Melissa Graaff, owner of Melissa Rae & Co. Airbrush Makeup and Tanning has been in the skin care and beauty industry for 10 years and is known for the soft, natural looks she creates for her clients. We first got to know Melissa on our cover shoot for the latest issue of Exquisite Weddings. She was such a pleasure to work with, we knew we had to introduce her to you. See more of Melissa’s work from the cover shoot here and read on for her expert tips to look your best on your wedding day.

Tip #1: Don’t be shy! Your beauty professional is there to make you happy. This can only be accomplished if you are open and honest about what you are looking for. If you don’t like something, be sure to speak up.

Tip #2: Bring photos. I love when brides bring photos of what they are thinking of for their wedding day. If there is something a bit unusual, it comes across clearly in a photo. Bringing a friend can also be helpful as they will have an outsiders opinion and can give you honest feedback.

Tip #3: Have your eyebrows shaped! Your eyebrows truly do frame your face. When they are not cleaned up, it makes a big difference in your final look. I recommend shaping them a week before. If there is any sign of skin irritation, it will be long gone by the big day.

Tip #4: Take care of your skin! Facials help smooth out your skin and make it glow. Be sure to exfoliate your face and body with a quality product. I prefer fruit acids or enzymes to scrubs. After exfoliating, hydrate your skin with a high quality, anti-oxident moisturizer appropriate for your skin type. I also reccomend spray tans. Schedule a trial before the big day to ensure you love the color.

Tip #5: Don’t rush! Enjoy your getting ready time. It can be so fun to get ready with the people who are special to you. Choose beauty professionals who work well together and have everyone who is getting their hair or makeup done on site to ensure your timing goes as smoothly as possible.

Special thanks to Melissa for sharing these tips today!