Should You Get Your Hair Done Before Makeup?

The age-old question of whether one should style one’s hair first and then apply makeup or the other way around continues to rage on in the world of personal hygiene. Our confidence and how we feel about ourselves are greatly affected by the decisions we make when it comes to our beauty routines.

As we learn the ins and outs of hairstyling and applying makeup, the question of the best order becomes crucial. This guide dives into the elements impacting this choice, taking into account individual tastes, expert opinions, and pragmatic considerations.

Come along with us as we explore the ins and outs of the “hair before makeup” or “makeup before hair” dilemma in the hopes of gaining some useful insights that you can incorporate into your own personal beauty regimen.

Professional Hair & Makeup in Melbourne! – Choose Lian Chan for your next glamorous look

When You Should Do Makeup First

It is totally up to you if you want to jump right into hair and makeup! Having said that, there are instances when priming yourself with cosmetics first will yield superior results.

Lovely black girl, decked out in her blue bridesmaid dress, all set for a carefree wedding day with her best friend. 

Get your makeup on first if:

Your Hairstyle Is Heat-Free 

Wearing a heat-free hairstyle means your makeup will stay put, thanks to the absence of perspiration and heat generated by your hot styling tools. 

You’re On Day Two (Or More) Of Your Hairstyle

Touching up hairstyles done the day before will take very little time. Makeup applications require the utmost attention and time, so give it your top priority. 

You Won’t Be Able To Pull Your Hair Back

Makeup should be your first priority if you wish to keep your hair out of wrinkles and frizz when you draw it back. That way, you may detangle your hairdo without snagging it on anything.

You’re In A Time Crunch 

When time is of the essence, apply your makeup first so you can have the opportunity to showcase your greatest features. A sloppy bun or ponytail is a fast hairstyle to pull off when time is of the essence. 

You’re Air-Drying Your Hair

If you want to save time, try applying your makeup and then drying your hair at the same time.

When You Should Do Hair First

In certain cases, you should style your hair before putting on your makeup, as we’ve already established. Down below, we’ll deal with those. 

To begin, style your hair if:

You Have Oily Skin 

Get your hair done first if you have oily skin. Makeup applied to a freshly washed face will last longer and require fewer touch-ups before you leave the house. 

It’s Hot Out 

Makeup can be easily ruined by perspiration and humidity, so applying it just before you leave is the best way to keep it in place. Before you put on your makeup, chill down even further by spraying your face with a mild facial mist. 

You’re Using Hot Tools 

Your makeup might be ruined by the heat of your flat iron or blow dryer. There will be more time to chill down before putting on makeup if you take care of your hair first. 

Your Hairstyle Needs Time To Set

To save time, apply your makeup before you use any styling tools that take a while to set, such as Flexi-rods or hot rollers. 

You’re Heading To A Formal Event 

Prepare your hair first if you have an important event coming up. Your makeup will stay fresh and photo-ready for longer and be less likely to be ruined by sweat or humidity. 

You Like To Lay Your Edges 

When a woman’s baby hairs are laid, she considers her hairstyle finished. The gel will dry and set your style more securely if you do your hair first. 

Pros Of Starting With Makeup

More Time

Makeup application can be the way to go if you’re short on time. A lot of people rely on their cosmetics to make them look put together. In contrast to unkempt hair, sloppy makeup is totally unattractive.

Securing Your Hair

It is common practice to pull one’s hair back while applying cosmetics. You wish you could use your entire face as a painting. You risk ruining your unique haircut if you pull it back too tightly. This is particularly the case if you find yourself reaching for hair accessories like clips or bobby pins. A cotton or satin headband may be tied loosely around the head to keep hair out of the face and cosmetics in place, so this isn’t a huge deal.

No-Heat Methods

It would be counterproductive to wait to apply makeup if your hairdo calls for air drying your hair. A no-heat style can be either an updo or a braid, or it might be a no-heat curler. Curling your hair without using heat requires a significant amount of time spent styling your hair. Why waste time waiting for your hair to dry before applying makeup? You can do it in the same amount of time!

Cons Of Starting With Makeup

Sweating

Sweat from using heated products, such as hair dryers, flat irons, or curling rods, can remove your makeup. Sweating can aggravate acne by blocking pores and destroying your makeup application.

Interference From Hair Products

When styling your hair, it’s easy to accidentally get hair oil, heat protectant, or hairspray on your face, which can ruin your look. Since aerosols are notoriously difficult to regulate, this is particularly true of hair care products.

Kinks In The Hair

The way you style your hair, whether it’s curly or straight, can have an impact on your makeup application. Makeup can be applied in whatever order you like; for instance, if you want to get a very intricate eye look, you could apply your eyeshadow and mascara first and then apply your foundation and contour.

Revamp Your Image! – Book with Makeup by Lian Chan for a complete hair and makeup makeover.

Pros Of Starting With Hair

Your Hair Has Time To Set

Allowing your hairdo to air dry before applying the final touches is a good idea sometimes. It is recommended to insert hot rollers or any other hairdo tool that does not use heat, such as foam rollers, before applying makeup. As you apply your cosmetics, your hair will have an opportunity to set.

Fresh Look

If you apply your makeup early thing in the morning, you can be sure that your face will still look fresh when you depart. Having a complex hairdo that will take at least an hour to finish is a prime example of this.

Fresh Edges

Slicking and styling your edges is best done before applying makeup if that is how you prefer your hairstyle. It might remove your makeup if you do it afterwards. You certainly wouldn’t want your hair gel and foundation to mix, would you?

Sweating

With makeup on, perspiration is the last thing you want to ruin your look. Hot and tiring, hairstyling is no picnic. To keep your makeup from fading due to perspiration, style your hair first. Makeup can enter your pores through perspiration, which can cause acne. No one wants their next cosmetic look ruined by breakouts, do they?

Cons Of Starting With Hair

Less Time

Even though hair takes less time to style than makeup, the latter is sometimes more time-consuming and crucial to your whole image. You wouldn’t want to waste your entire beauty routine on your hair only to have to rush to get your makeup done! If you have trouble keeping track of time, this is why applying your makeup first could be a good strategy.

Clipping It Back

You should definitely wait until after you’ve applied your makeup before attempting to pull your hair back if doing so would damage your hairstyle. But if you get a loose, supple headband that can pull your hair back without causing kinks, you can typically prevent this. On the other hand, if you’re short on hair clips, you might want to skip this step and just style your hair afterwards.

Can You Get Your Makeup And Hair Done At The Same Time?

Most hair and makeup artists would prefer to spend time on your bridal look individually. Not only is it more stressful for you as the bride to have two people working at the same time, but it usually causes the process to take longer, as your hair and makeup artists are often waiting on each other to finish different parts of their jobs. Even the best makeup artist can’t do a perfectly pointed winged liner while you’re in the middle of getting a blowout. 

The positioning of a client’s head greatly impacts the ability of an artist to apply makeup or style hair. Therefore, alternating angles to meet the competing needs of hair and makeup can undermine the ability of both artists to make you look your best on your special day.

Nonetheless, doing hair and makeup at the same time is difficult but not impossible. If your pros have experience working together, it can often go very smoothly. But if you want a stress-free wedding day, keep the two services separate. If time is scarce, most trained professionals can manage the challenge of doing hair and makeup at the same time.

The Best Timing For Makeup And Hair On Your Wedding Day

Always ask your hair and makeup artist how long they predict each service will take before finalizing your getting-ready timeline. Ultimately, the timing truly depends on the complexity of the look the bride wants to create.

If you have long hair, your hairstylist might need to set aside 45 minutes to curl your hair before taking another 15 to 30 minutes to finish styling it. Also, don’t forget to account for the time it takes to put on any hair pieces or your veil. Most hairstylists are happy to help you do this once you get in your wedding dress. 

As for makeup, depending on your desired bridal look, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. If you’re wearing airbrush makeup and/or false lashes, this will take more time than a natural makeup application. For a more intricate and detail-oriented look, it is critical to allot an appropriate amount of time so that you don’t get behind schedule on your big day.

Conclusion

The decision to style hair first and then apply makeup is a crucial aspect of personal hygiene and self-confidence. This guide explores the factors influencing this choice, including individual tastes, expert opinions, and practical considerations.

Some situations where priming with cosmetics first may yield superior results include heat-free hairstyles, day two or more of hairstyles, hairstyles that won’t be able to pull back hair, time crunch situations, and air-drying hair.

It’s essential to prioritize makeup application first to avoid wrinkles and frizz, and to showcase one’s best features when time is of the essence. By considering these factors, individuals can make informed decisions about their beauty routines.

Hair should be styled first when you have oily skin, it’s hot out, using hot tools, your hairstyle needs time to set, or you’re heading to a formal event. This will help keep your makeup fresh and photo-ready for longer and less likely to be ruined by sweat or humidity.

Pros of starting with makeup include more time, securing your hair, no-heat methods, fresh look, fresh edges, and less time spent on makeup. Sweating from heated products can remove makeup and aggravate acne, while interference from hair products can ruin your look.

Kinks in the hair can also impact makeup application. For an intricate eye look, apply eyeshadow and mascara first, then foundation and contour. Allowing your hair to air dry before applying the final touches is beneficial, especially with no-heat tools like foam rollers.

Fresh looks can be achieved by applying makeup early in the morning, slicking and styling your edges before applying makeup, and avoiding sweating. With makeup on, perspiration can cause acne, so style your hair first to prevent fading.

Cons of starting with hair include less time, as it takes more time to style than makeup, and pulling your hair back after applying makeup. If you’re short on hair clips, skip this step and style your hair afterwards.

In summary, if you have oily skin, hot weather, or prefer a more relaxed hairstyle, it’s best to style your hair first before applying makeup. This will save time, prevent sagging, and ensure a fresh look.

Hair and makeup artists typically prefer to work individually on a wedding look, as it can be more stressful and take longer. Alternating between the two can hinder the ability of both artists to create a perfect look. However, if experienced professionals work together, it can go smoothly.

Timing for both services depends on the complexity of the look. For long hair, it may take 45 minutes to curl and 15-30 minutes to style, while makeup can take 30-60 minutes depending on the desired look. For intricate and detail-oriented looks, it is crucial to allocate an appropriate amount of time to avoid getting behind schedule.

Content Summary

• The age-old debate of whether to style hair before makeup or vice versa remains a crucial decision in personal beauty routines.

• Personal confidence is significantly impacted by choices in beauty routines.

• This guide delves into the factors influencing the “hair before makeup” or “makeup before hair” dilemma.

• Individual tastes, expert opinions, and practical considerations are taken into account.

• Exploring insights to incorporate into one’s personal beauty regimen.

• Makeup first yields superior results in specific instances.

• Heat-free hairstyles keep makeup in place, avoiding perspiration and heat damage.

• Day two hairstyles are easier to touch up, making makeup a priority.

• Makeup first prevents hair wrinkles and frizz when pulling hair back.

• Time crunch situations call for prioritizing makeup for a quick and presentable look.

• Air-drying hair and applying makeup simultaneously saves time.

• Styling hair before makeup is recommended in certain cases.

• Oily skin benefits from getting hair done first for longer-lasting makeup.

• Hot weather can ruin makeup, making pre-makeup hairstyling preferable.

• Hot tools like flat irons may damage makeup, suggesting hairstyling first.

• Hairstyles needing time to set should be done before makeup application.

• Formal events call for hair styling first for fresh and long-lasting makeup.

• Laying edges is better achieved when doing hair before makeup.

• Makeup first provides more time for application.

• Pulling hair back during makeup risks ruining unique hairstyles.

• No-heat hairstyles save time when done simultaneously with makeup.

• Sweating from heated tools can remove makeup.

• Hair products may interfere with makeup application.

• Hairstyle choices impact makeup application.

• Hair setting time is an advantage of starting with hair.

• Applying makeup early ensures a fresh look when leaving.

• Edges styling is best done before applying makeup.

• Sweating during hairstyling may ruin makeup, advocating for hair first.

• Hair styling takes less time but is crucial to the overall image.

• Clipping hair back after makeup prevents damage to the hairstyle.

• Doing makeup and hair simultaneously is challenging but not impossible.

• Separate services for hair and makeup are preferred for less stress.

• The positioning of the client’s head affects makeup and hair application.

• Alternating angles can undermine both artists’ abilities.

• Coordination between hair and makeup artists is crucial for simultaneous services.

• The best timing for wedding day makeup and hair depends on the complexity of the desired look.

• Consult with artists to estimate the time required for each service.

• Long hair may need 45 minutes for curling and additional time for styling.

• Account for time needed for hairpieces or veils during hairstyling.

• Makeup time varies based on the desired bridal look, ranging from 30 minutes to over an hour.

• Airbrush makeup and false lashes require additional time.

• Detailed looks require adequate time planning to avoid delays on the wedding day.

• The timing of services impacts the overall wedding day schedule.

• A stress-free wedding day is achieved by keeping hair and makeup services separate.

• Trained professionals can manage the challenge of simultaneous hair and makeup if time is scarce.

• The ability of artists to apply makeup or style hair is affected by the client’s head position.

• Coordinating angles may compromise the outcome of both hair and makeup.

• Despite difficulties, simultaneous hair and makeup are not impossible with experienced professionals.

• Bridal look complexity influences the time needed for hair and makeup services.

• Adequate planning ensures a smooth and timely preparation on the wedding day.

Frequently Asked Questions