Wedding Allergies, Part 1: Navigating Hair & Makeup Safely
Food allergies don’t just show up at restaurants or family dinners—they sneak into almost every big (and small) life event. And when it came to planning my wedding, they were right there with me.
I’ll be honest—at first, I worried that asking about allergens during vendor interviews might make me sound “extra” or “difficult.” But my safety mattered more than my nerves, so I pushed through and asked the hard questions. I’m so glad I did!
The Allergy Factor in Glam
When I started looking for hair and makeup artists, I wasn’t just focused on their portfolios or pricing. My first questions were all allergy-related:
Do you know the ingredients in your products?
Can you accommodate peanut, tree nut, sesame, and dairy allergies?
What’s your process for cleaning brushes and tools?
It might sound unusual to some, but for those of us with allergies, these aren’t “nice-to-know” details—they’re essential. Allergies aren’t just about the food you eat. Skin contact can be just as dangerous!
And it’s not just about makeup palettes—think about it: powders, liquid foundations, lipsticks, hairsprays, setting sprays, primers, and even skincare creams can all contain hidden allergens. One swipe of the wrong lipstick or a spritz of hairspray could turn a dream moment into a nightmare.
Finding the Right Team
Thankfully, I found an amazing glam team who completely understood my concerns. They:
Walked me through their product ingredient lists months before, during our trial
Reassured me about their cleaning and sanitizing process
Took extra care to make sure everything was allergy-safe—from foundation and powders to the hair products they styled me with
On the morning of my wedding, I walked into my glam session knowing every brush had been freshly cleaned, every lip gloss and setting spray had been checked, and my hair products were safe to use. Instead of scanning labels or worrying about hidden ingredients, I got to sip on my mimosa, laugh with my bridesmaids, and soak in the moment.
That peace of mind was priceless—and it allowed me to feel like the most beautiful version of myself, without the weight of allergy stress on my shoulders.
Tips for Allergy-Friendly Glam
If you’re planning a wedding, photoshoot, or any big event where someone else will be doing your hair and makeup, here are a few tips to help keep things safe:
Ask about ingredients upfront. Don’t wait until the day of—have this conversation during your first call or trial. Be specific: ask about foundations, lipsticks, setting sprays, powders, and hairsprays.
Request a brush/tool cleaning. Even if products are safe, leftover residue from other clients can cause issues.
Bring your own products. If you have a foundation, lip color, or even a safe hair serum you love, bring it along. Most artists are more than happy to use what you know works for you.
Communicate clearly. Let your artist know your allergies are serious—not just preferences. Share specifics (like “no dairy-based creams” or “no nut oils in hair products”).
Have your meds nearby. Always carry your epinephrine auto-injector and antihistamines, just in case.
Final Thoughts
Your wedding day (or any big event) should be about joy—not allergy stress. With some preparation, the right questions, and supportive vendors, you can feel safe, beautiful, and fully present in the moment.
And if no one’s told you this yet: you’re not being difficult for advocating for your health—you’re being brave!
This was just part one of how allergies showed up during my wedding—I’ll be sharing more soon!
XXOO,
JJ
