DIY hair and makeup

Bride2Be123

I got engaged recently and am planning to get married mid December 2014. The groom and I have limited financial resources (I recently immigrated here and am still looking for work) and I thought of perhaps doing my own hair and makeup. I got my makeup done professionally once at Benefit in Ireland and had to redo it when I came home because the young one made me look like a hooker with all the eye makeup. But I also heard that it can look bad in pictures if it isn't some kind of special type of makeup. As for hair, I just want something simple- curls with two small French plaits, I do it all the time. I'm not sure how well it will stay in my hair or which products to use, though...

Anyone have experience doing their own hair or makeup? Or alternatively, does anyone advise against it? Thanks in advance.

berrecka

Apparently a lot of make up artists use Estee lauder double wear on brides so it lasts the longest. Make sure your foundation doesn't have spf in it as it comes up really badly with the flash of a camera. Good luck, sounds like a pretty quick turn around!

Bride2Be123

Many thanks! It's been a bit mad trying to organise everything in time, but that's how they roll here- engagements are only 2-4 months max. Ill check if they stock it here. Usually I need to wear SPF all the time here because of the weather, but hopefully it'll cool down a bit in the winter!

annoyedgal

invest in some really good primer for your face and eye shadow primer as these products will keep your make up on the day. smashbox do a good one and I'm sure there are others.

streetcar

Hair: If you do the style you want all of the time, I would do it yourself on the day - you more than likely won't be happy with someone elses interpretation of the style if you get it done - especially without a hair trial.
Practice, Practice, Practice and figure out what works and doesnt work.

Make Up: There are some excellent tutorials on YouTube you could look up and they will provide details of the products used in the description of the video. You'll even see how to create looks using affordable make-up. Give those a go and see how you get on. Otherwise, I would suggest going into something like a MAC make-up counter and getting it done there. The girls that work on those counters are usually excellent and a lot would do make up for weddings on their days off. You'll only have to buy products to a certain value afterwards. havent done it in a while but I think its 30 quid.

Gatica

Prefer doing my own make-up and the only advantage of having someone else do it for my wedding was that the product stayed on well into the night and I felt pampered. I didn't like it as much as when I do it myself though. You have time to go around the different make-up counters before December and try on products, so try on foundations and eye-shadows and see how well they stay on you for the day. The girls at counters are usually happy to put the products on you, and get them to write down what they used so you've a record, you can always add your notes at the end of the day. Pick the best and buy that for your make-up!

I wouldn't touch my own hair as it would look nice in the front and be a mess in the back as I can't see the back of my head nor hold up my own arms for long enough to do it all right. If you're good at doing your own hair, go for it. Make sure you use decent quality hair spray like the Elnett one and touch up periodically so your hair stays put.

Best of luck!