Bobbi makeup lesson/DIY for your wedding day or get a MUA?

[Slightlystressedbride]

I know there's been a few recent threads about the costs of MUAs lately but I'm really looking for people's experiences of what they did.

For context, I'm not a makeup expert - each day it's just a basic sheer foundation, bit of undereye concealer and mascara, that's it. I rarely wear eyeshadow or lipstick and I don't know much about contouring/shading (is that what they call it these days??) I'd be after quite a natural look.

Toying with going to Bobbi Brown and getting their bridal makeup lesson vs just getting an expert to do it on the day.

Obviously pros to the latter - one less thing to think about, hopefully they do a better job than me! Cons - cost, how much of a better job would they actually do, plus it's one more timing/supplier to fit into the morning and worry about.

Really interested in people's experiences, whether getting a MUA was worth it, whether they did their own and it was fine? Especially if you've done the Bobbi Brown thing, would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you.

In my experience make up artists on counters aren’t qualified or experienced in wedding make up. I mean, they will have some experience but usually at home, doing friends and the training given for their particular counter brand. I don’t think I have ever been to a counter where I have been pleased with the results.

An experienced MUA is likely to have gone to college, had several years of experience, particularly in bridal make up so knowing what will and won’t work with flash photography etc.

I think it’s all about research. Get recommendations. Regardless of doing it yourself and having an MUA in, both need time on the day. Also, my experience with an MUA is that they will help on the morning generally, not just put your face on and leave.

Not Bobbi Brown, but I went to Clinique with a good friend who always had immaculate make up. She watched, asked questions and made notes while the Clinique lady did my make up. I bought a few Clinique items, and friend had a practice before the wedding, then did my make up on the day. She did a fantastic job, I still looked like "me", and we saved a fortune.

I'd been put off using a MUA as had seen friends use them for weddings and wasn't impressed.

Thanks both. I think the training part is a good point.

@tattychicken did your makeup last the whole day?

Yes it did, with the odd lippy touch up.

Slightly different as I actually couldn't find a MUA in my area for my wedding day, so I was forced to do my own, but so glad that I did!! I researched as much as I could, watched millions of YouTube's and TikTok's on makeup basics, and spent about £300 on really good quality products (mostly Huda, Charlotte Tilbury and Huda). My makeup was perfect and I really felt like myself - albeit myself with a big face of make up on - in a way that a MUA may not have been able to make me feel.

Urban decay's setting spray was incredible for me, I didnt have to do any touch up's, and I also bought the byredo waterproof mascara which didn't shift one jot. The only bad thing was getting it off at the end of the day!

If you're going Diy, do make sure your skincare is up to scratch too - good make up needs good skincare. And use a primer! The Huda one is fab.

If you are doing it yourself don't use something like touché eclat. It will make you look like a ghost off the flash in your photos.

I went to a make up counter had a lesson and bought some make up from there and from other brands and just did my own. The advantage was I kept the make up so was handy on honeymoon !

Oh wow it sounds like way more work than I'd considered doing it yourself! But I guess it makes a lot of sense, that's why the professionals are professionals!

OK dumb questions time - presumably makeup is the last thing you do? How long does it take (MUA or DIY?)

Wedding is at 2, 5 min journey to venue.
Planning to be done with hair at 11, latest 11.30.

Bearing in mind I want to be able to have a quick sandwich or something for lunch, what time would you get MUA in for given that schedule? (Or start yourself)

12.30? Or is that really late?

I can't believe a few months ago I honestly thought I'd have time to do parkrun at 9am 🤣🤦‍♀️

Love the idea of doing a park run on your wedding day!!

I finished my hair and got home about 12, started makeup about 12.30 for a 2pm wedding (venue about 10 mins away from home). I think it took me about 35-45 mins?

I'd done a lot of dry runs before so was well-practiced ! The only problem was that every time I went into work with my practice make up I got SO many compliments on how good I looked 😂 wish I was one of those women who could put that amount of make up on every day but it's too much effort for me - after the wedding it was straight back to tinted moisturizer and a slick of mascara

I was all set on MUA but had 3 disaster trials with people supposedly specialising in bridal makeup. They all used far too orange base products and did really harsh contouring. I gave up and went to bobbi brown counter. I purchased few of their products and did my own makeup on the day. I wear only foundation and mascara daily so no expert. I had lash extensions, facial and brows done leading up to the day. I only wanted to look like a good version of myself and it worked out perfect.
As for MUA helping on the morning.. I had 3 bridesmaids, I couldn't have coped with any more people faffing about haha!

If you are doing your own buy Skindinavia Bridal Spray after each layer of product and at the end.It will keep it on all day.

I actually fired my MUA 3 days before my wedding because she was so rude to me during the pre-wedding trial run. Did it myself, took about half an hour and was absolutely fine