Make up at the mall

My best friend did this for her wedding and it looked fab! She did it once a few weeks before, and then again on her wedding day. And it was all free!! I'm thinking I might do the same thing.

Well, I would price out both. It's not free at the mall either.

Many times it's free if you buy something from them. But buying it for touch-ups isn't a bad idea. If I were you, I'd still get a trial with the same artist you're going to use. I'm sure they're great, but you can't be too safe!

I was a makeup artist at the mall. I worked at Estee Lauder then eventually the Lancome counter in Macy's. It is free....a purchase is appreciated, but it's their job to do makeup and actually even have to have a certain number of sit down appointments required per week. I would definitely suggest going this route if you are trying to save money. Most girls/guys behind the counter should be excited and happy to help you. Personally for a wedding, I would go to a counter that is more color focused because Clinique is more driven by skincare.

You could purchase something as simple as powder or lipstick if they say a purchase is required. You don't "owe" them...they are already getting paid hourly.

I did it at the mall yesterday for my B-pics at MAC. I asked if they would do my makeup if I purchased something from them. I ended up buying a 12 doller lip gloss and the makeup looked great!

Since my makeup artist just quit basically maybe i will try it out and see how it goes for me too

I got my make up done at Sephora at the mall for my engagement shoot. The girl who did it was great and super nice and offered to do my wedding day make up. I so would have gotten it done there again except my friend who is a make up artist offered to do it for me and I had my trial with her and it was great. Here's a pic of what the Sephora girl did. All I had to do was purchase a $40 gift card which I then could use to buy any product in the store. I am not against this...but I wouldn't just go do it there for the first time...I'd get it done before the wedding first and see if you can find someone who can do a great job.

As a ex-Makeup counter girl myself - manager (quit to run my own company) I might offer you a few key points to keep in mind during your search when booking through counters/your local mall locations:

Some artists are great, others not so much and you don't usually get to 'pick' as it's more so who's working that day. So don't be afraid to roam around a bit on different days and check out them out!

Be sure to make an appointment, don't just show up, as often on days like a Saturday, they might not be able to get you in.

Some counters have a "minimum purchase" requirement for all FULL face Makeup applications!!! This ranges from counter to counter, some start at around $10 (lipgloss, etc. purchase) others are around $50.

Also know your Wedding day timing, as some artists time frames vary. Average service time though typically averages about 30 min a face...

...and lastly, and most importantly. Just know that now a days, many counters don't necessarily hire 'makeup artists' anymore!!! Sad but true, so there is NO Guarantee on services

As long as the girl can sell and 'look' presentable, they can be hired, trained in makeup or otherwise. So just be Leary on that in your searching. As I currently have 2 friends working at make-up counters (clinque and dior) and neither one has ANY Training, but are very good at sales....in which case the counters will usually do 'mini' training to bring them up to speed a bit.

Sephora is usually pretty good.

Hope that helps