Post # 1

Member
1161 posts
Bumble bee
So I recently had my makeup trial, and the girl was talented…but it was a lot different than I expected. I told her I’m going for an understated, soft look because I rarely wear makeup as is, and it’s a morning outdoor ceremony. No need for theater makeup! I had an inspiration picture but once I got to look in the mirror (I had my eyes closed most of the time and she forgot her hand mirror) I realized she had taken creative license on my face! It looked nice and was similar to the color palette I wanted, but it was just WAY TOO MUCH makeup on my face. It didn’t even look like me! Hence Fiance saying I looked like the mask from V for Vendetta. I didn’t realize how dramatic it was until I looked at myself in a bunch of different types of lighting, and by that point she had already left and I had already committed to using her for the wedding. So I texted her and let her know I’d like much less makeup the day of and she said okay.
So my question is: for someone who wants an understated look, what are the core makeup products I should have on my face? I really don’t want to look like a mask, or like a fake version of myself and I can do without any unecessary products. But I really don’t know enough about makeup to tell her the sole products I want her to apply.
Post # 3

Member
1161 posts
Bumble bee
Oops, mods can you move this to beauty please?
Post # 4

Member
2390 posts
Buzzing bee
Remember that you actually DO want your makeup to be heavier than what you’d wear to work or even out for the evening, because of the photos.
Post # 5

Member
1161 posts
Bumble bee
@oneofthesethings: Yeah I know about that aspect, so I took some shots with and without flash…and even on my camera phone it was wayyy too much! So I feel like in natural lighting it’s going to look very over the top if I don’t narrow down the products that I really need.
Post # 6

Member
7992 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Yeah, I’d like to follow this as well. I’m doing my own makeup, so I’ve tried to focus on my skin… primer, powders, a good concealer, and a sunscreen/ moisturiser. I think I’m right in saying that the base products should be the more expensive ones and the “surface” stuff (eyeshadow etc) can be cheaper?
Post # 7

Member
1161 posts
Bumble bee
@Rachel631: Hmmm interesting…she had a bunch of higher end products but what you’re saying makes sense.
Anybody else? Any makeup gurus?
Post # 8

Member
7992 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Galang_Gyal: I wouldn’t say I was a guru, LOL! But I do think that on the occasions I’ve been professionally made up, what made the real difference was my skin texture. The way it all looked so flawless. That definitely made the biggest difference to how I normally look!
Post # 9

Member
1161 posts
Bumble bee
@Rachel631: Okay so it sounds like foundation is an okay go. I guess I just have to tell her not to overdo it. I don’t want to look like clay face lol.
Post # 10

Member
7992 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Galang_Gyal: I think this is a worry shared by a lot of bees! But you know, I saw my friend all made up on the way to her wedding, before she got changed, and Fiance and I were like “OMG, I think she’s just been shot with a makeup gun”. As soon as she put on that ivory dress though, it was OK. I think you sometimes need a lot (or, at least, more than you would think) if you’re pale skinned and wearing a light colour, otherwise you can look too washed out.
It’s a balancing act for me, because I have very pale, yellow toned skin with very dark hair and eyes… not the usual colouring!
Post # 12

Member
458 posts
Helper bee
@JLR1982: +1, seeing a picture would help.
I don’t know if she does this, but airbrushing often looks more natural.
You probably do need blush.
I think the biggest point of negotiation would be the eye makeup.