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Original poster

To do my own makeup?

102 replies

Tonicandginn · 09/12/2018 17:03

Hi everyone,

I am getting married abroad next year, and the hotel we are having the ceremony in obviously offers makeup and hair services. But it is so expensive! I’m talking £150ish for hair and the same for makeup, and I’ve got my two bridesmaids to think about as well.

So I’m thinking about doing my own make up - I’ve got a few months to practice. Would I bitterly regret this? Has anyone else done there own?

OP posts:
PixiKitKat · 09/12/2018 17:22

I plan to do my own and treat myself to some new make up with the money saved. I also have over a year to learn how to curl my hair, or find a friend that can do it on the day as I'm not paying for a hairdresser.

Kittykat89 · 09/12/2018 17:22

Buy a good primer and do your own. I wished I had, I spent £1300 on hair and make up (7 of us) and I preferred the bridesmaids' to mine. They didn't do mine how I'm used to at all, far too bridal (pink and neutral where I'd have preferred a smoky eye even if toned down)

adaline · 09/12/2018 17:23

I did my own! I got my hair washed and styled (cost my mum and I £40 for the both of us - we just booked a regular appointment) and then went home and did my make-up myself. All these wedding "deals" are such a rip-off.

Topofthehills · 09/12/2018 17:28

I did my own, no regrets at all.

In the 6 months prior, I did try out some new things / have a lesson at MAC. Got some in the January sales. I watched some YouTube videos and tried out some techniques to make stuff last longer (e.g. primer, which I wouldn't normally use).

I wore the whole "look" a couple of times for a whole day, so I could see how it looked after a busy day. Wore it once to a work party too.

Very pleased, but was worth all the practice so that I wasn't worrying on the day. I still use the products! Probably spent around £100, which was less than a professional.

Topofthehills · 09/12/2018 17:30

I did get my hair done, though. That was the thing I really wanted done specially - though if I'd had a bit of a smaller wedding I might not have done that either.

Biancadelriosback · 09/12/2018 17:32

At my DSis wedding, me and the other bridesmaid were responsible for hair and makeup. I did everyone's hair and she did everyone's makeup. DS went for a makeup trial at a concession in boots and bought a bunch of stuff and took loads of pics so we had a reference point. Was good fun and the pics looked lush!

Halfling · 09/12/2018 17:32

I would pay for the hair to be done professionally. Makeup can be done on your own if you watch all the YouTube videos and research and practise the look properly.

Topofthehills · 09/12/2018 17:32

(Sorry, last post.) My other tip would be to take some photos of yourself in the make up in different lights - you can get a good idea of what you'll like when you see it in a photo.

DarcieStarlight · 09/12/2018 17:33

I would do my own too. Make up artists these days seem intent on giving you the full shebang. I had a professional make up artist do me a trial run for bridesmaids make up last year. I looked awful, she just didn't get what I wanted at all. I waited until about a week before the wedding and spoke to the bride and told her I couldn't justify spending £50 on make up when I could do my own better. She completely agreed with me.
I did my own make up that morning and even the make up artist admitted I had done a better job of my own face than she had done.
I've known my face for 30 years, I know what looks right.
Just as you will. Save your money and just go a little bit extra than your usual routine. You could always pay for a nice set of semi perm lashes so that you feel a bit more glammed up than usual, you can keep your make up at a minimum but still feel like you've made an effort.

Fluffyears · 09/12/2018 17:39

I did pay just because i’m Shit at doing my hair which is fine, flat and like toddler hair so I needed a hairdresser. I am good at doing my make up and went for a £50 MAC lesson which was redeemable against products but the package came with both hair and make-up and it was a relief not to have to worry on the day.

Thehop · 09/12/2018 17:42

You could go to a counter for a make up trial? They’ll show you how to use products and you can buy some on the day to take which will negate my charge as they will refund the value of the service against what you buy if that makes sense?

I’ve had it done at eater Lauder Lancôme and Mac over the years.

toolazytothinkofausername · 09/12/2018 17:45

I did my own. I got married aged 21 so had flawless skin. If I got married now aged 31 I'd need an entire team to fix my face.

prettywhiteguitar · 09/12/2018 17:47

I went to Laura mercier and asked for make up that was good for photos, she did a lovely job and the make up looked great on photos, job done !

prettywhiteguitar · 09/12/2018 17:48

Sorry that should say I copied what she did and it looked nice on the day

DontCallMeCharlotte · 09/12/2018 17:51

Just bear in mind what looks good in Debenhams in December may look very different in a bright sunny climate, especially if you've picked up a bit of a tan Smile

AnnaMagnani · 09/12/2018 18:05

I did my own and I never usually wear makeup. I used a Lisa Eldridge tutorial and it was fine, didn't buy that much stuff either.

Got a lot of comments about how nice it looked - I wanted to look me, but better, not caked on or fake.

I also did my own hair copied from a youtube tutorial and that took more practice but also worked well on the day.

Think I did this makeup look:

www.lisaeldridge.com/video/25786/summer-in-the-city-heat-proof-makeup-tutorial/#.XA1YtemYSqQ

But I can't remember and after I had watched a gazillion of her videos I had kind of got the gist of what to do, what products she uses over and over again and that you can do a lot with not many products. For example I did not bother with contouring, highlighting, multiple fancy brow thingies, and remained inept at eyeliner and it was still all fine.

Eliza9917 · 09/12/2018 18:15

Google flashback. You have to get the right foundation for photos.

Livpool · 09/12/2018 18:37

You could get a make up session with Mac. You can offset the cost to purchase something. This is what I did. I bought a more expensive foundation as I thought it would last longer xx

Purplehammer · 09/12/2018 18:41

Never been to a wedding and thought “the bride looks nice ,pity she didn’t have a professional to do her make up.”
You will look beautiful on the day.

Monkeynuts18 · 09/12/2018 18:45

You know, I paid about £150 for a professional to do my make up, and if I had my time again I’d do it myself.

She just troweled too much on. And I have extremely dry skin and she used one of those spray-on foundations - honestly, in close-ups it looks awful - really cakey, accentuates pore and every fine line.

As others have said you can get a lesson or get tips from any of the upmarket make up brands.

Graphista · 09/12/2018 19:03

I used to work in the industry - far more do their own than people realise.

I've also known quite a few brides & bm who were nice to mua but soon as they left wiped the lot off and REdid themselves.

I did my own, bought fresh products to start using on the day but basically the same make up I always used. I don't like strangers touching me nor the thought of using products/brushes that have been used on others (disclaimer Dx OCD) and allergies mean it was just easier to stick to products I know than risk hives on my wedding day!

Practice plenty in the run up and you should be fine.

I got a relatively simple updo done at my regular hairdressers too, made the mistake of wearing a new crew neck t shirt though that mum had to cut the neck a bit to get it off! Twit I was!

Catmum26 · 09/12/2018 19:08

there’s nothing wrong with doing your own but you might want to invest in some higher quality makeup if you don’t already have it. something like a nice foundation and a decent primer and setting powder as if you are having a professional photographer any makeup mishaps will be a lot more obvious when you have high res images! could you maybe look into whether any makeup artists in your area offer a service where they can teach you how to do your own makeup? a few near me offer makeup masterclasses for not too outrageous prices, it could be a nice thing for you and your bridesmaids to do as a kind of hen activity?

MyBabyBoyBlue · 09/12/2018 19:38

I did my own and also no regrets!

AmIRightOrAMeringue · 09/12/2018 19:48

I was the same. If it's sbroad in summer a lot of it will sweat off anyway!

Go for trials first at things like mac (trained make-up artists), bobbi brown (the most neutral posh brand) or even get a make up artist who has been recommended or who's done a friends wedding to come and give you a tutorial. You'll pay but will be much cheaper

Watch bridal make-up YouTube tutorials

Practice practice practice

You've got plenty time to hone your skills!

Two things I would say my make-up artist friend told me - lots of people know how to do their own make-up well. But -

  1. Not many people know how to make it last. Most weddings are over a few hours. Primer, really push it into the skin and setting spray and it will look good all evening
  1. Most make up looks good either in real life but then looks a bit too subtle in photos, or looks a bit clown like in real life but great in photos. Apparently most brides choose stronger make up that looks good in photos even if it's more than they would wear normally. When you practice at home get someone to take a picture of you with the flash on and smiling so you can see how it will look - different to just looking in the mirror

Good luck!

Andcake · 09/12/2018 19:51

Did my own but one of my bridesmaids was interested in make up so offered some tips. I'd just recommend a good setting spray to keep it looking nice all day

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