Decided to do my own wedding makeup, but my skin SUCKS

Primer and setting spray, of the matte finish variety, might help. Are you using liquid or powder foundation? What specific products are you using?

I'd add "Paging JoRocka" to your post title; JoRocka is the make-up wizard around here

I have super oily skin and I plan on doing my own. I'm super picky when it comes to makeup, so I feel like I can't trust anyone to do it. Go to Sephora and tell them you're planning on doing your own wedding makeup and need some advice as to what products to use. I usually do moisturizer, Make Up For Ever's mattifying primer, a layer of translucent powder, THEN foundation (Estee Lauder Double Wear). I also usually end up baking my whole face, then spraying with a setting spray to keep me matte. Oily skin probz.

I know lots of people who have done their own makeup and have looked awesome. I think the biggest concern is about touching up. Without airbrush, your makeup wont last all night. My suggestion would be to make sure you use primer and a setting spray.

I have the same issue. Here's what I use: Mac oil free lotion. Then Smashbox photo finish primer and Urban decay oil free eyeshadow primer. Then Urban decay concealer and Urban decay Naked one and done foundation. Urban decay naked blush and eyeshadow. Then Urban decay oil free setting spray. Then Urban decay waterproof eyeliner and mascara, and lipstick of choice (I like Lipsence by senegence, it stays on for hours when you use the glossy gloss with it!)

Those specific combinations are what my wedding makeup artist used on me, and what I now use daily because it worked so amazingly well! The only thing she did different was add fake eyelashes I also carry blotting papers in my purse to dab on oily areas of my face. It absorbs the oil and leaves the makeup perfect. But honestly I rarely use them with the above combo. The primer and oil free setting spray are the most important parts. Here's a photo of my stuff to help you when shopping:

Also, if you do decide you are very unhappy with how you do it yourself after you practice a few times. You can always book somewhere like Ulta or Sephora if they have those there. I had my engagement photo makeup done at Ulta for $40 and was very pleased.

I agree with practicing. I went to Ulta after my wedding and the girl there showed me how to use all the products and helped me pick out what I was wanting (I told her what I could remember from the makeup artist).

Definitely go to a professional to get tips. I wouldn't recommend Mac or Sephora but a salon would probably be best. Talk to a licensed professional makeup artist and tell them your concerns. You'll definitely want a primer, smash box photo finish is great for makeup last all day and night. The brand Makeup Forever is a high end brand with great products. I would try their foundation, I love the matte one, it's especially great for oily to combo skin types. Bridal makeup tends to be heavier because of photos, so I'd do quite a few trials before. Use different products, take note of when you put it on and then take a picture, go about your day, leave it on for 6, 7, 8, 9+ hours. When you're ready to take it off look at your face and see how the makeup held up, take another picture and see how it looks. Just do your research and practice and I'm sure you'll do a great job! Good luck

I have very oily skin too. I tend to try and stay away from foundation alltogether because it gets real ugly real quick. I sometimes will just put a translucent powder on my face to soak up oils and then put primers on my eyelids etc.

Some MUAs teach courses for self-application. It will cost money, but likely less than a MUA on the day of.

Maybe you could go to one of those classes in advance and then learn what to do for your wedding I agree with the above suggestion of writing down everything.

If you want to do your own makeup go for it - but don't think it's going to be cheaper than hiring a professional! You'll need to buy different high end products which will probably amount to more than paying a professional MUA. My bridal makeup was $85 and it was beyond worth it (airbush false lashes included). As others have suggested, you'll need a GOOD primer ($30), foundation ($35 ), concealer ($20 ), powder ($20), and setting spray ($25), and all the eye/lip products you choose. I love the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (I think it's around $30). Personally, I would weigh the pros, cons, and costs before committing to doing it yourself. A pro will be able to address your skin day of (especially if any pesky blemishes pop up), whereas you might not be able to. Good luck on whatever you choose!

I have oily skin too, and Laura Mercier setting powder is a godsend! I agree with @Leah to practice, practice practice and experiment with products and techniques.

Can you take a makeup lesson somewhere? I went and got a makeover at Sephora once, and I really did learn a lot. They have mixed reviews, and I'm sure it depends on who does it, but I had a good experience. I'm not saying let Sephora do your wedding makeup-- I'm just saying go down there and get a makeover/lesson sometime.

Just for reference the Laura Mercier setting powder @Runwaybride mentioned is $38 for the full size (I think Sephora has a smaller size maybe for $15 or so). SO just keep in mind the cost adds up! I wouldn't do this for money saving reasons honestly.

ETA: you do have lovely makeup at the end of the day though, so it might be worth it if you have the money!

These products have been a game changer for my as far as make up goes:

Smashbox Primer

Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation

Make Up For Ever HD powder

Seriously, my make up lasts ALL day and doesn't budge!

Okay- for starters

Rachel you're wrong- completely.

You're make up will last just fine without airbrush- that's completely ridiculous.

Air brush isn't the be all end all holy grail of "lasting" make up- it's more efficient for application- and quite frankly for someone with oil skin it's a horrible choice- so she probably wouldn't be going that way anyway.

Okay- OP.

1.) MUA's will travel to you- I would HIGHLY encourage you to do it- especially if you're stressing already- check some out- see what it would cost. They DO travel.

2.) This is going to be a comittment. It will take research and a lot of product testing to really get you a good result.

3.) Research and practice.

I can tell you my BASE travel kit - not for shows- or gigs- just for a weekend away is over 200$ worth of product (I think I added it up to 265 actually)- so don't think you're going to just wisk through this scott free financially.

It's often cheaper to hire an MUA_ if you don't wear much make up- guess what- now you have to go buy it- and that shit- it's 'spensive.

If you still want to proceed you're going to need to make some base investments

> brushes

>palette- you need a good matte- and a good metalic/foil/shimmer few palettes have EVERYTHING you need- so you can custom build on (Make Up Geek and Color pop are the most budget friendly and really well rated products- after that- MAC, UD, and MUF all sell great shadows.

>primer

>foundation

> mascara

> contour

>bronzer

> blush

>highlight

> false lashes (not expensive)

>Setting spray (I'd recommend NYX- it's like 8$ I think- it's as good as the UD one)

Those are things you need to invest in.

Then you're actual time- researching techniques that will work for you- and then practicing- a lot.

Commenting to follow this thread because I'm interested too!

Does anyone have any concealer/foundation recommendations that won't break the bank? I currently use Cover Girl and it's ok for everyday but doesn't hold up enough for me to be comfortable using it for my wedding (in July! Hoping it's not hotter than hell!)

Caitlin- loreal is my constant go to- I love their foundations- they are consistently good- I reach for them above all others.

They carry warm/cool and neutral tones- and a respectable shade collection.

I have the opposite skin problem from you (dry not oily), but I started going to get facials 6 months ago and she recommended really good products for my face. I would recommend going to get a facial and see what they have to say. You should also go see a dermatologist to see if they have any products that they think can help regulate or reduce your overall oiliness.

As far as doing your own makeup on your wedding day. I recommend going to have your makeup done professionally now. Buy some products and start practicing. You will gain confidence the more you practice on your look and you can always post looks here and people will give you advice.

Also, congrats on getting engaged and welcome to WW.

Totally agree with Jo about the cost. I have a lot of drug store products that I use for everyday and even my daily stuff adds up to about $130 (BB cream, concealer, powder, blush, eye primer, shadow, liner, lip product). For something like a wedding or even a night out I would add mascara, more lip stuff (liner), maybe fake lashes or at least a curler, and setting spray/primer. Plus you may need to test some things out beforehand and need multiple shades or different products.

I love how informative this thread is! Thanks, everyone! And especially JoRocka for the recommendations.

I already use NYX setting spray and my face still gets very greasy within three hours' time. Maybe I'm not using it correctly, but do you have any other recommendations as far as setting spray goes? I know Jane Iredale was mentioned to me yesterday, but I have no experience with her products.

Thankfully I have most of what is listed. I think my main task is to get my oil under control and to amp up my skills on how to use certain products. And FALSIES! Those are a must. I've never in my life applied those, but I do love the look they give.

Are you using the dewy one or the matte one?

You can try the UD one- but I didn't notice a difference between NYX and UD.

Ben Nye would be the next "up grade" it's harder to get.

We used to use hair spray way back when.

Odds are it's not the setting spray- it's the skin and the foundation.

I'd try a different foundation- not all foundations are made equal. Like MUF-Hi Def- separates on my skin in the worst way- I can't use it- it does NOT look good- by 2 in the afternoon my face looks like a greasy mess.

Are you using moisturizer?