I attempted a DIY makeup trial about a month back after a spontaneous false eyelash purchase at Walmart. I know I want to wear falsies on my wedding day, so I thought I’d try them out and see how they felt and how good I was at applying them and all that jazz. (Also, I tend to get tension headaches pretty easily and was curious as to whether the falsies would cause one. Good news: after hours of wearing them, I was headache free!) Anywho, I know I can trust you lovely people to give me pointers and/or ways I could possibly improve upon my DIY makeup skills, so here we go!
(All upcoming photos by Miss Armadillo)
First off, a picture of me wearing everyday makeup:
With Mr. A at a college football game
And now, with all the “war paint”:
With no flash
With a flash, obviously!
Better shot of the eyes
The things I used:
SO, it’s clear I used a variety of brands to achieve this look (I didn’t buy any “new” things for this trial except for the falsies). Now, I’m well aware that the false-eyelash application isn’t exactly top notch, but this was my first experience with falsies and I’m resolved to practice more before the big day. Overall, I really like the way the eyes look. However, I’m not sure about the blush/lip combo. I’d like to use a berry/pink color palette with my wedding-day makeup, but I’m not exactly sure if the combo I used works the best. Maybe I should go a bit more matte and/or muted with the blush? Perhaps a bit pinker with the lips? I don’t know! I will say, however, that the photo without the flash looks very similar to how the makeup looks IRL. I wish I had done the trial in the daytime so I could get a shot of it in natural sunlight, but que sera sera!
If I wasn’t already confused before, this past week has me even more confused! I’m part of a bunco group and we had a Halloween party last week—I dressed up as Rosie the Riveter, complete with a retro hairdo and makeup job. All the ladies insisted I do a retro look for the wedding! For reference, here’s what I came up with:
We Can Do It!
So, obviously I’m having some issues with makeup inspiration. Should I lean more toward my original DIY makeup trial, or do more of a retro feel like my Rosie the Riveter get-up? Mr. A doesn’t particularly like red lipstick, but maybe I could do the retro eyes with a pale/nude lip, sort of with more of a ’60s influence. Or, maybe I could just tell Mr. A to get over himself. 
Bah, I’m SO CONFLICTED!
What do you think, hive? Should I stick with my original plan, go with the retro-glam look, or something completely different? HELP!
ah, wolfman hates a bold lip but i LOVE it so i’m doing it. i think, while its important to consider your partners likes/dislikes, ultimately what makes you feel best/most confident will translate to the day!
I think you did great! If you add eyeliner to the lash line it will “hide” the falsies. Doesn’t have to be super thick, just enough to cover the false lash line. The eye makeup looks great! The blush looks slightly heavy in normal pictures but from what I’ve read on blogs and heard from professionals, it will look perfect in pro pics, so don’t worry too much about that. As for the lips, I’m not really feeling the hot pinky color but that red looks amazing on you!!
You make the cutest Rosie the Riveter! Your costume was awesome, and I agree – the retro look would look awesome on you!
I think you did a great job! You look beautiful. I think you should stick with your original DIY. I also agree with @jwilk241 about adding just a touch of eyeliner to hid the false lash line. I think the lips are a tab barbie pink but overall its very pretty.
@Miss Gray Wolf: Haha Mr. Wallaby hates bold lip too!!! I’m still undecided. I’m wearing a 1920′s-inspired dress so red lip seems a given but I don’t want him to be mad on our wedding day haha.
Miss Armadillo, I think you look beautiful in your day-to-day make-up! I like the retro makeup better because I prefer the red lip over the berry lip in the DIY trial, and the blush is a little lighter. But those falsies are fab!!!
Do what you want, but I would lean towards the DIY trial you did, because I think you did what you would like in that run. If you go retro, you may feel like you’re “in costume.” They both look great though! Wish I had your makeup skills.
I like the DIY trial, but I’d go with thicker eyeliner and maybe a coral lip. It’s still bright, but not as concentrated as red, so maybe Mr. A would like it more.
If you like b&w pics then go with a bolder lip or else they’ll wash out. I was trying to find the wedding makeup pin I could have swore I re-pinned but alas I cannot locate it.
side note. I don’t know which hair color won but I love this color on you.
I love both looks, but I think your DIY trial look is best given what you expressed you wanted to wear for the wedding. I would probably tone down the lip color a little, but I have an aversion to bold lips (can’t pull them off), so probably don’t listen to me on that 
I love the Rosie makeup, but I like the original look for the wedding. What “red” did you use for the Rosie makeup?
I think your makeup looks great! I agree with a PP about a thin line of eyeliner to cover the false lash line. Also, a little tip about falsies, if you’re using the whole strip, which it looks like you are.
When you take it them out of the package, before you put the glue on, roll them around a pencil (or makeup brush) to break them in a little. Leave them there for a few minutes. That way you won’t have an edge that doesn’t want to stick to your eye. They will be a little more pliable.
Also, I like to use the “dark tint” glue. If you use it, you will need even less eyeliner.
I like the retro eyes, I don’t know if it’s because you’re smiling and that adds to your eyes but I prefer how they look in the retro picture, also I think you look great with red lipstick, but if Mr. A doesn’t like it I don’t really see the point of wearing it at the wedding.
But you look great with retro makeup.
I think your trial looked great. The only things I would change is to tone down the blush a really teeny amount and add more eyeliner – I was suprised it was in your list of products as it doesn’t look like you have any on at all. I’d use a dark brown though, rather than black. I also would not change the lip colour. It’s really lovely (and not too different to my own colour – Clinique Chubby Stick in – I think – Super Strawberry) and I think if you were to go with a nude lip it wouldn’t necessarily come out well in the photos. You’re lip shape is quite similar to mine (i.e. not very pouty with quite a thin top lip) and I need lip colour to help define my smile.
I love your trial look (your costume is totally rad though). I really like the blush and the lip. I think someone already mentioned covering the falsies with a bit of eyeliner over top too. I don’t think a nude lip would look very good. Especially with how bold the rest of the look is. Your lips would get lost. I’ve never used a lip liner, but maybe you could look into that and see if it could help keep your lipstick on and from bleeding with all of the kissing you’ll have to do (mine disappeared so fast on the wedding).
I love the eyes! I wish that I could DIY that eye look.
And for what it’s worth, I think you should stick with the black eyeliner and not switch to brown like was suggested. I only ever use brown on my lower rim if anywhere (normally nowhere though). You look great with the black.
Unless you’d prefer something softer, where I’d suggest a charcoal liner. I’ll stop taking up comment space now.
I love your eye makeup girl! I might go with a dark red or really nude lip, pink isn’t my fave!
I’m so jealous! You can really rock a bold lip. Both colors look great on you. I think the trial you did looks beautiful. And your Halloween look is so freakin’ adorable!
You look great in both! I like the original look a bit more, though.
So many great suggestions! Thanks, guys! Odds are I’ll end up doing another DIY trial soon, and I’ll try to incorporate some of your suggestions. Y’all are the best!
Mrs. Armadillo, Houston, Texas Age and Occupation: 23, Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Armed Security Officer Engagement Date: September 28, 2011 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: First Presbyterian Church/Bay City Civic Center About Me: I’m an oldies-loving, board game-playing, coffee addicted fine arts junkie from Southeast Texas in pursuit of her master’s degree in communication studies who met the goofy, strong, artistic, and unexpected love of her life in the beautiful piney woods of East Texas. Serendipity threw us together again and again (and again) on our college campus before we eventually stuck, but when we finally did submit to destiny, we hit the ground running and never looked back! We’re planning a religious, small town, budget-friendly, DIY-infused “winter becomes springtime” ceremony and reception to celebrate the beginning of our lives together with the people we love the most, and are pouring our hearts and souls into making sure our wedding represents us as a couple down to the nitty gritty details and balances tradition with the quirky individuality that is uniquely and unequivocally “us”!
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