Doing your own makeup

I'm doing mine

I enjoy makeup and like you, I know what I like and would rather stick to what I know than worry on the day how it's going to turn out.

Doing it myself means I can practice as much as I like and take as long as I want on it, for me it wasn't even a decision I had to make, I always knew I wouldn't be paying anyone to do what I enjoy doing!

Yep, I will be! I'm getting my hair done, but I can't be bothered with the faff of a MUA as well

I enjoy playing about with makeup too and that was exactly my thoughts behind it. I had never even considered a MUA. But she just seemed so shocked

I did mine. I'll be honest and say I would have had an MUA if I was doing it again. Not cos I don't know what I'm doing or it went wrong, it went fine, but cos I was stressed and rushing around (despite getting married at 3pm) and having someone else to do it might have taken some of that stress away.

I'm planning to do my own Got a trial with Bobbi Brown on Ssturday to see what their suggestions are. If I like it then figured I've got plenty of time to practice - will also feel like I'm getting my money's worth Got a few quotes from MUA and they came back with ridiculous quotes!

I totally agree, I have never had my makeup done by someone else and liked it all that much, I think I'd be worried about having someone else do it and not feeling comfortable with it. Not to mention the cost! I don't think its all that unusual to do it yourself. Better you feel comfortable and happy it suits you. Does anyone have any good recommendations for make up that doesn't tend to smudge?! I swear that whatever I try after a few hours out I end up with panda eyes, certainly don't want that in my wedding pics!

I was planning to use a MUA but when I had a trial, I really didn't like what she did and my skin reacted badly to the make up she used.

I've 'treated' myself to some Smashbox make up as it's designed to be photographed and I didn't want to risk getting 'make up glare' and am practising doing my own- so far I much prefer what I'm doing to what the MUA did and as long as I use primer it lasts MUCH longer than the airbrush make up the MUA used.

I am having my hairdresser to do my hair tho!

I was considering doing my own make up. Thought it was an unnecessary cost. However, I recently had a trial out of interest and was so pleased I did. I'm now planning to have a make up artist. I think it would be s nice time to switch off and be pampered. I wouldn't pay a ridiculous price though!

Using a primer under your foundation will help it stay on all day. Laura Mercier ones are really good for normal skin and dry skin. YSL and Estée Laider do a good primer for oily skin.

For your eyes, MAC PRep and Prime underneath your eyeshadow helps it stay put and stops it creasing. I use a lot of MAC eyeshadows and eyeliners. A good waterproof mascara that doesn't budge is Max Factor Masterpiece waterproof.

Hope that's some help.

Aimee x

Just be careful which makeup you use. I'm on a fab makeup group on facebook full of fanatics (some of which are MUAs) and will advise which foundations etc. work well infront of a camera. They've even advised me to buy a load of little sample pots (about 50 for £8 from Amazon) and go to my local John Lewis to get loads of samples to try.

I'm still undecided as to whether I'll get a MUA. I actually really like the way I do my makeup and feel quite confident, plus have already invested in great products, but I am worried I'll feel stressed and nervous on the day and the money might be worth it.

Thank you both, that's really helpful!

For non-smudging eye makeup, I recommend:

Lorac Front of The Line Pro is the best liquid eyeliner I've ever used - sadly only available in the US but if you know anyone who's going or lives there, get them to pick you one up! Stila Stay All Day is a close second but wears away a little bit on me, although doesn't smudge.

Clarins Double Fix Mascara will ensure you can use any mascara and it won't budge - even on my hooded eyes. Although I had LVL lashes for my wedding so didn't wear mascara, I wear this every day at work.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion will help everything stay in place.

My other top recommendation is Grimas Anti Shine. My whole face is dry except my nose which gets greasy within an hour - this stuff completely stops that happening. Grimas is a theatrical brand so you can buy on ebay or from theatrical supply websites - the tube is tiny but lasts forever.

I used to adore MAC, then found out they tested on animals so boycotted them, I still haven't managed to find an eyeshadow or eyeliner I like as much as theirs ?