Sophara vs Ulta wedding makeup

I'm a VIB Rouge at Sephora so it's free for me, I'll be trying them out for my engagement pictures in May. If I like it I might go back for wedding make up, depending on his I reach rouge again or if I just want to shell out the $50.

I did Sephora makeup for my engagement pictures. I was really happy with my skin and lips, but hated my eyes, which are typically my favorite feature. The MUA kept saying "trust me you want to look romantic and natural." I wear more eyeliner and mascara on a daily basis than what she put on me. I couldn't choose which MUA I got, and I don't think she was even a trained MUA, just someone who was really good at doing makeup. They also lost my appointment and had to scramble to find someone in the store who was capable of doing makeup for me. I wouldn't rely on that unknown factor for my wedding.

I did a Sephora appointment, just to get ideas for DIYing my makeup. They're supposed to be 1 hour, but she spent 2 hours with me. She described how to apply it and some common mistakes. She did half my face and I did half my face-- so like she did an eye and explained it, and I did an eye and she would tell me if I was doing something wrong. It was a really good experience.

Did you have a particular question?

I think it's risky...they are both really just retail stores and I don't believe you have to be an experienced make up artist to work there. That's not to say your local store wouldn't have someone there that actually is really talented and may have some experience, but I'd guess that is probably the exception. I shop both of those stores frequently and I've never come out of either one looking amazing when I've asked for some help/suggestions on particular products, so for me there's no way I would have considered them for my wedding day make up. Others may have had better experiences. If you decided to go this route, you should make sure your wedding day isn't the first time a particular person is doing your makeup...please do some sort of trial run and then find out if you can be assured that same person will do your makeup on your wedding day if you liked their work. (but I'm gonna guess they may not make those types of guarantees at a retail store that probably has a decent amount of turnover)

I use Sephora when I'm going out, but like pp said you don't know who will be working on you. I've gotten lucky and had the same mua several times and would consider asking if she does work on the side to come to me.

I agree, a lot of the people that work at those stores are not trained mua and you don't want to chance it. If you are on a tight budget I would look into a local beauty school. At least those people have some training and there is always an instructor there if things get out of hand.

Sephora *

I have used MAC at Macy's before for other weddings where I was a bridesmaid and for special nights out and I always had a good experience. The makeup application is free when you purchase $35 in products I believe. If you have a trial with a MUA that you like maybe asking to book them for your date or if they are willing to do it on the side for a price. I would think they would be alot cheaper than many MUA. I had ridiculously quoted prices over $350 for makeup alone. Recently I was recommended to someone that works at a TV station and she will do it for $60 and that is regular foundation or airbrush whichever I choose. I will be scheduling my trial for April so I have my fingers crossed.

I think if that were my options I would go to a MAC counter instead. I believe they do your makeup for free with a $50 purchase and they are all very skilled makeup artists, in my option Sephora and Ulta they are sales associates.

I hate ulta, Sephora all the way! If you are a VIB member you can get makeup done for free

No. Those people are not trained, and while they may be good, there is no guarantee. And you do not want to be going to the mall on the morning of your wedding.

This is a place where the difference between DIY and pros is well worth the money.

It rained on my wedding day, and everyone's makeup stayed perfect. All day. even the girls who got it done at 10 AM, before eating lunch, walking in the rain, pictures, crying during the ceremony, eating and drinking at the reception...I didn't even have to touch up my lipstick, the application was so good.

And this is because I paid $100 pp for a real professional to do our makeup.

Sephora all the way. They have higher end makeup than ulta that should stand out more. It's also cheaper. Sephora's employees also get some formal training unlike those at ulta.

Ulta's MUA are trained. I was looking for experiences. Just want to look photo ready. Not washed out. I was gonna use one of them for my engagement photo's . But by the looks of everyone's response I'll just have to DIY. I'm good just need to get better

Chloe - Sephora carries a lot same exact brands as ulta- what are you talking about?

And. Neither you do not have to be a certified mua to work there. They are just people who like make up.

Go pay a professional.

MAC is good because they are certified but they tend to be a little heavy handed (imho that's not a problem but my taste ate not everyones) and will only use products at the counter ... And their foundation live is mediocre at best. You can hire one of the Mac freelance artist if you want and they probably will use mostly mac but more likely to use other products as well.

I had my makeup done at MAC for my boudoir shoot. While my makeup looked good, it wasn't the same experience as hiring a pro. The woman doing my makeup was bouncing back a forth between doing my makeup and helping other customers. I wouldn't want to risk them being busy on your wedding day, and causing you to be late. Plus any retail store (MAC, Ulta, Sephora,etc) cares more about selling makeup. They usually don't hire licensed cosmetologists, they hire sales people that are decent at makeup.

Associates as Ulta, MAC, Serphora, etc aren't trained in the truest sense of the word. Otherwise they would be working elsewhere, or for themselves, making mad money. (hello, my wedding girl made at least $50 per hour on my wedding day!)

They do get some training but its not the same.

I had a makeup trial at MAC. My sister treated me for something fun. I was planning on doing that for my wedding day until my FIL treated me to a professional HMUA as party of my bridal photo shoot. HOLY HECK the difference was INSANE! When I looked back on pics I couldn't BELIEVE I was going to get my wedding makeup done at MAC! It looked so childish afterwards. 5 days before my wedding I cancelled my MAC appointment and had the professional MUA booked. Trust me... there;s a difference!!! Some of those girls at the retail stores are students, or have just taken a couple of courses. Plus.. if you go in on a Saturday for your wedding, can you imagine if the store was busy? Your MUA would have to keep leaving you to serve customers! Better to pay a true professional $50 than get a free makeover with $50 worth of product, IMHO. I'll try to find my 2 trial pics for a split screen comparison!

@Future MRS Perez. $350 JUSt for makeup??!! Thats craziness!

Maybe it's different in Florida but my sister went to Ulta she only paid a $20 fee for full face.

I went to Sephora to get tips on doing my own makeup a few months before the wedding. I liked it because I learned some new things, got to try a bunch of products and purchased the ones I really liked for my wedding. The MUA I was scheduled with was late for the appointment but it didn't matter as I was not in a hurry. I don't think I would get my makeup done at the store on my wedding day just because that seems like added stress. I did my own makeup the day of my wedding because makeup was not one of my priorities so I was not willing to spend several hundred dollars to get a MUA to travel to the middle of nowhere that day. If you feel comfortable with how you do your own makeup, just purchase a good setting spray and primer and you will be fine.