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I’m currently in the middle of trying to figure out what to do about my makeup and I have to say I’m a bit stumped. I’ve had my makeup done once, and while the makeup artist did a good job, I wasn’t the biggest fan of how I looked. I just didn’t really feel like me.
Proof that not all makeup artists are worth the money (if you haven’t read Mrs. Cupcake’s post on her disastrous makeup trial do it now):
I recognize that there are fantastic makeup artists out there who certainly would do my makeup really really well, but I’m not sure that makeup is something I want to spend $100 on (and that doesn’t even include the apparently necessary makeup trial). Does anyone else think it’s ridiculous that if someone is going to charge you around $100 to do your makeup they should be able to get it right on the first go?
This has made me think that perhaps I should consider the DIY option. I’d be okay with splurging a bit on good quality products, because I can justify the cost since the products will last me long after the wedding. My concern with this is that I’m no makeup genius. I can make myself look decent with the small amount of makeup I wear, but I certainly have no clue on how to most effectively make my skin look good in pictures.
Basically it comes down to the fact that I don’t really want to spend money on a one time makeup application, but I also don’t want to regret my decision to do it myself. I need advice.
Ladies who did your makeup yourself: were you happy with your choice? Any regrets? Any tips on how I can most effectively do my makeup myself?
Practice Practice Practice. I cannot imagine hiring someone (except maybe a friend to throw some business to) to do my makeup. I am really good on my own and I wear it a lot. In a cost-cutting frenzy, then this would be the first thing to go for me. Good luck!
I’m having a good friend do my hair and makeup. We’ve had a couple of at-home trials and I’m in love with the results. Maybe you should hit up your guest list and see if any of your gals are gifted with makeup. I’m sure they’d be happy to help!
this is going to scare the bejeezers out of some of the bees out there…
but it is routine- with indian weddings- and at least in toronto…to pay no less than $300-500 for your makeup artist.
and that’s not even “the best”- if you want the *THE BEST*- her names is shirley wu- and you will pay between $700-$1000 for her services for the day (if you want her all day long)
it’s funny, because as budget-wise goes. i have always known that i will be spending at least $400 on makeup.
miss knitting - I have 2 contacts who charge about $65 for wedding day makeup. I know you want to go the DIY route, but if you decide you want a great artist let me know. One of them is doing my wedding day makeup, she’s mid-city but will travel (Bathurst/Eglinton) and the other is based out of Vaughan but will also travel. Both work with MAC products.
I’m planning to go to the makeup counter at some department store and have them do my makeup, then I’m going to purchase whatever they use. And then I’ll practice, practice, practice…I dont care about makeup enough to pay to have mind professionally done.
Hehe, I forgot how friggin’ scary I look in that picture 
My friend…after reading this I had to go look at your face and YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! I don’t think you need much more than what you already have on in your profile pic, if any. I am having my best friend do my make-up. She used to wear an eyeshadow from Bare Essent. so I’m going to buy it and have her do it. I think that you don’t need some dramatic business going on on your face as you are already naturally beautiful. I hope my opinion helps!
Do you have a Mac store or counter near you? I got my makeup done for FREE there one day, and they showed me how to do certain things. I am pretty sure they do wedding makeup, although there may be a charge. Also, Sephora now does it..I think its $50? But I’d trust Mac first and foremost.
I would never pay to get my make up done. I did my own and all the other bridesmaids for my sister’s wedding. Then this weekend I was in a wedding and the mother of the bride paid to her her make up done and it was terrible! They put way too much and she hated it, so I ended up re-doing it for her and she loved it. It is not that hard to do your own or get a friend who is good at make up to help you. You want to look like yourself anyway! Just splurge on good products and save the money and stress of not knowing the makeup artist.
The only time I have had someone else do my make up was for my senior pictures. I still don’t like them. I normally don’t wear makeup so even a moderate amount looks like way too much to me (especially on *me*). I have freckles and if they are covered up I feel like I have been covered up. I’m doing my own because I don’t trust anyone else. People may or may not even be able to tell that I am wearing makeup and that is exactly how I want it.
If you’re set on DIY, start reading makeup blogs! Just using quality makeup won’t cut it IMO. For things like your wedding, you want to look good the day of AND in your pictures! So you need to invest in makeup that will photograph well. A primer (like Smashbox) is a good start, and I’ve heard that mineral makeup photographs well too.
But I absolutely agree with you, that if I’m paying a ton of money for someone to do my makeup they should get it right on the 1st try!
I did my own make-up with stuff I already had and it was fine…But then, to be honest, I was really not super-concerned with how I looked on the day, wierdly enough!
I’ve had 2 trials and didn’t like either. My mom and I went to Sephora for their consultation, after we got it how I liked it, we took of half of my makeup and I did that side of my face to make sure I could do it. Then I bought all of the products. I realized I can do my own makeup just fine– I always likethe way my makeup looks in pictures anyway. And it was a nice treat to get new makeup which I can use afterwards. So I’ll be DIYing my makeup– but I am getting my hair done professionally,
One way I found to learn makeup… visit counters and get free makeup trials. I do well with my makeup now, but that wasn’t always the case. I spent a lot of time at MAC counters, specifically approaching the people who I thought looked good (since some of them are just trying to show off the possibilities and end up looking a little ridiculous!) or who I’ve seen in action with another customer and approved of. I was always honest and told them I didn’t really know how to do my makeup and wanted to learn, and more often than not they were pretty helpful. Granted, they have (or used to have, at least, I assume they still do) a policy where they try to push you to buy at least three products, but it’s by no means a requirement. I’m sure you could go to cheaper makeup counters and still learn some tips if you’re the type of person that gets pushed into things easily. Then, as someone else said, practice, practice, practice! And take pictures, in light similar to your venue (e.g., outside natural light? Indoor flourescent light?), without flash, both straight faced and smiling. Sometimes things look good in the bathroom mirror, and the later you realize, “eh… not so much.” If you don’t have light similar to your venue, go for outside, but shoot the pictures either early or late, or on a cloudy day or something so you don’t have gross shadows under your eyes and nose. Just some thoughts!
Miss Rainbow (wonder what happened to her?) also had some helpful tips if you haven’t gone through her posts yet.
Wow, I didn’t realize that was so long. Sorry for the rambly!
I never, ever wear makeup. Seriously, the extent of what you could hope to call makeup in my house is lip gloss. I had a free makeup trial over the weekend at a place my friend threw my name into a bowl for (I’m still trying to forgive her for it), it was TERRIBLE. I lol’d reading Mrs. Cupcake’s post because that is EXACTLY how I turned out. The girl couldn’t believe I never wear makeup and I guess she decided to show me what I was missing. I refused to take my sunglasses off when I got home and FI kept telling me it couldn’t be that bad… yeah I think he was horrified when I took the shades off, haha.
I paid someone to do the make-up and was really happy with the result. I’m clueless with DIY make-up though, so I didn’t really have that option!
Practice and you will do fine! Read some reviews, try some product and then keep practicing 
I am a lucky, lucky woman and have THREE makeup artist friends/family members to pick from. 
I paid for my makeup and hair (she came to my room and did both) because I didn’t want the stress of having to do my own and what if I was so freaked out I didn’t do a good job. I never had a “trial” because our wedding was a destination wedding. She showed up, looked at my inspiration pictures, and did her thing…I felt gorgeous! I know for some people to not have the trial and just hope it turns out good is a lot of stress but I really felt that I had researched and choose wisely.
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Mrs. Knitting, Toronto Age and Occupation: 24, Student Recruitment Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Neuroscience PhD Candidate Engagement Date: October 2009 Wedding Date: December 2010 Venue: University of Toronto Faculty Club About Me: I'm a pearl wearing, etiquette book reading Toronto girl who loves cooking and baking, museums, charm bracelets, and collecting books on Jackie Kennedy (a lot). I've been known to spend Sunday mornings at the antique market, Wednesday evenings at sister sushi dinners, and any bit of spare time reading. After six and a half years of many late night walks, watching DVDs together in bed, travelling to places like New York, and Tobermory, doing Sudokus together on the couch, lots of Indian food, the occasional yoga class, moving in together and so much more, Mr. Knitting and I are planning a cozy Christmasy (it's a word!), vintage wedding in Toronto complete with many DIY projects (eek!) and lots of help from our amazing group of family and friends.
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