Makeup Artist Stress

I'm having a different makeup artist kind of stress right now. I'm looking for one and I just can't decide. I'm the worst when it comes making decisions. Good luck with your hunt!

Maybe you can contact a few and do a trial prior to booking them?

Definitely do a trial. What you think you might want may be completely different than what looks great on you.

There was a girl last year who posted her make up trial being so mad because it didn't look anything like her inspiration...but she had black hair and darker features and her inspiration was the make up of a blonde pale girl. Even the lipstick color looked totally different on her.

I thought I wanted a silver smokey eye....then my make up artist told me silver usually doesn't photograph right in professional pictures.

I love make up. I do my make up every day (including fake lashes) but a pro will know exactly what you need, what will last all day, what photographs great and you know what? It's totally worth it.

Go with a pro! You will not regret it. Read reviews and don't hesitate to inquire and do a trial first. Some MUA can book more then one wedding a day depending on the time of day and how many services you need.

I had my good friend do mine. She did a great job! I'm glad I saved myself the stress and money.

Heather A, do you use reusable lashes that you apply everyday? I want to start wearing them and am curious which brand to get.

I just posted something along these lines the other day! I've had two consultations (both with rave reviews) and I walked away not feeling like "me". I decided to just do my own... knowing that I'm picky and would be unhappy with someone else's work. If worst comes to worst and some of these folks aren't available, believe in yourself and knowing you know YOU best. You'll be gorgeous and glowing on your day, no matter how this decision pans out.

Do you like putting on makeup? I get tired of doing it everyday so I'm hiring a MUA so I can relax & enjoy myself. I definitely agree with the others about doing a trial first.

My MUA was the first thing booked. (Okay that's kind of only because my friend has her own studio so I had to use her...she does hair as well..and its just gorgeous!)

If anyone in the LA area is looking for one, let me know and I'll send the info. They have rave reviews on weddingwire and yelp as well...

Pros know how to make your makeup look perfect in photos. My friend did my makeup before our e-pics, and wow I couldn't believe how good it looked in the photos! When I do my makeup myself, I'm always washed out..

Futuremrsdean, sorry it took me a while to reply, I didn't see you comment.

I swear by the MAC lashes. They're pricey but look natural. I always use strips. I like them way better, they're beautiful and literally only take me 5 seconds to glue on. If I'm gentle with them I can wear them between 10-15 times. The cheaper lashes you find other places will not las as many uses. The glue is really easy to pull off/put on.

Definitlely hire a professional! I could not handle the stress on the day of to make my makeup look perfect. I love how I do my makeup every day, and I love makeup, I just can't see myself doing it the day of. I think you should be able to sit back and relax, at least during the getting ready portion of the day. I would say definitely do a trial also! I hired my girl without one only because her sister has been cutting/styling my hair for 10 years, so I totally trust her!

Also, I don't know if your photographer is taking getting ready pictures but seriously, mine with the make up artist/hair people getting me/bridesmaids/mom ready are perfect.

I look so relaxed and happy and laughing because I'm enjoying it and not worrying about it.

Thanks, Heather A. I'll try the MAC lashes and practice applying them. I've always had a hard time applying falsies, but I'm sure I'll get it with practice.

I agree with you that I really want the pics of me getting pampered to get ready to walk down the aisle. Plus, I want to be pampered that day. If it's in the budget and you can find a MUA you like, I'd go for it.

I am dealing with the same stress. I have contacted a handful to get ideas on price ranges so far, particularly trial price ranges, which seem to be all over the map. My issue is the same because I am a makeup junky, love applying and experimenting with makeup, but feel I should be pampered on this 1 day of my life, and secondly, I feel like I will be shaking with nerves and anticipation, and do I really want to be doing my own makeup like that? NO. I am a stickler on wanting to look like myself. I've seen photos of before and after's on these MUA's websites and hated them, did not think they looked good at all, some of them didn't even look like themselves, their 1st (before) pic. So, I think being very clear cut with them right from the start, telling them you want "a romantic" look, will avoid being overdone, because I feel it is in their tendency to pile on the makeup. Just be very specific and upfront with them. Now, narrow it down to the couple who you connect with and set up trials. I am allowing myself 2 trials tops because they can get expensive, and deciding from there.

Just make sure to speak up. If you don't like what they've done, ask them to change it until you like it and don't leave until it's settled.

Definitely....if you are investing in a professional photographer, makeup and hair done by a real pro will enhance the photos....those are 2 areas you don't want to skimp on by hiring a dude with a camera or a cousin with a makeup brush. I'd get trials done and see which you like and who you feel comfortable with.

The thing that matters here is that a MUA who can make you look great for both the camera and in person is vital. Most of us can do our own makeup for life, but very few of us can work for the cameras.

@Celia, thats where I've hit the biggest concern. And honestly, these past few months, my makeup just never looks as good as it used to. I blame it on hitting the other side of 30 :/

I have a trial scheduled in a week.

I suggest looking at make up artists who work in film and tv as well as weddings. They (we) are the artists who make our living doing natural looking base that holds all day. We also work in a timely fashion, aware and used to timelines that need to be met. You should look online and email various artists who have work posted you like. Get an idea of prices and availability, and if they travel to your wedding location.

Ha ha ha...the OTHER side of 30. I"m way there. Ask your photographer for recommendations; they are usually there when makeup is being done and obviously, they look at the photos afterwards.

Weirdly enough, the older (and I use that term lightly....) we get, the less makeup we really need. When I did the gig with Colin Cowie, they had an entire makeup studio set up on the premises. They (fortunately) had a few minutes to mess with my face, and even though it was just a bit of strategically placed eye liner, shadow and blush, I have to tell you that I have never looked that good. I didn't wash my face for two days...

I learned a lot from that little session, and you could look at that as an added bonus!