Best Face Forward - Skin, Makeup & Hair Artists

Number of beauticians: 25

Styles: Classic, Natural, Romantic

About Best Face Forward - Skin, Makeup & Hair Artists

Best Face Forward - Skin, Makeup & Hair Artists

Onsite Award- Winning Beauty & Grooming Team

14 years ago, Kara was planning a wedding with the help of her mom Susie, and they were searching for a one-stop, experienced and credible makeup and hair team that could meet their needs. There was NO such thing! So we created the solution for the everyday busy modern woman…our award-winning Dream Team! Need skin, makeup, hair, or Men’s Grooming? Large, diverse party? No problem! Our perspective is unique… we were in your shoes, so we created a stress-free, full-service luxury experience for everyone.

Owners Kara and Susie started Best Face Forward after planning Kara's wedding in 2010. Our own customer experience is what still drives our mission to provide a quality, stress-free, educational experience to everyone. In almost 14 years in business, we've cultivated the most experienced and educated, cohesively and consistently trained team of driven beauty professionals in our service markets. Together we provide the most full-service beauty and grooming experience in the industry. We build long term relationships. Our detailed process creates so much client confidence, that most of our couples return for many other occasions.

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Services

Service categories

  • Hair
  • Makeup
  • Spa treatments
  • Styling

Services & specialties

  • Available for touch-ups (hourly)
  • Children’s services
  • Dupatta and sari draping
  • Multi-day events
  • Pre-wedding beauty prep
  • Blowouts
  • Experience with natural Black hair
  • Hair extension application
  • Hair trials
  • Styling with hair extensions
  • Updos
  • Full spectrum skin tone matching
  • Hypoallergenic makeup
  • Makeup trials
  • Natural makeup (complexion only)
  • Tanning
  • Day-of style coordination

Specialty styles

  • Classic
  • Natural
  • Romantic
Kara and Susie's daily mission is to provide a quality, stress-free, educational experience to everyone. During our almost 10 years in business, we have cultivated the most experienced and most educated, cohesively and consistently trained a team of driven beauty professionals in our service markets and together we provide the most full-service beauty and grooming experience in the industry.
We recommend once your date and location is secured, you begin planning Beauty services. Many dates are heavily requested, and advanced planning ensures proper staffing and prevents travel fees.
We need all paperwork with a photo and retainer. No scheduling begins until all items are received. We are unique among beauty vendors, requiring only confirmation of Bridal services and no need for confirmed party services until 2 months before the wedding.
Yes! BFF is considered a specialist when it comes to large parties! Our artists work together every weekend and know each other's timing, each other's favorite products, how they create a requested style... all of those things ensure synergy on your big day and alleviate all the common things that can go wrong when a client hires multiple independent contractors on their own.
We have no minimum services for booking, only a minimum balance, so if only the bride needs servicing, we simply add an automatic gratuity to meet that balance. We are honored to be a part of intimate services!
NO they are not required but YES they are strongly recommended! A preview provides time to get to know each other in advance of the wedding and preparation information is provided in advance.
Although we will do one service, we prefer to do both to ensure cohesiveness and a higher overall standard. If considering having another licensed professional, such as your regular Stylist, provide a service for you, please advise. If we are not notified at the time of booking a collaboration fee of $100 will be charged.
Our Artists are well trained professionals who know color theory, how and what makeup looks like in photographs vs. reality, professional vs. brand name products, HD readiness, why hair needs more volume or product for a humid and/or long wedding day, etc. Hiring our team is our confirmation that you trust our skill, guidance in all situations, and ability to bring your vision to life.
Yes- our Bridal packages guarantees your Artists are reserved for your preview as well as your wedding day.
Detailed planning begins no earlier than 4 months out. Previews normally occur within 8 weeks of your date (unless there are special circumstances that impacts scheduling, in which case we can plan earlier). All final day-of information is completed/ provided within the final month! Event dates are confirmed, with final confirmation of event day details occurring in the week prior to the event.

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Reviews

Write a review
Rating: 5.0

5.0 out of 5

47 reviews

  • RP

    Rachel P.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Nov 7

    100% recommend

    I wholeheartedly recommend BFF, particularly Natalie and Alena, who we worked with. They were kind and true professionals. I have never felt so physically beautiful as I did on my wedding day. Isn’t that what we’re going for? In addition, working with Kara and Meg was a pleasure. They were thorough and responsive and went above and beyond to make sure things went smoothly.

  • SP

    Sophia P.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Nov 7

    Amazing Team

    Finding a team of makeup/hair artists that fit my wedding timeline and my wedding budget was difficult to say the least, but I am so glad I found BFF! I started looking for an artist about 5-6 months out, and many other vendors were already booked for the entire next year and were completely out of range. When I came across BFF, I was immediately impressed by their packages. The communciation was great with frequent email follow ups, portal updates, and texts/calls as needed. I had Kris (hair) and Stephanie (makeup) and they are an amazing duo! From initial discussion to the trial to the day of, they were both so kind and flexible to really listen to what I wanted, tweak, and truly make me feel like a queen! We had 8 people who needed to have hair completed on the day of the wedding, and started getting ready at 7am for 1pm completion time. They were so accomodating with the early and packed schedule. All our bridal team loved their final look, which included 2 mothers as well. I would definitely recommend BFF for wedding services, and would be happy to use them again for any HMU needs in the future!

  • P

    Princess

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Oct 24, 2026

    Great Makeup Team!

    Whenever I’m in the DC / MD area I love using their team to get my makeup done, especially Alena who does a phenomenal job making me look beautiful and all glammed up for my events. They are professional, punctual and super easy to work with. Highly recommend their services!

  • SC

    Shandie C.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Oct 19, 2026

    Mother of the Bride

    Our team, Heather and Kris, were managing. Despite the VERY early start time we needed for a 12:30 wedding, they were early and at the ready. It was a fun, exciting morning. Everyone looked fabulous, and hair and makeup stayed put throughout the day and for the evening reception. Professional, on time, and talented. Worth every penny for a smooth and enjoyable morning.

  • BS

    Becca S.

    Rating: 5
    •Zola
    •Sep 29, 2026

    Extremely Kind and Talented Artists!

    Best Face Forward was a wonderful vendor to work with and their artists did such a great job! My bridesmaids and I felt so beautiful and getting ready with everyone was very special. One artist Tiffany stayed late of her own accord to give us all touch ups and to do another friend's makeup because she is a "girls' girl"; it was such a kind gesture, I was so moved! BFF was also so thorough with planning and very responsive. I highly recommend them!!

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