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I remember when I got engaged and thought about the glamour of having someone come to the hotel, apply the perfect colors of make-up, do my hair and I would look flawless and feel beautiful. Then, I saw the price tag of it. Whoa…
I could just DIY, right? I mean I kind of have a problem. I love make-up. I own a lot of it, and it makes me feel good when I go to MAC and just get a lipstick. It brightens my day. Mr. Ballet Flat knows how much I love pretty eye colors too. In fact, for Christmas, he got me the big kahuna of make-up colors!
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It’s pretty fun, this palette. I’ve discovered some colors that look spectacular on me! (and some, well, not so spectacular..)
Well, I’m by no means a professional at this, and I want my make-up to be flawless and actually STAY. So, I started researching and found Model in a Bottle.
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This stuff works wonderfully, but it feels like I put hairspray on my face a little bit. After work, my make-up looked (almost) the same as when I applied it that morning! So, brides, this stuff works. I was so psyched!
Then, came the time to try to find a look and I was terribly torn. I love the natural and subtle smokey eye look. Two complete extremes here… but check these out!
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I tried and tried to make these looks happen on my face, but it looked SO wrong for me. So, I decided to throw DIY out the window for the big day, and rely on a pro for this.
I knew that MAC will do your make-up for free, that is, if you buy $40 in products. That would cover lipstick, gloss and a powder, so perfect for touch-ups. It’s still $40, but I’d feel justified with products in hand. Then, I realized the MAC store doesn’t open until 9 on Saturdays, which would make a time crunch for us all getting our make-up and hair done too! (Our wedding is early afternoon)
So, I squeezed it out of my budget to afford a professional to come to my house (or wherever we are) on the big day to make all of us ladies b-e-a-utiful! After many calls and research, I decided on Emily with Get Polished. Sure, she’s pricey, but she has RAVING reviews. I’m hoping to see both looks on me from her at a trial, and make a decision from there!
How are you doing your make-up? DIY? Make-up counter? Or a house call professional?
we took the DIY approach to makeup in favor of having our hair done. i practiced in the months leading up to the big day and actually got a lot of compliments on the make up (even from strangers!). not needing foundation made it a whole lot easier.
seriously, make-up artists and hairstylists are going to BREAK MY BANK. I’ve thought about DIY, but I really want to feel pretty. Ahh, the important decisions 
It isn’t just about feeling pretty it is about that showing in photos. There is nothing worse than looking pasty or overdone in photos. Since I never wear makeup I am getting mine done.
I am a makeup junkie and did my own and thought it looked great. I also own a lot of MAC stuff and I did a simulated smoky eye with Satin Taupe, Shroom and Naked Lunch. And OF COURSE MODEL IN A BOTTLE!!! That stuff is the bomb.
miss ballet- i would love to try model in a bottle but what happens if you sweat on your face? will the makeup still stay?
@MsJoe:
yes, Model in a Bottle is amazing. I cried a lot as after our ceremony when we were greeting all our guests and it still looked great in pics. check out my blog for pics…and a post on DIY makeup
Years ago I was competing in a Miss America state pageant (Miss Tennessee) and had won my local preliminary.
They advised me to learn how to do makeup from a professional in houston, TX who was awesome! Luann Mancini. She had a video that I used to teach me how to do a pro makeup job when my makeup people weren’t there for preliminary competitions before the final pageant day.
She may still have some of those videos. Google her and call their studio. She is AMAZING!
I went the Mary Kay route. Months beforehand I met with a local MK rep and told her I wanted some makeup choices. The company has tons of samples (heck, they want me to buy it), so I could try several different makeup “looks” before actually buying the product. There were some looks I wasn’t as keen on, and didn’t buy, but I was ultimately happy with one set. So, my wedding face was done with MK products. (I did do my own makeup application on my wedding day.) I have gotten compliments before/during/after of the makeup looks I’ve been using.
Hey I’m from NOLA (born and raised) and if anything at all falls through with the girl from Get Polished, you have got to GOT TO book Katie Seghers of Pixie Cosmetics. She works miracles and every bride I’ve ever recommended her to has been thrilled to death with her work. Best part? She’s super reasonable. I’ve personally hired her on several occasions and would never trust my face to anyone else!
As a MAC makeup artist, I must tell you… we love getting brides in. because they feel much more confident about their look than the stress of figuring everything out on their own. unless of course they have the skills! Though, to add a correction, it’s actually supposed to be (note: I realize not all artists give out consistent and accurate information) a $50 minimum purchase to get your full face bridal makeup done, not $40.
I also do freelance and go to on-location for brides too! In fact, that’s my favorite of the two because then I know the bride is relaxed (well…. as much as she CAN be!) and is completely pampered. No worries about travel or anything.
I must say, you made a great choice! A word of advice for your trial run or any time you’re getting your makeup done. DONT be afraid to tell them to stop if you dont like something! Dont want until the end and say, “omg i hate it” or worse, fake it until you make it and then afterwards run to the bathroom crying to wash it off. We’re professionals, we realize that our creative minds go a little further than most and can certainly take the heat. Afterall, it is your big day! Your in control!!
I’ve been doing makeup for four years, been with MAC for a year (and now am a manager yay!)… and even I will be hiring someone, hahaha!
I’m getting my makeup done by Suresh from sureshbeauty.com (he’s based in Seattle). He’s amazing. I’m actually pretty good at doing makeup and have done it for friends for their weddings, but I wanted a pro because a) it’s way less stressful, and b) he can give me fake eyelashes, which are IMPOSSIBLE to put on myself.
One note to DIY makeup brides: I swear by Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion. Put it on before you do your eye makeup, and it will stay put all day (and all night - seriously, you can’t get it off without heavy duty makeup remover). Also, apparently blush doesn’t show up in pics, so I’ve heard that you should put a little more on than you normally would.
I’m going to do it myself but go to MAC before leaving for a tutorial. It’s always fun to learn some new tricks. But… if I could do it your way and have someone come to my house, I would TOTALLY do that!! Lucky you!
I was so dissappointed at the “pro” that I paid for trial with. $50 and a few hours later, the makeup was no better than the one I got at Clinique. So I went w/ Clinique instead and bought products on a later day since I was running late. They were the best 
Btw, I bought model in the bottle as well. Be sure to close your eyes very tightly and not open till many seconds later. It does feel like hair spray and I bet hair spray probably works just as well.
I wish I had known about sureshbeauty.com His portfolio looks amazing
My mom did a terrible disservice to my sister and I by having gorgeous skin, so she never wore makeup other than some lipstick. I don’t wear the stuff too often myself, so I think I’m going to get a consultation at Sephora first, just like I did for my prom lol. Then I’ll get some essentials and attempt to do it myself on the big day… with my makeup-ly inclined cousin by my side!!
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Mrs. Ballet Flat, New Orleans Age and Occupation: 24, Geographic Information Systems Analyst Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, IT Analyst Engagement Date: March 16, 2008 Wedding Date: May, 2009 Blogging Since: September 25, 2008 Venue: St. Charles Borromeo Church/Jefferson-Orleans North About Me: I absolutely love wedding planning, spending time with Mr. Ballet Flat, various crafts, watching football, baking, pop music, bargain hunting and ice cream. My idea of a great date night is dinner and clearance shopping with Mr. Ballet Flat! I currently live below sea level in the suburbs near New Orleans, where I make maps all day, everyday for my job. I'm slowly becoming more and more obsessed with anything New Orleans related for our wedding, and I can't wait for the big day!
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