I am doing my own hair & makeup for my wedding

[Wormcast]

Could I have your top tips for looking lovely in person and in the photos? Also, if you did your own. Is there anything you would do differently?

I went to bare minerals and had my make up done a week or so before they have cards that have a face on similar to mac that they can write what they used where.
The lady I had was really helpful explaining how to blend eye shadow to get the effect I wanted and how to buff in the foundation and blusher for best effect.

Depending on how much time you have maybe try a few different counters. Hth

What's your colouring like? I'm pale and need to be aware that what looks ok in natural light etc. can look washed out in photos so need more blusher, stronger eyes than I would normally use.

I think the tip would be to have a proper practice and try some photos to ensure you're happy with the look.

I also went to the mac counter for a make up lesson it was 25 quid a few years ago but free if you spent 25 quid on products so I could learn to do soft smoky eye make up and layered up slightly for the evening do.

I did my own make up; I don't really wear make up so wanted a natural barely there look. I succeeded but wish I'd defined my eyes with eyeliner(I used eye shadow & mascara only) for the photographs. Start earlier than you think you need to, you may have involuntary shaking hands!!

It was 15 years ago so the products won't be relevant really but I did try out makeovers at various cosmetic counters(Estee Lauder made me look like coco the clown ; clinique gave me the look I was after)

It will need to be heavier than you usually wear. Mascara, eye liner and lipstick are essential, even if you don't normally wear them.

Have a lovely day.

Check out youtube - in particular someone like Lisa Eldridge has done a bridal look, Pixi woo etc. Remember not to use anything that will cause 'flashback' in pictures. Waterproof mascara -in case you get a case of the 'boo-hoos'. Do your nails (if you use polish) the day/night before - you won't have time to faff about waiting for it to dry.

I did my own make-up but went to the hairdressers for the hair - I know i'm not patient enough to do what I wanted hair wise!!

I use bare minerals day to day but heard that mineral can cause flashback when used with a proper flash, plus I find that it's fine for a day look with minimal coverage but It ages me when I build up the coverage.

Foundation wise I used my usual one and this brush www.boots.com/en/Real-Techniques-Stippling-Brush_1253416/ to give it a natural/airbrushed effect. Check you-tube for techniques. The rest of my make up was just a slightly heavier version of my daily style but I used natural brown eyeshadow, light contouring with powder, mascara and had a friend apply natural false lashes as I think that they really make your eyes stand out on photos.

Overall my makeup was very natural looking on the pics but I just look like me but better which is what I was aiming for anyway. The only thing i'd change would have been going for a pinker lipstick as the one I used looked a little browner than I was going for! (also I wouldn't have spent £££ on bare-minerals without trying it out as it really does age me-i'm 32, was 31 when married)

Also, I did my own nails with the sensationail gel kit, it was the same price to buy the kit as it would have been to have gel polish on fingers and toes and have it removed 2 weeks later.

Give yourself plenty of time to get ready, time just flew on the morning when I was doing my makeup and we ended up running around like crazy getting dressed!

I really have a hankering with red lips and flicky liner. I've got quite a 50s style dress so I thought it would fit in. I usually wear eyeliner of some sort so not too worried about messing that part up!I am very very pale. My friend said I need to use a foundation without SPF as it flashes back in photos and will make me look extra ghost like?
Wedding is in 3 weeks, so I have a little while to play. Do you think I should learn how to use false lashes or am I likely to make a huge mess?

I find make-up sits best on well prepared skin, so I use Dermalogica microfoliant as a gentle scrub to clear any debris first. I also use a primer for big occassions, and a make-up setting spray once it's all on to keep it in place for longer. Primer on your eye-lids helps to prevent any creases and stops make-up sliding off.

Ooh cross posted with you, strawberry! I may rope a friend in to help me with some false lashes then.
Slightly concerned I will look like a clown if I put more blusher on than normal.

The one thing I am paying for is a manicure the day before

Definitely try to master false lashes if you can, they'll make your eyes stand out more. I had partial false lashes for my wedding day, so they just go along the outer third of your top lid and aren't heavy feeling.

don't frighten your groom with a ghastly overdone hair style and loads of slap. You should be you, but 'on a really good day' as they say.

if you don't wear much makeup normally then you'll be uncomfortable.

bride, not stage play. Everyone will be seeing you close up too!

how to look lovely? Smile. Which is what I hope you'll want to do!

I did my own hair and make up as I hate being 'fiddled with' by beauticians etc!

My hair I wore it down (bra strap length) but used curling tongs to create light curls. I had a gorgeous simple tiara and I think it looked nice - very ME everyone said. I did one practise the week before.

My make up I just wore my usual stuff but a bit heavier for the photos, especially eyes. I don't do lipstick, so just wore some lightly tinted lip gloss. I'm happy with the photos as I do look like me.

The only concessions I got before the wedding were a manicure and pedicure and hair trim.

Agree with whoever said it takes longer than you expect because your hands shake - this was me exactly! My SIL had to go out and get me a large can of Red Bull (yuck) to calm me down and it did work!

Good luck

I got married last year and did my own makeup, but then I was 48 and it was my second time, so a very very casual affair.

There are pics on my profile from my wedding. I thought I looked nice!! And I did my makeup like I would have done for a night out. I didn't want to look different from my usual self.

Actually you can't really see on my photos so maybe don't bother looking!! I'm sure you will look just fine. You know how you like it. I know I wanted to look like me so had my hair down etc.

I did my own last year, and was very happy with the results. I used heated rollers to get a 50s style wave to my Bob, and spent a small fortune on make up from estee Lauder but was really chuffed and am still using them now.
I practiced loads and gave myself plenty of time in the morning so that if I needed to wash my hair and start again I could.
I decided against false lashes personally because I didn't want to worry about them falling off and felt that tonnes of eyeliner and mascara was more than enough.
I really enjoyed doing it and felt that I looked like me just a glammed up version. I was worried that someone else would make me look different!
Good luck :)

I did mine. Just chose colour lipstick that toned with my dress and the flowers, and dark green eyeliner which toned with the flowers, too!

Definitely an over made up bride is a tacky thing and I would avoid false eyelashes or nails, unless you always go for false.

Be yourself, at your best, is all. enjoy!

I used Estée lauder double wear cos it lasts all day, and applied lippie and lip pencil, then BLOT, and repeat this twice more.. Makes lippie last ages.

Other people doing your make up always results in you looking like someone who isn't you!

50's style sounds amazing, especially if its 'you' anyway! If you're pale I wouldnt go mad on the blusher it sounds like your look doesnt need much anyway as the focus will be on the eyeliner and lips.

Places like bodycare/ b&m/ primark do super cheap eyelashes so you can buy a few styles to see what suits the look you're after and your eye shape without spending loads. Also you mignt need a few pairs to practice applying them and wearing them as they can feel a bit odd! You can also buy lash applicators which makes putting them on easier. Luckily my friend applies about 4 sets per saturday night for her sd and allmof her friends so I was in good hands!!

You need a day to practise your makeup and maybe a camera with a flash to check for flashback...I used maxfactor lasting performance foundation as it was the only one pale enough in my local boots.

Riverland did the ELDW foundation photograph ok? I've got a sample and really like it, but heard it's bad for flashback?
My friend is going to come round next week and help me have a play around with stuff. I struggle to keep my foundation looking nice so might need a decent powder too. And primer come to think of it!

Tbh with investing in good makeup for the day you could just go to a professional. Looking good in photos is just a huge part after the wedding is over, do you really want to take a chance with that. You need makeup especially the foundation which comes out looking good on camera which a professional would definitely get right.

I did my own hair and makeup and I have to say, I wish I'd put a bit more thought into it! I should have used harder-wearing, longer-lasting products, considered natural-looking false eyelashes and done a bit more with my hair than the exact same styling as usual. I still looked fine in the photos but just a bit too much like my exact normal self, iykwim!

I've since discovered Estee Lauder Doublewear mascara and it's brilliant.

I did my own hair and makeup. I can't stand a lot of fuss. At the time I had a chin length bob and I curled that under using my mother's carmen rollers. Bought a few bits of slightly more expensive new makeup and just did my usual but a bit extra-carefully.

Honestly, people go nuts over weddings and yet more than 30% of marriages end in divorce