Two failed wedding make up trials - I need help to do it myself

[Cantdecidewhich]

The first trail, my make up looked great on photos but really cakey and heavy in real life
Second trial, I looked 10 years older and deathly pale, I sent a pic to my son and he said I looked like I had been dug up
I have decided to have a go myself just buy new products.
Can anyone please recommend long lasting products that will look good on photos. I am in my fifties and would like a natural, healthy look but want to look polished. Any help would be fantastic please

Oh no! Where did you have the make up trials? I had one with a make up artist and wasn't happy so went to John Lewis and had one done at the Chanel counter then bought a couple of the products I particularly liked.

Thanks for the reply, I had them at home.
I don't think you can get make up put on at the moment in stores which doesn't help.

Do you usually wear makeup? If so just do the sort of face you would on a night out. Don’t try to look like someone else!

Ahhh no-one wants cakey base!!
Unless you have skin concerns you need coverage on, I would be tempted to look for a tinted moisturiser, or very sheer coverage as your skin will look more natural.
Boots No 7 do a nice one (and a matching concealer if needed), and I think at the moment you can return if it’s not the right shade as they are not doing testers in store. If you have a large boots near you they will usually have a no7 rep in that can help you pick?

I got married last week and did my own make up. My foundation and concealer were Estée Lauder double wear. I spoke at length to the lady on the Estée Lauder counter and some other make up counters. They were all so helpful and couldn't do enough. I came home the first time with lots of samples to try and see which I liked best and went back to the same women to buy what I liked

I like Laura Mercier illuminating primer and also her foundation, together they give a nice natural finish with a bit of sheen but with decent coverage. Good luck!

It's worth joining a group on Facebook called Mrs Gloss & the Goss. I've seen quite a few people post asking for tips on doing their wedding makeup and loads of replies from makeup artists. There are certain foundations which don't "flash" in photos ie make you look deathly pale, for example which I never knew!

Also standard evening out makeup can look pretty fabulous with a set of subtle false lashes.

By Terry hyaluronic foundation is fab for lasting all day and is moisturising.

There are many many shades, but if you are near a space NK they can give you tiny sample pots to try at home.

Estée Lauder double wear is an amazing foundation.
Good coverage, no cakey and photos well. You can get a lighter version in this aswell.

Do any of your friends/family have a good experience with an MUA?

I love Bare Minerals Foundation, I find any cream or liquid ones go cakey on me but BM is a powder and really good.

For my wedding I had a lesson with a make up artist in advance, she helped me get the right products, then I did my own makeup on the day which I much preferred having seen friends who got theirs done professionally on the day look overdone and not like themselves.

I wanted to look like me, not like someone else.

Do what you normally do. Bridal makeup is quite scary, you don't want the groom legging it or falling about laughing.

Use some primer. Magic stuff.

Avoid products that reflect with a flash photo eg touché eclat. Maybe take photos with it on to check.

@zurala

I love Bare Minerals Foundation, I find any cream or liquid ones go cakey on me but BM is a powder and really good.

Second BM - love their stuff. Can you see if there is one near you?

I did DD's make up, I used her usual foundation but I had in unused palette of, I think, chanel eyeshadow in pink and silver. It gave her enough colour to not looked washed out in photos. You need to decide what look you want and see if you get ideas of how to do it online. Also remember anyone can call themselves an MUA it doesn't need a qualification.

Also op, is someone doing your hair for you?
Hairdressers tend to know good MUA’s!

I agree Laura Mercier is a good one for wedding make up

Bare minerals as well

I recommend watching some videos on youtube

Lisa Eldridge is good
Wayne Goss

Or just Google wedding make up or mature make up and watch a few of the videos and see if you like them

Look on you tube and instagram for make up videos. Sarah Jossel had something the other day on choosing her bridal makeup and looked lovely. Hannah Martin is known for her bridal looks. I’d suggest IT cosmetics CC cream for a base, enough coverage for photos but looks real in real life. Trinny London might also have ideas and personal makeup tutorial on zoom. You are supposed to wear a bit more makeup than you usually do to look polished.

Strongly recommend having it done professionally and doing a few more trials. For one thing, way less stress for you on the day. Secondly, you can generally tell the brides who watch a few YouTube vids and do it themselves. Bridal makeup which looks good all day (& in the photos) is an art. You need to find someone good with more mature skin, I'm guessing

Lisa Eldridge has done a really good video on the bridal makeup she did for her own wedding.

And I also agree with the above posters about finding the right foundation. I think Chanel has the best foundations but it’s very personal so you need to try a few.

You need primer . I swear by double wear Aswell for nights out and events it’s a lifesaver on my skin. Add a bit of bronzer or blusher and you’ll be fine.

Thanks for so many great suggestions I will certainly take them all on board! I would have preferred to use a MUA to take the stress out of it and to look my best but the last one took 3hrs and the foundation was peeling off after a couple of hours, not the look I was after :) I do wear make up every day.
I have used the Laura Mercier primer years ago and had forgotten about it, it is very good.
Double Wear I feel is a bit heavy on my skin but I haven't tried it for ages so may get a sample of that as I do need good coverage.
Can anyone recommend an eyebrow pencil please, mine disappears after a couple of hrs and a long lasting lippie?

I will definitely watch all the videos too thanks!

I had a ‘Beauty Society’ appointment at John Lewis yesterday (www.johnlewis.com/our-services/beauty-society), where the shop-person applied skincare & make-up to my face, so at least some places are doing in-person sessions. I was looking to refresh my look, and she made some brilliant choices (from across their brand range), and I picked up a couple of items (the price of the appointment was redeemable against purchase). If you have a John Lewis near you, you could see if they’re one of the stores offering this service.

Eyebrows: Charlotte Tilbury

Lipstick: a lip stain plus gloss on top I think Max Factor does one? Used to wear when I worked years ago and they do work