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Original poster

Wedding - do I need a make up person?

53 replies

fruityb · 11/01/2017 20:50

I wear make up, not loads, and feel confident in putting it on. I wear foundation, eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara every day. I always put my face on so I can go out as and when without worrying - I did it when I was younger as friends used to call me impromptu and I just do it now. It's my little time to myself though my son watches me every morning lol.

Anyway. I'm getting married this year and don't have anyone booked for make up. I don't have particularly fancy stuff but will be treating myself to some nice bits before the day. However someone mentioned that for it to stay on best or to be photo ready I should have someone do it for me. I'm always concerned I won't look like me though! I know I can have consultations but I'm still unsure.

Should I have one or can I just do it myself? My nieces are my bridesmaids and have a good collection between them (like a whole make up counters worth) and yet if I let them near I'll end up contoured and shiny or like I've been sprayed with gold shimmer!

Should I? Or do i just do it myself? Hair isn't an issue as I have a short style that I can blow dry up, but I want my face to look nice lol.

OP posts:
OliviaBensonOnAGoodDay · 11/01/2017 20:54

Watching with interest as I've been thinking the same thing!

ftmsoon · 11/01/2017 20:55

If you're happy and confident, do it yourself. I never wear makeup and got quite stressed about it so DH booked me an artist as a surprise! My BM's did their own.

Original poster
fruityb · 11/01/2017 20:55

The only thing I struggle with is how to apply base like foundation. I always end up with skin that looks rough even though I use moisturiser and cleanse daily. I end up with little patches on my forehead where rough skin shows up! Do I need a better foundation? I apply it with my hand - would a sponge be better?

Only worn foundation for about four years so still not sure!

OP posts:
Celaena · 11/01/2017 20:57

I did my own, i dont want to look like most mua's want you to, too heavy

i would go to the higher end make up counters and ask them what they recommend, and you should get some samples to try before

JassyRadlett · 11/01/2017 21:01

Fruity, do you use primer under your foundation? That can really help.

londonfeather · 11/01/2017 21:01

Friends that I know that have used make up artists always have a trial before so they know what they are getting on the day

LoupGarou · 11/01/2017 21:02

I had one, she was absolutely brilliant! I can say my makeup has never looked better. I had one as I thought it would be nice and pampering on the morning (it was). I picked her carefully and she included a trial in with the price so that we could do something I was happy with.
She was a really lovely lady who just pitched in and helped with other stuff when my makeup and the bridesmaids' was finished, she had us in fits of laughter all morning.

LoupGarou · 11/01/2017 21:03

I should have said that I love makeup and am pretty confident at applying it, but its much more relaxing to have someone else do it!

BelafonteRavenclaw · 11/01/2017 21:04

I don't really wear much make up but my bridesmaids were/are good and they did it for me on the day.

Doje · 11/01/2017 21:07

I had a friend of my sister's (a semi professional? I don't know to be honest, my mum, supporter and the make up person sorted it out between them!) do mine, and I regret it a bit. I feel it was a bit more heavily done than the usual 'me'. However, if it wasn't done professionally, I don't think it would have lasted all night and my face would have looked a sweaty mess by the evening!

Ankleswingers · 11/01/2017 21:07

I did and she did a fantastic job, without meaning to sound big headed.

I wear make up too and was confident I could do it myself on the day but went with a make up artist as I was concerned that I would be too jittery if I did it myself and it would end up looking shit.

My make up artist was unbelievably good and so calming and chilled out. I just sat there whilst she did my face and it was one of the best choices that I made IMO.

I had a trial too beforehand and we went for a very subtle/ natural look. She just knew what suited me and really was very good.

I will always remember my DH face at the altar; he took a double take and whispered how beautiful I looked.Smile

Word of advice though, make sure you get a trial beforehand and look at their portfolio too. I found my make up artist at a Wedding Fayre.

Good luck- it'll be fabulous Smile

lucy101101 · 11/01/2017 21:09

I had a consultation at Space NK, bought some new products (base, primer etc.) to go with what I already had and did my own... and I was very happy with that as I looked like me!

dontdoitatall · 11/01/2017 21:14

I wouldn't. I've had several trials with MUA's and I have not once liked it. IME they put far too much make up on and I came out looking bloody awful. Scrubbed it all off and did it myself and looked so much better.

beansonbread · 11/01/2017 21:14

I had hoped to have a make up artist do my face on my wedding day but after one that I'd booked cancelled a few weeks before the big day and the replacement they recommended made me look like a 70s barbie, I ended up doing my own. I went to a Bare Minerals counter and asked them to show me what to do and what products they recommended. I made sure to use a good primer on the day and I did top up my powder, blush and lipstick at a couple of convenient points. I do wear some make up on a day to day basis but I'm in no way an expert but after a few practice goes I felt really confident and I was pleased with my face on the day.
My advice would be to go to a couple of counters and have a chat to see who you feel most comfortable with. Get them to do your makeup how you want it on the day and ask them to show you how to do it. Use the money you would have spent on a make up artist on products that you'll have even after your wedding day.

Riversiderunner · 11/01/2017 21:15

No you don't. I did my own.

Helbelle75 · 11/01/2017 21:20

I did, although I wear very little make up usually. I found it stayed on very well, and looked fab in the photos.
My mua cost about £30 and it was well worth it. She came highly recommended though.

Eclecticmama · 11/01/2017 21:20

I did my own, I agree with op to stalk the makeup counters getting tips. Spend some of the money you could spent on a make up artist on nice makeup instead. I wanted to look like me as a bride.

I would also recommend watching a few videos on YouTube for tips. I had lots of fun practicing

Crumbs1 · 11/01/2017 21:21

The idea of someone to do my makeup never occurred to me. Imthink 'artists' often make women look worse not better - overdone, unnatural and too dramatic.

Original poster
fruityb · 11/01/2017 21:21

I think I'll look into a primer and see if that helps. Ironically I had a primer years ago but didn't wear foundation! I wear rimmel foundation and have for years - I might try another. My niece swears by painting it on as well which looks weird to me but I'll try it.

I don't want to look caked either and I'd be worried I did. I might treat myself to a mac makeover as I know someone who had one and got loads of tips

OP posts:
mowglik · 11/01/2017 21:37

I was going to say get a Mac makeover and get them to do the look you want (take pics) and write down what products/techniques they used.

Book an artist at one of the Mac Pro stores (Covent garden or carnaby street if you are in London) rather than the concession units in dept stores. Some of them freelance as MUA so you can always book them if you like their work.

Ponyboycurtis · 11/01/2017 21:41

I had one and was really pleased with the results - had two trials, the first one she did what I thought I wanted & it was horrible, 2nd one I asked her to do what she thought would suit me and it was lovely. I really enjoyed sitting in the chair and having something done just for me on the morning of my wedding.

mnaddict1 · 11/01/2017 21:44

I am a confident make up wearer but my mua did so much more on the day. She made me look amazing but she organised bridesmaids, kept me calm when it transpires my mums dress was 25miles away and generally helped the morning run smoothly!

TheCraicDealer · 11/01/2017 21:48

I wear makeup every day and I'd say I'm a good 7/10 in terms of skill (can't do fake eyelashes or eyeliner for toffee mind). I'm getting my make up done as I know I'll be stressing like fuck on the day, will probably be all shakey and flapping a bit. If it's being done by a professional it'll be done and dusted way quicker, will look better than if I did it, and it's just one less thing to worry about.

Also I think wedding makeup is generally a bit more 'amplified' to show up better in photos. If that's not the look you're going for just say at your trial. These women (particularly those who get their business through word of mouth) rely on giving people what they want.

KanyeWesticle · 11/01/2017 21:49

I had mine done by a pro. It was fun, but expensive, and since I "wanted to look like me" it wasn't too different to my everyday look. It did stay all day, but more due to primer, lipcote and setting spray I think.

If I did it again I'd do my own makeup, and use setting spray and lipcote as well as primer. Go for it.

StylishDuck · 11/01/2017 21:54

I did my own make up but I got advice from a friend who is a MUA. She gave me a tutorial and told me what techniques and products to use to help it last longer. I went and bought some new make up before and practiced loads before the day. I'm glad I did actually because now I have a better idea how to apply make up for a night out etc. I have had my make up done "professionally" before and it was bloody awful. I actually looked like a clown. I think that probably put me off anyone else doing it.