Makeup artist, Kira Santana, says her busiest season is wedding season. It’s not a big surprise since nowadays it is common place for the entire bridal party to have hair, nails, and makeup done by professionals before the nuptials.

However, the good ones get booked up, so Santana recommends booking your appointment around the same time you pick a date for the wedding. This way you get the artist you want before they get booked by another wedding party.

When asked how to find the perfect make up artist, Santana says you always want to meet the artist in person, see how you connect with them and how they apply their own makeup. Makeup artists also typically have a portfolio that they can share with you, often on Instagram. You can also check with friends or online for their recommendations.

Santana warns that there are some makeup artists that are best avoided. She recommends watch out for these warnings:

• Lack of clean tools or dirty makeup kits- the best makeup artists have the cleanest makeup stations

• Not cleaning brushes after applying makeup

• Washing hands before and after applying makeup

• Not using disposable mascara wands for each client

• Really low prices - that should be a very big red flag