I am a firm believer in look good, feel good to the point where even if I feel rough as hell, I’ll slick on some mascara in the hope of feeling just a little more human! Bringing me nicely onto the subject of make-up and whether this is something people feel is worth splurging on for the big day.
I personally don’t wear a lot of make-up on a day-to-day basis, and when I do put on a little extra for going out, due mainly to my lack of knowing how things work, my “face” never stays put. For this reason, I spent a lot of time before my wedding searching for a make-up artist to do the job for me!
My worry was always that I would feel uncomfortable. I have had my make-up done by a pro before, and came out caked-up and resembling an umpa lumpa with bee-stung lips. Not a pretty sight. I tried to make it clear to all the people I was contacting that I didn’t so much want help putting the make-up on, more advice as to how to apply it myself...
I searched online, checked into forums / scoured Facebook and in all, emailed about 50 make-up artists around where I live, where my venue was and salon based. Most people responded, fast to reply and happy to help- not a problem here. The main issue I had with it all were the prices!
The moment you mention “bridal” make-up, the prices shoot up. As with most wedding related oddities, vendors and suppliers think it feasible to charge more, knowing that it is a big occasion and most couples will buckle to get exactly what they want. The prices I was quoted for “bridal” make-up varied from around £80 to £200 (The same cost as my VENUE!).
As an experiment, I have since emailed a few again, this time not mentioning anything about being a bride, and, while a lot fewer have replied (funny that!), the prices quoted are at least halved.
Unfortunately at the time, the money was not something I could justify, so I eventually decided not to go down that route, preferring to gather advice from Internet tutorials (Youtube is a wonderful thing!) and speaking to friends about the best products to use.
Make up by Tiffany is one of the most popular "amateur" make-up bloggers on Youtube
Still slightly bemused by it all, my next port of call were high street store make-up counters. I began in Debenhams, at the Clinique counter, where a woman twice my age tried to convince me I needed to buy every product on her table.... NO.*
Not understanding my want of the “natural” look, I moved on to Boots, where I ended up chatting to a girl around my age, who sympathised with my confusion and after listening to exactly what I wanted to achieve, led me around the store, showing me different options and explaining the use of everything, without ever once pressuring me to buy.
We picked up a few different bits and she did my make-up with them in-store, on the spot (Something I always swore I would never do!- cringe!) but it was all good, and she explained everything she was using and doing as she went. I ended up leaving the store with my make-up freshly applied and ran to see my friend to get her opinion!
After confirming that in no way did I look like a fruit, I returned to the store, to leave with a bag full of the products used- the total coming to little over £25 (A steal compared to what some people dared to charge!). I practised “the look” a few times at home before the big day, so I knew exactly what I was doing and how not to cake, and I soon felt well at home in my new face.
A couple of my website faves:
Looking back, I am super over the moon at my choice to do it myself. While it may not have stuck like glue, I know I made more of an effort that day, and I felt good! While I never did try it, I think that if I had had someone else do it for me, I would never have felt quite as comfortable – though I guess this is really down to what you are used to and how much of a transformation to are wanting / willing to take.
I know I am not the only bride that has been in this predicament. My husband and I attended a wedding where the bride had booked a make-up artist but never had a trial... when it came to her wedding day, she felt so uncomfortable in the make-up that she removed it all and attended her wedding bare-faced... Good on her, I say!
The best advice I can give is:
- Do not go with something just because it is “expected”. If you aren’t used to wearing make-up and people aren’t used to seeing you in it, don’t wear it!- The stares and comments will only have the opposite to your desired effect, making you feel more self conscious!
- Whether you decide to book a pro, or go it alone, practice always makes perfect. Book a trial to work out exactly what you want, or use forums and online tutorials to learn how to create different looks and work out how to do it yourself!- Trying lots of different things means you won’t end up with a look that you love, but don’t suit. Last thing you want to be worried about on your wedding day is foundation lines and wonky eyeliner!
- Do your research. If you want to go pro look into several options, and when you have narrowed it down, look into them further again. Check out their portfolios / do they have any testimonials on their site? Try asking round friends for recommendations... some places offer discount for referrals so you can save some money, plus then you have a firsthand account of the standard of their work.
- Most people decide to cake on the make-up because of the common myth that “make-up doesn’t show up in photographs”... not strictly true! Make-up does show in photographs, just in a more subtle way. If your photographer is using the correct lighting and equipment, they should have no issues with capturing your beautiful face!
- If you are still worried about not looking glam in your snaps, do not fret! Many photographers nowadays offer digital editing of images, and so can easily remove any teary mascara smudges / (heaven forbid!) any spots with the click of a mouse, guaranteeing flawless results. Do check with your photographer about this first though as some offer this service as standard, while others charge extra for the pleasure.
Obviously, these words just come from one hens experience, (and I sure feel better for ranting!) but do try and bear this all in mind when considering make-up for your wedding, as otherwise you could end up forking out on something you don't really want or need!
Love,
*This post is not intended to favour any brand or store over the other and is merely a recollection of one persons experience, not at all a reflection of the overall standard of store or service.
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