As a makeup artist who has worked on many of the feature films and television shows that have used Baltimore as a backdrop, Leslie Storms knows something about making people look good.

She will tell you, bluntly, that during the makeup trial, the bride should leave the groom at home. "I have to be truly honest, I would prefer the groom never see the bride after the consultation," says Storms, who owns Faceworld Cosmetics in Hunt Valley. "Bring a best friend. Do not bring the fiancé."

Men often say they don't like makeup. Their bride looks beautiful, just as she is. It's so romantic—if only it were true. As Storms points out, "This is your wedding day. You are wearing a formal gown. You need to bump it up just a little bit."

The groom's well-intended flattery aside, every bride looks better with makeup, particularly in the photographs. After all, once photos are taken, the tiny pearls sewn to the bottom of the wedding gown may not be visible. "It's not the flowers they notice," she says. "It's going to be the twinkle in the eye, the pretty lips, that somebody's going to look at. You look at how gorgeous she is. When the camera comes close, you want a softness of your skin, not a cakey look."

Brides often say they want natural-looking makeup. But even natural-looking makeup takes work. "It's time-absorbing. Natural makeup needs to stay on for an eight-hour day without smearing," Storms says.

And like every other aspect of the wedding, it helps to start planning early. Some makeup artists and salons suggest that the bride make appointments six months to a year ahead of time for facials. "If you get in early enough, you can make changes. Your skin can change," Storms says.

About three months before the wedding, makeup artists usually schedule a trial run. "Brides want to know everything we are going to do. This is the most important day. Women want to look perfect," says Jayne Gary, co-owner of LaClinica Salon and Day Spa in Lutherville. "We set aside a lot of time to make sure they love everything we do."

When the bride is satisfied, the makeup artist will take note of her preferences. "When they come in on the wedding day, it is seamless," Gary says. "We have happy people leaving that can give us good reviews."

Makeup artists often travel to wedding locations. Some can be hired for the day. Gary points out that it is easier if the bride and bridal party come to the salon, where the lighting and equipment is in place. "We have everything at our disposal here," she says. "We even have jewelry for the hair."

 For the bride, makeup starts at $55 at Gary's salon. Members of the bridal party are less expensive, usually about $50.

Storms's pricing is different: She is paid $165 per hour for a minimum of three hours, or $75 per person miminum. "That's because I'm coming to them and bringing the equipment," she says. She can handle makeup for about six people during a three-hour period. 

Brides also think early about hair for the wedding day. Often, women choose the salon or hairstylist where they have already been getting their hair cut. But not every stylist specializes in up-hairstyles. And the vast majority of brides want their hair up for the wedding day.

"It's a little more elegant," Gary says. "It keeps their hair in place and neat for pictures." A humid summer day can quickly undo down hair. "It's easier to keep it in style when it's up. We can put part of it up and leave part down. It depends on what they what. In the trial, they find out."

During the trial run, the bride should bring her veil so that she understands exactly how her hair will look. "We want her to be thrilled with that hairstyle," Gary says. "If they do a hair style in a trial, and the bride hates it, it gives them the opportunity to try something else."

For the bride, hair styles start at $55 and up. For bridesmaids, hair styles are generally less expensive—$50 and up.

Brides and bridesmaids also schedule other services before the wedding—manicures, pedicures, and massages. Well before the day, brides should confirm the services bridesmaids want. "We need to know who is going to be coming in," Gary says. "Call all the bridesmaids or anyone in the wedding and make sure they commit to what they are going to have done."

The salon wants to make sure it has a massage therapist or manicurist on hand, Gary says. "We want to make everything happen."