A Dream, A Dress & a Trophy: My 2025 Dublin Bridal Makeup artist Competition Story

Winning the 2025 Bridal Makeup Competition in Dublin was one of the most unforgettable moments of my career — not only because I achieved the highest score of the nomination (167 out of 170), but because the entire journey felt magical from the very beginning.

At that time, I was also preparing for my professional exams, which were scheduled just a few days after the competition. Balancing both was challenging, but I felt determined. And in the end, I passed my exams successfully too — a double victory that I will always remember.

Celebrating success with my model after receiving the award, capturing a moment of joy and achievement.

The Lucky Dress

I still smile when I think about how the look came together. One evening, while scrolling through ASOS, I noticed a retro-style dress covered entirely in delicate beads. It looked special… and without thinking too much, I bought it.

It cost €200 — and it turned out to be the best investment of my competition journey.

The dress had a vintage elegance and a Hollywood charm, and I knew it needed the right model to match the vibe. A friend helped me find her through Facebook — and she fit the dress perfectly. It felt like the universe had chosen her for this look.

Professional bridal makeup

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Bridal hair and makeup artist

Designing the Look

Once the dress was chosen, the rest of the vision began to take shape.

I spent days collecting references, studying shapes, colours, textures, and creating a mood board.I even hand-painted a face chart to plan every detail of the makeup.

Because I take competitions seriously, I did two full test runs before the competition day.I needed to understand:

• how the makeup would sit with the dress

• how hair and makeup worked together

• how colors reflected under light

• and how well the model moved and expressed the style

Every detail mattered.

Competition Day

• On the day of the competition, we had 2 hours to complete both makeup and hair.

  I arrived early, set up my workstation perfectly, and prepared myself mentally. Everything had to be flawless — timing, structure, hygiene, technique, and creativity.

  We had four judges, each with their own scoring sheet. They evaluated:

  • cleanliness of work

  • technical skill

  • creativity

  • suitability to theme

  • finishing details

  • overall harmony of hair + makeup

  When the results came in and I saw:167 points out of 170— the highest score in the category —I felt overwhelmed with pride.

  All the preparation was worth it. And then they handed me the trophy… a moment I will never forget.

The Dress That Brought Good Luck

After the competition, I sold the beaded dress to a real bride. I know in my heart she will be incredibly lucky wearing it — because it was truly a lucky dress for me.

Why This Win Matters to Me

Winning this award gave me not only confidence, but also reminded me why I love what I do:

• the creativity

• the preparation

• the power of transformation

• the connection between artist and bride

• the beauty in storytelling through style

This experience made me grow as an artist, and I carry that pride with me into every bridal morning I’m part of.