facials are already part of your routine, schedule your last one about three weeks before the wedding for a fresh, hydrated look. Chemical Peels Chemical peels improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and promote a youthful glow by exfoliating dead skin layers. The timing depends on the intensity: Mild peels: Start at least six weeks before the wedding to allow time for healing. More aggressive peels: Plan at least three months in advance to ensure full recovery. Microdermabrasion This non-invasive treatment exfoliates the outermost layers of dead skin, revealing fresh, glowing skin underneath. It improves skin texture and clarity, making it an excellent pre-wedding option. Hydrafacial A Hydrafacial is a gentle, no-downtime treatment that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts, and hydrates the skin, infusing antioxidants and peptides for a dewy finish. It suits all skin types and should be done a week or two before the wedding. Botox & Fillers: The Perfect Finishing Touch Fillers If you’re new to dermal fillers, allow at least two months for them to settle naturally. If you’re experienced, a touch-up six weeks before the wedding ensures the best results. Botox For first-timers, six months ahead is ideal to ensure any muscle adjustments settle naturally. If you already use Botox or another neuromodulator, schedule your session about six weeks before the big day to allow for touch-ups. Surgical Enhancements: Timing is Everything For brides considering surgery, early planning is essential. Here’s a general timeline based on common procedures: Younger Brides Chin Liposuction (Submental Liposuction): Requires three to six months for best results. Rhinoplasty: Ideally, schedule six months to a year in advance to allow full healing. Upper Eyelid Lift (Blepharoplasty): Should be done at least three months before the wedding. Older Brides or Second-Time Brides Mini Facelift or Full Facelift: Requires at least six months of recovery time for optimal results. Deep Resurfacing Lasers: Allow at least six months for healing. Planning & Timing Your Pre-Wedding Treatment Beauty Timeline: To ensure everything is flawless on your wedding day, start early: ✅ Consultation (6–12 months before): Meet with a dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon to create a personalized pre-wedding treatment plan. ✅ Surgical procedures (6–12 months before): If considering surgery, schedule it well in advance for full recovery. ✅ Advanced skin treatments (3–6 months before): Lasers, peels, and microneedling should be done with ample healing time. ✅ Injectables (6 weeks to 2 months before): Plan for Botox or fillers to settle naturally. ✅ Final skincare treatments (3 weeks before): Facials and Hydrafacials should be scheduled close enough to the wedding for a fresh glow, but with time to recover from any irritation. Your Wedding, Your Glow Every bride’s journey is unique. Selecting the right pre-wedding treatment plan that matches your comfort level will help you walk down the aisle feeling confident and radiant. With proper timing and expert guidance, your natural beauty will shine on your special day.
5. Flawless Foundation That Still Looks Like Skin We see a lot of confusion around coverage vs. finish: Light coverage: feels natural, lets freckles show Full coverage: more polished, but will feel like makeup Matte finish: smooth, long-wearing Dewy finish: radiant, hydrated Regardless of the combination, skin should still look like skin. Note: Your makeup will only appear cakey or textured if the skin underneath is not prepped. Begin a skincare routine months before your trial and wedding day.
6. Camera-Ready Makeup That Still Feels Natural Makeup translates differently on camera than it does in person. To maintain a natural look that photographs beautifully, we keep the eyes soft, neutral, and balanced. Eyeshadow tones we recommend: Fair skin → pinks, champagne, soft taupe Medium tones → warm tans, bronzes Deeper skin tones → burnt rust, copper, espresso
7. Right person for your trial If you intend to bring someone for your trial to give you a second opinion, we encourage you to do so. However do choose someone whom you think have similar taste as you in terms of styling. And do not bring too many people as you might end up with too many opinions and eventually find it hard to decide.
8. Never Apply Fake Tan to Your Face - and again NEVER APPLY FAKE TAN TO YOUR FACE... One of the biggest mistakes you can make is applying fake tan to your face. Never, ever, ever do this. Fake tan contains an ingredient called DHA (Dihydroxyacetone), which is what activates the tanning process. While DHA gives your skin a bronzed appearance, it is also extremely drying. If applied to your face, especially if you have oily or textured skin, it will cling to dry patches and emphasize pores, creating an uneven and unnatural finish.
Wedding Makeup Trends We’re Seeing for This Season
Blushing Bride
When the colors are perfectly harmonized within the same tone, the entire look feels effortlessly romantic.
Attention on the eyes
A luminous, lit‑from‑within complexion that lasts all day, paired with shimmering lids, diffused black liner, delicate wispy lashes, romantic blushed cheeks, and a warm, bronzed finish