Oh hey! As most of you know, I'm getting hitched in 6 months (OMG...how did April 2014 creep up so soon?!) to my very favorite person of all-time, Jason a/k/a Mr. Glambunctious. We're getting married on a Saturday at
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, a beautiful gothic tudor home built for the son of Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler in 1920. Today it functions as a non-profit community arts center and as soon as we stepped inside, I fell in love. There's the most stunning staircase inside that just begs you to photograph the hell out of it! So the venue has been crossed off the list.
My mom and I found my dress more than a year ago. Only a tiny handful of people have seen a picture of it because I want it to be a total surprise! Here's a sneak peek! ;)
A couple of weeks ago, the maid of honor dresses were chosen, and they are so gorgeous! I was also able to find them online for $100 bucks cheaper than they cost at the dress store we visited to try them on. Score!
While there are certainly some places I think you should spend money on your wedding day, there are plenty of other areas where I personally am looking to cut costs. I had been planning to hire a makeup artist to come out and do my makeup on the big day. However, when I started researching prices for this service, it just seemed like maybe this could be an area where I could save money by doing my own makeup. Granted, I don't have any professional training, but I certainly wouldn't consider myself a rookie. That being said, I wanted to reach out to all of my friends here on the blog and ask what products you guys recommend for a wedding. I have plenty of ideas, but I felt like this is one area where the more information I have, the better! What's your favorite long-wearing foundation? Waterproof mascara and liner? Is there an eye makeup combination you'd suggest? I have green eyes so I'm thinking of going with plum colors on the eyes since my eyes seem to really pop whenever purple is involved! One area where I'm really curious for suggestions is the lips. I don't want to wear gloss, so I'm looking for a lipstick that will last but won't be uncomfortable to wear. Most of the lipsticks I've tried that are "locked and cocked" after application tend to get really creepy feeling after an hour or so. I'm open to sporting a regular lipstick and reapplying it if I can avoid discomfort, but I don't want one that transfers. I don't think Jason wants to rock pink lips on the big day. ;)
I would really love your input! I've learned *so much* from all of you, more than I've ever learned from a magazine, so I figured who better to ask for suggestions than you all?!
XOXO
Oh my gosh K!!!! So excited for you!
ReplyDeleteI have been using the Cover Girl 24hr Lash Blast mascara and I went to a water park with it and no running. This stuff has such an awesome holding power so you could cry all through your wedding and it won't budge. As for foundation I haven't found anything really outstanding but have heard great reviews from the Revlon Color Stay and Photo Ready.. I'm always nervous with foundations because of SPF and flash photography!! I also saw this really beautiful pinky/plum smokey eye on Youtube a few weeks back.. Thought about trying it out because I thought it would be flattering for green eyes because I have green eyes too. I'll send you the link when I can find it.
Good luck on your search ;)
Much Love,
-Stephanie Eva
I think it's great that you want to do your own makeup! I did my own as well. Get a good primer, and have you ever tried MUFE HD foundation? It photographs SO WELL. Test it out and see how it wears on you! You know, those YSL stain gloss things might be worth looking into as they last long and wear nicely.
ReplyDeleteGiiiiirrrll!! You're getting so much closer :D I've been on the fence about posting details and pictures for wedding makeup I'm doing on Friday. I have tons to say, so I'll put it in a post next week instead of writing it all in a comment ;)
ReplyDeletePOST! POST! POST! Can't wait to read up on the details, Alison!! Yay!
ReplyDeleteYa know, I had a feeling you did your own for some reason! If anyone can rock some gorgeous eye looks, it is you T-Bone! :) I haven't ever tried the MUFE HD but I will see about getting a sample fo sho. LOL @ "YSL stain gloss things"! Thank you for the good suggestions! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stephanie Eva! Yes - I'd love the link! I'd love to know how it turns out if you give it a whirl. And yes - flash photography is totally something I've been thinking about. I think I'll probably use Laura Mercier Silk Creme foundation because it contains no SPF and I can't believe how excellent it is overall (even on my oily skin it lasts all day). Thank you for the tip on the Lash Blast waterproof! If it can outlast a water park, that's high marks! :) Thanks for all of your suggestions, ladybug!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tracy - the MUFE HD foundation makes your skin look fantastic in photos. I didn't do my own makeup on my wedding - I didn't know how to back then. I only started makeup a few years ago. But I'd think good primers are important. The MUFE HD primer isn't bad either. No flash backs and your skin looks very natural in photos - hate those white cast, don't you?
ReplyDeleteBe careful of your sunscreens too!
Thanks, Lilz! I will look into the MUFE HD primer! I'm definitely not wearing sunscreen that day. We're not getting hitched until 6 PM anyway and it's inside. I don't think 1 day without sunscreen is going to be the end of me, lol! :)
ReplyDeleteYour wedding venue place is amazing! And love your bridesmaids dresses! Such a beautiful color! Wouldn't have a clue as to recommendations for long wearing makeup! LOL. But anyways we deff think you could pull off doing your own makeup! Deff save that money and do that yourself! Can't wait to see pics after your big day!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! I really appreciate the vote of confidence! At first I was really hesitant about doing it myself but I really think I can! And thank you so much for the kind words about the venue, the bridesmaids dress, and wanting to see pictures of the wedding! Y'all are the peachiest! :D
ReplyDeleteHey Kristen, yaaaay for getting hitched! Sooo some things I can think of right now: I wouldn't actually go out of my way to look for a waterproof mascara. I have found my holy grail combo in Diorshow Maximizer and Iconic Overcurl (also New Look for my bottom lashes but that's really optional). I know that it takes Iconic Overcurl around 2 weeks to become optimal, so I'll probably purchase a new tube 3 weeks before the big day to give it some time. Liner-wise I'll most probably go with what I usually use as well (gel liner). Use your Ambient Lighting powders because my Radiant Light photographs really well (with flash). When it comes to lipsticks, I don't think I've found anything that doesn't transfer at all, but if you're going to wear a light shade, I don't think it's going to look too bad? If I were getting married tomorrow I'd happily wear Dior Spring Ball Extreme, which lasts well and doesn't transfer horribly much. It also builds up, so there will be a nice stain :)
ReplyDeleteOMG CONGRATS! If you don't want to splurge on a MUA, I would have a talented friend do your makeup for you. It's easier to do precision application on someone else vs. on yourself PLUS you don't wanna stress on your big day!
ReplyDeleteI'd go with Kat Von D tattoo liquid liner if you want pinup girl cat eyes OR Inglot gel liner if you want more sultry smoky. Both are "stay all day" liners for me, and I have oily lids.
I like Mac Studio Sculpt foundation mostly because it doesn't look caky and gives me a glow. Top that with some Hourlglass ambient lighting powder and you're good to go.
For lipstick, I actually like the staying power of some of the Annabelle twist ups (I think it's a Canada only product?) plus it's foolproof application. I can always send you some! Are you thinking red lips, nude, pink?
Agree - stick to purple eyeshadow. I have a similar eye color and plum and burgundy make my eyes really pop. Maybe even Mac paint pot in Stormy Pink for a natural warm eye color.
The wedding venue looks stunning! The fact it was built for coca-cola founders son is pretty darn cool too.
ReplyDeleteI haven't come across many good long lasting makeup product, apart from the Estée Lauder double wear foundation & maybelline tattoo eyeshadows but I'm sure you know of them Hun. Plum & golden copper shades would look gorgeous in your green eyes.
Maybe Its Megan Leigh xx
All of this wedding talk makes me want to get married! Er...I mean, have a real wedding and not run off and elope at Disney. Haha, just kidding. No regrets but what a beautifuuuuul venue. I'm the Matron of Honor in my cousin's wedding in March so I am all over wedding stuff. I think Anastasia Lash Genius is A MUST HAVE for all day wear. It's a waterproof top coat for mascaras and it will literally keep your mascara from running for hoursssss. It's amazing stuff. And yes, purple eye shadow is heavenly with green eyes. For lips maybe you can do a nice liner to help seal in the color and a lipstick right before the wedding and a balm or stain right before you walk down the aisle? Hmmm, you've got plenty of time to think about it. :)
ReplyDeleteI did my own makeup and hair for my wedding and it turned out great! You can totally do it! If you're wearing black eyeliner, the best waterproof liner, hands down, is Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Cream Shadow in Black. It will not budge-which could be problematic eventually but will be great for wedding waterworks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sunny! These are all such great picks! Spring Ball Extreme, especially, is right up my alley! I love that you have a whole mascara arsenal with specific jobs! You are awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! Your advice is solid and I love your suggestions! The only problem is I am the *talented friend*, lol - one of my bridesmaids doesn't wear makeup so I know she won't be comfortable doing a photo-ready smoky plum eye on me, lol! Although now, I kind of want to ask her to do a trial run just to see her expression of horror! I'm cracking up! I know I'll be able to do my own makeup even with nerves cranking. It's my zen moment, so I think I'll do a-okay. I've got to pick up a few of your recommendations now! Thanks, girl! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Megan Leigh! I have always heard really good things about Estee Lauder Double Wear! I might have to make that my next foundation purchase. Gold and copper shades would be a good bet, thank you so much! :) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteOh I'd love to see your Disney elopement pics, Brittany! You would be a stunning bride with your gorgeous skin. This needs to happen. Set up a photoshoot! ;) Dude - thank you - I have never before heard of this Anastasia Lash Genius! What a brilliant idea! I often times don't love waterproof mascaras and this little tool you've suggested would completely solve that problem! Leave it to the lash guru to come up with a winner! :) YAY!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see your wedding pics, Quinn! And thank you so much for the vote of confidence! I love the MUFE Aqua Black Cream Shadow suggestion! Yass! I've also been dying to try their Aqua Rouge lippies, too. I think between the two, everything should stay on like Teflon, lol!
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