As I've mentioned a few times on the blog here, I'm not much of a makeup person. And whenever I do throw on some eye shadow or lipstick my friends and Matt notice because hello! It's a change. And I like a change every now and then.
And I sort of want a change for my wedding. But that's where the issue comes in. I want someone to do my makeup for me on my wedding day, but I don't want it to overtake my face. I don't want the makeup to wear me, I want to wear makeup and still look like myself.
Basically I don't want to look like this:
But rather this:
or this:
Not a problem right? Wrong.
I mean I could do my makeup myself or enlist the help of a friend for cheap but I don't want to add any more duties to my friends or put that sort of pressure on them to make me look kick ass. But at the same time every makeup artist that has responded to me so far has been no less than $200 for a trial run and day of makeup.
Um. Say what!?
$200 for my makeup? Makeup that I guarantee will be easier to apply than most girls because I'll probably nix a lot of froofy ideas and want to go pretty plain Jane with a bit of flair. I just can't stomach that price, it seems ridiculous to me.
So what should I do?
Go to a counter demonstration and have professionals how to do my makeup myself? Keep looking and hope there's someone out there that's more afordable? Try and bargain with the ones that have already responded? Enlist the help of my makeup savvy friends? Wear a paper bag over my head? (I kid on that last one)
So freaders, what would you do in my situation? Or if you got married, what did you do?
I thank you all already for being awesome and helping me through my oh-so-pertinent dilemmas, haha.
happy thursday!
37 comments:
Yeah, I've done a tiny bit of research into makeup prices and nearly died. I think having to pay for a trial is insane - what if you hate it? Waste of money. Bah.
Maybe either a) go with a friend or b) see if there are any makeup schools nearby? They might have trainees or something that can do cheaper prices on basic wedding makeup. Let us know how you get on. You'll look gorgeous either way!
I'm planning on having my makeup done at a counter in a department store-like Clinique or Lancome
I would definitely go to a makeup counter like NARS or Bobbi Brown or something...they will generally do a free makeup appointment, keeping in mind that you will be buying at least a few of the products.
I know NARS makes a "face chart" whenever they do your makeup, which is basically a piece of paper with a giant face that has a list of all the makeup they used and how/where to put it on your face. Then you can either do your own makeup with the chart and the products you buy, or have a friend that's good with makeup help out :)
The makeup school idea sounds good.,..I would kind of wonder about the makeup counter- their goal is to sell u stuff...and the lighting there is different than where u will be..
I am planning to apply make in my class corner..
How to Apply Makeup
I know there are some make-up tutorial blogs out there. Give it a search and see what pops up. I still have a post starred about how to make myself up to look like Jem! :) By golly one of these years I will be Jem for Halloween...just have to find my Holograms first!
Every girl has a friend who is amazing at applying makeup right? I have a few myself and in college, we would get in line and wait for Denise to do our make up.
I would recommend NARS or MAC too as far as places go. Although when I leave MAC I sometimes feel like my face is a disco ball, but it's really not.
I'm the same usually very little to no makeup and I was getting married on the beach, so natural was necessary. Bobbi Brown was recommended to me by another bride and although it was very expensive to buy all the products she recomended, it turned out great! I love their bronzer and they have great natural colors. If you buy things here and there over the next few weeks/months it shouldn't be too bad. Good luck!
I got super lucky and found a friend of a friend who was a semi-professional makeup artist. We had to do two trials because her idea of natural and my idea of natural were a little different. Put the word out - you might get lucky. The Bobbi Brown counter is probably a little safer than the MAC counter, at least based on my experience.
I TOTALLY WANT TO BE A HOLOGRAM (from Jem and the Holograms) for Halloween!
Hmm. I vote for spending some time at some different makeup counters, and finding colors/looks you really like. Practice doing it yourself.
Honestly? I am a minimal makeup person, and anytime I've let anyone else near me with makeup brushes, I felt like I looked like a road whore. I did my own makeup for my wedding, and was very happy with it.
Also, you can check out the Glamour and Cosmo and stuff- they have articles about how to reconstruct a particular look.
If a friend offers, and you're comfortable with that, I think it's a good option as well.
Rach paid for a makeup artist for her wedding, and I think she could have done just as well on her own...
I'd agree that it might be worth a shot to check out beauty schools nearby, or even the avon/mary kay ladies. they are usually willing to help you out, especially if you'll buy some of the make-up (and they'll teach you how to use it, too!).
one of my friends went to the MAC counter, got all gussied up, bought what she needed/wanted for less than $200 and was able to replicate it herself. (Take your mom with you, too! And take pitures!) Then you have the knowledge + product for less than the cost of the trial run + day of makeup!
WHOA! $200 for a trial and application?! That is ridiculous!
On my wedding day, I wanted to have someone professional do it so it was sure to be polished and fresh looking, so I completely understand that side of it. I ended up going to a MAC counter and made sure to emphasize (kindly) that I didn't want to look like a drag queen. The girl did a really good job! I think I ended up spending a little money on my lipstick and lipgloss for my bridesmaids, but it was nowhere near $200. I think you have to actually purchase something for them to do a full face for an event, but it may be worth looking into!
Those photos are GREAT, by the way! I could totally see you wearing one of those looks and still looking like yourself.
A mix of the above options! Take a friend with you that you know knows makeup and go to a counter (MAC has great tips especially...). Go over options and get tips. A lot of people will help if you let them know you are trying to get ideas for your wedding. I had my Maid of Honor do my makeup and it was beautiful. Simple and glamorous. Because you don't want anything crazy, it should be easy! Besides, you want to look like a better version of you, not someone else.
I'd definitely go with a make up counter run through and have them sort of teach you the techniques and be very clear with what you want. If you like it enough and it's convenient, you could always make an appointment with them the day of your wedding but I'm not sure if that fits into your logistics. Or maybe hint at the make up artist that you're looking to hire someone for the day off on the side. Maybe they want a side gig? I have friends who do that. If only you lived here I would give you their numbers!
You know I would be happy to do your makeup, yes? Now the distance is a problem, but if you went to Clinique or somewhere and got some basic stuff for your skin I know I have things that could work for your eyes and lips. It'd certainly be easier for Katrina or Megan to go shopping with you, but if they've got too many bridesmaid duties, seriously, I'm here!
I had no clue it costs so much for that stuff! personally, I would try to learn myself. There's actually a lot of tutorials on you tube that could help you out.
I would definitely enlist the help of a very willing friend. Read some info online, visit a makeup counter, do some research. Do a trial run with her and then have her help you day of. It sounds like it will be fun and since you don't need/want that much, it won't be overly difficult or stressful :)
My makeup cost $100 for my sister's wedding and I LOVED it but still! I'm in my friends' wedding next month and she's letting us do whatever we want/not organizing anything. I'm relieved (cost-wise), but scared I'm going to look all a mess!!
Sues
Not to go against the trend I think thats pretty reasonable pricing although you can get some for a little less. It is your wedding day and they will know the best way for you to look along with what with photo best and if they throw in hair, you should do it. They should def do your hair and makeup for that price but a trial run is a definite good idea. Honestly I think its worth it but either way youll look beautiful!
Veronica
i'm sure a bazillion people have already suggest this but: go to a makeup counter for a brand you like. When I think of simple and light, I think of Clinique or origins, not MAC or Lancome. for my wedding i wanted high glamour, high fashion so for me it was worth every penny of the $350 I spent. If that's not what you want you will resent spending the money since it could've gone towards italy, etc. so, yeah, go to a makeup counter. but make sure to make an appointment!! lots of people think you dont have to but it's not a gamble you can afford. and also, you can ask who works that shift so you can meet the people and see who you lik ebest.
I wasn't planning on paying for someone to do my makeup for my wedding & was just going to do it myself -- but the day of my wedding, the girl doing my hair offered to do my makeup for free. SCORE! Afterward I added some more eyeliner of my own and I was good to go!
It seems like it might be stressful to go to a makeup counter the day of your wedding, so I would either go buy some makeup (maybe have Clinique or another counter recommend a few items and do a trial run with the stuff they pick out) and do it yourself the day of your wedding or have a friend do it for you. Maybe you could start wearing a little bit of makeup before the wedding to see how you like it on yourself, experiment with what colors of eyeshadow you like, etc.
Usually I don't like when friends do my makeup for me, but that's just a personal preference!
I know that whatever you choose to do, you are going to look just beautiful!
p.s. But yeah, $200 sounds OUT OF CONTROL! ack!
I paid to have my makeup done professionally. But my mom wanted hers done too, so it was taken care of. Pricey, yes, but I looked great. My skin looked amazing, and I thought it was worth every penny.
Ask around at salons. That's what I did for my wedding. The makeup artist came to my house, did my makeup, my mom's, my bridesmaid's and even my SIL's makeup and it wasn't $200 I can promise you! Plus, she knew exactly what I meant when I said I wanted it to look like I did it, but better (which is how it sounds you want your makeup). Seriously, word of mouth is the way to go. Good luck finding someone!
hey katelyn - i'm a makeup artist AND a july bride. I'd be happy to help you out and work w/ in your budget@
just let me know!!!
email me!! Amber: btrflygoddess@yahoo.com
I don't know if you have Ulta out by you, but I went there and one of the saleswomen took me around the store, showed me what to buy, what to splurge on, what to save on, and how to put it all on. It cost $150 but the best part? I got to keep the makeup and it's all SO reusable!
I can ask Starr if she will do it :) You probably will need foundation (which you can use from me) and she's good at keeping it fresh and simple if you'd like.
I'll see if she can do a trial run and then we can go from there!
<3 Kourt
I did my own make-up for my wedding... I had gone to Sephora and had them do it and took a bunch of notes :-) and then I did it while my hair was being done...
I say you got to some makeup counters and have them do it. Then when you find one you like practice and practice that look until you can do it yourself.
I'll 100th the recommendation for a make up counter. My sister in law and I went to Bobbi Brown for a dry run application (each bought the lipstick), and then came back with the same gal and did it again (bought the eyeliner and powder). It's worth the $35-$40 or whatever not to have the extra stress of doing it yourself or having a friend do it (though there is a willing army of 7 standing by!). You will appreciate a pro handling those fluttering eyelashes. :)
I also wanted to look natural on my wedding day and, in fact, B said if I came down the aisle looking like a clown he would leave. The makeup person did great. I loved the airbrushed foundation. It was quite a process.
However, $200 for a trial run sounds ridiculous! I don't know what the answer is, I just know I would want someone else to do it. You will be too nervous/excited to do it yourself.
I would either talk to a friend whose makeup you love and have them give you a demo and then pick up the products or go to a counter and get some help. BUT only buy the items you actually need. I would skip MAC too because they are HEAVY on the makeup but maybe a NARS or something
I think "froofy" is my new favorite word.
Your blog is so cute!
I would suggest definitely doing a trial and make sure you take pictures with your trial makeup on. Sometimes it looks great on and even in person and then you see the pictures and for some reason you're two shades lighter or darker.
Laura Mercier is great for people of color (in articles in InStyle magazine both Halle Berry, Gabrielle Union and Zoe Saldana swear by it).
Now that I think of it, Megan has done my makeup at most of the "fancy" events that I've attended and its always looked great. I'm sure shell have good and honest advice.
Good luck! I'm sure you'll look great!
I'm not a big makeup wearer either, and I did my own makeup for my wedding. I talked with salespeople to help get good colors, and I took lessons from my friends on the more complicated stuff. And then, I practiced doing my wedding look as often as I could. Easy peasy, and totally worth saving money on.
Gah. That's ridiculous about the pricing for a makeup person! I just... wow.
What I'm going to do is go to Sephora or Mac or another makeup store and get the person to give me a makeover. I'm going to purchase what they use (if I like it), and get them to explain to me how to do it. And then I'm going to take that explanation and give it to one of my bridesmaids... a few of whom are awesome at makeup stuff. Maybe one of your girls could help you out?
I had one makeup trial in the months before my wedding. And I looked so stupid I was embarrassed walking the short distance from the shop to my car. After that I was too scared to even try someone else, which was a bit of an over-reaction.
So instead I bought a bunch of new makeup at Target (I never go for anything pricey) and then just spent a lot of time carefully applying it before my wedding. It turns out that if not rushing to, say, get to work in the morning, I can actually pull off a decent makeup job.
And here's the other thing... I'm pretty sure I could have not been wearing makeup at all and still looked great. There's something of a wedding glow that just works wonders.
You'll look lovely!
um.. i want to look like halle berry too! I did my own wedding makeup, but the past couple of weddings i've been in, they've hired a makeup artist, and honestly? I think its totally worth the money (just don't buy coffee for a week and you're good!) But you are also naturally gorgeous so whatever you do you will be glowing and amazing.
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