Disclaimer: I have been hesitant to post about my recent hair & makeup trials, because honestly, I’m a little embarrassed to post the photos! At least, the makeup trial photos. Yes, that’s how much I disliked my first makeup trial. Let me start at the beginning.
I first contacted a stylist in the Philadelphia area who I have seen mentioned often on the Knot boards. She and I arranged for a trial at my mom’s house; when she got there, we never stopped chatting it up! She was so sweet, and took her time looking through the photos that I had collected and talked to me about what I was going for. She did 3 really great styles in the 90 minutes I had before I had to jet. Now, the styles weren’t completely refined, because we were short on time, but I love what she did and I know she would do a spectacular job on the wedding day. Here is my favorite style that is absolutely exactly what I want:
I love that it doesn’t look too structured with ringlet curls or anything hugely poofy and unnatural; it has a kind of casual yet glamorous look that I think goes with the overall look that I’m going for. With a little more smoothing out and a tiny bit more volume/styling up front, it would be just perfect!
The problem: the stylist who read my hairstyling mind has another wedding to work the morning of my wedding, and although she said she would get there in time to do my hair, I just panic thinking about what would happen if she’s running late with wedding #1 and the whole schedule is thrown off. I also found out that all six of my bridesmaids and the two moms want their hair done, so including me, that is a whopping nine hairdos that need to be done. There’s just no way I can take the chance. Granted, she had told me about the other wedding before we had the trial, but I didn’t think it was a problem at the time, so it is totally my fault that I didn’t fully think things through. Crap.
I then scheduled a second trial for both hair and makeup at another location. This company’s website describes that they specialize in on-location styling for weddings and other events. Their prices are completely reasonable and they’ll bring as many stylists as they need on your wedding day. Perfect, right?
Eh, not so much.
After showing the hairstylist the same photos that I had showed stylist #1, she got right to work without asking many questions. Actually, she barely talked to me the whole time she was working on my hair, and she had my chair turned away from the mirror so I couldn’t even see what she was doing to comment or request changes. I could tell she wasn’t really doing what I wanted, but I honestly didn’t even feel like speaking up because I just wasn’t getting the right vibe and didn’t think this place was going to work out.
The best photo I could get by setting my timer:
Totally haphazard and falling out by the time I got home
After two styles that just weren’t what I wanted, I went over to the makeup chair hoping for the best. The makeup artist seemed knowledgeable and friendly, and he asked me what I was looking for. I explained that I wanted to look like me, natural, but more refined and classic. I said I would like the focus on my eyes, with a more subtle lip. He suggested going for some old Hollywood glamour. I was interested in his ideas, and thought it would be the classic look I was going for, but I specified again that I didn’t want really red lips or anything too harsh.
He set off to work and I liked where things were headed in the beginning…. and then, the black eyeliner came out. It went from zero to “drag queen” in a matter of moments. I am not lying when I say I actually frightened myself when I looked in the mirror. I mean, I have big eyes to begin with — line ’em with black liquid liner and I am ready for center stage in “Cats” on Broadway. I thought maybe I just needed some time to get used to it, so while I was trying to do just that, he got to work on my lips. All I have to say is there was red, there was lip-liner, and there was sticky glitter. Oh no he didn’t. (Oh yes, he did.)
I had definitely already given up on this place, so when my makeup was done, I smiled and nodded, paid my money, and told them I’d be in touch. I know, I shouldn’t have lied…. but I just didn’t have the heart to tell them how much I truly disliked their work. I put on my shades as quickly as possible to cover up scary-eyes, and when I got back to my apartment, I prayed that I wouldn’t bump into anyone I know on the way from my car to my front door. (I didn’t.)
For the sake of full disclosure to the hive, I will swallow my pride and present to you “Cupcake the Drag Queen”:
EEK! Serious, scary, black-eyelined, red-lipped Cupcake. Not what you’d call “classic but natural”
Another shot…. I’m smiling on the outside, but ready to start belting out “Memories” on the inside
So, back to the drawing board I go yet again! I think I have found some good stylists who are available for my wedding day and have reasonable prices, but I still haven’t had the much-anticipated trials (and truthfully I’m really dreading the thought of any other trials not working out because I can’t see wasting more money on this!). Has anyone else had a hard time finding stylists to beautify them on their big day?
ugh I know how you feel, these trials cost so much! If not an arm and a leg, then at least a hand…. or something. I’ve learned more about what I *don’t* want from my trial than what I do… good luck on the continued hunt for the perfect beautifiers =)
This is why I don’t want someone else to do my makeup. I’ve tried it in the past, and I always end up looking like your photos!
That first photo of your hair is exactly what I want! It’s perfection! May I ask what photos you showed to the stylist to get that looks?
The makeup, unfortunately, does not do you justice. You are gorgeous and you have the most beautiful eyes! I hope you have better luck with your next artist.
The hair looks great!
That was exactly what happened at my makeup trial. It was awful! I ended up doing my makeup myself.
What a cute site, I really love the hair style.
Emily
I am going through the SAME exact. I am doing a 4th make-up trial tomorrow and am so embarassed!! One person tried to give me a night time look for a day time wedding. Another put shimmer on the bottom and top of my eyes…uughh. I am forking over extra money and trying someone who comes highly recommended from friends.
Wow… just umm wow! I thought I would die laughin at “belting Memories…” too much funny this early in the morning.
Seriously, the first hairstyle, magical. Maybe that stylist can send an assistant earlier, to start working on the Party, then your Stylist can jump in when she gets there.
I LOVE the first set of hair pictures. As far as the makeup, you have such big beautiful eyes that the dark black liner on your bottom lids don’t do them any justice. My suggestion on that is to use like a medium brown and don’t line the whole thing like she did. For the lips I think a pink shade would work well on you. But remember a sheer pink doesn’t show up on pictures very well. Hope everything works out for you!
Piggybacking on Elegant Bride’s suggestions.. yes a medium brown and make sure that the line is softened a little by smudging to get rid of the harsh line. MAC’s Powerpoint in Stubborn Brown would be perfect. And no lining the perimeter of the eye. Just focusing on the outer 2/3 of the top lid. And maybe using a brush, not wand, to lightly tap the lower lash line with mascara, just to give a little definitation. HTH
Oh my gosh, you totally just cracked me up. Every time I have had my makeup done I end up feeling like a lady of the evening. Drag queen works, too…
I was super nervous about finding someone to do my make-up, so I went to a few trials. I knew I had her when she would let me stop and check after each application. I think we wiped off my eye make-up five times before we found the look that I was going for. Our personalities worked well together and she was so patient with me. I should write a post about that, too…
My engagement party was later that day and I didn’t tell anyone that I had had my makeup done. I got a few compliments but I think, on the whole, most people didn’t notice- score!
Why not have the ‘hairstylist of your dreams’ just do your hair and then have your bridesmaids/moms go to a salon? You can hang out with them at the salon in the morning and then meet your hairstylist at your home or a hotel later.
LOL!! (at your expense I am sooo sorry) Totally love your first hair picture it will be perfect for the wedding!! and look at it this way you now know your hair WILL do what you want! nothing worse than having a vision and then finding out your hair will never comply!
Hmmm and I am thinking no need for someone to do your makeup— at least not with blazing eyeliner!
My wedding hairstylist was great and is in Philadelphia. His website is: http://www.jasonmatthew.com/
I think that you should book the original hair stylist because your hair looks perfect in those first photos. Book her for your hair only, and then book another stylist altogether for the wedding party… If your dream stylist doesn’t show due to some unlikely catastrophe, you will have a back-up stylist that can do your hair.
Don’t settle for bad hair, you will regret it in the pictures!!!
It sounds like you’ve already have some new hair and makeup people lined up but just in case…I got married in Philly (my knot bio is mrsmek) and used Calista brides for hair:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/07/30/a-modern-take-on-the-traditional-updo-calista-brides/
and Yvonne Giovannitti (Yvonne’s Beauty in Motion) for makeup. Both did a wonderful (restrained and elegant) job and travel to you.
That hairstyle is gorgeous!
What I did was go to a trusted makeup brand (Bobbi Brown) counter at Nordstrom, told her that I wanted a natural but polished bridal look, that I wanted to purchase the eye makeup and such (because I can use it daily), and had her teach me how to apply it. I’m still practicing on a regular basis to get it, but yeah… it was worth it.
I’ll do my own makeup on the day, but it will be more polished than normal, and I have a bunch of wonderful makeup to boot!
Oh I’m so sorry!! , I ended up looking drag for my sisters wedding. (won’t complain it wasn’t about ME that day!) I wen’t from 18 to 28 in thirty minutes! I agree , get your origional stylist for yourself , and book someone else for your girls! I really hope it work out wonderfully! I’m sure it will =)
your hair is gorgeous..I totally thought you had a hairpiece added to it!! I’m sorry you can’t keep that stylist - but I hope you do!!!
The first style is so gorgeous!! I hope it works out so you can use the first stylist. That makeup on the other hand is making me want to sing Barbra Streisand songs!
i love the hair dos! they are very pretty.
as for makeup, i totally know what you mean. the makeup does not do you justice!
i also had a really bad trial. i’m fairly pale and the makeup artist didin’t know how to work w/ light skin - she made me look gothic and then proceeded to tell that i should dye my hair and get a tan to get a few shades darkker.
Aww, Miss Cupcake, youre blessed with big beautiful eyes! And your hair trial turned out fab 
YOu have to let us know how your next trial goes!
awww miss cupcake! i TOTALLY feel your pain!! i’ve already done 2 trials and equally unhappy with both. you know you should say something, but you know it won’t matter since that artist is set in their ways… *sigh*. i dunno what it is about people and they see dark hair and they immediately think, let’s line her eyes in BLACK eyeliner! keep on truckin’ and you’ll find the right people!
that hair is gorgeous! in fact. i have tagged your photo for inspiration when the time comes for me to go on hair trials.
i can’t believe what he did to your makeup!!! you are a very beautiful woman. what he did does you NO justice whatsoever.
i really liked your makeup for your mom’s wedding. a more subdued lip and not such a heavy hand with eyeliner does you well.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has had the same problem! Thank you all for the lovely compliments about the hair.
Miss Jasmine - I have my inspiration photos saved on my laptop at home, so I’ll be sure to pass them along. You are welcome to use my photos for inspiration, too!
Indigo - I had asked about stylist #1 sending another stylist earlier to get everyone else started, but she said that the second stylist would be helping her in the morning and would come when she does. However, after reading all these lovely compliments and really wishing I didn’t have to keep looking further, I just emailed her one more time to see if she’d be open to coming alone when she’s done with the first wedding, and letting me hire a second stylist on my own to get there early. Fingers crossed she’d be okay with this!
Elegant Bride - My thoughts exactly. Smokey browns and natural pinky lips…. definitely something I’ll be more specific about with the next makeup artist!
SoireeLaura - That is a great suggestion, but I have been kind of adamant in not having to leave the hotel in the morning while getting ready. I tend to get worked up and anxious very easily, so I think having the morning to relax and get ready with all my girls in the hotel room would be ideal!
Laura - Thanks so much for the suggestion, I will check him out!
mrsmek - Unfortunately Cali from Calista Brides is all booked for my date 
I will make a note of your makeup artist, though!
mrswhitetobe - I am HORRIBLE at doing my own makeup so I don’t trust myself under the pressure of my wedding day But I admire that you’re able to take it on yourself!
The first hairstyle looks so elegant and it looks like it’s going to hold. I am getting married in Philly in April and I am using Meghan Cahill. I have my trial in a few weeks but I hear she is amazing!
kkhaas, Meghan Cahill was the first stylist I contacted, but she was already booked for my wedding day (and I contacted her at almost 1 year out from my wedding!!). She recommended Natalie Pagano, who is stylist #1 that did such an amazing job. *Sigh….*
You should definitely hire the first stylist for your hair. Hire someone else for the rest of the girls! That’s what I did with both my makeup artist and hair stylist so that they have enough time to work on me if something goes wrong.
I agree with Karianne - hire the first stylist for you only, and get a back-up for everyone else!! That way, you’ll have the look you want, but the others will get to have their hair done too. Maybe the first stylist could recommend somebody??
LOL about the make-up! I’m so sorry to laugh, but the title of your post had me giggling from the outset! I can’t believe he used glitter lip-gloss on you! I hope you can find somebody who’s a bit more in tune with what you want for your make-up!
laura-i’m going to jason matthews for my hair as well! did you go to him for makeup too? i’m going to him for both, i’m hoping the makeup will go just as smoothly
I really hated my first make-up trial too, but I really did like the salon and the makeup lady, so I told her what I did and didn’t like and they gave me a second trial at half price. My wedding day makeup was perfect. FYI - if you find a person you like (obviously not this one, but maybe the next), it may be worth a second try!
hahahahahahahahahahhaha I love it “ready to start belting out ‘memories’ on the inside’
wow. that’s really awful. I’m SO glad you have other alternatives - anyone who can make a gorgeous bride look like a broadway show extra is not worth the money!
I’m sure you will look breathtaking….with someone else’s handiwork!
Yikes. The hair imitation is pitiful, and the makeup is … yeah. Maybe the hairstylist can come and do your hair, and anoher option could be used forthe other ladies? That’s such a nice style, it’s a shame to settle for anything less…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA This post is soooooo funny!!!!!!! I was laughing until I was ready to cry!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your first hair-do really does look gorgeous though…your hair is so shiny!!!!!!!!
I definitely feel your pain as a big-eyed girl with the whole eyeliner thing. What’s worse is I’m blond, so I look like a raccoon in drag when I wear eyeliner!
I just thought I’d show you how much I feel your pain by sharing my own drag queen make-up trial picture.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8dd28b3127cceb5a126a0249a00000026100AZuHDJs1YtmOA
Good luck finding a make-up artist and hair stylist!
I got married in Philly last year and used Bella Angel for both my hair and makeup; the lovely lady who made me beautiful for the day was named Missy. I would highly recommend them. I am not a big makeup person.. somehow she made me look perfectly like myself just 100 X better.
Bella Angel
P.O. Box 944
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
856-227-7774
http://www.bella-angel.com
[...] of you weighed in on my post last week about my hair and makeup trials (the second of which was disastrous!). I had expressed how disappointed I was that the first [...]
[...] I Said “Classic” … He Heard “Drag Queen” by Miss Cupcake [...]
Oh You POOR DEAR!
Prior to designing jewelry and accessories I have been a professional makeup artist for over 15 years…It’s always so SAD when I see things like this!
The worst thing to do though is NOT to tell them if they are doing something you don’t like. They’ll never get any better if people don’t tell them!
…then again, it was pretty bad being what you SAID YOU WANTED and what you got.
Wish you were here In Los Angeles and I’d show you how it’s really done!
LOL!
Well, at least the first photo hair LOOKS FABULOUS!
Best of luck to you!
[...] by my Day of Coordinator. I am hoping for something a little less vampy than the result of my last trial, and I have been searching for lots of images to make sure this second trial doesn’t go [...]
[...] sorry to disappoint those of you who are reading this post today to find more embarrassing drag queen-esque photos of Miss Cupcake. Unfortunately for you, there will be no more drag queen incidents for this [...]
What a look! You bring a whole new meaning to glam.
[...] that I was at one time completely torn because I absolutely loved what Natalie did to my hair at my trial, but I was nervous that she wouldn’t have enough time to style the hair of nine people on my [...]
The makeup wasn’t what you had in mind, and you’re right to keep looking, but even though I’m a mascara-and-lipgloss kind of girl, I didn’t think it was all *that* bad. (Specially the first picture. The second was a teeny bit ghoulish…)
In fact, my strongest impression of the makeup pictures? “My God, she has huge and GORGEOUS eyes!!” You really do. Your eyes are truly, amazlingly beautiful — and as a result, you’re absolutely right: they don’t need nearly that amount of liner to make them stand out.
Everyone has already said this, but I’ll say it again! Your hair in the first photos is gorgeous–I’m happy for you that you found your one and only true-love hairdresser. Your blog is very helpful to me, as I’m getting married in November and am still trying to figure out a lot of this stuff.
Would you be able to share the name of the service who did the drag-queen make-up and unworthy hairdo? I’m going through makeup/hair trials now and would love to avoid them.
Mrs. Cupcake, Philadelphia
Age and Occupation: 27, Graphic Designer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Construction Project Manager
Engagement Date: February 10, 2007
Wedding Date: September, 2008
Blogging Since: December 7, 2007
Venue: The Desmond Hotel in Malvern, PA
About Me: Mr. Cupcake and I hit it off at a Halloween party and immediately began a long-distance relationship. After two years, he moved to my neck of the woods, and a year and a half after that, he proposed at the “place we fell in love.” I am a true perfectionist who enjoys designing and creating more work for myself, so wedding planning is my perfect outlet. Mr. Cupcake and I are both old souls, and we hope to weave that aspect of our personalities into our wedding day.
LOVE the first pictures of your hair! so classy, such glamour!
makeup - well… at least now you know what doesn’t work!