Make up artist or do it self??????

I suppose it depends how well you do your own make up. There was no way I was risking doing my own so I found a makeup artist.

She was brilliant and did my make up very naturally. I don't normally wear much so I didn't want it too heavy but having it done by a professional meant it looked much better than I ever get it and it stayed looking good all day and evening.

Im pretty good at doing my own make up but am nervous about doing it myself on the day. Also im having trouble finding a make up artist that not charging an arm and a leg, and that I actually like the look of their work.

Where are you getting married?

My MUA was the thing I was most unsure about - right up until a few weeks before I would have said that I had wasted my money (it cost me well over £275 for trials and hair and makeup on the day). BUT she was fabulous and absolutely one of the best things I spent money on. I would advise anyone (regardless of how good you are) to get a good MUA and hair stylist for the morning of your wedding, who comes to the venue and just sorts things out. I would not have been without Dawn, she was just brilliant.

I had someone do my make up as I figured it was the only day I was going to have something like that happen. Plus I wouldn't have been able to apply it as well and make it last all day.

I'm another one who is going for a MUA. I was worried about it being too much as well, but after my trial all my worries about it are gone! I just figured it was one less thing for me to worry about on the morning. I can just relax and get pampered!

Where are you getting married? I can recommend my MUA if you are in Bristol or the South west?

If you can afford it then I would recommend you have one. My sister had someone to come do our hair and make-up for her wedding and it was really nice and relaxing to have someone else do it. Plus it looked really natural and lasted all day. I knew I wanted one to do mine - I'm not a pretty person and when I do my make-up, it starts to slide off by lunch time, so I have to redo it. I've worked my bum off to save spending a lot on this wedding, but a make-up artist was a must for me.

I am doing my own but I have practised many times and was taught by a MUA to do it so fairly confident. I will be leaving enough time to take it all off and start again if it goes wrong.

I always recommend that my brides get one. A decent one would put a heavier coverage on but one that would look natural and last all day.

I'm going to trust it to a professional. I am not very good with make up, and what I can do never lasts!

Can anyone recommend a MUA for down south?

I was planning to do my own as I'm fairly good at make up and have this fixative stuff that makes it stay all day but I'd go crazy if it didn't work on the day.

I had the same thing weather to have one or not and unfortunitly the lady who did my trail was sorry to say rubbish! it took her about 10mins and the foundation was blotchy and I could of done a better job myself so ive decided to do it myself, ive been watching you tube videos particulally pixiwoo who are fab and ive gained a bit of knowledge so im doing it myself! hair tho is being done for me and my trail is tomorrow woohoo!!

I'm DIY-ing just about everything, but hiring professionals for the hair and make-up. I'm lucky to be friends with a fantastic make-up artist who is doing me, my partner, both our mothers, partner's stepmother and her sister, for £100. She's cutting us a total bargain, and as she knows us, our general styles, and is coming to the wedding as a guest too, I'm really confident that she'll have us all looking gorgeous for the photos.

I really understand the heavy make-up concern; I only wear make-up for special occasions, and never foundation/concealer/blusher etc. It's usually just eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. I don't look like me in heavy make-up, and I don't like it- I got done up pretty heavily as a bridesmaid and felt like I had a mask on. But I also know that I'm a hugely emotional person, and will be a shaky, teary mess on the day. I'd wind up with false eyelashes stuck to my eyebrows and lipstick halfway down my chin from shaky hands, and my eye-makeup would run so much I'd look like another member of KISS. Having a professional there to do it for me, and to make sure it stays looking fabulous, even if I'm a snotty teary mess during the ceremony, is so worth the money.

I live in London but am getting married in Dorset - I don't really know how easy it would be for me to use someone local to the Dorset area as I'd have to go back and forth I suppose for a few trial sessions, and well, I don't have a car so it works out all time-consuming and costly! I was thinking I could just do my own if I actually invest in some good quality products which stay put all day. Then I realised my lovely bridesmaid is a whole lot better than me when it comes to applying makeup so I have appointed her the job! We are going to watch some youtube videos for tips and have lots of practice gos between us over the next 16 months!

I'm a total make up fanatic, so doing it myself. I agree that many MUAs do a fantastic job, but I've only ever had bad experiences with them as a bridesmaid, so am somewhat put off!

I have said I won't because it seems soooo expensive and I'm worried it will look so over the top. I was planning on doing it myself as I'm not obsessed about make up but I do wear it every day so I thought I would be ok. My maid of honour is a make up fanatic and incredibly picky so I know it would be a waste of money paying someone to do hers. I'm just going to go and see the clinique/Chanel etc counter and have my make up done and invest the money in the products I think. My maid of honour has been assigned the job of applying.

I also live 300 miles from the venue so I think organising a trial would be difficult and costly. Same with a hairdresser. I'm going to have a practise with my regular hairdresser who I love and get her to take loads of pics for me. I've got a short bob so it wouldn't be a fancy twisty up do anyway.

I hope it will be ok. I might change my mind nearer the time though knowing me!!!

I would be interested if anyone has any recommendations for Gloucester area though.

Had exactly the same thing happen to me! It was awful on 2 separate occasions with 2 different MUA! I've been watching pixie woo too its been very helpful and been out Nd bought all really nice make up xx

ive been doing the same I can recommend pixiwoo on you tube they are brilliant! x

I am having the same problem with finding one. Seen a couple I like but they're over budget.

I can do everyday makeup fine, I can evening makeup but something like an eyeliner flick can take me hours and I just don't want that stress on the day.

I did my own hair and make up.

I hate people messing with my hair and face. Plus, I wanted to look like me, not an overly made up version, so knew exactly how to do it as I liked.

Make up artist and hair all the way.....

Exactly this!!! I will be going to the hairdressers on the day but only for my usual wash, blow dry and fringe trim. I have a jaw length bob and no intentions of growing it for a fancy up do for one day. I did consider a MUA but I use quality make-up and brushes day to day and am fairly confident in applying my own. I just want to look like me in my wedding photos, not someone I hardly recognise.

Can anyone recommend a good MUA in the Chelmsford area please who's trial doesn't cost a bomb. I don't mind paying the money for the actual day but don't want to pay lots of money for something I might not like!!!!!

DrBuffles - I can recommend my MUA! She is based in Bristol but covers Gloucestershire as well. She is lovely and her prices are really reasonable.

Her website is www.beautybyemilyfaith.com

Thanks for the recommendation Mrsl2Be. Just had a look at her website and prices are much more reasonable than anything else i have looked at. Maybe i shouldn't discount it just yet