My glam squad

Hair and makeup | Malia Bruzzese and Tara Dumser, La Dolce Salon
Nails | Evan Todd Salon and Spa at the Conrad
Photos | Jackie Santana Photography

Being a fashion blogger and bridal show model in Central Indiana, you get to know people in the industry. Thankfully, my blogging led me to Tara Dumser, a sweet and amazing makeup artist who also serves as the wedding coordinator for La Dolce Salon in Carmel. Her expertise is in her versatility: cutting-edge high-fashion editorials one day, barely-there natural wedding makeup on another. (Check out her impressive list of previous clients.) Tara then connected me with Malia to bring my soft, curly, romantic updo to life. 

Get the most out of your hair and makeup trials by:
Not waiting until the last minute. Malia and I figured out that my layered hair wouldn't keep my updo in place as long as I would need it to, but because I scheduled my hair trial almost 7 months in advance, I was able to grow out my layers. 
Making it a party! If you're going to pay for a makeup or hair trial, at least go out and do something fun that day--or else you're just wasting your money. My MOH and I spent the evening eating burgers at HopCat and dancing at the Vogue to a '90s boy band tribute concert. 
Putting it to the test. That '90s boy band tribute concert was the perfect way to see how my hair and makeup would look halfway into the reception.
Taking photos. If you love the way your trial looks, make sure to get photos of it so your makeup or hair artist can refer to them later. (They'll have seen months' worth of brides since your initial appointment.) 

By the way, La Dolce has won numerous wedding-related awards, including gold in "Best Hair" and "Best Makeup" from Borrowed & Blue, which lets people within the wedding industry vote on other vendors.