Weddingbee Blog

When I booked the salon that was to do my hair and makeup for the wedding, I really didn’t put too much into my decision. Since the town I’m getting married in in Maine is about 45 minutes from my hometown, I didn’t know of any hair salons in the area. I searched The Knot for a few recommendations, called one up, and booked them for me, my mom, and my bridal party. I figured it would be just fine. I showed up for my hair and makeup trial totally excited- I couldn’t wait to see what they would come up with. The hair will be a different story for a different day- I’m here to talk about the makeup, or should I say, lack thereof.

Here’s the picture I brought to the makeup artist. It’s of my gorgeous MOH Carolyn. I know, I know- she’s beautiful. I wasn’t looking to be turned into her carbon copy, I just like the softness of the pinks, how natural the rest is, and how she actually looks like herself. Now I did tell the makeup artist that I wanted the eyes to pop a bit more. I wear makeup every day, and I’m not afraid of looking like I’m wearing it.

I should have known better when I heard her response to this photo though. She said, “I can try, but she is beautiful.” Ouch.

Here’s a no-makeup Miss Tiramisu for your viewing pleasure (eek).

And here I am approximately 8 minutes and $45 later:

I didn’t screw up the pictures there- that is in fact the after photo. I tried expressing my concerns, but the very in-a-big-rush makeup lady just assured me that we could make any changes I’d like on the day of the wedding. Needless to say I wasn’t thrilled. The kicker though was that on the way home from the trial, my face started to itch. I must be the only person on the planet that doesn’t like mineral-y makeup, both for the way it looks and the way it feels on. This was Aveda, which is supposed to be great, but my skin was not having it- even the tiny amount that I had on.

After a minor freak-out that I was destined to hate the way I looked on my wedding day, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I grabbed what I had available, and came up with this- which I actually think is better than the look I paid good money for. (Although I am incapable of taking a self-portrait without making a totally bizarre deer-in-headlights face.)

With a little bit of confidence that maybe, just maybe, I could do my makeup on my own, I headed to the MAC counter for some professional tutelage. The makeup artist there was great, but you guessed it, here is where the too much chapter of the story comes in. I don’t have any pictures that show the lipstick, because I rubbed it all off before I got home. And it turns out, I hate false eyelashes. I can’t stand the whole thing, but here are the eyes- and please note: this photo was taken after I had rubbed a ton of black eyeliner off.

Too little, too much, and now I am hoping for just right at makeup trial #3, which is scheduled for this Thursday. At an alarming NINE days before the wedding, I am really hoping that this woman turns out to be my fairy godmother (wrong fairytale, I know).

Any advice (PLEASE!) for making trial #3 a go?