Mrs. Bell Pepper, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 28, Resident Physician
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, Resident Physician
Engagement Date: May 30, 2006
Wedding Date: June 2007
Venue: Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
About Me: I love whimsical details and design, everything that *sparkles*, sipping on hazelnut lattes, pugs, shopping for antiques and second-hand goods, scenic photography, delicate flowers, and checking out new restaurants in the city with my fianc??. We are planning our wedding at a unique city venue for about 75 close family members and friends. I have a lot of DIY ideas and I like to blog about ways to save money on your wedding.
I Always Love An Honest Opinion…
June 5th, 2007 @ 1:55 pm by Mrs. Bell Pepper
A few weeks ago I had my hair/makeup trial, and I showed the photos to my fiance’s mother. She took a look at them and left me a very interesting voicemail message the next day.. “I know you like it when people give a truly honest opinion, and I gotta say that your trial looked very bad. She did a terrible job with your makeup and you definitely don’t look like a movie star.” Movie star?! Who says I want to look like a movie star? Knowing that she’s Taiwanese and she took her own daughter to do glamour shots in Taiwan, I think she was hoping that my look would appear more glossy and ethereal, something like this:
I have to be honest with you - I think the photography and the makeup done in Taiwan is great for individual portraits, but when it comes to wedding photography, I think the style can sometimes be kind of tacky. What do you guys think?
I called her back to clarify what else was wrong with my trial, and she said I had too much facial hair and my skin was too dry. I do have to agree about my skin being really dry, I rarely wear makeup and I don’t apply any moisturizers other than sunblock lotion daily. I also do notice that I have fine facial hair that might get in the way of the makeup. For my future mother-in-law, I decided to get a full face waxing and facial yesterday. There’s a great spa in my area called Heaven Spa which is highly recommended for facials, massages, the works!
My technician was Susan and she did an amazing job with the facial and the waxing was painless. She also gave me a luxurious upper body massage and a bunch of samples to take home so I could maintain my skin condition until the wedding day. It was a very relaxing experience and I definitely might go back for a massage. I was so tempted to get their swedish deep tissue massage just to ease the tension my fiance has given me recently. I think in a few days I’ll get a pedicure and manicure with all of my girls.
Any other last minute beauty ideas before the wedding day?
21 Responses to “I Always Love An Honest Opinion…”
Miss BP: does your FMIL read Weddingbee?
Interesting. I thought you looked very glamourous and lovely. 
Let her know how wedding pictures look like here. It might be a cultural thing- you live here and well probably want/are accustomed to the makeup done here.
Don’t give her comment too much thought- its all about what you like/want.
You will look like a movie star on your wedding- donn’t worry about it.
wow that is some intense feedback..you are a much stronger person than I. I think I would have cried is my FMIL would have told me that.
The girl in the picture above is cute, but that bloush and eyeshadow is rediculous.
Hehe, no! She’s actually aware of how I feel about her recent feedback. We are actually kind of close but there are some cultural/generation differences between us. She really wanted to give advice from her own experiences and I think she was trying to help me look my best. There is a huge difference in the way that they shoot photography in Taiwan versus in the United States. She doesn’t understand the candid shots and wants to see more portraits. There’s a lot of general stuff like that we have differences about, but I think every bride experiences similar disagreements with mothers/FMIL, etc.
I think your makeup and hair looked amazing at your trial! You’re right there are some huge cultural differences between here and Taiwan. They almost opt for a “painted” face, when doing glamorous photos and I think that look is too much for most women here in America. You go with what you think will be best - it’s your wedding, anyway!
EEK, that “pop star” look ain’t so classic for photos you will have always.
And I don’t see ANY facial hair!? Perhaps the Asian family I married into think I am some kind of northern European wooly mammoth, ha!
My best pre-wedding beauty tip is to get as much sleep as possible. Seriously.
Um, although she can have opinions, why would your FMIL have any say in what your make-up/hair/dress/jewelry etc etc is for the wedding? That photo of the other girl… scary. Yellow eyeshadow?!? And does she have cherries hanging from her ears? I thought it was a joke when it first came on the screen. that’s a real bridal picture?
Your trial pics look great! go with that. a little smokey. Very appropriate and pretty. I like the hairdo that is higher on your head
far away from the fluorescent bangle bracelets. No need to be a movie star.
Wow. I’m glad you two are that close Well, at least it got you a nice massage and some pampering out of it.
As one who appreciates honesty from her loved ones - that’s what I’d call BRUTAL honesty! I understand the cultural differences - My cousins from Mexico love wild pink lipstick & tight clothes. They also think what I consider to be a prom look, to be a classy way to dress up when they go out. I do not.
It’s all about what makes you feel good - like this is your special day and you feel special. I think the look above is way overdone for here. Maybe you could do a variation - say take a picture of what your FMIL likes & ask them to tone it down a few dozen notches…And as for your skin…jeesh! Regardless of whether you have a blemish or it’s dry…a girl’s skin is what it is! My guide for my WE look is to look like a better version of myself…not someone I don’t want to be. Good luck!
This is a little amusing, I asked my FMIL a few days after my trial if she would like to have her hair/makeup done by my wedding day artist. She gave me such a hilarious look, like I totally lost my mind! I told her it would be more conveninent since she’s driving from New Jersey down to Philly that day. She said that she’ll book a local hair/makeup stylist who knows how to really do makeup. Hehe, she cracks me up.
Don’t get me wrong, we have a pretty close relationship and I think she’s sometimes brutally honest because we spend so much time together. There are times where I didn’t want her around because she can be very discouraging at times. She did come to my final fitting and she pointed out a few details that I didn’t catch. She’s very particular and I’m glad she’s my FMIL, I just think sometimes I should be careful and not ask too much of her opinion. Obviously, the hair/makeup trial was a bad time to ask for her feedback!
Wow, you are a better woman than I, Miss Bell Pepper! I would have hung up on her. But then, it’s hard for me to imagine a phone conversation between me and my FMIL at all, let alone one where she felt it appropriate to tell me something so personal. I’m not very close to her (we get along, we just aren’t close). So I wouldn’t take too kindly to that sort of feedback coming from someone I am not close to.
I really really loved your hair and makeup trail. I think you looked spectacular.
i can picture all the mother figures in my family saying the same thing to me! we’re taiwanese and the ideal bridal protrait is to have this stunningly beautiful shot (that btw looks nothing like the real you). I’ve seen cousins wedding pictures and the airbrushing they do in Taiwan is so extremely extensive!
so what i’m trying to say is…your FMIL may be biased because of this Taiwanese ideal/standard. definitely get a second opinion and go with what you feel is right.
OMG seriously, what facial hair???? It would be one thing if you had some dark facial hair….but was she looking at your photos with a magnifying glass? I think your makeup looked great in your trial, and you should do whatever makes you feel beautiful.
one of my best friends is persian, and persian girls know everything about bleaching face and body hair. she’s bleached my facial hair before, and I’m going to do it before the wedding. interestingly, it also makes my skin feel softer.
you can definitely go without the yellow-orange eyeshadow in the pic. ick!!
i had really dry skin for a couple months before my wedding. and a dermatologist friend recommended oil of olay’s regenerist’s serum. he says it’s way better than department store brands. and it’s a lot cheaper too! IT IS AMAZING! it really changed my skin. having soft & moisturized skin is really important when having layers and layers of makeup put on your face. it’s the difference between the caked on look and a more natural look. good luck!!
Ok.. please disregard my opinion if you disagree, I am not trying to make you feel bad or anything like that. I think in your makeup trial you looked very attractive, but not beautiful. You sorta look.. old. Like I would guess you were 35? I think the makeup was a little too dark and heavy. I do disagree with your FMIL because you definitely don’t look bad. You just sorta look like you’re going out to dinner? I just have a vision in my head of brides having peach colored cheeks and lips, looking really radiant and glowing. But in those pictures, you look sorta sallow and your hair pulled back makes you look severe. I’m so sorry if I’m offending you.
I think your makeup looked fabulous and fresh!
Annie–that “glow” you are looking for is enhanced by great photography. Had a professional photographer taken a pic of her after the makeup trial–you’d be raving about her makeup, I’m sure!
WHAT?!? Ok - the facial hair I don’t get at all - what facial hair? Facial hair I have seen - yours I don’t see. I loved you updos they were fabulous - actually, I’m stealing the pics for my tests! And you makeup looks lovely - subtle but formal. I think with weddings everyone has an opinion - and everyone is the center of their own universe - to realize that someone else will be the center of attention for a day can be difficult to cope with and realize. Perhaps your FMIL is commenting on thing she herself is sensitive about. Regardless, you are an incredibly beautiful woman - you have a beautiful face, a lovely body - you will look amazing on your wedding day. The important thing is you feel amazing - if her comments make you question that at all my advice is to seek out those who know you better - your fiance, your mother, your friends - and remember, no matter what you wear your smile is your best and most distracting accessory.
