Talking To Bali Wedding Vendors: Episode 2 - Renee Pettit

Hello everyone! We’re thrilled to introduce you to Renee Pettit, a talented hair and makeup artist known for her stunning work in the wedding industry. If you’re looking for the perfect beauty look for your big day, you’ll want to hear what Renee has to share. Let’s dive into this Q&A and learn more about her artistry and approach.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey into hair and makeup artistry? What inspired you to specialize in weddings in Bali?

I was initially interested in makeup through my career as a fashion model, I was always mesmerised by the creative looks and elegant styles, especially in different cities. I traveled extensively & worked mostly in the South East Asian fashion markets, I did a couple of stints in some European cities and spent 2 years in Dubai in the early years it was being recognised as a fashion hub.

I was the annoying model always asking the makeup artist a thousand questions because I was so keen on developing a style for myself that worked!

Fast forward years later after doing formal training & establishing myself as a working makeup artist in Australia, i attended a friend’s wedding in Bali in 2012 and fell in love with the island. It was from there I looked into how I could move forward with setting up a life in Bali and I’ve not looked back since

What sets your hair and makeup style apart from other artists in Bali?

I feel I have a keen sense of style, but also understand the importance of timeless elegance for weddings. I believe that being too “on trend” can result in your makeup or hair style looking like part of an “era” where as classic elegance never goes out of style and your wedding photos will never seem dated.

Can you share a memorable wedding or project you’ve worked on in Bali and what made it stand out? 

A happy bride always brings me such job satisfaction that I am truly grateful for all the wonderful experiences I’ve had over the years. Earlier in 2024 I had a bride get married at the Elephant Park and I adore elephants, the photos are so unique.

How do you work with brides to create a personalized look that matches their vision and personality, especially in the unique Bali setting?

I am very versed on the climate here and know which products and what style of application works best for longevity in the Bali humidity. I get an understanding of my clients and offer guidance and recommendations and we create a look together. It’s important not to try any daring or out of character styles on your wedding day as you don’t want to regret having a bright lip colour if it’s not really “you”

Your wedding is a time to let yourself shine, by being the best version of you, so I get a feel for what my clients expectations are and we talk though what I believe is possible to achieve and what will be the most appealing look over all.

What’s your favorite part about working on weddings in Bali and helping brides feel their best?

I find Bali brides quite relaxed because of incredible wedding planners like Silver Lace who take so much pressure off by offering recommendations , suggestions & bounce ideas off as well as deal with any hiccups so a calm happy bride is always a pleasure! Of course it’s natural to have some jitters and once in the makeup chair I sometimes see the reality of “this is finally happening” hit a bride as her eyes become wide or by becoming very quiet - it’s in these moments I can see they need quiet and calm and if there is a hectic, loud room, full of people who are amplifying nerves, I like to make a suggestion to a bridesmaid that only the essential people should be present now and the bride needs some quiet support through simple presence and calm energy from that point forward.

I feel my empathetic nature and ability to sense my clients needs is also a bonus. I also love to have a laugh and tell a good story, so it’s being able to “read the room” that creates a vibe the bride will remember

How do you handle any unexpected challenges on the wedding day, such as Bali’s weather changes or time constraints?

I always prepare a detailed schedule for the bridal party and provided everyone follows along and adheres to timing and other recommendations such as “once your hair and makeup is done, you’re expected to stay in the aircon as much as possible” then we are all good! I also offer many other recommendations that have been tried and tested to be the best way to prepare for an easeful time with my glam squad as well as how to maintain your look to receive maximum longevity.

What’s the most rewarding feedback you’ve received from a bride about her hair and makeup in Bali?

I had a few brides tell me they never felt as beautiful before as they did in the moment they saw themselves in the mirror after I had done their makeup. My heart was so full of joy.

Can you offer any tips for brides when choosing their hair and makeup artist in Bali?

All the images and videos I post are unedited, unfiltered with no retouching or soft focus & in natural light. I post my real clients & try to be as relatable as possible to brides and women in general. Seeing faces of all shapes, colours and structures gives a more realistic expectation of makeup & what it can achieve.

I think with so much out there on social media that’s being manipulated with apps and other tools, it can distort the idea of what makeup is for.

Makeup does not make fine lines and wrinkles disappear, contour can add a certain amount of definition but can not literally change the shape of someone face especially as bridal makeup has to work for a real life situation. It’s not in a studio under beauty lights with an artist by your side touching up every 5 minutes. I think choosing someone who is real in this way shows something about character too. I pride myself on a personalised experience and I handle all my inquiries and emails, ensuring I respond in a timely manner so my clients can feel at ease.

How do you incorporate Bali’s unique beauty and culture into your hair and makeup looks?

With gorgeous tropical vibes being Bali islands signature feel, I love nothing more than recommending a fresh, pretty tropical look that’s natural but enhances your overall appearance. Of course, we can go “Glam” all the way if that’s your thing too, so with all the unique venues, decor and clients personal styles & tastes, Bali (and your makeup!) really can be (almost) anything you want it to be ;)

Lastly, what advice would you give to brides planning their hair and makeup for their wedding day in Bali?

Classic and elegant is best for timeless photos. We do recommend hair up styles due to the humidity but understand this does not suit everyone’s tastes so we advise about the humidity all over the island (and the windy Uluwatu cliff tops) but ultimately we will follow the clients vision. I suggest not trying anything different or daring for your wedding day (save that for the hens party) and just be the best version of yourself!

We hope you enjoyed this insightful chat with Renee Pettit. If you’re planning your wedding and want to look and feel amazing, consider reaching out to her for your beauty needs through us or direct.

Stay tuned for more vendor spotlights and wedding planning inspiration!