How to Prep your Skin and Hair for Your Appointment with Killer Queen

Wondering how to best prepare your skin and hair before your wedding day, photoshoot or glam up appointment?

Read on for our top tips below, and please share with everyone in your group / party.

HAIR PREP:

At Killer Queen, we do ‘dry styling’ which means we don’t wash your hair before your appointment.

Washing your hair the day before and keeping it product-free before your appointment will ensure that there isn’t any product build-up and it will be perfectly prepped for styling.⠀⠀⠀

Follow these steps for perfectly prepped hair that’s ready to be styled.

Wash the night before (or on the day if your hair is very oily)

Shampoo and condition hair the night before with a sulfate-free product if at all possible. Make sure you use something suited to your hair type, without any thickening build up (ie avoid volume products if you have fine hair)

If you have naturally curly hair, please stick to your usual hair wash routine and use products that work for your curls! If you don’t normally shampoo your curls, you can skip this step.

Avoid products with keratin or silicon as these can coat the hair and make it too slippery. We love Eleven and Evo products, Klorane Oat Milk shampoo, and MoroccanOil Clarifying shampoo - all wonderful without any build up.

When shampooing, emulsify (foam up) the product in your hands first before applying to your hair. Do not use too much- a 20c coin size is usually enough for medium length regular density hair. If your hair is shorter or finer you should use less. The more surface area to your hair, the more shampoo you can use- about a 50c coin size amount.

Pay particular attention to the crown and the nape of your neck as these are areas where oil can build up.

Use the tips of your fingers and your nails quite vigorously to massage your scalp all over, and loosen any dirt or oil.

Wash twice with shampoo.

Rinse thoroughly, use minimal conditioner

Ensure you rinse out shampoo really well.

Use minimal conditioner only through the ends with a wide tooth comb to disperse through your hair.

If you can stand it, use cold or lukewarm-cold water for your final rinse to seal the hair cuticle and enhance shine.

To Finish

Towel dry gently (blotting the hair rather than vigourously rubbing) and try to avoid any heat styling.

Comb through your hair gently to detangle.
Feel free to use a detangling product or leave-in conditioner if you have naturally curly hair, and finish with a serum suited to your hair.

If your hair tends to be dry you can apply a small amount of product such as a leave-in conditioner or product you know works well in your hair to reduce frizz only through the mid-lengths and ends

Once your hair has been washed, please refrain from using any products in your hair before your appointment.

On the day

Make sure hair is clean, detangled and 100% dry on the day ready for styling. We cannot use heat tools on wet hair and do not allow extra time for drying wet hair

If you have very long/thick/curly hair please let me know as this will take more time. If you are planning on wearing extensions or have semi-permanent extensions please let me know as this also takes more time.

Sending through (or bringing along) a photo of your current hair and an image of a style or two you have in mind can be very helpful and save time on the day.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

SKIN PREP:

To prep your skin for your photoshoot or event, follow these steps for perfectly prepped skin that will ensure the smoothest makeup application.

Week before

Please ensure your eyebrows are cleaned of any stray hairs. We recommend a wax, tint, and/ or thread at least 2 days before so there is no residual wax or redness. If your brows have not been trimmed or neatened beforehand, makeup cannot cover the hairs.

Consider a lash tint if you are able to, but not a lash lift if you are planning on wearing false lashes in the day (false lashes will not apply properly if you’ve had a lash lift).

If you are getting extensions, please do this at least 3 days before as the lashes need to kept makeup-free for the first few days to avoid them dropping out. Please consider getting as natural extensions as you can, as full volume /Russian extensions are very heavy and can alter the eye shape and the overall look.

If you are getting a tan for the day, please do this approx 3-5 days out so the tan has time to develop and settle.

Please avoid tanning, brow shaping/ waxing/ threading or eyelash extension application in the 48 hour period before your makeup appointment as these can affect makeup application.

Day before

Gently exfoliate the day prior for glowing skin- we prefer chemical (eg AHA’s, BHA’s) rather than physical exfoliators (eg face scrubs with bits in them) as they are a lot more gentle on your skin. Using a physical exfoliant can cause damage and redness so try to avoid. We love glycolic acid on a face pad for a gentle exfoliation.

Follow up with a lovely hydrating moisturiser or a sheet mask for some added hydration and a radiance boost.

If you have oily skin, please moisturise with an oil free moisturiser suited to your skin, and consider adding a hyaluronic serum to balance moisture and keep oil levels in check.

Drink lots of water before and on your day and try to get as much sleep as possible the night before!

On the day of your event

Ensure your hair and face is clean and free of makeup.

Please make sure you have disclosed any allergies, intolerances, sensitivities or anything that may impact on your makeup service.

Make sure to allow approx 45-60 minutes (for makeup) and 45-60 minutes (for hair) of uninterrupted time for me to complete your look.

Helpful extras to bring

A touch-up lipstick if you plan to drink and eat during your event or shoot (all brides will be provided with a touch-up option unless they choose to purchase a special wedding day lipstick prior to the day)

Transparent powder and brush if you tend to get oily skin.

Bra tape if you are wearing something low cut.

Cotton tips to clean up any incidental smudges.

Safety pins in case of a clothing emergency.

Toothpicks / straws if you plan to eat or drink during your event or shoot.

Have a question? Feel free to get in touch with me

If you’re stuck in a makeup rut, or have a burning question about hair or skincare, hit me up and I’d be happy to help. OR Book in for a 1:1 virtual makeup lesson where I'll walk you through a complete look with full guidance- based on what you've already got and what would suit you! Investing in yourself is the BEST investment!

I LOVE helping and supporting others to up their beauty game and empower themselves with knowledge and skills. Beauty doesn’t have to be complicated or exclusive! It should be fun!

Beauty is for all to enjoy- no barriers, no boundaries. Make it your own and back yourself, babe!

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Hey, I'm Danee!

I’m a makeup & hair artist and all-round creative with a serious cheese fetish and a hankering for tequila. A badass beauty disruptor and educator with nearly a decade of clocked miles in the beauty industry. I’m a playlist ADDICT who also stans for writing, drawing, inhaling 70s design and 90s pop culture; and have a mad love affair for thrift shopping, sleeping, and going on roadtrips!