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Style and beauty

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Original poster

DIY or hair stylist / makeup artist for bride?

20 replies

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 10:11

Hi there

I get married in November so plenty of time to keep umming and ahhing about this. Hoping you lovely lot will help me come to a decision.

So what did you do for your big day? Did you DIY or get someone else to do it for you? Can you give me any tips or advice?

OP posts:

Zippetydoodahzippetyay · 15/03/2019 10:27

I had a stylist for my hair and a make up artist as I wasn't confident in my ability to create a look that I was happy with that would last all day.

However I got really into DIY and did my own invitations and my own flowers. It was good fun and saved us a heap of money. I definitely think if there is some element of your big day that you feel capable of doing and that wouldn't create too much additional stress, go for it.

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 10:48

Thanks Zippety. Didn't you have to re-touch your makeup during the day? I don't know how that would work as the makeup artist wouldn't be there with all the lovely makeup products? How did you find / choose your MUA?

I just worry I will end up looking like a drag queen if I get an artist to do it

We are doing our own flower arranging with the help of MIL :)

OP posts:

hiphopapotamuses · 15/03/2019 11:15

I'm eloping next week (eek). We only booked it a few weeks ago (got the paperwork to the registrar at the last possible moment to secure our date) so I've been limited. I've booked hair but I'm going to DIY make up. I've got a lesson booked in with MAC which cost £50 but that is fully redeemable against products). I think Charlotte tilbury and other counters too. That might be worth considering?

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 11:18

Congrats hiphop! Eloping...how exciting

Thats really good - the £50 is redeemable against their products. And I do really like MAC. Defo something to think about, thank you

OP posts:

juniperjune · 15/03/2019 11:24

I did the same with the lesson at Mac, it was brill, they made me a chart to show me which product went where and I bought all the bits I liked then recreated at home. It was cheaper than a make up artist and I have all the lovely make up!

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 11:32

good point about keeping the makeup, thats a huge plus.

the thought of being pampered and having it done for me does sound very tempting. however do I trust anyone enough...

OP posts:

katienana · 15/03/2019 11:34

I had a hairdresser come to my house and a make up artist. This was in 2011 so I think make up was generally a bit more subtle then!! It was well worth it, I would have stabbed myself in the eye with mascara or something. My make up still looked perfect at midnight and I think I just reapplied my lippy - I used my own so I could do this easily. It just took away a bit of pressure and I could relax and get pampered which was lovely.

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 11:38

katienana - I love being pampered so much, and what better day than on your wedding day? Its good to hear success stories and also people saying the makeup stayed on all night.

OP posts:

MrsRubyMonday · 15/03/2019 11:40

I had a hairdresser as I have a nerve condition that makes my arms go numb if I raise them above shoulder height for any length of time, but I could have done it myself otherwise (big barrel curls, top layer pulled back to give my veil somewhere to sit). I did my makeup myself, I had a few trials and they all went so heavy and I didn't feel like me, it was horrible. They all said you need a lot more contour to show up well in photos, so you'll look a bit scary in real life, which I didn't want at all. I practiced a few times with products I knew I loved, and just did a slightly fancier version of my everyday makeup. Slightly more contour but not much at all, photos turned out absolutely fine. It was very soft and natural. There's a lot of YouTube videos for ideas and tips. I didn't have any problems with makeup lasting as I used products I already knew worked for me. I powdered slightly before the evening party and reapplied lipstick but that's it. Get a good setting spray if you don't have one, the urban decay all nighter is very good, and make sure you drink loads of water and super moisturise for a few days beforehand and exfoliate well, but don't exfoliate the night before, I've accidentally damaged my skin before and you don't want scabs on your big day!

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 11:43

very helpful post, Ruby. thanks

thats what I'm scared of - being too made up and not natural enough. the way they contour these days is not the look I'm after but I was hoping to find a MUA who would listen to what I want. Maybe they don't exist? I don't want to waste money on a trial and then not go for it...

OP posts:

AskMeHow · 15/03/2019 11:56

I went for the super cheap (free!) option and got mine done at the no7 counter in Boots in the morning. Was a bit weird turning up in bridal hair and jeans but they did a great job. I only wanted a v natural look so pretty easy to achieve. Depends on timings as to whether this will work for you. It's a nice idea having someone come and do it but it's a bit faffy for me and not really my thing. I went to my usual salon for hair and to fix my headwear (they did open early for me).

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 12:00

Ask - great idea!! Unfortunately not an option for me as we will be miles from any shopping areas...

OP posts:

MsSquiz · 15/03/2019 12:04

I had a MUA/stylist on the day for me and 5 adult bridesmaids and she was worth every penny.

The girls all had their hair put into up do's and they stayed in place until they went to bed! They had simple, pretty make up done, with their own lipstick so they could top that up throughout the day.

My hair had some extensions in, curled and half up, with a small birdcage veil on hair band incorporated into the style. That stayed put from 7.30am until 1am when I went to bed!
My make up didn't need any touch ups other than a little blotting powder (following a lot of dancing) and my lipstick (she used my lipstick and I had it on me all day)

It was one less thing to worry about, and a treat for the girls and me to get our hair and make up done

(I have since used her twice for hair and make up for events, and she has just
Microbladed my eyebrows!)

MsSquiz · 15/03/2019 12:06

With regards to being "too made up" a decent MUA will listen to what you want (show her photos of make up/hairstyles you like) and adapt it to you colouring and skin tone, etc.
Mine was quite natural, with a hint of a smoky eye and not a full on TOWIE contour or brow in sight!

katmarie · 15/03/2019 12:08

I had a makeup lady for mine, she came to my house on the morning, and she was fab. We had a trial a couple of weeks before, she asked me what I wanted, and I said basically like me but glowy-er and polished. Which she understood really well. She also gave me some advice about what works well in photos etc. On the day I used my own lip gloss, which I touched up a couple of times, but the rest of my makeup didn't budge till I cleaned my face off at the end of the night. I don't wear a.lot of makeup so I was really happy to be able to trust an expert rather than worry about it on the day.

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 12:11

MrsSquiz - sounds wonderful. I think I am swaying towards getting MUA and hair stylist.

RE: hairstyle. My mother keeps telling me I should have it down and natural (curly) but I know my DP loves it up -but I am a bit paranoid about feeling bare. I really love some of the up-do's and because I usually wear my hair down I feel like I should do something different...umm..ahh...

OP posts:

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 15/03/2019 12:12

basically like me but glowy-er and polished

Yes...that exactly

OP posts:

Zippetydoodahzippetyay · 15/03/2019 13:57

@weddingmakeup
I had to retouch my lipstick but nothing else. I had a trial and the artist took loads of photos so that she knew exactly what she had to recreate on the day. She was great, listened to exactly what I wanted which was to look like a glamorous version of myself. So she chose beautiful neutral tones that worked well with my skin tone and told me to bring my favourite lipstick.

fridgepants · 15/03/2019 17:39

This reply has been withdrawn

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

Original poster

weddingmakeup · 19/03/2019 13:17

fridgepants - what's dermaplaning?

I have booked a trial for in a few weeks...

If it turns out Rocky Horror then I will just do my own on the day. The trial is on my birthday so hopefully I'll be all dolled up for the evening and not furiously wiping the muck off my face

OP posts:

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