Getting your face done at Ulta on the big day? Anyone?

I would never have someone I didn't know do my makeup... or let me rephrase that... I would never have someone who I have not done a trial with do my makeup for my wedding day. Never.

Maybe go in do a trial and if you like it, ask the person if you pay them will they be willing to come to you the day off to do your makeup. She/He might say Yes to extra money going in their pocket.

See, I wondered if that was how it worked...please pardon my ignorance here because I know some ladies are having their MUA come to their venue and some get it done at the salon. I have never had my "face done" before by anyone other than myself.

Are you trying to save money?

I'm not doing this but a few of my bridesmaids are (at Sephora, not Ulta, but the same idea). My one bridesmaid is going in to try it out once first, to see if she likes it. Like a bridesmaid trial, lol. If she does she's going to try to book the same girl to do her makeup on my wedding day.

I've had my makeup done many times (as a bridesmaid) at MAC or Sephora, and only once did I not like it, and that was my own fault for deciding on a bold eyeshadow that I later regretted. Usually if you're VERY clear, you'll get the result you want.

But for your own wedding day, I would only do this if you could try it out once before and even then only if you can set an appointment with the same person for your wedding day.

KT-V: No, I was not going to have anyone do my makeup actually, but a BM wanted that option. I know SHE will not want to spend the money if I find I can get a girl at Ulta to do it for cheap. I would tell this BM to look into it herself, but she is flying to our wedding from Hawaii so I am trying to be accommodating and helping with info if I can.

Oh my god. I went to Ulta to get my makeup done once. It was TERRIBLE. There are no words to describe how bad it was. I looked like a ghostly hooker and they just use samples off the floor on your face. I would attach a photo of how bad it was but i am so ashamed of them I've blocked them from my facebook page.

Here is what I would do. If you don't where a lot of make up anyways, you really don't need to cake it on. I would watch some youtube videos on how to apply makeup. I gaurantee it will look better than going to Ulta.

My BM was in almost a panic about it - this girl wears no makeup ever but myself and my other BM do a "full face" every single day. I actually need to tone down my eye makeup for the wedding so it does not look so wild. I think she wants to look more like myself and my other BM which is understandable - she thinks it would look weird in photos to have two girls wearing eyeshadow and false lashes and her be sans eye makeup.

I am doing mine at MAC in the Belk store. I did mine once there and loved it. They did exactly what I wanted. My profile pic was when I tried MAC and I told them I want it as natural as I can get it because I don't like Make-up.

I had a horrible experience during a makeup trial recently, with someone who was extremely well-reviewed and quite honestly lacked any technical skill (hello, attaching false eyelashes 1/4 inch above my lashline). I count my blessings I did the trial because otherwise I would have been screwed on my wedding day.

Hire a professional makeup artist that you can do a trial with. If you can't afford that, I would do it myself before going to Ulta for the first time on your big day.

Like Amber said...my MOH once got her makeup done at Ulta and came out looking like Mimi from the Drew Carey show. It was hilarious.

@Koch Bride: OMG! Yea...I do not want any ghosts, hookers, drag queens, saloon dancers, or any theatrics at my wedding...lol!

First and foremost, the makeup counter is a retail environment. Their main purpose is to sell cosmetics and make a profit. Most counter representatives work off of commission. The more you buy, the more they sell, the larger their cut.

Speaking as an ex-counter rep for several brands, I can honestly tell you I was not hired because of my makeup skills. They hired me for my ability to sell cosmetic products. My previous training and experience in makeup application was just icing on the cake.

Since you will have photos taken at your wedding, your makeup needs to be applied to best accent your features. Most cosmetic sales people will apply makeup for an every day look without considering the specifics required for photography. Details like lighting (natural vs. artificial), contouring, highlighting, minimizing flaws, reducing shine, etc. are important to looking flawless in pictures.

Understanding photography comes from training and experience; something a sales person is not likely to have been exposed to. If you've invested a good amount into your dress and photographer, you should want to also invest into your wedding day beauty look.

I've had way too many horrible makeup experiences at Ulta and counters to ever go back there for any reason at all. I've had a few good experiences at Sephora, but none that I would seriously consider wearing in public (let alone in photos).

I will just tell my fretting BM that she needs to hire her own MUA if she wants one then because I will not need to use a MUA. As far as it goes now, we are all getting our hair done at the beauty school (those students do a perfectly fine job for $10) but I have not seen their makeup services.

I did a trial the other day at our local Belk store with a guy from Lancôme, David did amazing job on my makeup. It looked so natural and very light on my face. If you do a trial first, I would consider letting someone do your makeup the day of.

I think retailers are hit or miss. I went in to the same store and product line and had my make up done and it was STUNNING. I never wanted to take it off. I went into the same exact store and product line and showed her a picture of it and asked her to talk me through how to do that look and it looked horrendous. I washed it off in my car because I was too embarrassed.

My sister in law went to Mac the morning of her wedding (she just had a small ceremony) and they will do a full face as long as you at least buy one product. She bought mascara that she uses and needed anyway. But she said if she didn't, she would have just gone to a different one to return it.

I had a horrible expericence at Ulta. She put WAY to much makeup and she made my liquid eyeliner too thick. My lashes weren't even curled. When I saw my face I was so shocked I almost laughed. I didn't want to be rude and say I hated it but I honestly did. I went home and took it all off and did it myself.

Can you do a trial, and can you schedule an appointment for your wedding day? I wouldn't want to leave it up to chance that maybe that morning it's super busy at Ulta!!

To find local makeup artists who specialize in wedding day makeup, use the WW vendor search:

https://www.weddingwire.com/vendor-reviews