Make Up Artist - Yes or No?

I'm all for cutting costs, but if I were to do it again I'd make sure a make up artist was top of my list! I don't wear tons of make up and I'm hardly an expert when I DIY so I made sure I had this area covered. My make up artist not only advised on shades, she covered the dodgy lack of sleep bags, unsightly wedding day spot and settled my nerves. She also saved me a lot of time faffing around on the day!

Everyone commented about my make up and how it looked like me, but a pristine glowy version of me! Worth every penny in my book! x

If you are not used to doing your own makeup then i would advise getting a professional. It will work out more expensive in the long run and as you say you probably wont even use the products again.

I will definatley be getting a make up artisit on the day, not only because I don't really wear make up and haven't the first scooby about what to do, but also because I don't want the stress of trying to work it out myself.

As you don't usually wear any make up I would say def use a professional! That price sounds really good too

Thing is, I used to wear loads of make so I reckon i would be ok but like some people have said, its one extra stress i dont need.

I deserve to be pampered on my wedding day!

As a makeup artist, I would always recommend a Bride have their face done for the big day! All of my brides have commented how great they felt, how fab they looked on the photos and that they didn't have to worry about touch-ups as it stayed put all day.

There are lots of people doing makeup now from £15- it really isn't worth it, you need to have a trial or you could end up looking like Rue Paul, and you really need to make sure that everything is right for you. I think what you have been quoted sounds reasonable, but it all depends on the artists portfolio.

Don't forget that you can always go to MAC and have your makeup done on the day of the wedding, all of the staff in there know what they are doing and there are enough of them to find one who you love. I wouldn't recommend going to any other beauty counter; most of the staff on department store counters aren't trained professionals, actually their job title is usually just "sales person" and it's no better than having a friend who is good with cosmetics do it for you. Of course, this does not apply to every counter, but the only one I would recommend for this kind of service is MAC.

My only real tip when hunting out an MUA is to check that they have insurance, are qualified and ask which products they use in their kit. If their kit is solely supplied by one brand, I would step away (even if it is MAC) because IMO, any decent MUA worth their salt will shop around for the best products available. Especially for bridal.

So there's my little twopence, I hope whatever you go for you have a great day!

Thanks Jez - I did ask her what she uses and she uses Mac for bases etc and a variety of other brands for the other bits.

thankyou!!

I'd definitely recommend a makeup artist. I wear makeup every day and am pretty confident in doing it, but she can give a look that really photographs beautifully and means I can relax with a glass of bubbly in the morning and not have to faff about myself. I'd never get mine done in a counter in a department store; I always find what looks nice under those fluorescent lights can look hideous in natural light and lots of the counter girls have no idea what they are doing. If I didn't want a makeup artist I'd ask for samples of foundation from the counter and try them one by one and see what they are like in light and how they last and then do it myself.

I was the same, I hardly wear any make-up on a day-to-day basis and was worried a professional would make me look... less 'me'! Lucky for me, one of my bridesmaids is a bit of a dab hand and offered to put a little foundation, blush, eye makeup on. So nothing major. However I didn't decide this until the morning of the wedding! Up until then I was just going to wing it.
In the end I'm glad I let her do it, perhaps you could have a trial with someone and see how you like it? Trials are fairly inexpensive and it'll give you an idea of the style you want

I've booked a make-up artist. I don't wear much make-up on a day to day basis and I worry about my under eye shadows being obvious on the photos so it was a no brainer for me really. The lady I had was fab when I had my trial- really calm and happy to try out several different looks. She gave me some advice too as to what to wear and how to apply things. I think it will add to the day too and let me feel a bit pampered rather than nervous.