DIY makeup or hire a professional...

I didn't want to pay for professional makeup...until I saw myself with professional makeup. I think it's worth the splurge.

I did my own make up and i couldnt be happier.....if you're already handy with your own make up and you have a certain way you know you like to look, do your own. you can even practice glamming it up before the wedding so you get the look you want without dumping a fortune into a make up artist who will doll you up to look like every other bride she's ever done make up on

@Uber Dami That's exactly what I'm worried about, and I am handy with makeup. I do things really nude. People can never even tell it's makeup lol. Until I'm not wearing it and I look like a ghost. So, to get all super done up terrifies me, but I keep getting told to do darker makeup for photos. Blah it's tearing me apart. Lol

This is the absolute most makeup I wear

One of my BM's is doing all of our makeup. She is great with makeup and has been doing peoples' makeup for proms and weddings for a few years now.

Hey! I resent that remark Dami. I don't make every bride look the same and don't think any other MUA i know does. I'm glad your happy with how your make up came out on your wedding day, but that doesn't take anything away from professionals. We know what products look good in professional photos, what causes flashback, how certain colors will work with your skin tone, and which ones will cancel out your blemishes, red spots, birthmarks, dark circles etc. There is a lot that goes into it. Its not just a cookie cutter look that every bride gets. I'm really sad that you think that.

OP: if you want to do it yourself, thats fine. You choose where to spend your own money. Find a youtube tutorial of bridal makeup that you like and practice, practice, practice. Invest in good brushes and the right products for your skin and above all, a good setting spray.

Sorry....double post.

@mrjonesandme

I've been youtubing, and playing with makeup, which so far everyone loves at work, but I keep thinking about those things you were saying. I DON'T know what looks good in photos. I DON'T know what causes flashback, or how to change my makeup to work with glasses if I choose to wear them for parts of the ceremony/reception. Professionals are good for that reason.

Flashback is less of an issue then you think but really avoiding spf is the safest bet.

You're eye make up looks pretty good so the only thing I'd personally recommend is diving into some contour to lift and carve the cheek bones. And moar blush!

Blush is the first thing to go and wear off so going a little heavier or bringing it to touch up is useful.

Maybe go to Sephora to have a trial and learn how they do it... then buy some of the stuff if you need to and do it yourself on your wedding day?

Also @mrsjonesandme I have literally no idea how setting spray works. I have one from mac and urban decay, and I followed the directions and watched youtube vids, and still I see no impact vs. when I don't use it. Can you please elaborate?

I'm all for having the pros do it. It was worth every penny for me - and so was the trial. I never could have gotten my face to look the way she did. I say if you have the extra money definitely do it plus its one less thing you have to worry about - you just sit back and let them handle it.

I think @Paula made a great suggestion, about having someone at Sephora or Ulta doing a trial. You could always buy the make up and practice doing your own, so you can do it by yourself for your wedding.

I plan on doing my own make-up, because the look I'm going for will be minimal. Not glam or complicated at all. I'm having a spring garden wedding, and want my make-up to follow suite--light, sweet and feminine.

Also something worth thinking about when it comes to DIYing vs hiring a professional - if you dont wear a lot of makeup day to day, its worth thinking long and hard about whether its really worth it to spend all that money buying new brushes, setting sprays, lashes, the right foundations and concealers, primers, etc if you may never use it again.

Its something that can really add up quick without even realizing it, and in the end you may find that just hiring a pro was more cost effective - many also will include a little touchup kit in their bridal packages. I give my brides a little powder, blotting papers, and a full sized lipstick in their kit.

I agree with Samantha ... The professional MUA was worth every penny, including the trial I paid for. I wear makeup every day and I am not too shabby at it, but the technique the pro did was beyond my skill level. I also wore lashes for the first time ever and WOW did my eyes pop! At my request, she ramped it up a little on my wedding day compared to the trial. I kept thinking it was too much but both she and my MOH said "no it's not! Wait until you have the dress on!". And they were so right! Once I was completely made up with hair, makeup, dress, and accessories, the makeup was spot on. And looked fabulous in the pictures. If I had done my own and hadn't allowed her to add that little bit more, I would have been washed out it the pictures. So there is my testimonial for a professional MUA on your wedding day. It was worth every penny for me!

How good at you at putting on makeup? Are you an expert? Do you know all the best brands and know how to make yourself look the best and know all the tricks and tips for keeping your making looking great all day?

If you know all these things then do it yourself. Otherwise hire a MUA. It's totally worth the money.

My cousin did her own makeup for her wedding and it was beautiful. I plan on doing my own makeup to save the money

I suck at doing my own makeup so I am going all pro. Even if I am decent, I think I just want to pamper myself by getting it done professionally

I am so god awfully horrible at putting make up on and was honestly thinking of skipping this due to budget. I think I might have to splurge though so I don't look like a clown.

I know it probably varies but what is everyone paying for a pro to do it? Just for bride?

On the note that sugarunicorn says: I never wear makeup, but I'm getting married in a rural place across the country, so no chance to do trials, and my assumption is just that they're probably not going to be great since there are just small towns (and budget isn't big enough to pay someone to come from afar). I thought this would be a good opportunity to get more familiar with makeup and figured with 6 months to practice I'd be able to do something passable. Between the Sephora appt., brushes on Amazon, and the drugstore, I spent $125 on makeup and supplies. Not sure how much a pro costs, but $125 isn't that cheap! So DIYing isn't free if you don't already have everything. I'm still happy with my decision, because now I'm ready for date night etc., and I feel less idiotic after my Sephora consultation. But, just something to think about! If you know you'd never wear it again, $125 is kind of a lot. Could just go that morning to a makeup counter and buy the minimum to get the free makeover.

People horribly underestimate the cost of make up.

My base travelling make up is 40$ eye shadows, 75$ in brushes, 15$ foundation, 50# contouring/highlighter, 25 pressed powder to set, concealer 15$ travel size setting 14$. And that's what I condensed it down for traveling. Ish is expensive.