STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Boots · Gucci

Getting make up done for brother's wedding

Elle · Hermes

I don't think it would be a big deal if you pass on the makeup, just make sure they know ahead of time so they don't keep a time open for you.

I passed on getting my makeup done for my own wedding - if you're used to doing your own makeup, the chance that someone else (even a professional) is going to do it better than you is slim IMO. You look at your own face and apply makeup to that face everyday, they are seeing you for the first time, kwim? I did a trial run for the makeup, and hated it because I just didn't look like myself. My bridesmaids were hardly in a position to pay for hair/makeup either, so my gal came on the day-of, just did my hair, and left - I did my own makeup and everyone else did their own makeup and hair, and it worked out totally fine.

The only bad thing? I had no one there that had ever applied a fake eyelash

. And that can be a hard one to get right by yourself!

Starstuff · Kenneth Cole

I think it might depend on how invested the bride is on getting a uniform look to her attendants. Does everyone have a matching dress? matching shoes? She might want everyone to have a similar color scheme for their makeup too. I would just pony up the $ so that I would know the bride couldn't have cause to be pissy about not getting my makeup done -- if you think there might be that situation. You can always "tone down" the look if there's too much product.

When I got married I was glad to have a professional do my make-up. They did a great job with blush, bronzer, eyeshadow -- it all looked (relatively) natural. I do regret not buying the gloss she recommended -- I thought the one I had would be fine, but she really knew the colors to use to compliment my features, etc.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I've had my makeup done a few times for different occasions including my wedding last month. I've never come out looking like a clown with a professional or at the makeup counter. I suck at doing my own makeup for special events so that is why I went with a professional the few times I have done it as they can create the look I want. So I wouldn't worry about how you will "look" per se.

As far as money goes - the cost varies. If the bride isn't set on everyone having professional make up then I would back out as it seems like you have spent quite a bit as it is. I offered everyone makeup appointments but I knew the cost they were shelling out to be there so I didn't force it on them.

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

I think the advantage to having a professional do your makeup is, at least in my experience, they are generally better at applying makeup that will look good in photos. But as a bridesmaid, that's not such a big deal, and I think you'd be fine skipping that part. The only problem I could see is if the bride wants it to be a "bonding" time.

Boots · Gucci

I think I'll try feeling out what the bride really wants. I will be there for the hair part, so maybe that will be enough "bonding time." If she really wants us to all do the makeup too, hen I guess I'll just suck it up and trust that the makeup artist knows what she's doing.

I've spent roughly $1,000 on this wedding as it is and I guess I'm kind of done (I threw the engagement party, was made to split the cost of the shower even though I wasn't a host, just shelled out $100 before drinks on a bachlorette party that I wasn't even consulted on by the MOH and am making/paying for all their center pieces.) I know I have the pedicure/manicure with the bridesmaids coming up to pay for and have to help with the rehearsal dinner too.

The only time I've had my makeup done by someone else was at Sephora. And I liked what that person did, but he was very interactive with me. My FSIL and I have very different tastes, she is much more "bling bling" than me. I think that is part of what I'm worried about.

For those of you who had your makeup done, did it last all day? She is having us meet at the salon at 8AM to get hair and make up done but the wedding isn't until 2PM. I'm wondering if I'll look like a mess by the reception at 6PM? Also, what kind of a percentage did you tip the artist doing your hair and makeup? 15% or 20% as usual? Did you tip each or give one large tip to be split?

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Not sure what kind of make up you are having done but I did airbrush makeup for my wedding and it did last the entire time with just needing lip gloss touch ups.

The other times I had just regular makeup applied I did need to do powder touchups but that was it.

I don't remember about tipping. I think we did the normal 15-20%.

If you do decide to go with the makeup artist maybe bring some photos of how you normally wear your makeup and maybe an example of a formal look so they have an idea of what you will and will not like. It might avoid any overdone/bling bling looks.

Good luck!

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Can you choose your own makeup artist? Like go to Lancome counter, Laura Mercier, Sephora or something so that you have professionally-finished makeup but with more control (and less $$)? Or is it more about the camaraderie that comes along with everyone getting their makeup done together?

I had a trial run with my makeup artist for my wedding, and I still didn't like the results. I am quite easy to please too, so it wasn't me just being picky.

Suasoria · Chanel

The chances are very, very slim that you'll end up looking like a clown hooker!

I agree with Gingembre - pros do tend to know what looks best for photos, but this isn't such a big deal for bridesmaids as for the bride. I definitely was glad someone else did my M/U for my wedding, but $80 is a lot on top of all your other expenses. If all else fails, maybe tell her the truth...you're pretty good with makeup and not sure you want to spend the $80 for it unless she highly, highly recommends it or wants something special/different done.

Boots · Gucci

Thanks for all the feedback (and for the clown hooker image. I am soooo never sleeping again.

) It really helped to hear others' opinions about it before I discussed it with the bride.

I spoke with my FSIL last night and she basically said it was up to me. And as long as she's OK with with me just doing the hair, that's all that matters to me. I actually graduated from Cinema school (many years ago) and had to do all the make up for my films there, so I know how to trick the makeup for a camera (but like you said, it's not that important for the bridemaids anyways.)

I feel much better now.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I had a friend who is a makeup artist do my makeup for my brothers wedding and I swear I've never looked so beautiful in my life! She did some contouring that I am not capable of, and it lasted all night.

If you want to scrimp though, do it yourself but I'd recommend buying a small primer to set everything so you won't get greasy or need to reapply.

Boots · Gucci

Thanks for letting me talk this out here. So much better than making things a big deal in the family when it really isn't an import situation in the big picture.

My FSIL offered to pay for all the bridesmaids' hair & makeup. I feel bad that she is taking on this expense when I know money is tight for them, but I'm also thinking that I may not have been the only one who mentioned that they just couldn't afford to have both done. So since she informed me that I'm the only one who isn't having her makeup done, I've agreed to have the makeup done after all.

This whole thing makes me feel like such a flip flopper, when I'm not at all. Bah! Weddings make you nuts.