Several weeks ago, I wrapped up my blog post talking about the royal wedding and its impact on wedding trends, along with how you can incorporate some of the traditions into your own “royal wedding†while keeping within your budget.
Now that I am back from a much-needed vacation to the East Coast, I would like to talk about another royal trend that brides will be copying this year. When I was conducting bridal workshops in 2010, I noticed that more brides were planning on doing their own makeup for the wedding day.
I certainly do not want to take away from what professional makeup artists do, because I know a great many of them, and they do a spectacular job. Not every bride has the budget to hire a professional makeup artist for herself, let alone the rest of the bridal party.
If you are one of the brides who doesn’t have the budget for a professional makeup artist, please do NOT panic! You can learn to apply your own makeup, though you will need to spend some time practicing. You will also want to take some photos in different lighting to see how you will look in pictures. Experiment with different colors and looks, take notes, and go with what makes you feel beautiful!
Before buying anything, you should make an appointment with a makeup representative at the cosmetics counter at your local department store. These consultations are usually free, but the cosmetics rep usually does like for you to buy a product. You should always take with you to the consultation the outfit that you will be wearing to your engagement photo shoot and a photo of your wedding day attire, so that the cosmetic rep knows what he or she is working with.
Let the rep know what time of the ceremony and where it will be held. This way, she can best advise you about what type of makeup you will want to use. Usually, the consultation will last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. A lot of times, the cosmetic rep “freelances,†and for a small fee, might be available to come to your home to apply your makeup for your special day. Other times, you can make an appointment the day of your wedding to go into the department store to have your makeup applied. Just be forewarned that you have to factor the time into your wedding day timeline, and if the cosmetic rep is behind schedule, it could be problematic for you!
What are your makeup plans? Are you going to be a DIY bride or hire a professional?
Courtesy of Kracke Photopgrahy
Great advice! I know a few brides who went to a makeup counter or who did DIY makeup that looked great. Look at Kate Middleton, too! She did a stellar job. I would never have attempted it, but if a bride’s comfortable doing it herself, all the more power to her.
Very balanced post! Hope you had a loverly vacation!
You’re so right about practice! I have been practicing for my DIY makeup every weekend since we were engaged! I’m doing a VERY natural look with just a little mascara and more blush. I found a lipstick that matches my lip shade and I have been doing a skincare regimen all month to get that bare fresh face look.
I’m so glad I’ll look like me and still have makeup on!
I’m definitely DIY-ing! I just can’t part with the money! I’d rather throw it at my photographer and get a few more hours out of him! But I have gone to the MAC counter and got a little help and bought myself a nice fire engine red lippy!
I didn’t do my own but I got one of my girlfriends to do who I knew tons about makeup and it was great!! I agree with doing it yourself because who knows you and your makeup more than you do. The money can definitely be used in some many other places.
What a great pieces of advice. I’m going to share the tips to my fellow bride as well! Thanks!
I have seen at Davids bridal a makeup sealer you put on before you use your mascara… has anyone tried this? Also what about covering up a tattoo??