Wedding Blog
Or, Dumpling’s makeup trial.
I really want to look like me on our wedding day. Well, me, only slightly enhanced.
I went to MAC last Saturday to test out some of their products and a makeup artist I had heard so much about. She told me she charges (insert something I can’t afford) for brides, so I automatically assumed she was good. I’m one of those people. If it costs too much, it must be good.
That was such a big mistake and I am an idiot for thinking that. I liked the products and I’ve always loved using MAC lipstick and eye makeup when I wanted to look extra special, but this particular “artist” did not listen to a word I said. I asked for a “natural glow” but instead I got “Halloween chic”.
I think it looks 10 times better in pictures, but it is still WAY more makeup than I wanted to wear. I felt like a clown.
Ladies, I love you, and I know this is where I’m supposed to insert the before picture, but no. Sorry. These after pics are even after I washed half of it off. I still felt painted.
I think it looked OK after I washed some of it off, but I still didn’t feel like me. I also can’t justify spending that much money on a makeup application that I wanted to wash off. I’m already very critical of myself, and I want to feel pretty on my wedding day. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.
But really, purple eye shadow and purple eyeliner?? Purple??? I just want to say that, for the record, I LOVE MAC makeup. Without their mascara, I would look like I had no eyelashes. Their bronzer has given me the sun-kissed glow I used to only dream about. I think maybe I just got the wrong artist, and I do not blame the product. I won’t count them out, but I will try someone else.
How did your makeup trial go? Anyone know of a good makeup artist in Las Vegas?
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I have not had my makeup trial yet, but I have worked with some MAC makeup artists in the past and while I do love MAC products, I think that the type of look they generally go for is more of an artifical-runway type makeup that winds up caked on your face.
I have had great luck at Sephora with their artists, I’d give them a try! Good luck.
awww I think you look so pretty. But sometimes more make up looks good in pictures but not in person. And I agree, sometimes after going to MAC I feel like I have waaayyy too much make up on.
You might want to check with your photographer, ours recommended a great one and I’ve seen other photographers link to quality makeup artists in my area. Feeling and looking like yourself is certainly not too much to ask for on your wedding day. 
I think you look pretty, but not like the you that I’ve seen in other pictures.
When I went to MAC I told them that I would walk away mid-trial if they overdid me. I expressed how serious I was about this, and how I never wear make-up in real life. They found the most awesome combination of products that made a beautiful, but extremely natural look. But I think they were scared of my reaction!
Dumpling, I don’t have any suggestions. But I’ve always felt that MAC is just a bit too theatrical.
OMG!!! Two words…Kelly Belmonte!
Long story short, she’s from the small Ohio town I live in. She is now a makeup artist in Las Vegas and is totally awesome! I know she does a lot of commerical work and also makeup for special effects on movies, but she also does brides! She flew in two weeks ago for a party…her website it http://www.kellybelmonte.com
Tell her that Angela K.’s neighbor recommended!!
I had airbrush done for my make up trial- when I walked out I looked like a drag queen.
I ended up going to sephora, investing in five or six quality products and felt pretty amazing on my wedding day (I highly suggest Perfekt foundation and Laura Mercier no color powder to stop shine… ooh- and NARs blush.)
I think you look beautiful! I just had my boudoir shots done..and the makeup artist told me that i really need a little more than normal for it to look great on camera..she was right! after viewing the shots..im glad i went a little more than normal. Purple?!! If you want a natural look at least go with natural tones..etc.. Keep looking for that right makeup artist!! Don’t settle..this is your big day!
Oh..and here is the email of my makeup artist..she is from Los Angeles..but traveling to Vegas often… prices are really reasonable.
Gigi Jara: Ggzmakeup@gmail.com
i just had a makeup trial @ marykay-YIKES! i figured it couldn’t hurt & the price was right. how do mac trials work? you pay $40 and get a $40 credit to spend on their makeup? that’s what i’ve heard. (do you have to spend it that day?) my sister got her makeup done @ mac (as a wedding guest), & it was a little drag-queeny, but came off ok in pics (b&w!). for the record, you DO look purty, but not so natural. try bobbie brown maybe?
I second the Sephora idea…and I want to add the Makeup Forever HD foundation is REALLY fantastic. I’ve never found foundation that matches my skin tone…I usually end up looking a little ghostly…but they have so many shades and it feels really good on. I actually have started wearing the foundation (applied w/ a brush) on a pretty regular basis. Another great thing about Sephora is that they’ll give you samples to take home if you just want to try out the color, and you can see what works for you in the comfort of your own home! Also, it don’t matter how much the woman charges, if she doesn’t listen, it’s never worth it.
Some other Vegas artists in no particular order. Just names I’ve collected…
Fairytale: http://www.fairytalehairmakeup.com
BeVain: http://www.bevainlasvegas.com/BeVain.html
GlamSquad: http://www.glamsquad702.com/
Lori White: 702 432 9542
Sarah Vickery 702 810 3177
Also, the MAC Pro store at Caesar’s Palace…unless you went there. It’s different than regular MAC stores. They do airbrushing.
I think your lips and cheeks look great! But, if you feel it’s too much, you should look into something else, so you feel 100% comfortable on your wedding day.
My trial’s coming up in March. I’ll be sure to specify no purple eye make-up! (It really doesn’t look that bad, just not, right for you [or, in my case, me].)
Veronica-makeup to remember 702-889-0314. She isn’t cheap but the final product is flawless.
Actually, purple is a great color to go with your brown eyes. That’s probably why the MAC artist chose it. The Almay Trio for Brown Eyes has purple and brown in it. I guess purple eyeshadow is supposed to make brown eyes more intense. I think your makeup looked great!
MAC always overdoes it! I think you look beautiful but I totally understand what you mean about paying to wipe off the make up — not cool at all! I’ve never been to vegas so I’m no help!
understated plum can be a beautiful eye color for brunettes, but i never thought of it as a bridal palette, maybe for a special night out instead. it looks like she used a more lilac color on you, which you clearly don’t like (and I can see why). that being said, you should feel beautiful on your wedding day, and until you get a makeup application that does so, keep searching for someone who will listen to you and play up your best features, instead of trying to create them with pencils and powders.
p.s. i second the make up forever foundation recommendation.
I have gone to Sephora locally…or a Dior consultant! They’ll make you look naturally beautiful!
I think you look pretty! But I can see how you want more of a natural look. Sephora is a great place to go…
Keep in mind tho with wedding makeup that you probably have to put more on than you are used to– you don’t want to look washed out in pictures… but i know you don’t want to look like a clown either…
You’re kind of a hottie (*blush*), so I don’t understand why they felt the need to spackle the paint on. Did they even ask you what you wanted? Arrg. I loved the makeup for your engagement shoot. DId you do that yourself?
I want to see my very pretty Dumpling shining right through! I say no no to the crazy expensive Mac lady. But I’m with you on the “thinking if they charge alot they are good” thing. I’ve made that mistake with hair salons many, many times.
I think you look pretty too! In my experience with MAC, I find that some tend to be “heavy-handed.” I opted to not go with them. Plus, at $150 per hour.. that’s a big no thanks. I don’t know if going to sephora would help much because it depends on the person’s experience.
You’re getting married in Vegas right? Have you looked for a vendor outside of the make-up counters? I just checked for some on Project Wedding.. you could check the link out to see some of the vendors listed.
http://www.projectwedding.com/vendor/search?category_id=2®ion=las_vegas
i think they used purple to bring out your brown eyes.
Ooh, I love purple and think it could be quite hot for a glam night out but yeah, not exactly ‘you-just-enhanced’. Don’t give up on MAC - I went there too and I loved the makeup I picked up. Maybe I said NEUTRAL a little too often and loudly, but hey, it worked.
I’m right there with you; I want to look like me, just a bit better, on our big day.
I’ve been thrilled with MAC about 8 of 11 times (give or take). The few bad times were WAY over the top. The good times were GREAT!
I recommend going back for a trial with another MAC artist.
Then, if that doesn’t work, I’ve ALWAYS been thrilled with Benefit Cosmetics artists! Sephora has been hit or miss for me.
you don’t exactly look like a happy little dumpling :(. Sorry the makeover didn’t go so hot! I haven’t used MAC yet (just neutrogena makeup), but I was going to ask for some tips from a MAC vendor (at a mall? I don’t know). Have you tried Aveda? I adore their lip stain - I’d trust them with a gentle makeover.
I’m pretty sure the purple was to go with your eyes, but I’ve typically heard that plum shadows and liners are good for green eyes. It’s kinda not so good for a wedding look, so she should have thought about it. In the photos I actually don’t mind the eye makeup, but I think the lip color is throwing me off.
Chanel always does a great natural face, and their products are amazingly long wearing. The women who work there are usually older and more sophisticated, so they might have a better idea of something appropriate for a wedding (especially if you are going for a more classic look) I go to them for my work looks and MAC for my fun looks. I do second eileen marie, though. A lot of times makeup that looks a little heavy in person comes out beautifully in pictures. Best of luck!
the makeup looks nice in your photo…the makeup artist probably put on heavier makeup b/c it looks better in photos…and the purple mascara is subtle…can’t tell that its purple
My MAC trial was equally frightening, which I wasn’t expecting because I love MAC for every day. Keep trying until you feel more like your gorgeous self
poor dumpling! you look sad in those pics! you are gorgeous and should definitely get the look you want on the big day. i second miss hc. i loved your makeup at your engagement shoot!
Well you are beautiful to start and definitely don’t need purple make-up to cover up what is natural.
Try Laura Mercier make-up. I’ve had them do my make-up for several events and I think they have a good balance. Also, their make-up feels light which I love because I don’t like when it feels like you are wearing a mud mask.
Thank you ladies! And to the people who suggested some make-up artists- thank you, thank you, thank you! I am for sure going to contact them.
@MMWedding: Thank you for saying that=) I didn’t feel pretty, but your comment was so sweet.@Miss Glitter: The E-Shoot makeup was done at Barneys, but I can’t remember the brand….something out of my price range normally, but maybe I’ll choke up the money for the big day.
@Mrs. Avocado: haha…Im also one of those people who can’t leave a store without buying something if the sales person helped me. Even if it’s too expensive. I hate when that happens.@lilmisssha: I think purple eyes on brunettes is great, but I did not like it for a wedding. But really, I’m just not used to wearing that much makeup. Maybe I should open up a little more…..I just get scared.
I love MAC makeup, but they always seem too “halloween” for me-all year long; however, I have the overdone makeup application problem at Estee Lauder, too, so I think it’s just something in their training?? I’m sorry it didn’t go well. That’s so frustrating. Bare Escentuals has stores, and they were willing to sit with me for an hour and help me apply my makeup. Of course, I had to buy it and will have to DIY it, but I’m cursed with the overdone thing and would rather do it myself. Just a thought if you want to go more natural…
this is what i fear about having my makeup done. You do look pretty, but I understand that you aren’t comfortable. And you want to SHINE on your wedding day from the experience, not the radiance of face paint 
Good luck with the continued search.
I’ve always had good luck with MAC, but then again, I also wasn’t afraid to make them fix what I didn’t like!
Also, I think it varies from MAC artist to MAC artist. If you say “bridal” some might paint you like a drag queen, and some actually might give you something more natural. It’s kind of a crap shoot.
Anyway, I still think you look pretty, but I get when you say it doesn’t feel “bridal.”
I haven’t gone to a trial yet but I’m scared.. I also don’t like heavy makeup where I feel painted on. I want to look “natural”. You have a gorgeous face and it shouldn’t be distracted by all the artificial colors - good luck!!!
Dumpling! Good luck with your search! Sorry I’m no help w/ suggestions, but I kinda see where you’re coming from with this makeup application. Ditto Cocoa, I loved your engagement photo makeup!
Hmm…I love MAC as well, but they can be quite dramatic! If you can work in another trial run, that would be great…otherwise, I’d try Bobbi Brown or NARS?
Good luck, gorgeous!
You are so naturally beautiful that you don’t need anywhere NEAR that much makeup! I’d get another makeup person, STAT!
I don’t think the eye makeup is that bad, but together with the blush and lipstick it is. I think it would look much better with a more natural lip and a much softer blush. I know you think it looks horrendous, but it’s really not that bad, you’re still beautiful
P.S. you can’t really tell it’s purple at all.
I think the purple eyeshadow suits you, but I reall hate the foundation they used on you. Even on camera, it looks caked on and too shiny.
@TechGirl, I agree. You should choose either dramatic eye or bold lipstick. One or the other, but not both.
I have to day DIT-TO to MMWedding you are so beautful, you definitely don’t need anything to cover up just enhance your natural beauty But also ditto on the Laura Mercier - I love her make-up and anything I’ve ever had done at her counter. I wish I could send my friend Susan from LM to Vegas, she is the best.
From reading past entries on weddingbee, it seems like MAC is really a hit or a miss with their makeup trials. Mrs. Canary recently posted another bad experience she had there. Just remember that you are beautiful.
i felt like a clown on my wedding day whenever i saw my reflection and it freaked me out! lol. you’re still a hot lil ha-gao to me, i’d totally eat you up with (or without) makeup
Oh Dumpling! You look so unhappy in your 2nd picture. I wish I had a suggestion for you but I’m not feeling MAC. They once made me a Cirque Du Soleil Clown.
[...] to the makeup… I did a test run with Chanel and MAC and wasn’t very happy with either of the results. I was feeling a little defeated until I went [...]
if you look at my profile pic i have mac on for my wedding trial and love it i had it done at fashion valley in san diego, by james.
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Mrs. Dumpling, Las Vegas
Age and Occupation: 27, Finance
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 34, Real Estate
Engagement Date: March, 2008
Wedding Date: March, 2009
Blogging Since: August 26, 2008
Venue: Catholic church ceremony & golf course reception
About Me: I grew up in the Deep South, and while most people say I have a thick southern accent, I tend to think it only comes out when I need to use it. Living in Las Vegas has definitely been an adventure and Mr. Dumpling and I are loving every minute of it! We are planning a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony and a reception with lots of DIY! We might even get Elvis to show up! I'm a HUGE Beatles fan, love The Office and can't wait to become a Mrs.!
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