If you're getting married, you need to decide whether you'll hire a makeup artist and hair stylist for the big day, or whether you'll go the DIY route. Hiring a professional takes all of the pressure off, but it also doesn't come cheap. And while you may be happy having your best friend provide her services, wedding hair and makeup often requires a little more know-how than the average person has. There isn't a right or wrong decision, of course, but to help you decide, I've come up with some pros and cons.
If you go with a professional: The biggest benefit, of course, is the expertise a professional offers. A hair stylist can create elaborate updos and straight-off-the-runway styles for you and your wedding party. A makeup artist will be able to choose flattering colors that will photograph well; this is a huge benefit, since what looks good in person may not necessarily appear the same in photographs. With both hair and makeup, going with a professional should minimize stress on the big day. The largest drawback, naturally, is the cost. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars for wedding-day services, and if your bridesmaids are included, the price could easily go past $1,000.
For the pros and cons of doing it on your own, read more.
If you do it yourself: The big perk, of course, is the money you'll save by having a friend help out with your look; if you're on a very tight budget, this is a great opportunity to save some cash. If you feel comfortable with your hair and makeup skills, have at it. Just be sure to do a few run-throughs before the big day, and photograph the results to see if you need to tweak anything. If you're not a makeup expert but still want to take the DIY route, consider making an appointment at a department store for a few pointers.
To see more of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.
Fornarina
Dolce & Gabbana
Erickson Beamon
No! Go with a professional!!!!
1I did my own hair and makeup for my wedding last September, no problem. It was nice to save money on *something* related to the wedding and it literally took me 30 mins to get ready. I wore my hair down and straight and used my favorite makeup from what I already owned.
2I'm very lucky to have both hair and makeup pros for friends!! I don't think a professional is necessary, but if you must, you have options. Look for up-and-coming stylists and have a trial run before committing. Also, don't say you're a bride! Say you're a bridesmaid or just wanting your hair done for a special occasion. I don't condone lying, but they definitely upcharge the poor brides!
3I just wanted to pass on something I read on one of these wedding sites; titanium dioxide does not photograph well. It is the main ingredient in many foundations, especially mineral which I use, and sunscreen. It makes you get the look of unflattering white ghost face(and making your face a far lighter shade than your chest and arms) with the use of flash photography. So keep that in mind when planning your wedding day make up.
4I was planning on having a professional do my hair for my wedding day. Because of this I did some research and took the advice of someone that I thought I trusted and booked a consultation appointment with a lady that does bridal hair exclusively. I was very excited...until I arrive at the salon and found it to be a dive. Nonetheless I am not one to poop out on appointments so I decided to go through with it. I should have just run away fast. I looked like dolly parton in steal magnolias. It took me three shampoo sessions to get the hairspray out of my hair! I think that it was so tramatic that I am going to do my own hair and have my mom and friends help out...be wary..consultations can be damaging!
5LOL Sampson60. You poor thing! At least you have a good story from it!
6i will definately have my hair done professionally, and possibly my make up too- my brother is getting married really soon, and the bride is having her hair and make up done, and the bridesmaids are having our hair done- french twists
7I had my hair and make up done professionally for my wedding. However, no one knows you better than yourself. So make sure you tell them what you want and stay true to yourself.
8Does the bride usually have to pay for the bridesmaids to get their hair done too??
9When I get married someday I'm definitely going to do it by myself. I'm the only one who can get it to look exactly like I want.
10For my first wedding (long story there!) I had my hair professionally done, and it was great. But, the second time around--which will be this summer--it's a much more casual affair, and very low budget, and I will be doing it myself in a very simple style that is easy to do. I can definitely afford to have it done, but I Just don't want to bother with it on my wedding day!
11I had my hair done for my wedding last summer, but I did my own makeup.
12I worked in the beauty industry for five years. I was in marketing, but I went to tons of classes that the pros go to in both hair and makeup, and I learned a LOT. But for my wedding (this Saturday!), I want the pros.
For one thing, if I'm having problems with my hair, there's no one who can help me fix it, so it's just a load off my mind that my stylist will have it all under control. Also, makeup for a wedding is a different ballgame. For one, you want to consider that photos will be taken all day long. Makeup artists (good ones) know the difference between everyday makeup, makeup for print, makeup for television, etc. The last wedding I went to, the bride did her own makeup, and she looked washed out in her photos, even though her makeup was okay in person. There's actually more to it than people think, and it makes a difference in the photos.
13I know that your wedding is the most important day, but I did it myself! Just research! Go to the store and get a make over for free, I recommend Shisedo(of course being a Tokyo girl), or Estee Lauder. Take some pictures and see how they turn out. The best make-up makes you look great in pictures. The best hair is shiny and looks classy. Go for it!
14I went to a makeup counter and got a free lesson and product recommendations, bought the products, and then did my own makeup. I had my hair done at a salon, by my usual hairdresser (this of course is not possible if you're not getting married near where you live!)
However, my mom INSISTED that I move my hair appointment to really early in the day (she was convinced we would get stuck in traffic and it would take 4 hours to go from Manhattan to Brooklyn, lol), she then made me walk around the city in humid weather and my hair was ruined - but my sister-in-law ended up fixing it for me later in the day, it wasn't a very complicated hairstyle. So, uh, don't be like me and get your hair done SEVEN HOURS before the wedding is supposed to start.
15I'll probably have my cousin do my make-up, and get my hair done professionally since I plan on having really short hair.
16I want to have a pretty low key wedding. I'm probably going to wear my hair down and straight, which I can do myself. I'll probably get it colored professionally a couple days before. Every time I've had my makeup done professionally I've hated it, so with that said, I'll probably do my makeup myself too.
17My aunt had her hair done becasue her is hair is really goofy, and did her own make-up. She actually was lucky in that our stylist didn't charge extra becasue it was an up-do.
I will probably inlist the help of a good friend of mine because I just want Jennifer Aniston-like hair and simple make-up.
18When we renew our vows (probably next year) I will definitely go pro all the way!
19I consulted with my normal stylist for my hair about a month before the actual wedding. Doing a dry run before the big event took a lot of anxiety off my shoulders, and meant that I got the results I had always envisioned.
20I'm definately doing my own hair & makeup
21I'll do my own makeup because I usually don't like when "pros" do it. I don't know what it is, but everyoe thinks I need to wear pinkish foundation. Like my skin isn't pink enough as is. Anyway, I'll have a pro do my hair though, because it's curly and kind of crazy sometimes, so I want someone to tame it a bit
22My mom did my makeup and my normal hair stylist did my hair..loved how it all turned out (pics are in my profile if anyone wants to see)....I didn't trust someone I didn't know! I'd had too many bad makeup-counter experiences!
23I will have my normal stylist do my hair and make-up. She does hair and make-up for tv, commercials, print ads, magazines, etc. I've known her forever (before she really got into the business) and she did my prom hair (for both proms) and make up for both too. Of course I'll have it done probably a week before just to make sure she knows exactly how I want it.
24But the advantage of knowing her so long is that she isn't going to up charge me just b/c it is a wedding. She keeps asking me to make sure she'll still be the one I go to ... lol
Oh and she'll probably do my mom's and my sister's hair/makeup too.
I did my own hair and makeup for my wedding because although I could have afforded professional services, I'm biracial and every makeover I've ever had has been a disaster. I used to be an impersonator as a hobby and had already learned by trial and error how much and what kinds of makeup photographed well, so it was obvious I should just do it myself.
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