Nov 12, 2010

Wedding Makeup: D.I.Y. or 'Go Pro'?


You have two choices when it comes to your bridal makeup:





1) Use a professional makeup artist 
2) Do It Yourself (DIY).

If you're thinking of doing your own wedding makeup to save money, think again. 
Many brides who go DIY with their bridal party's makeup spend the same amount of money or more buying the foundations, finding lipstick colours and wasting money on unsuitable beauty products they can't return, in the process.  Plus they have to spend extra time researching what look they want, plus more time spent practicing. 
And if they’ve not booked a makeup artist for their bridal party, the bridesmaids will also have to do their own makeup on the day, or the bride might try to do the bridal party's makeup herself.  That’s a huge responsibility, especially on your wedding day!  
If you have the time to learn, patience to practice and the time on the day to do it yourself, then going DIY with your makeup due to a tight budget is an option...but I don't recommend it.  However, there are other benefits (apart from possibly saving money) to doing your own makeup:
  • You have full control of the finished look
  • You can be proud of having done it yourself
  • You can enjoy the tradition of getting yourself ready on the day of your wedding
Those are great reasons to take your bridal beauty into your own hands.  But there's also a way to get professional-style results when applying your own makeup:  Get professional guidance.  Upgrade your beauty skills with a private lesson with a makeup artist.  You’ll get all the credit of self-applying your bridal look and your guests don't have to know you had 'inside help'.  
Some makeup artists offer lessons where you get the experience of applying the makeup yourself, with their guidance, and learn your best makeup colour and techniques along the way.  This is a great option if you want to apply your own bridal look on your wedding day, but need to know the best colours and perhaps products to use.  And if group lessons are available, invite your bridesmaids and enjoy a workshop together.  It’s the perfect excuse enjoy some quality ‘girly’ time together, and your bridesmaids can practise applying their own makeup in advance of the wedding day. 


Beware, though, of makeup 'lessons' where the makeup artist does all the work.  Just watching them apply your makeup with not give you the skills to be able to recreate that professional look.  You need the tools and brushes in your hands to experience a true makeup lesson.  Most makeup artists are great at applying makeup but lack the words or motivation to describe and teach how a technique should be done.  It also takes time to explain the 'why' or principle behind the action.  A face chart can only explain so much.  Without hands-on learning, you'll have little hope of being able to recreate the artist's work when they're not around.  
My tip: If you book a makeup lesson, or a trial-run with a makeup artist (If going Pro), make this appointment on the day of your hen’s night or when you have something special planned afterwards so you have somewhere to show off and enjoy your polished look. 
If you've chosen to go fully Pro, good on you!  Booking a professional makeup artist saves you the time, money and energy you might spend researching, practising and experimenting with makeup before the day if going DIY.  
If you've not yet booked a professional makeup artist and have been meaning to - do it now. Find out the deposit requirements and availability of your preferred makeup artist now, and check it off your list. It's probably not too early.  Most makeup artists take bookings up to 12 months in advance, if not more and it’s best to have a trial (if possible) then secure your preferred makeup artist before someone else does.  
There are makeup artists who will listen to you and collaborate with your ideas to create a look you love.  Go get ‘em!
Visit my website to see photos, testimonials and prices of my work.  Click on the bride in the centre of the page for details of my mobile special occasions makeup.


Regardless of the makeup artist you choose, read 'How To Avoid A Makeup Meltdown' (also on this blog) to avoid disappointment with your makeup and get the most from your makeup artist.
For your beautiful education,
Lillybeth Melmoth

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