Makeup guide for international brides getting married in Medellín

Quick summary

• Book your date 6 to 12 months ahead; December, January, June and July fill up first.
• Trials are at Valentina's studio, Monday to Thursday (no bridal trials on weekends): plan your arrival in Colombia with that in mind.
• Medellín is mild, eastern Antioquia (Llanogrande, Rionegro, El Retiro) is cool and Santa Fe de Antioquia is hot: makeup is adapted to each climate.
• The bride needs 2 to 3 hours for makeup and hair; each guest about 40 minutes for makeup or 1 hour with hair.
• Bridal makeup and hair: COP 600,000; the trial with hair, COP 450,000.
• Valentina travels to your hotel, villa or hacienda with her full kit.

How far in advance should I book?

Ideally 6 to 12 months ahead. Destination weddings take up the makeup artist's whole day, and high-season dates (December, January, June and July) are the first to go.

When you book, have your date, venue, ceremony time and the number of people getting ready (mom, bridesmaids, guests).

How do I do my makeup trial if I live in another country?

The trial is at Valentina's studio in Medellín, Monday to Thursday; there are no bridal trials on weekends. You'll try two eye techniques and two hairstyles to choose the ideal one. Two ways to plan it:

• An in-person trial on a Monday to Thursday a few days before the wedding, once you're in Colombia. Leave at least 2 or 3 days between the trial and the wedding in case you want to adjust anything.
• Planning over a video call before you travel: show her your dress, your dream hairstyle and reference photos, so the in-person trial starts with a clear plan.

Wear white to the trial, with a neckline similar to your dress, and bring your wedding-day accessories and photos of looks you love.

The climate at your wedding venue

Antioquia has very different climates one or two hours apart, and that changes the products used:

• Llanogrande, Rionegro and El Retiro: cool mountain climate. Hydrated, luminous skin and long-wear products for parties until early morning.
• Santa Fe de Antioquia: hot climate. Lightweight foundations, oil control and sweat-proof setting.
• Guatapé: mild climate and humidity by the lake. Waterproof products and strong-hold hairstyles for the wind.
• Medellín: the city of eternal spring, mild all year, with afternoon rain in some seasons.

Wedding-day timeline

Work backwards from the ceremony time:

• Bride: 2 to 3 hours for makeup and hair.
• Each guest: about 40 minutes for makeup, or about 1 hour with hair (with 5 or more guests, Valentina's team works in parallel).
• Finish at least 1 hour before photos in the dress, so nothing feels rushed.
• If the wedding is outside Medellín, add the makeup artist's travel time to the arrival time.

Example: 4:00 p.m. ceremony with photos at 3:00 p.m., bride plus two bridesmaids. With 3 hours for the bride and 1 hour per bridesmaid, makeup starts around 9:00 a.m.

How to prep your skin before the trip

• Avoid new treatments (peels, laser, eyebrow waxing) in the 2 weeks before the wedding.
• Wear sunscreen every day: the sun in Antioquia is strong because of the altitude, and a sunburn changes your skin tone.
• Hydrate your skin and drink water while traveling; long flights dry it out.
• On the wedding day, arrive with a clean face and a button-front shirt so you don't ruin your hair when changing.

How much does it cost?

Prices in Colombian pesos (COP):

• Makeup trial: COP 350,000. Makeup and hair trial: COP 450,000.
• Wedding day: makeup COP 450,000; makeup and hair COP 600,000, mini touch-up kit included.
• Touch-ups during the wedding: 4 hours COP 490,000, 6 hours COP 790,000, 8 hours COP 1,190,000.
• Guests (from 5): makeup COP 250,000; makeup and hair COP 350,000 per person.

Travel to the venue is charged separately. Your date is secured with a non-refundable 50% deposit. Details on the bridal makeup page.