Under 200 days to go…WHAT!? This is beyond crazy to me—especially since Halloween, Thanksgiving, my and my FMIL’s birthday (which are the same day—fun fact!), Christmas, and NYE all fall into the next few months. I feel like once the holiday season gets going, we’ll be putting some of the wedding tasks on the back burner, so I better get in gear now!
While I’ve already secured my hairstylist (my lovely aunt, whom you will be hearing about along with my hair inspiration!), I have yet to secure makeup for me and the girls. My fear with the makeup is that I book a makeup artist, and then have my trial, and it isn’t exactly what I want. Now, of course this is the point behind a trial, but booking a vendor without seeing their work actually on my face makes me nervous.
Oh and also…I can’t do makeup. At all.
The lovely makeup that you see in my engagement photos was done by one of my very favorite people in the whole entire world, Jenna.
All that magic? Not me at all. I applied my foundation. That’s it. Jenna did everything else, and thank goodness, because quite frankly when I attempt to do my own eye makeup, I look like a two-year-old playing in mommy’s bathroom. (And that’s a nicer version of how I usually describe my makeup skills.)
And it’s not for lack of trying! I own the Naked palate, I own brushes. I just have no idea what to do with them. So my everyday look is Bare Minerals foundation, concealer where I need it, and heavy heavy heavy mascara. I have anywhere between 8–11 bottles in my makeup bag. I LOVE IT!
So what do you get when you combine my idol (and yes, I’m being serious!) and lots of eyelashes? My wedding-makeup inspiration!
Image via VijatMohindra / Photo by Vijat Mohindra
So what I’m looking for is basically airbrushed foundation, brown/bronze eye makeup, and lots and lots of lashes! I have a few candidates in mind, but like I said, it’s hard to decide without actually having the makeup trial.
Brides and brides-to-be: did you make your decision on who to book before you did your trial or after?
Awwww you two are so cute in that pic!!! I’m doing the same thing with wedding-day makeup – airbrushed foundation with long (falsie) lashes, although I am going to go fairly light on the eyeshadow. I do love me some bronzey shadow though, I wear it a lot. (If you don’t own it, and you love bronze shadows, you should try Urban Decay’s Naked palette… it’s amazing.)
My brother and SIL got married 2 years ago (and 2 days). She used a local makeup artist. I am horrible at makeup. My everyday look is none. My fancy look? A hint of mascara and lip gloss. I am not kidding. Luckily once I got used to seeing myself with makeup I loved the looked and how it turned out in pictures. He then did our makeup for BFF’s wedding last year after she saw how Brother’s wedding turned out. So my MUA has done my makeup twice and done makeup for my Mom, SIL, BFF, and 2 other members of my bridal party. Not too bad.
I would make the decision after the trial. I have had friends not like the look and then opp to go another way.
I booked my hairstylist before she even knew it. My best friend (who is also in my wedding party) is a hairstylist so she is doing me and the girls hair that day. As far as make up goes, the thought scares me. I have no idea how to apply anything but eye liner and foundation. 
I didn’t have a trial because I did my own! I kind of wish I had taken one of my bridesmaids up on their offers to do it for me… it was gone by the end of dinner. But, I didn’t bother doing any retouching, so it’s my own fault.
I asked some of my local friends for recommendations and scheduled a trial from there. I definitely wanted to make sure I liked the makeup and I ended up getting a discount on my airbrush on our wedding day
Miss Wallaby: SIGH, I own the Naked Palette, I just have no idea how to use it haha.
DEBeachGirl: That’s my exact fear! I don’t want to book someone then not like the way it comes out. Thank you for sharing.
krislynn_sd: I can’t even do eyeliner! It always turns out horribly. If Jen isn’t around, it’s mascara only fo rthis girl!
Mrs. Dragon: Props to you for even trying, because there was no way I would be attempting my own!!
I booked hair/makeup before the trial, I’ll actually won’t have a trial until 2 weeks before the wedding, but I’ve seen their work and I know (hope, really hope) they’ll make a great job.
I’m getting my hair trial done in a few weeks and then if I like it, I can book it. I really appreciate the vendor letting you do it that way, just in case I don’t like how the trial came out.
I’m really fortunate to have my FH’s stepbrother’s fiance (got that??!) doing my makeup. She works at a spa and has done almost everyone’s makeup in our family when they got married and she’s giving it to me as my gift! Love that too.
@Miss Otter: Ahh good I’m glad you own it! I am obsessed. I honestly mostly just wear the 4-5 colors on the left, because I have a hard time pulling off dark shadow. To work I usually just wear one shade, but when we’re going out I blend 2-3. You should try one of the smoky eye tutorials or anything from this Pinterest board – http://pinterest.com/lmrosin/make-up/.
Ahh good I’m glad you own it! I am obsessed. I honestly mostly just wear the 4-5 colors on the left, because I have a hard time pulling off dark shadow. To work I usually just wear one shade, but when we’re going out I blend 2-3. You should try one of the smoky eye tutorials or anything from Pinterest – I’ll PM you my favorite make-up board
I booked a trial before booking the make up artist for the day of. It worked well.
My cousin got married this past July and after seeing the work her makeup artist did on her girls, I couldn’t get his number fast enough. Although he’s never done MY makeup before, I felt better knowing what his work looked like in person on people that I know and see on a weekly basis. If you could find someone through the grapevine, it would probably be easier for you to book without a trial. If not, I would def. do trial and then book… you never know!
I booked before the trial. I loved my makeup artist’s personality. She had such a calming presence. I knew I needed her in that bridal loft!
I booked mine before because it’s a destination wedding. However she was highly rated all over the internet and recommended by my photographer (who is a friend)
Pricey but I hope she is worth it.
I have this dilemma, too. I personally could care less about the makeup, but my usual freckle-faced-with-blonde-eyelashes look seems to be a little bland for such a special day. My first option is my sister (in makeup(?) school), who offered to do makeup for the entire bridal party free of charge. This is fantastic for the budget, but we’re total opposites and she tends to go over-the-top on that stuff in my opinion. The second option is through the salon that we’re using. Along with our hair stylists, a makeup artist would come to our bridal suite. I love this option. Pricey though. Ugh.
Her makeup looks amazing! I am sure you will look gorgeous! I can apply my own makeup but I choose not to wear makeup on a daily basis so most makeup feels heavy to me!
Mrs. Otter, Indianapolis, IN Age and Occupation: 22, Freelance Social Media Consultant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, CVS Shift Supervisor Engagement Date: November 11, 2011 Wedding Date: April 2013 Venue: Mustard Seed Gardens About Me: I'm a born and raised Hoosier girl, but a diehard Michigan Wolverines fan. I have a tendency to take too many photos and spend full days having TV marathons. Mr. Otter and I met in high school, started dating a couple years later, and moved in after a month of being official. He is easygoing and makes plans on a whim, while I'm color coordinating my planner and organizing everything in sight. He hates glitter, but it's my favorite thing. I have tattoos and he still won't get one, despite my attempts to convince him. We're planning a small, rustic, and (hopefully!) peony-filled wedding to get our married life started. (And yes, there will be glitter involved!)
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