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Original poster

Is this makeup heavy enough for wedding?

95 replies

Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:16

Getting married in Summer

I have quite a specific make up look that I like. Just wondering if you think it is appropriate for wedding day? Will I need more makeup in order to show up for photos?

I’m 29, have clear skin and luckily am considered pretty.

Do I need more makeup?

I always think mumsnetters are very practical and make points I never even think of.

So thanks in advance!

Is this makeup heavy enough for wedding?
Is this makeup heavy enough for wedding?
OP posts:
Parker231 · 12/05/2025 20:54

Cherrytree86 · 12/05/2025 20:49

@Parker231

lol do you think women who wear makeup don’t look like themselves? I can tell you now - they do, just their feature and enhanced. So you absolutely could have worn makeup and still would have looked like yourself.

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I wouldn’t have felt like me with make up covering up my skin, eye lids,etc.

Pebbles16 · 12/05/2025 20:50

I went to two weddings for the same bride and groom a couple of years ago. First one was super formal and the make up artist railroaded the bride into layers of make up and lashes. The photos were great but she felt hot and miserable - and it showed in her eyes.
Her second wedding was less formal - photos were amazing because she looked happier, natural and more comfortable.
No point to this really, but just make sure you feel happy in your skin (with as much make up as you can put up with)

Cherrytree86 · 12/05/2025 20:49

Parker231 · 12/05/2025 20:41

I didn’t wear any makeup on my wedding day - the photos still looked good. I didn’t want the photos to look like someone I wasn’t.

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@Parker231

lol do you think women who wear makeup don’t look like themselves? I can tell you now - they do, just their feature and enhanced. So you absolutely could have worn makeup and still would have looked like yourself.

Cherrytree86 · 12/05/2025 20:44

CatrionaBalfour · 12/05/2025 20:24

Like I say. Your choice. I've never worn foundation because I've always had good skin.

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@CatrionaBalfour

everybody’s skin could look better with foundation, it’s literally what it’s designed for!

Cherrytree86 · 12/05/2025 20:43

CatrionaBalfour · 12/05/2025 20:18

That look is going to date quickly. Go for a timeless look. No foundation, light touch mascara, light touch lipgloss.
You'll look lovely, not overdone and not dated!

@CatrionaBalfour

eh? What makes you think this look will go out of date really quickly? It’s hardly something out there and really high fashion

Original poster
Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:42

Scrap my last message. That is way too much eye make up for me.

OP posts:
Parker231 · 12/05/2025 20:41

Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:19

I definitely want foundation on my wedding day!

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I didn’t wear any makeup on my wedding day - the photos still looked good. I didn’t want the photos to look like someone I wasn’t.

JudithOnHolidayAgain · 12/05/2025 20:40

I wanted to look like myself on my wedding day. I've been to some weddings where I almost didn't recognise the bride and know a few brides who regretted using a make up artist.
Whatever "look" you decide on make sure you try it out first and are happy.

Original poster
Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:40

Maybe I could go slightly heavier on the eyes?

(not a fan of the lip colour in this image - at least it wouldn’t suit me. I need more pink)

Is this makeup heavy enough for wedding?
OP posts:
Nopenousername · 12/05/2025 20:39

CatrionaBalfour · 12/05/2025 20:18

That look is going to date quickly. Go for a timeless look. No foundation, light touch mascara, light touch lipgloss.
You'll look lovely, not overdone and not dated!

Nah. I don’t wear foundation but would definitely wear it on my wedding day. Who gets married wearing “light touch mascara” and a lipgloss?

minipie · 12/05/2025 20:39

I think this is a lovely, made-up but fairly natural look. If you are part Indian with strong brows and lashes, your features are unlikely to fade away in photos - think this is more of a concern for pale brides with very light brows and lashes.

If you think you need further definition for photos I would consider adding some (brown not black) eyeliner. Definitely not heavier on the lips.

Definitely agree with a primer and/or setting spray. Urban Decay setting spray is supposed to be the best by a long way. Primers there are a few good ones around.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 12/05/2025 20:37

Don’t think about wasting your make up, think about enjoying it.

Original poster
Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:36

JustMeHello · 12/05/2025 20:34

Just wear what you want op. If you don't feel comfortable the you'll keep coming back to it and wishing you'd done something differently. I think that looks like really heavy makeup, but that's me, not you. If you're comfortable, then it's right

Interesting. See themake up to me is definitely heavier than everyday but I wouldn’t consider it event makeup. Maybe makeup to go for a special dinner?

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 12/05/2025 20:36

There is no minimum level of make up appropriate for a wedding

Original poster
Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:35

I don’t want to waste my wedding makeup trial so really want to nail down what I want beforehand

OP posts:
JustMeHello · 12/05/2025 20:34

Just wear what you want op. If you don't feel comfortable the you'll keep coming back to it and wishing you'd done something differently. I think that looks like really heavy makeup, but that's me, not you. If you're comfortable, then it's right

Fatrosrhun · 12/05/2025 20:34

blubbyblub · 12/05/2025 20:27

The eye makeup is extremely classic. The brows I would go slightly less bold if you wants to look timeless. Not as bold but not thin either. The natural looking foundation is perfect. Use setting spray, something like One Size which won’t change the finish but is budge proof. The lips in the close up picture is more classic

I agree with this. It looks pretty natural to me, and the brows aren’t even ridiculously OTT, which is the main thing that will date make up from nowadays, along with pulling silly pouts!

I don’t wear foundation often, but did on my wedding day. Although I agree that you don’t need particularly heavy makeup for the photos- unless you’re having especially staged, lit up photo shoot type photos.

Original poster
Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:33

I would say this is close to my everyday make up - ie nude pink lips, slight definition around the eyes, with liner/powder, thick brows and a dewy finish. I am sending inspiration pics to my make up artist and will get her input.

I hate anything too matte.

I don’t mind that lived in look - just after I have had my pics taken!

OP posts:
HobnobsChoice · 12/05/2025 20:31

I'm always intrigued by this idea that the bride needs more make up so she shows up in the picture. Nobody says that about the groom. Os it just because brides tend to be wearing a pale colour (in which case do your make up tests on something a similar colour) and they might look washed out. Or is it just that we are so conditioned to see women with make up on.

Original poster
Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:31

MrsKateColumbo · 12/05/2025 20:30

Are you the lady on the right? That's the nicest makeup of the two so yes go for that x

I wish!

OP posts:
MrsKateColumbo · 12/05/2025 20:30

Loreal setting spray is brilliant

MrsKateColumbo · 12/05/2025 20:30

Are you the lady on the right? That's the nicest makeup of the two so yes go for that x

Original poster
Gloska · 12/05/2025 20:30

blubbyblub · 12/05/2025 20:27

The eye makeup is extremely classic. The brows I would go slightly less bold if you wants to look timeless. Not as bold but not thin either. The natural looking foundation is perfect. Use setting spray, something like One Size which won’t change the finish but is budge proof. The lips in the close up picture is more classic

I have very dark, thick brows (1/4 Indian). I get them threaded into a natural arch shape. I chose models with dark brows so I could see the overall effect a bit better .

I think I need to research setting sprays. Thanks!

OP posts:
MidnightScroller · 12/05/2025 20:28

I think the lips are too dark/overglossed - looks too much for a wedding imo. Night out make up for dark sweaty rooms isn’t the same as nice romantic floaty dress type make up. You do you though!

Justgoingforaweeliedown · 12/05/2025 20:28

Hi OP. I don't think you'll need more make up for it to show or last. I wear fairly light make up and don't have a very make-uppy look day to day. Like a PP said, I went for a slightly elevated version of my normal look so felt like me and it came up looking really natural in the photos. Have a trial with your make up artist (if you're having one). Your photographer will make the most of the light and have fantastic equipment so you won't need to go really heavy for it to show.