Wedding Blog
In terms of a beauty regimen, I’m pretty low maintenance. Don’t believe me? I have a little story for you.
Recently while shopping around Sephora, I asked the guy working there to help me with eyebrow pencils. He looked at my brows with a look of horror and exclaimed, “When did you last wax?!” My response: “Ummm, I don’t wax them. I pluck them.” His response: “Honey, you PLUCK a chicken. You TWEEZE your eyebrows.”
He proceeded to make it very obvious that he was less than pleased with my lack of eyebrow maintenance. But he was hilarious and helpful… so I forgive him. 
Here is some inspiration from two beautiful Asian actresses…
Soft and natural…
A bit more dramatic…
These ladies look smokin’, but their makeup doesn’t overpower them. It looks like I’ll need to get in some practice time before June.
Is anyone out there doing your own wedding makeup? Share your tips and product raves with the hive!
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Share this post: Pro Makeup: Yes, No, Maybe So?
While I’m sure with practice you could do a great job, coming from someone equally low maintenance, I can tell you that the “effortless” natural makeup look is actually fairly challenging. I had an incredible makeup artist who made me glow while not looking overdone at all, and she was incredibly reasonable compared to some of the other makeup artists I did trials with (who made me look like a scary painted lady, yikes!!!)
Also, you’re going to want to relax and soak it all in on your wedding day, not worry about placing individual false lashes while your hands are shaking. I’d go for the pro.
I too was going to do my own makeup, because hiring a makeup artist and stylist isnt in my budget. I also didnt want to get married looking like a completely different person. I too am pretty low mantainence on a daily basis, and occasionally I’ll straighten my hair and actually apply makeup besides the pressed powder I use to even my skin tone.
The other day I had a Eureka! moment. My mom is a Mary Kay Consultant so I’ve decided to enlist her help in making sure my makeup looks flawless. Except she doesn’t know it yet! 
A word of advice is that makeup tends to look different in pictures than it does in real life. Do a few trials and take pictures to see if you need to apply more makeup. Also ask your photog on the day of to show you a few pics of your makeup while you’re getting ready so that you know if you need to adjust anything.
Im doing my own makeup as well, but I’m not low maintence at all. I look like it- but that look takes forever to get. My advice is to go to MAC and have them give you a makeover. Buy the lipstick colors they give you and if the foundation is really good then buy that also, maybe blush too. Everything else is stuff you can pick up from a drugstore for way cheaper- like mascara, gloss, setting powder, primer, etc.
Good luck, practice, and experiment!
I am doing my own makeup, although I used to work for a makeup counter and did other’s makeup for their wedding, special events, etc, so I know that is cheating a bit since I’ve had experience. However, yes, the low-maintenance natural look is not difficult to achieve and, moreso, attainable for the average person. I suggest you make an appointment with a makeup artist at a cosmetics counter (your favorite although I am partial to MAC or Prescriptives) and have them work through the look you would like to achieve with you. You will have to purchase 1-2 items, but this can be lipstick to freshen up, a new eyeshadow that you think gives you that “bridal glow”, etc, hence items you will use. Then you can practice recreating that look a few times before the wedding, or even make an appointment with them to do it the morning of. That way, you can still aim for the DIY makeup while ensuring that you look your absolute best “bride” self!
I was in a wedding last year of my wonderful friend who is extremely low maintenance… she knew that I knew my way around makeup so she asked me to do her makeup for her since she knew I would never ‘over do’ it… if someone in your bridal party or even attending the wedding is great with makeup, I would ask them to do it for you!
I had someone do my makeup because to me it’s like the one day you should have people working on you while you can just sit there and relax and just soak in the whole day.
Definitly get your make-up done pro. You don’t want to be worrying about whether you can do it yourself perfectly on the day of - you will have enough to worry about!! I had a make-up artist come to the house and set up in my parents bedroom where there was lots of natural light and it was quiet. Everyone took their turn getting their make-up done and it was so peaceful and relaxing. She only charged $20 a person and everyone ended up looking like themselves, just a little more polished.
The makeup inspiration pics look great! I’m also doing my own makeup, both because it’s not in the budget to hire a MA, but also because I want to look like myself on my wedding day. I don’t wear much makeup day-to-day, but I’ve worked a lot with makeup for theatrical productions, and when I get dressed up to go out, I know how to make it flawless. Keep practicing and you’ll look great!
haha, just wanted to say that Sephora guy’s response was hilarious XD
I was going to do my own make-up as well, but at the last minute decided to hire a make-up artist. I am so glad I did. I was a ball of nerves on the day and my eyeliner would have been crooked from my hands shaking. It was REALLY relaxing getting my make-up done. She did a great job, but I was very specific about what I wanted.
I also agree that the “natural look” is a more complicated make-up application because it has to be a balance between not putting too much on and enough so the camera doesn’t wash you out.
If you do decide to do your own make-up, I would not only do a trial on yourself, but I would take a picture (with and without flash) to see how it looks.
The women in those pictures did a heavier liner and nude lip, from what I can tell. To achieve those looks you’ll need: good liquid liner, a light shimmery shadow, a nude lip gloss, peachy pink blush, face highlighter, mascara, and a make-up sealer like Benefit She Laq. Practice doing it, wear it all day, and take pictures of yourself throughout to see if you like it.
I couldn’t have imagined doing my own makeup. I don’t wear much in regualr life so anything more than light foundation and mascara scares me. Eyeliner?! Forget about it! So, I hired a makeup artist and couldn’t have been happier.
If you do decide to do your own I recommend going to a salon / beauty counter for a makeup lesson. Also, if you want to buy high end makeup that is easy to use then you might end up spending more than if you had just hired someone - especially if you won’t wear it again… Just my two cents!
Just practice…you will be fine. Regardless you will be the most beautiful woman in the room. May I add (per your pic) you ARE gorgeous.
I would say go to a make up counter and see if they can teach you some tricks for your wedding. Sometimes they will give you a tutorial and all you have to buy is some make up products. That might be the best way to go since you will probably use the same products on your wedding day.
Make sure you also take pictures of yourself so you can see what it looks like in pictures.
so glad im not thee only one who takes photos to see how their make-up looks!
I agree w/ getting makeup done for you for your wedding. i find it relaxing, and as long as the artist knows what you want there wont be any surprises & you’ll look great!
if you go to youtube there are little how to’s by amyb of askmemakeup that are fantastic! could we start a thread on recommended makeup products for the big day? I am also considering doing my own makeup. thanks!
I would also recommend pro makeup, for the same reason as some of the others who have posted. I was a bundle of nerves the day of the wedding (one hour of sleep the night before due to tossing and turning), and there was no way I was going to be able to do my own makeup without my hands shaking.
Make an appointment at a makeup counter the day of the wedding and you only have to spend typically $40.00 but you spend that on products. I did this as a bridesmaid with the bridal party and it worked great. The bride made appointments at 5 counters in the same department store.
I just got married and did my own makeup even though I don’t wear a lot on a daily basis. I went to the Clinique counter at Nordstrom 2 weeks before and got some new products. I used my everyday foundation and blush, so I just asked for guidance in choosing eyeshadow and lipstick, since that seemed to be where to amp up for a special occasion (even though I still had a very daytime look for my morning wedding). I was really happy with the result.
I’ve actually asked one of my best friends to do mine for the day. She has some makeup artist experience and that combined with the fact that she knows me and my stle very well, I trust her completely
I’m totally not low maintenance and wear make up almost every day and let say I couldn’t imagine trying to do my own makeup on the day because of everything else already mentioned, (nerves, pictures, etc). I think if you have limited experience with make up you should definitely go for a make up pro or ask a friend who is good with make up. Whenever I get my makeup professionally done I’m always amazed what a better job they do than I do on a regular basis, (even when I really take my time and try really really hard)
Initially I wanted to do my own make up… so I went to the Clinique counter at Dillard’s to test out colors and possibly pick up a few things. That’s when the lady doing my make-up mentioned that I could come in for free on my wedding day and have not only my make up done… but also my BM’s!! She said it would be best for everyone to go to a Clinique counter in their city and figure out their colors… then on wedding day it would be easy to just put the make-up on! What takes time is finding the right colors, and what you like… if you have that figured out… it will only take a few minutes!
@MissCamera: Thank you for the advice! I never thought to take pictures of myself beforehand. Very good tip!
@flbeachbride: I think I will definitely consider going to a makeup counter now. Thanks for the tips! @MsB: I wish I could find someone for $20! If I could find a pro for an affordable price in L.A., I would get my makeup done, for sure. Glad to hear it was such a great experience for you!
@Mrs. Cookie: Thanks, Cookie! I fear I will be a ball of nerves on the big day, too!
@heather: Thank you! You’re so sweet!
I know I’m late on this, but agree with all the other posters. I did my own makeup for my wedding and was very happy with it. DEFINITELy agree with the advice on taking photos of yourself because you will photograph differently. Maybe ask a friend who is very good at makeup to help you - I had my super stylish friend go to Sephora with me and we did a little makeover, I bought everything I liked, and then practiced for a few months. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll be great!
I am also very low-maintenance and felt like paying someone to do my makeup would be…weird. Not to mention expensive. But I do want to look special. So I went to Habitude Salon in Seattle over the holidays and got a “special event practice” makeup session with a makeup artist who was *wonderful* (name was Oliver, I believe) and a wealth of helpful information about makeup and skin care.
He listened carefully to my aesthetic for the wedding and for myself and how I wanted to feel and look, chose appropriate colors, let me see how he was applying them, and applied them also to a drawing I could take home with me, with the names of the colors, etc. Since there’s still 6 mos. till my wedding, he really emphasized that improving my skin care regimen would do a lot more for me than any makeup technique - advice taken!
It was something like $55 with tip - same as I would pay for a haircut, but with more lasting value. The salon also offers more in-depth (presumably) makeup classes that are a little more expensive. I’m sure lots of salons offer this kind of service. The products at this one were Aveda, if that’s relevant. I would certainly recommend doing something like this if you’re going to do your own makeup.
Next step, besides better skin care: practice, practice, practice!
I did my own! I highly recommend going and getting a tutorial done (I went to MAC) and purchase couple of the absolute musts. Not only will you be gorgeous, but you know, you can teach a man to fish… er… you know what I mean.
They have tutorials on YouTube! A friend of mine spends hours watching it.
[...] while back I was contemplating doing my own wedding makeup. I even wrote a post about it. In an ideal world where money grows on trees, I would have probably booked a professional [...]
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Mrs. Glitter, Los Angeles
Age and Occupation: 27, Research Consultant/Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Accounting
Engagement Date: May 6, 2007
Wedding Date: June, 2009
Venue: Millenium Biltmore Hotel
About Me: I was born and raised in West Los Angeles, California. I spent eight years in the Northeast working and completing my education. Having split time between two sides of the country has given me a true appreciation for both coasts. It has also provided an overabundance of cross country drives, flights and long distance relationship fun/misery! I love my family, my doggy Emma, fabulous wine, Anthropologie, politics, reading, being outdoors, exploring new cities, and good movies! My fiance and I are complete opposites, but somehow we have managed to fall completely and hopelessly in love.
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