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Original poster

Weddings- better to do own make up or pay someone?

41 replies

ParanoidAtAllTimes · 17/07/2010 15:59

Dp and I have just got engaged and we're going to be on a bit of a budget! One possible saving is if I do my own make up- perhaps to buy a nice foundation/new eyeshadow etc and try to do something a bit different. Has anyone done this? Or is it worth getting it done professionally? Any tips from DIYers?

TIA

OP posts:
krisskross · 17/07/2010 16:03

we got married on a bit of a budget too- someone recommended the bobby brown counter in john lewis as they do it quite cheaply apparenlty (though you prob dont want to go their on your wedding day).

In the end i got a recommendation of a woman (in north london if thats any help?) and it cost £100- but it was totally worth it as it really did look great (loads better than i would ever have done it!). when you think about it you could easily spend £20 on foundation and it might be crap. have a lovely day!

BitOfFun · 17/07/2010 16:06

I did my own make-up many moons ago when I got married, and it looked fine. I don't think I'd like somebody else to do it because I want to look like me, not an air hostess! I think it's an obvious area to save money in, assuming you're competent at it.

muggglewump · 17/07/2010 16:10

I've never been married but there's lots of tutorials for different looks on Youtube if you have a search.

Pingpong · 17/07/2010 16:16

I only wear a little bit of make-up occasionally and never bother with foundation/blusher/bronzer etc but wanted a more professional look for my wedding. Getting a professional was not an option as the wedding was in a really remote spot. I went to the Clinique counter at John Lewis and they were great and helped me choose some appropriate products and showed me how to apply them properly. I was pleased with the end result and felt quite natural but it lasted all day. Like BOF I didn't want to look like an airhostess!

DrSpechemin · 17/07/2010 16:45

I did my own - I went to a bobbi brown counter and got a makeover bought the essentials and still use all the colours today. Their website isn't working at the moment but I'm sure I remember seeing some bridal 'looks' on there before.

apple99 · 17/07/2010 17:59

Do your own. I think you can look overly made up and not like yourself when done professionally, especially if you don't usually wear a lot of make up. I would recommend getting a make over at the counter of your chosen brand and go from there, you can try to re-create the look they do but with a less heavy hand.

paisleyleaf · 17/07/2010 18:03

I did my own. Having someone else do it wasn't something that I wanted at all - or even really occurred to me.

Original poster
ParanoidAtAllTimes · 17/07/2010 19:53

Thanks for responses everyone! Have looked on YouTube and the lovely Geordie lass does some good tutorials. Will also have a look at some of the make up counters and ask their advice. Don't want to look like an air hostess! Like Smac, I don't wear much make up normally. Thank you lovely mners

OP posts:
mimiasovitch · 17/07/2010 19:57

I did my own makeup and looked amazing - course that was 16 years and much more gorgeous ago. I would recommend bare minerals foundation as it gives lovely coverage, lasts and is most importantly, easy to apply. Plus you get to keep the goodies after the big day.

moragbellingham · 17/07/2010 20:57

I got married in 2007 and Bobbi Brown had a bridal look palette and instructions. It was very natural and I bought it.

I chatted to the girl behind the counter and she offered to do my make up in store if I went in early for free. Thought I might be a bit busy though(with a 3 month old baby too). She also said everyone at BB were trained make-up artists and gave me her number if I wanted her to pop over pre-wedding. I had no idea how much a make-up artist cost and wish I'd asked as she gave me the impression it wouldn't be too much.

Do you live near a BB counter and could ask one of them to do your make-up the week before and give you some tips pre-wedding?

LimaCharlie · 18/07/2010 08:10

Buying good quality products can be expensive if you're not going to use them although a friend of mine is still using her wedding foundation 12 years on

DSIS got a package that included bride, bridesmaid and mother of bride and a trial run - she thought it really worth the money as the make up looked great and lasted all day and night.

So, errr not much help there am I -

margherita76 · 19/07/2010 10:13

Getting a makeup artist doesn't mean you will look like an air hostess. Far from it. The one thing I always get asked is for 'like myself but more beautiful'. I would never plaster on makeup for a wedding. Just defending my profession! That said, if you don't have the budget go to a Laura Mercier counter perhaps, or bobbi brown as suggested. Don't feel pressured to buy anything but I would say it's worth investing in a good base and a good smudge proof mascara. Clinique curling marcara is v good. Also, creme blushers are good ( bobbi brown) as you can apply with fingers. And use as lipcolour ( alone or mixed with balm). Good luck!

lulabellarama · 19/07/2010 10:16

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
ParanoidAtAllTimes · 19/07/2010 12:09

Oooh more tips, thank you everyone! I will see if there is a BB counter near me, sounds good. I think I need to strike the balance between buying good products and not spending too much as the whole point is to save money! Mind, if I found a foundation I really liked (that doesn't emphasise my dry skin like they normally do ) I would definitely use it again.

margherita- thanks for specific tips; base, clinique mascara and creme blusher . I'm reasonable at applying my own make up but I'm pretty stuck in a rut products wise IYSWIM.

lulabella- Def going for a proper hairdresser though- I have zero skill with hair!

OP posts:
TrillianAstra · 19/07/2010 12:12

I would do it myself, but (plenty of time before) go to a makeup counter and get the people there to do a tutorial - not just putting stuff on but a 'I'll do one eye and you copy on the other side' proper lesson. Then practise lots, with the help of YouTube.

theITgirl · 19/07/2010 12:19

My hairdresser did my make-up.
Had a trial run beforehand of hair & face & liked the effect - no airhostess look at all.
She came to the flat on the day of the wedding and did me & the bridesmaids.
Cannot remember what it cost 12 years ago but was very reasonable.

harverina · 19/07/2010 12:19

I did my own make up because I have never liked my make up when it has been done by someone else in the past. However, it didnt help our budget at all as I spent £300 on lancome products for the big day, and TBH it hardly looked like I'd bought anything!

If you think you would prefer to do it yoursef then I wouldnt waste money on someone else doing it. But if you think you would like to have it done then go for it - its all part of the morning preparations and you can cut back on other things.

InmyheadIminParis · 19/07/2010 12:20

I did my own - just like BitOfFun I was very nervous of looking like a cosmetics counter girl/airhostess.

Instead I took myself around a couple of very posh makeup boutiques / counters, told them that I was looking for new makeup for my wedding. They made me over and I treated myself to a couple of new bits of make up then did it myself.

Much cheaper, I felt like myself plus I still had some gorgeous new make-up to wear afterwards.

Chesterado · 19/07/2010 19:12

I roped in a very lovely friend who has always been fab at doing make up. We jointly went to Bobbi Brown in Peter Jones and she more or less copied the bits I liked from them and scrapped the bits I didn't. I spent about £75 on products and brushes, but at least I'm still using or have used all of them two years on.

As we went on a Sat am in August there was someone else in there who was actually there on the morning of her wedding getting it done - looked a bit stressful to be as they constantly kept asking how much longer it would take!!!

iloveasylumseekers · 19/07/2010 19:16

I've been married 7 years and I still use some of the brushes and products I used when I got married. I used Bobbi Brown too, and bought the whole "look" then just practised until I had it completely right. I did my sister's wedding makeup too, as well as my mum's for both weddings.

WannabeMakeUpArtist · 19/07/2010 20:36

Please don't tar us all with the same brush!

Any good Make Up Artist worth her salt will listen to what the client wants, ask about their usual Make Up Routine and conduct a trial spending time talking to the bride about what they want. Again, most people just tell me that they want to look like themselves but a more polished version.

But, if you are confident in your own abilities and are likely to get your monies worth from buying the required products then go for it, if not try a Make Up Artist.... you never know you might like it!

ReasonableDoubt · 19/07/2010 20:51

I had a super budget wedding - very small, registry office affair, dress in Monsoon sale, lunch in a nearby restaurant afterwards etc. But I did pay for a make-up artist to do my make-up and I'm glad I did. Mainly because it looked good in the photos. She charged £150 all in for my hair and make-up - found her at a local hair salon and she did a free consultation with me and tried out the make-up look (not the hair though - I just picked it out of her portfolio pics). Money well spent in my opinion. And she wasn't too heavy handed.
I am not great at doing make-up, though, so would have struggled.

minipie · 19/07/2010 21:05

I did my own and was very happy with it (loads of compliments too!). And it meant I had an excuse to buy lots of lovely new make up.

I had a trial with a make up artist and it was terrible.

The colours were all wrong (she didn't have any foundation pale enough for me) and she couldn't cope with my acne at all - whereas I am good at covering it after years of practice .

I think a make up artist would be great if you want something different to your usual look, but if you are happy with your usual make up style then stick with DIY.

My top tips:

  • Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation. It's brilliant: stays put for hours and doesn't go shiny.
  • Don't use Touche Eclat or similar. They will reflect the flash in any photos and look odd.
  • Do try out your make up loads before the wedding. You don't want to be trying anything new on the day. (I tried to apply false eyelashes and gave up).
  • Avoid lip gloss, again looks too shiny in photos and your veil/hair may stick to it.
lalalonglegs · 19/07/2010 21:06

I had my hair blow dried professionally but my SIL did my slap because I wanted it very low key. Have you got a friend who is "good" at make up? Ask her (or him). You can also experiment loads beforehand without having to pay for it.

sue52 · 19/07/2010 22:05

I had mine done professionally.As the make up artist was leaving, she told me she had done Mrs Thatchers on several occasions (this was back in 1982). I was so horrified I washed the lot off and had a stiff drink. I've never had my face done since.

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