Make-up for engagement pictures?

I got mine done at a local salon. Because we got them taken on a Sunday at noon, I was having a hard time finding someplace that was either open that early or open period and I loved the way it turned out. At first I had thought it was WAY too dark and touched it up a little when I got home (she didn't line my lower lid with eyeliner and I always do) but it photographed really well.

I would suggest either of those or even Ulta for make up, I have never gone to a counter like that and got it done but I would suggest to either find a photo of make you really like or be really clear what you want. I took photos of my eyes with my day to day make up on and told her I wanted to look like me and not go too dark with it and I think she nailed it.

I used an MUA whom I'd met at a bridal show - she had an offer that if anyone came by her new studio for a "tour", we'd get a free hair/mu session. I was thinking of hiring her for my day, but at the tour, I found out there were minimums that I didn't meet. She was sweet enough to honor the offer and I used it the evening of our shoot.

Ulta or MAC would probably be your best bet for makeup counters. I think you have to buy minimum product with MAC, though.

Makeup counters are great, especially if you're in the market for some new products anyhow. Leave plenty of time before so you aren't rushed. And pick a consultant whose makeup looks good to you - if you don't like the way they do their own makeup, chances are pretty good you may not like the results of your own trial.

Do you have a salon academy? We have one and if they are doing a class, they will do your makeup for free. I am going today so I can get $5 shellac put on my nails. The great thing about the schools is they get graded on what they do and there are instructors there to fix issues.

Thank you everyone! I had my makeup done at a bridal show once but it was so thick and heavy I didn't like it much. I will have to bring pictures of what I want. I'll scope out some mall counters and see who looks good!

Graycat... Not that I know of but it sounds like a great idea! I'll look into it for sure.

I just made an appointment at my local beauty college to get my makeup done for my epics in 2 weeks. Thank you for posting this and thank you GrayCat for that tip. It is only going to cost me $15. I made the appintment about 3 hours before my pics so that if I look hideous I have time to go home and wash it off and do my own lol.

I made an appointment with Sephora to have my make up done for e-pics. It's "free" but they expect you to purchase at least $50 worth of product. I think it can vary from Sephora to Sephora but the woman who did my makeup did an amazing job and I left with some really great foundation and primers.

Do you have a friend who is really good with makeup that could do yours? It's not in our budget for a MUA & I don't think I would be comfortable with a stranger doing my hair and makeup. I know they are professionals, but I don't like it when people are all up close and in my personal space! So I was glad I found a friend who is really good with makeup and hair. She did my hair and makeup for e-pics, and I was really impressed and happy with it!

Do you have a Sephora in your area? They did my makeup for my e-pics and it turned out great!

I recently had my makeup done at a makeup counter at Macy's for a friend's wedding. The counter was a hybrid of several brands - Urban Decay, Bare Minerals, Philosophy. I LOVED some of the products she put on me, and I just had to buy $35 worth of product when she was finished.

I was initially going to go the route of Sephora or the MAC counter at Nordstrom---but then my photographer scheduled our e-pics at 830 am on a Sunday morning--we are doing them in a beautiful downtown historic district, so we didn't want it too busy with cars, and he says 830am will give us the best light---so needless to say I don't think Sephora or Nordstrom is open at 7am on a Sunday. I have been looking on Thumbtack to price having somebody come do my makeup for me. I am just so terrible with doing my makeup that it will be a disaster if I try to do it myself for our e-pics.

I had Sephora do mine for my E-photos..but I'm also in that store so often that I knew which artists were so-so, good, and great! My makeup was perfect and lasted the entire 3 HR session, plus dinner and a movie afterwards!

SEPHORA is the best! The main difference between Sephora and Dept. Store counters is an important one: the Dept. Store counter will have one brand to choose from, that may or may not have the ideal products for what you want.

Sephora you can go in and say you want a full-coverage foundation - this will cover imperfections and suit HD cameras well, and won't require touch-ups during the day, and won't run if you cry or it rains... not all brands have a foundation like this, but Sephora will have several options to suit your skin type and color.

Additionally, Sephora makeup artists have a significant amount of training, and while department store makeup teams *may*, the quality of how they work varies greatly, and I find they tend to know a single way to apply their own products, rather than adapting the products for your face... they also may have a financial incentive to push certain colors or products, which may or may not be the best for you.

I've had many, many trials done at Sephora, and I've never been disappointed with the results. My SIL is a PR exec, and it's the only place she trusts to keep her looking like herself.

Thank you all SO much! After reading all of your input I think I will definitely stop at Sephora! It's actually on my way home from work so it will be perfect.

I appreciate it. I'll be sure to post pics of how it comes out. Thank you!