Holy Makeup, Batman
April 14th, 2008 @ 4:59 pm by Mrs. Sundae
Over the weekend Mr. Sundae and I ventured from the city to the suburbs in search of wedding bands and suits on sale. We were hugely successful in both of those tasks (more on that later). So successful, in fact, that I was feeling pretty brave. But before I get into all the details you’ll need some background on the situation…
I don’t normally wear much makeup. I have pretty clear skin and therefore skip foundations in favor of light powder. My daily makeup regimen consists of a little eyeshadow, some mascara, and lipgloss. I’ve had my makeup done a few times in my life, always for special occasions, and I have always wound up hating it. But I realize I must have just had bad luck because now I’ve seen the magic that good makeup artists can create. I know without a doubt that I need some makeup help on my wedding day, but I’ve been avoiding that situation like the plague for fear of aforementioned hideousness (Miss Cupcake’s experience only heightened the fear). But like I said, on Saturday I was feeling brave.
We were at a mall in the burbs and I was wandering around while Mr. Sundae browsed through the suits. I was passing through the makeup counters on my way to the shoes when I saw a sign notifying me that a professional makeup artist was at one of the high-end counters. Today only. I wandered over to ask if I needed an appointment and they said that someone had just missed theirs, if I was ready right now I could sit down and take advantage of the free professional makeup artist goodness. I won’t mention the name of the actual counter to protect the not-so-innocent.
I know that a lot of people who work at makeup counters also cater to brides and wedding parties on the side, so I was thinking that if I happened to like this woman I could ask her if she was interested in doing my makeup for the wedding. After telling her I don’t normally wear much makeup, I used these words to describe my desired look, “natural, light, slightly more than everyday makeup.” Somehow, she heard “lady of the night, red lipstick, spider lashes and dark eyeshadow.”
I couldn’t get pictures to do it justice. I don’t have any before pictures because I wasn’t expecting any of this, and despite numerous efforts we couldn’t get a picture that showed just how much foundation was on my face. You know how when it’s really caked on good, you can see the little hairs on your cheeks? That was me. I really wanted to get a picture that would focus on the eyes, because aside from the caked on foundation and red lipstick, that was the best part. At the beginning there was a lot of mascara on my lower lashes too, making it look like there were small spiders under my eyeballs, but Mr. Sundae and I were laughing so hard in the car that I cried most of it off.
I realize I am making really stupid faces, I just had to do it to accurately capture how much bronze eyeshadow there was:
I had already wiped off the red lipstick by the time I got home to my camera, or I would have taken a full face shot. I also wish I would have had my camera to capture the look on Mr. Sundae’s face when he saw me for the first time. It was a mixture of horror and contained laughter, to which he later said, “I didn’t want to laugh in case you actually liked it, but oh my GAWD that’s a lot of makeup!” A reaction every bride wants on her wedding day, no?
Related Posts
19 Responses to “Holy Makeup, Batman”
GUWAHHH!! Hooker eyes!
That is … amazing.
If you really want a natural look, you can always do it yourself. Like they say, if you want something done right…
Wow! I would call it the “Disney Villain” look.
ooh..I agree with disney villain. Complete with red lips, probably cruella devil-ish!
keep trying! as the bees have shown..it is possible to get lovely makeup!
Wow… well, on the bright side, it was free? And you know who not to do your makeup!
If just your eyes were done like this (and the bronze was toned way down and covered wtih a lighter shade), this actually doesn’t look too bad. But this WITH red lips? Very scary.
A great spot for makeup inspiration is the late, great Kevyn Acouin’s Making Faces–he does a series of “makeovers” on both regular folks as well as celebrities, but his style is very warm, inviting and accessible. Highly recommended.
WOW! Those eyes wont be overlooked! SO you told her to go for notsomuch Sleeping Beauty, but Malificant (SB evil character) but without the purple.
http://www.ariustile.com/store/images/Maleficent.jpg
Keep up hope hun! For my bro’s wedding, we (bridal party) went to the clinique counter at the mall. Everyones turned out pretty well. Some were more cake extreme but it was b/c it was how they wanted it. The Bride was beautiful, and natural looking. There is good make up application to be done - even at the mall make up counters…. but must be cautious!
oh man, im so sorry your experience at the makeup counter turned into THAT! i too, was a make-up counter girl, and have done a few weddings on the side (still attempting to). to be honest, you have to understand that most girls hired by the department stores for these high-end lines may or MAY NOT be trained (beauty school, trained professionally as an aesthetician, etc). these are girls who look appropriate for the part standing in front of their makeup counter. that’s all. sometimes you’ll find the one that is trained. the best way to approach any of the girls at the makeup counters is to honestly just look at their makeup, and determine if their style will fit yours. i’m sure you are also aware that makeup on your wedding day WILL be heavier than you typically wear, because it will need to show up on camera. however, it definitely can be applied in a manor that still looks natural and enhances your natural beauty, rather than make you look like you came straight from the drag show.
Have hope, Miss Sundae — it likely can’t get much worse than that 
I (obviously) feel your pain, but the right person can really change your mind and make you look ab-fab! (I will have an upcoming post illustrating just that)
NEVER NEVER EVER get your makeup done at the mall. Everytime i’ve had it done there it comes out horrible. The people who do it at the mall at the makeup counters aren’t nearly as experienced as people who just do weddings. I learned the hard way myself. My friend used to work at the mall for lancome and she told me the same thing. There are alot of professional makeup artists that totally understand the beautiful, natural, can’t tell that i have makeup on, but look amazing look. But you won’t find that at the mall.
Ahahaha. That’s so… lady of the night. Awesome.
He he, thanks for sharing! At least it was free, eh?
ouch, that’s intense. I’m using clinique and have had good success with them, their artists seemed more in tune to what I said I wanted. They even said “wear brown, not black eyeliner if you want that look”. She even when over how to apply everything. I went to MAC and they gave me foundation that ran when it got wet, what part of WEDDING foundation did they not understand?
I had a similar experience this weekend! I wear concealer, blush, eye makeup, and chapstick. I told her natural, she heard “cake it on! and make it two shades lighter than my skin!” When fiance saw me he said, “You look like you should be in a casket.” Not exactly what I want him to think as I’m walking down the aisle!
The shadow is a bit much, but the liner is perfect!!! You should d a nude eye with only that fabulous liner and some mascara and then go with a glossy lip!!! Even the most natural bride can get away with a dramatic liner to glam up
lol….well, i don’t think you look THAT awful, but i love glammed up eyes which also wonderfully illustrates that you need to find a very versatile makeup artist or someone who has the same makeup philosphy you do.
since i will be counting pennies to the altar, i have already began practicing my own makeup application for my November wedding. i expect to be doing my makeup myself.
Yea, that makeup artist did you kind of wrong. Why bronze? Definately keep looking. There are plenty of qualified people out there that can do your makeup. You just happened into the chair of someone who doesn’t subscribe to the “less is more” philosophy…
As a semi-profesional makeup/hair artist (friends weddings, proms, quinceanero’s, dance recitals), may I suggest Physcians Formula Shimmer Strips in Sunset Strip (Walgreens for like 16 bucks) for a bronzer/shadow/blush. It has colors ranging from gold to a darker bronze. I have used this for a few friends with the gold & lightest bronze, and it has given them a very ereteral look. Pair with some brown liner (I recomend Almay liquid inkwell, most precise application ever), with your fave mascara in Brown. Like I said - very eretheral and angelic. If you dont like that - go to your nearest MAC Makeup store, and buy the cheapest thing you can find (good luck lol) and ask them to apply it. These people are REQUIRED to go through alot of makeup training, from daily light wear to theatrical, so they are very good. My good friend is a MAC Makeup artist, and she kicks ass.
BTW - I stumbled upon your sight, and good luck with your wedding!
Sorry forgot about this. Physicians formula also makes shimmer strips in colors to complement your eye color, with instructions on how to do and which color combos are the best. CVS has the best brushes (the ones with the wood handle) for like 5 dollars. I love MAC - but cant afford it with the way I love makeup. Also - I’m 26 years old (I realize the prom/quinceanero thing may make me look younger) and have a small suitcase FULL of makeup. I am a hairdresser and have taken makeup courses. Just thought I would let you know my qualifications in case u thought I was a wackjob, lol
Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
That’s…quite a lot of bronze eyeshadow. It really is possible to get someone who understands what more natural makeup is, so I’d keep looking around.