Makeup

[lucybelle]

Did you have your makeup done professionally or did you do it by yourself? What would you recommend?

We're having a wedding party in February and I thought about getting my makeup done. But I don't feel like doing a consult first. And I'm worried if I go they'll put a whole bunch on me and I'll look like a monster. I think I do makeup okay, but I don't have quality products. I bet if I spent some money on nice stuff my makeup would look better.

So what do you think? Better to go pro? Or do it yourself?

[80anthea]

I would go to a make up counter of a decent brand and get a free makeover there to try out what suits you, then spend the money on some good products. That way you can reuse the products after, it's more of an investment than a one off.

[nicole]

I had a pro do mine, and she did my hair too. I'm not that great with that sort of thing so I wanted it all done professionally. She came over and did a trail run, which was beneficial to me because my skin tone is such a weird colour she had to buy a foundation especially for me, and she tried out two different eye make-ups too.



^^ I would never had look that good if I'd done it myself! I liked going pro because I've never had my hair/make-up done before, so it was a special treat. Not to mention she wrote down all the products she used so I can go out and get the same products- she ended my search for the right foundation color!

If you're good at doing make up and don't decide to splurge on getting it done by someone else, why not just buy some more quality products? They can make all the difference and you're not spending all that money and just one single application?

[Dezface]

I'll second Nicole. I'd use the money I would spend on a pro and buy better makeup. Then you can do it yourself and still have nice stuff for after.

[MZVIRGO82]

I don't know if you live close to Sephora or an Ulta-but both places have people who can help you pick out makeup that will work for you as well as help you learn how to apply it as well. They will write down the products used so that you can purchase as well as just do your makeup for you for a nominal fee if you don't feel the need to do it yourself.

[milaya]

I would have done my make-up myself I think. Make-up is my hobby - especially eye shadows. I own more make-up than a lot of drug stores, I use make-up every day and at parties I always get compliments for it.
Sometimes I wish I had studied to become a make-up artist instead. XD
I know a lot of women are not comfortable at doing their own make-up and if you're not used to doing make-up/have no interest in make-up (general speaking), it can end up looking like a mess (seen a lot of those), even though make-up artists show you how to do it. During my high school years, I watched several make-up videos, but it still ended up horribly.
So, for a wedding, I think getting a professional to do it is a good thing. It's a big day, splurge and relax. It's not worth worrying about messing up the make-up in the last minute.

The only reason I would do it myself, is because I'm confident in my own make-up abilities.

If a person is considering to do their own make-up for their wedding they would need certain things.
- Good quality make-up - doesn't mean expensive brands such as Dior or Chanel. I'm a supporter of drug store make-up such as Maybelline and L'oreal - my favorite not-drug-store-brand is Urban Decay.
- Primer. Wanting an eye shadow to last through the actual party, you need primer, or there's a big chance it'll be a mess before the first speech.
- Good quality brushes. Dear god, don't use the cheap sponge applicators - unless it's a 90's theme party. It won't end well.

[Zapookie]

If you're unsure how to do it, get it done by a pro.

Orrrr you could watch a bunch of tutorials on youtube and do some research on products. You still have a fair amount of time to get your technique down if you want to try it yourself. Practice a look before hand so that you're not just winging it on the day.

I've been into makeup since I was 18 and did a makeup artists course. I have done prom/formal makeup on the side and earned an income from it. I also did SFX makeup. I actually was invited to do makeup on a small movie which is shooting today but I had to turn it down because of my job(waah). I'll be doing my own wedding makeup. I'll probably get my hair done though, because I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to hair.

[lucybelle]

I mean I think I do my makeup pretty well, but it's very ordinary every day stuff. My neighbor occasionally does my makeup when I'm going to a big event and even she does like 100xs better than I do. I'm on the edge about doing it myself since it's not actually my wedding, just a party. But I am getting a photographer. Will have to think about it.

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming!

[differentcountries]

I did it myself for my wedding. I like to do my own makeup though, and I have different styles. You will need a makeup that is natural but that will still look great. If you are not used to do this kind of makup, then hire someone to do it. It is important to have it done properly .

If you do it by yourself; good brushes are vital. You will need a smoother brush to ease out the lines of the eye shadows, that makes all the difference. If you use a primer under your eye shadows they will last longer. I have not used highlighter myself yet, but it is said to make makeup look smashing AND natural.

I like makeup brands like the Body Shop, LaRochePosay (no perfume), Makeup Store and e.l.f .

Also, cleanse and moisturize your skin well before putting on makeup (an extra cleaning 2-3 days before will be fine), including your chest and neck.

On YouTube there are some good makeup videos for inspiration.

[Zephii]

I had a professional do mine, and my hair too. Like Nicole said, there's no way I'd have looked as good as I did had I done it myself. But, I can't do make-up at all. Like, I can handle eyeshadow, but I never use foundation or powders or any of that myself.

I'll probably pay for make up again for my sister in law's wedding if I go and can find the money, for me it makes a massive difference so I don't mind paying for the service. (Or I'll go to sears for a demonstration that morning... like I did for my engagement party lol)

[Jazi]

I did my own make up and hair for my wedding.

I'm by no means a professional at either of those things - BUT I have had my hair and makeup done professionally before and it didn't "wow" me and I ended up completely reapplying things myself anyway.

So what I did was do "trial runs" like 6 months out from the wedding I decided exactly the products I would use and do trial runs to practice. I did buy Estee Lauder Double Wear Light for the wedding and I'm really glad I did as the photos turned out so well with it. I definitely don't regret doing my own makeup - the only thing is I wish I touched up better before dinner - My SO had been rubbing his nose to mine so much during photos that the foundation was rubbing off a bit - but honestly that would have been the same regardless of whether I did my makeup or a Pro did it.

[milaya]

I'll be doing my own wedding makeup. I'll probably get my hair done though, because I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to hair.

Haha... that sounds so like me!
At my friends wedding I prepared my outfit, the shoes were perfect, the accessory was great, my make-up looked professional, but I was just looking at my hair like: what do I do with you!?.
I'm not good at hair.
I often try to watch tutorials, but those girls have such thin hair. When they braid their whole hair it's like 25% of my hair. My hair is just too heavy.
So at special occasions I often end up with the hairstyle I do best lately - the Katniss Braid. XD But, people like to compliment on that as well ... XD

[lucybelle]

I've already decided to get my hair done for the day, mostly because my SO asked me to. I guess that can speak to how well I know how to do hair

I bet getting makeup done professionally is actually quite affordable here but it just seemed like a hassle. I know pros make you look amazing so I'm definitely considering. Now I have to find someone to do it!

[milaya]

I've already decided to get my hair done for the day, mostly because my SO asked me to. I guess that can speak to how well I know how to do hair

Sometimes my SO would ask me if I wouldn't try out some new hairstyles (since I always have my hair in a pony tail), but I'm like: do you know how hard it is to mess around with hair?! I would get my hair done for the day as well, as you can hear.
I like to tell myself that I can't be good at everything. Hair is my weakness.

[lyonsgirl]

I got my makeup (and hair) done for our wedding. I am SO GLAD I DID. Seriously. Normally I don't think I'm hot, but did you SEE the makeup?! I look at pictures and I'm like, holy shit that's ME?! daaaaaayyyuuummmm I look good. Yea. So... I'm all for having a pro do your makeup for a big event like this. You're getting a pro-tographer. Might as well, right?


ETA: PS, Jazi, my makeup stayed ALL FREAKING DAY. I was so sure my eyemakeup would rub off like it does during the day when I apply it, same with my foundation - but the makeup artist was MAGIC and it stayed. All day. It seriously took me like 15 minutes and scrubbing of my face (because I totally didn't bring makeup remover in my overnight bag, whoops) to get it all off.