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Original poster

Make up artist or not?

22 replies

Biglittleliars · 22/06/2022 21:29

I’m planning to book hair but unsure whether to book a makeup artist. I’m not super good at makeup and don’t usually wear much, but I would like to look nice on my wedding day.

In your experience is it worth booking a makeup artist to apply the makeup, or could I get similar results from investing in good product and applying myself? I want it to last all day but unsure if this is down to the quality of product or application!

OP posts:

biggreenhouse · 22/06/2022 21:34

i got one as I too am not great at makeup
but you will need to touch up throughout the day yourself anyway to make it really last.

LBF2020 · 22/06/2022 21:37

I am having hair & makeup done because it will help to make me feel extra special on the day. You can have a makeup trial to see if you like the look etc.

GreenManalishi · 22/06/2022 21:39

I'd say it depends on what kind of look you're going for on the day. I am into make up but don't like a made up "look" don't wear loads of make up in eery day life. I have been bridesmaid a few times where they've used MUA for us all and I've ended up feeling like a drag artist. For my own I did my own, just went a little bit heavier so I didn't look washed out in the pics and was really happy with the results, but it was a fairly low key wedding.

GreenManalishi · 22/06/2022 21:41

If you do decide to do your own there are heaps of tutorials on YouTube, maybe have a play about and if it's not for you have a trial with someone recommended.

Original poster

Biglittleliars · 22/06/2022 21:41

I guess I’m into makeup as in I know all the brands etc but I just don’t bother with it much so never splash out on the high end products! I’m thinking I could get an idea by going to a beauty counter. I wouldn’t want it to be too heavy as I would feel self conscious, just want any imperfections covered!

OP posts:

ClarissaD · 22/06/2022 21:43

I had one and regretted it. Unfortunately the mua I’d had a rehearsal with was ill and she sent someone else she knew who was really awful, covered me in awful foundation and kept saying I had to wear more and more “for the photos”. Urgh. In the end I snuck and walked most of it off and then had to hide from her 😂

Beetle76 · 22/06/2022 21:44

if you are getting a professional photographer, then I’d get my make up done. If you book a make up artist, the price usually includes a trial so you’ll be able to get a good idea of how you will look.

bakewellbride · 22/06/2022 21:46

I just had my hair done professionally but the hair stylist was also a make-up artist. The deal was that I wanted to do my own make-up but she just did my eye-shadow as I'm crap at it! Obviously the hair was arranged, booked & paid for months before the wedding but with the eye shadow help I just texted the lady about a week before the wedding (after giving up practising at applying it!) to ask her about it and decided to give her cash (£20 I think) on the day. Everything ran smoothly.

Nars copacabanna highlighter is your friend.

And don't wear SPF on the day as it can show up white with a professional camera.

manycups · 24/06/2022 13:00

I didn't bother with one. Had a make up counter demo and then spent the money I'd have spent on a MUA on nice products - many of which I still have. However, I wasn't interested in lovely photos of myself, especially close up ones - if you do want some and will be critical of your handy work in years to come, maybe get a MUA.

manycups · 24/06/2022 13:02

To add, I also had my make up 'done' by a MUA and it was horrendous - really thick and I didnt look like me - everything turned orange - hands, clothes tc.

DanceWithYourBalloon · 24/06/2022 13:08

I went to a Bobbi Brown counter and told them I wanted some wedding makeup and asked them to show me how to apply it.
I bought a few of the products (lipstick, eyeshadow, blush and concealer) and made do with some of the more basic ones I already had at home.
It was great and I practiced a few times at home too. Cost me a bit but it was all products that I've used since and have actually repurchased.

pilates · 24/06/2022 13:08

I would because they use good products and it lasts longer.

Just be firm with what you want if you don’t want it caked on.

OceanbreezeSun · 24/06/2022 13:38

I didn’t hire a MUA - I’m good with make up & quite particular about what I like. I just did abit of research, found an image I liked & did a couple of practice looks based on that (went for ‘glowy’ skin with abit of light brown/gold on the eye and a peachy lipstick)

I invested in a good primer/setting spray and foundation. I touched up my lipstick and abit of concealer during the day, but everything else stayed put. I think it helped that I’d had a facial a week before so my skin was looking good which made alot of difference.

I think it’s worth getting a mua if you are unsure, but just be clear about what you want, take some images with you.

violetanemone · 07/07/2022 18:42

My advice is to get one, but do your research.

Don't just go to a makeup counter - they're all one brand and they're there to sell it to you.

Find someone online - a bridal make up artist, who uses lots of different products. She will have done her research and know what works.

Find someone who suits your style, and on their website you can see pictures that make you think 'I'd like to look like that'.

Also, make a pinterest board of make up looks that you like, to give them an idea - otherwise they won't know what you want and will do whatever look they think is best for you (which you might not agree with!)

So yeah - definitely do it - but put some thought into it.

SummaLuvin · 07/07/2022 20:17

I had one for myself and bridesmaids who I felt did a great job. I do wear makeup, but I wanted to ensure it lasted and be done by someone a lot more skilled than me. She really listened and none of us were 'caked' or had drag style makeup - one of my bridesmaids wear nothing day to day so had a quite light touch finish another is very glam so she was more done, all depending on how we felt comfortable. I felt more comfortable knowing I was in expert hands and it they would make me look my best, sometimes when I do my own makeup I just don't like how it sits and I didn't want to run that risk.

I feel bad for the ladies above who have had negative experiences, but I feel this is indicative of those individual MUAs rather than the profession as a whole. Look at Instagram pages, ask you venue for recommendations, ask friends whose makeup you have liked for recommendations, and get a trial run. Also make it clear what you want, like "let my freckles show through".

ugifletzet · 08/07/2022 20:00

I've booked one. I never normally wear makeup (the last time I applied it myself was for my leavers' party at school) and I don't trust myself to get it right. I had my trial last week. I was worried about the drag queen thing too, but she kept it very light and natural. I loved the result. I felt like a more polished and sophisticated version of myself. If you decide to hire someone to do it for you look at the photos of their previous brides, read the reviews, and make sure you're on the same page with how you want to look.

PritiPatelsMaker · 09/07/2022 13:31

Mine was a while ago but I went to a beauty counter with my BF anc had my make up done, A brand that usually is good for me. Bought products and my BF did my make up for me.

Beamur · 09/07/2022 13:35

I did my own. I still wanted to look like me!
You need to apply it a bit differently for photos. But unless you want a super 'done' look, I'd just get some tips. Lots of make up counters will show you how to use their products.

TheOriginalClownfish · 12/07/2022 17:05

I'm doing my own. It used to be that doing the make up meant that you looked lovely but now it's all really heavy foundation, contouring and inches thick!

I've never understood why the bride needs stage-style heavy makeup 'for the photos' but the groom doesn't need the layer of panstick for the photos too? Surely if the bride would be washed out to fuck in a photo so would the groom.

I know what I like and what suits my face and the make up I do stays put until I take it off so I'm going to look like myself on the day.

Vecna · 21/07/2022 02:41

I wouldn't base my make up on how the camera might pick it up. I want to look nice in real life on the day. Get a decent photographer to make sure the photos look good.

WokingOrNot · 21/07/2022 02:53

I had to get one as I don't know anything about makeup. She's been recommended to me and I was so happy. We had a trial and she really listened to what effect I wanted, she also looked at pictures of my dress and venue. I was very happy with the effect. I looked natural but also great in the photos (I had a photographer). I'll never look as good in my life 😉

marleyandme · 21/07/2022 16:38

I got a make up artist as I don't wear much make up usually and wouldn't be confident enough applying it on the day and I'm so glad I did!
I told her that I wanted a very natural look and that's what I got but it lasted the full day and looked good in photos, neither of which were things I could have managed on my own.

It also took some of the stress away on the morning, I wasn't thinking oh maybe if I take it off I can do it again but better. As I don't wear much I'd have spent a fortune on new products that I probably wouldn't wear again after the day either so that's something to consider.

I'd really recommend getting a professional but do shop around and do a trial so you know you're happy with it.

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