Hair & Makeup Artist - Nicola Aldridge
- Business: Goddess Makeup Design
- Location: Pottsville, New South Wales
- Experience: 11 Years
- Profile: Goddess Makeup Design
- Website: www.goddessmakeupdesign.com
1. Introduction: What's your story?
Hello, thank you so much for reading this interview. A little about myself....oh golly how do you write these things...
Well just to introduce myself, I'm from Wellington NZ, moved here 16 years ago with my now hubby. We live in Pottsville, a small coastal town, which is just near Kingscliff, NSW, about 20 minutes south of the border.
When I'm not doing makeup for gorgeous people, I love watching detective shows, especially ones with female detectives.
I love walking through forests and finding new trails to explore.
I love everything magical 🌟 We have three little ones, Talon is 13, Willow is 10 and Autumn is 6. Three kids is awesome!
I also like movies, and creating floral art for fun. I believe it's best to focus on what you do want, not on what you don't want. mm, have gone on too many tangents yet? Probably.
Accreditation:
Certificate of Makeup Design & Production, Design & Art College of New Zealand. 2004.
Member of the Australian Bridal Industry Academy
Areas of expertise:
• Mobile Makeup Artistry • Bridal Makeup • Formal Makeup • Special Occasions • Hens Nights • Fashion: Print and Shows •
• Makeup Lessons • Boudoir Shoots • Models Look Books • 21sts • Hairstyling
You may be planning a special day or your very own wedding, so very exciting!
I HAVE TWENTY YEARS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE, having completed my one year full time professional training, gaining a Certificate in Makeup Design & Production in 2004.
During this time I have worked on numerous productions, including The Montana World of Wearable Arts (Head of Special Makeup) and L'oreal and Gold Coast Fashion Weeks.
I have had my work printed in magazines and also in films, including Baz Luhrmanns' Elvis, and When Night Falls, a NZ thriller. I have worked for Yves Saint Laurent and with Dior, Chanel and Napoleon Perdis Cosmetics Houses and Living Nature and Runway Express Experience, Kylies Mineral Makeup and have tutored makeup at a top Gold Coast Modeling Agency.
IT IS SUCH A TREAT TO GET YOUR MAKEUP DONE, and I would love to help take the stress of getting ready on your special morning away, and replace it with perfection and calm.
You will look amazing in your photos and beautiful in real life too.
If you are looking for a makeup artist that LISTENS, is professional, nice, has talent, and cares about your awesome day, give me a call or email and I will get back to you as soon as possible x.
2. What's your experience as a bridal hair & makeup artist? How many brides are in there in your portfolio?
I have been doing Makeup and Hair for the past 20 years, ok that makes me feel old ha ha, I'm 42 and still don't feel grown up yet ;)
I have been lucky enough to have been the Makeup Artist for well over 500 weddings. I've lost count to be honest. I'm way better with brushes and art than numbers.
Before becoming a Makeup Artist and Bridal Hairstylist I studied Fine Arts and Broadcasting.
3. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?
$160 each Person Professional Makeup including Complimentary Lashes and Hydrating pre makeup mini facial.
$150 each Person Professional Hairstyling including veil/hair florals/hair jewelry application. Clip-in extensions/halo extension application is $20 added.
No Travel Fee immediate area up to 30 minutes from Pottsville 2489. $50 Travel Fee to Gold Coast Location. $200 Travel Fee to Brisbane. $30 Travel to Byron Bay.
I don't have minimum numbers and actually adore 'just doing the bride' as the whole look is complete, and it is an absolute joy being your hype girl or grounding girl.
Same Pricing for Trial.
4. Do you have a team of assistants or will you be the only artist that day? What will happen if you're sick or have an emergency on the wedding day?
I do have an awesome assistant, Kara, whom is also a Hairstylist and Makeup Artist. If the wedding party is larger than 3 people it is best Timewise, for you to have both of us on board, we work along-side each other, so your morning flows nice and easily.
I always ensure I have a back up. We have a little group of local artists and stylists with whom we can call on if anything suddenly pops up. In my 20 years I have never cancelled on any bride. It amazes me that that can even happen. You have my guarantee on reliability.
5. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?
Travel Fee: No charge if within the immediate 30 minute area of Pottsville. SO no charge Casuarina, Kingscliff, Cabarita Beach for example. May be small charge if further.
$50 to Gold Coast. $30 to Byron Bay. $200 to Brisbane.
No minimum numbers.
Early morning Fee for Sunrise Weddings or before 6am is $100.
6. Can the bride book a wedding makeup trial appointment and will you also do a trial before the wedding?
Yes for sure. While not essential, especially for my out of town brides, it is super helpful to take the decision making out of the equation for on the wedding day. If you are tossing up between a couple of looks, or would love a professional opinion on what suits you best, then by all means book in your trial.
Book the Trial when you have your gown chosen. Anywhere between 3 months and 2 weeks prior is best.
Trials are the same price as on the day. $160 each Person Professional Makeup including complimentary lashes, yes I have individual, cluster and strip. $150 for your Hairstyling Trial. You are welcome to come to me in Pottsville, or I can certainly come to you.
7. What beauty products do you use and would you be open to the bride using her own make-up?
Having been a Makeup Artist for 20 years you can be sure only the best products are in my kit. I choose the best from each brand. Everything I have is cruelty free and vegan.
The brands include Hourglass, Laura Mercier, Stila, Claudie, Laniage, Face Atelier, goodness me, I'd need to go look at my kit as I have so many different but high end brands and Pro Makeup Artist brands.
I do have Kylies Professional Mineral Goddess Makeup, which is specifically designed to be used for even the most sensitive of skins. Yes the bride can for sure bring her own makeup. Best to have a chat on the phone, or email about why their skin like their specific makeup first.
8. How can you make the bride's wedding makeup last and look good in photos?
The best way to ensure longevity is to prepare the skin with the correct products. This stops the skin absorbing the hydration from the foundation and leaving only the pigments, resulting in patchy makeup.
So to do this, I use a good exfoliating cleanser on the skin, to remove excess dead cells and ensure a smooth texture and enable the serum and moisturiser I choose to be more readily absorbed by the skin.
I ensure I leave enough time between products for them to absorb, and not be 'diluted' by each other.
Importantly the bride needs to be getting ready in air-con, and hopefully wearing cotton. Makeup cannot neither adhere to, or set on, sweating skin. I am launching a new getting ready gown range in 2025, with a unique design, made from organic cotton. The brand is called Vibe 'N Style. It is exactly the getting ready gown I wish for all my clients to wear, as it is beautiful, classy, and won't in any way disrupt the hair and makeup!
Primer can be useful for areas of the face, especially the forehead and chin. I like to use a mattifying primer in these areas only. The Smashbox one and Tarte one are really good.
Then you can spray the face before makeup, with a really good setting spray, to lock in the skincare and create another barrier between the skin and makeup. I've been using a really good blurring one.
Then after blending the foundations, and liquid or cream concelors, contours, highlighters, creme blush, I use a very very finely milled setting powder on a large brush, to set all the areas. And under eyes I will use a small brush to push and set the powder.
Then after powdered products, bronzer, blush, contour, highlighter, it is time for another spray of setting spray. And then I like to let the skin warm up the makeup, and reset with powder if necessary.
My brides tell me it lasts and lasts, and some naughty ones tell me it is "still on the next morning". Don't do that, but also, yay.
9. How long will makeup take on the day and how long will you be staying for on the day?
Allow 15 minutes to set up. Allow one hour per Person. It doesn't always take this long, but I find with people coming in and out, and asking questions of the clients in the chair, it is best to allocate one hour to the makeup and skincare application. And also allow one hour per Person for the Hairstyling.
I always plan with my bride, and send a personalised Timeline. I finish 1.5 hours before the ceremony. And I loiter until it's time for me to apply the veil. I'm super happy to help you into your gown and with shoes and jewelry. Then I am out of your way so you can go marry that cute guy!
You won't need me for touch ups later on. Carry oil-blotting sheets, pressed powder and your lipstick. I have beautiful lipsticks available to purchase for $30 or bring your favourite.
10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?
To book in it is a non-refundable deposit of $100, with the remainder payable on the day as cash, or transferred 3 days prior.
If you need to cancel the booking the deposit of $100 is non-refundable.
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