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Beginner September 2018

i hated my makeup trial; what to do?

Oxford, on September 5, 2018 at 10:24 AM Posted in Hair and Makeup 0 31

I’d love anyone’s feedback on this, especially if you’ve had a similar experience. I had a makeup trial last night and I didn’t like the results. Due to limited time left before my wedding–just three weeks–I've already booked the woman for the wedding day, as she had great reviews, a good price, and I assumed the trial would be enough to help me decide what I wanted with her.

In my daily life I don’t wear much makeup, so I’m really not used to intense makeup, and I often do not like the look of it. But I thought booking an artist would be one less thing to worry about on the day, and that it would be fun to look a bit more elegant than usual.

At the trial, the woman was generally very friendly. I showed her what I thought I wanted for makeup in photos, but when she did the eye makeup on me, it made my eyes look way smaller and a different shape. I told her as well that I don’t like false lashes, and she told me how she always thinks it’s a mistake when people don’t get them, and said, “Hopefully you can suffer through them at least for the photos, then take them off!” That just sort of rubbed me the wrong way. Also, I mentioned I don’t like foundation and I never, ever wear it, but she told me I absolutely need it for photos. I said I’d try it just to see what it looked like, but I thought it made my nose look flatter and my face look greasy. I just did not look like myself at all. I looked like a different person, and I was not happy with it. But the problem was, I didn’t exactly know how to tell her this. How do you say to a professional “I hate all of this work you’ve done?” And how do you question a makeup artist on something so seemingly fundamental as foundation? I know any makeup artists are probably rolling their eyes as they read this, thinking I’m so clueless. But I just do not like how it looks on me. It makes me incredibly self-conscious. And when I think about it, none of the men are wearing it, and I don’t have that much colour inconsistency on my face…. so why is it mandatory I slather my face with this weird goo?

The other thing is, are the pictures really the most important aspect of the event, or is the most important aspect feeling comfortable in my own skin while having face-to-face time with dear family and friends I haven’t seen in a while?

I’ve paid a retainer fee, so cancelling her services I will lose money. Also, I would like her to do my hair, as I was fine with the hairstyles she did at the trial. So I am just wondering…

Has anyone had a bad trial experience but then a good wedding day experience?

Should I book another trial? (That costs more $$, which makes me nervous as I am busting the bank on this damn wedding). And if I do that, does anyone have any tips on how to be confident enough to just tell her what I want and assert myself better (ie., “I really genuinely do not want foundation, even if you find that weird”)?

Has anyone done their own makeup for their wedding and been happy with it? Is it fine to just forgo the whole professional makeup thing? But THEN how do I tell her I just want the hair service and not the makeup? I really don’t want to offend her. I feel like crap offending people, haha. Aaah please help.

Thank you so much everyone!

31 Comments

Latest activity by Oxford, on September 5, 2018 at 12:50 PM
  • S
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Shantel ·
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    Absolutely important for you to feel comfortable and confident but especially still need to feel like YOU! Pictures are great but if they are going to be a constant reminder of a bad experience you won't enjoy them either.
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  • KarenO
    Master June 2018
    KarenO ·
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    I had a similar experience with my makeup trial - I didn't like it at all and felt like I didn't look like myself. I did really like the MUA though, and photos of her work. I talked to her and just told her that I wanted something much more natural for the day-of, and that feeling comfortable seeing people in person was more important to me than wearing a ton of makeup to look my best in photos.

    I feel that we came to a good agreement, and I really only felt slightly self-conscious about my makeup on my wedding day (because I also am not used to wearing much makeup at all). A true professional will listen to you, and help you achieve the look that you want. Maybe send her an email to see what ideas she might have? I find it a lot easier to stand up for myself over email, rather than backing down in an actual conversation.

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  • Courtney
    Super December 2018
    Courtney ·
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    If you dont look like you in the pics, then what is the point?

    With that said...

    If you're not comfortable with makeup, doing your own is NOT a good idea. That is a recipe for disaster.

    Why don't you go to a few places in the mall (plan on different days) and see if you can get used to the feel? (Note, each person will have a different approach, and they're probably going to use ALL of their products to attempt to get you to buy them!) Ask them specifically to use a light hand. See if the FEEL was the major issue. Once you have a few different experiences, then you can make the call.

    It's a little unfair to judge her so harshly when it seems like you have only this one experience with makeup.

    After you have gotten a little more experience with different approaches, contact her and say what you liked - what you didnt like - what you REALLY liked. Sandwich the bad in between the good, end on the great.

    In general, it sounds like you're anti- makeup, which is fine...but it isn't reasonable to expect to have a good experience when you dislike something so strongly.


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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    I didn't want to get detailed in my post, but I have lots of experience doing my own makeup. I just find I don't wear too much of it these days. I have also had my makeup done before professionally (used to work in TV and film), but it's been a while. I guess the point of what I was saying is that I'm not anti-makeup, or I wouldn't have booked a makeup artist, but after the trial, I realized I really didn't like it, and I don't know how to tell her that. I think what I mainly don't like is having foundation on my face. And the eye makeup totally changed the shape of my eyes which I wasn't a fan of. When I do my own eye makeup, I play up the shape of my eye in a certain way. This is why I'm trying to figure out if it makes more sense to do my own, or to keep trying to explain to her what I like. My brain is so frazzled these days, which is why I'm asking strangers for opinions! haha Smiley smile

    Anywho, I guess doing my own just seems like a lot of work when I will already have lots to worry about that day, plus I've already paid for the makeup... so yeah, probably best to figure out how to tell her exactly what I want. I'm sheepish! haha Smiley smile

    Going to malls is a good idea, I might try that! Thanks

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    And I agree it is best to sandwich in what I liked and didn't like when I contact her. Thanks Smiley smile

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    Thanks, this is very true (that's it's easier in email). This makes me feel much better. I just started quesitoning if I should just cancel the makeup services, or if it's worth sticking it out. And this makes me feel like it's worth sticking it out and trying to make it work.

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    Thank you for your support. Smiley smile

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  • Kelly
    Legend October 2022
    Kelly ·
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    Hi Oxford! Welcome to the WeddingWire community! Smiley ring I'm sorry to hear that you didn't have a good experience with your trial. I would say that yes pictures are great for memories of the day but if you don't feel comfortable in your own skin on your own wedding day, you won't be happy looking through them! I am the same way with foundation, I hate the way it looks on my skin. I do understand that many artists use it because it truly does look good in pictures, but I would be firm with your wishes and say no to that if you aren't comfortable! My best advice would be to go into the day of with an idea of what you want and stick to it! I'm glad to hear the hair part went well, what kind of hair style did you end up going with?

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    Do you have pictures of the makeup trial so we can see?

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    I did a high bun with a beaded/floral crown/headpiece in the front. Smiley smile

    Thanks for your feedback and motivation!

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    I have deleted this photo of my picture just for privacy! Thanks for the feedback all.

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    I have deleted the photo of my picture just for privacy! Thanks for the feedback all.

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    I don't think it looks bad! I am on her side, I think fake lashes are always amazing in pictures. BUT if you don't want them, you shouldn't have them!! It's your day. I'd just email her and say you LOVED your hair but just don't like that you looked oily, your eyes looked smaller, etc. and you want to do another trial. You're paying her, you should be happy with the service. Then maybe come with several specific pictures & colors you want.

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    Thank you! I have to admit/agree that when looking at the pics, I do love how the fake lashes look. It's just that they made my eyes feel craaaazy! So I'll think about it. Maybe I can "suffer through it" for the pics, haha, and then peel 'em off....

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  • MrsD
    Legend July 2019
    MrsD ·
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    How many kinds have you tried? For me, some irritate my eyes and some don't. And it depends how much glue is put on and how heavy the lashes are. Extensions may be another option to consider, or just individual false lashes?

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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    That's interesting. I hadn't thought about extensions. I am going to look into that.

    THANKS!

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  • Kodi
    Super April 2019
    Kodi ·
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    Wearing makeup will make you look different, that is kind of the point. You said you wanted to look more elegant than usual..

    Also I do agree that you want to look really good in your pictures, those are your memories. But If you hate it that much then just don’t go with her, take your loss, watch some youtube videos and do it yourself. There are a lot of wedding makeup tutorials.


    * Looking at the pictures the makeup actually looks super simple.


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  • O
    Beginner September 2018
    Oxford ·
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    I think I've been talked into sticking with the MUA, but just being more up front with her about how I want to tone it down/change things. But I'm glad in the pics it doesn't look too crazy.

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  • Preslee
    Expert May 2019
    Preslee ·
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    I agree with her regarding lashes and foundation. I don't mean this negatively at all but if you don't want foundation or lashes and such little shadow; is there a reason you hired someone and didn't just do it yourself

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  • Lisa
    Devoted October 2018
    Lisa ·
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    I didnt see the pics. But the eye makeup sounds similar to me. I have slightly hooded down turned eyes - therefore I can't wear my eyeshadow the way most people do. In order to brighten my eyes and make them look good with eye shadow I have to put my shadow on in a cat eye type pattern. I think just talking to the MUA is best. Explain what you didnt like. As an artist I'd hope she would listen to her client and try to adapt so that you are happy on your wedding day.
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