Should you do your own wedding makeup?

If you've been wondering whether doing your own wedding makeup is possible, I'm here to tell you it is.

You may be wondering why I'd suggest this when doing bridal hair and makeup is my livelihood. Truthfully, wedding makeup is an investment which may not be a viable option for every bride. Whether you're planning to elope to a remote island or simply prefer to get yourself ready for the big day, I'd love to help you with this journey.

How do you feel about doing your own makeup?

Have you ever spent hours doing your makeup only to see photos after the event and wonder where all your makeup disappeared to? Photography drowns out a lot of colour on the face which is why we apply makeup differently for the camera - and it's not a case of more-is-more, its more about product knowledge and some special techniques.

Ask yourself this - do you enjoy doing your makeup on a daily basis or for a special event you're attending or does the thought terrify you as you don't know where to begin?

If you're a beauty addict eagerly trying the latest products and TikTok trends, then doing your own wedding makeup would probably be a breeze.... but if your hands start trembling at the mere thought of eyeliner, then leave it to a pro so you can relax and enjoy the morning (or get ready to practise loads and step up your game).

Are you willing to invest in your makeup bag?

Wedding makeup calls for a few extra products and a whole lot of patience. You'll be spending much more time creating this look than usual, not just because its such a special day but because you'll want your makeup to look flawless both in person and on camera and ensure it lasts 10+ hours. Sure, you can create your wedding makeup look on a budget and many products are multi-purpose, but a few key items are worth the splurge such as your foundation, HD translucent powder, pigmented blusher and long-wearing lipstick. If your makeup bag is lacking in these staples you'll need to add them for the best outcome.

Do you have time to learn before your big day?

Ideally you want to book a lesson well ahead of your wedding date so that it gives you plenty of time to practise the new techniques and tricks you'll learn, to purchase the products you need for your dream look and then of course get familiar with everything so it's easy breezy for you the morning of! No bride wants to be frazzled, wasting precious time correcting makeup mistakes which is why preparation is key.

Set aside time to book in a lesson with a professional makeup artist (whether online or in-person) - have your current makeup bag ready and a list of all your questions, then be sure to dedicate a few hours to putting your new skills to use and practising your bridal makeup so you know exactly what to do on the day.

It's all in the details

The beauty of personal bridal makeup lessons is that they're specifically tailored to you and your vision. You have access to a seasoned professional who's tried and tested countless products so you don't have to, plus someone who knows what it takes to ensure you have a calm, relaxing wedding morning so you can enjoy preparations before walking down the aisle to marry your soulmate.

Makeup artists also understand how different climates affect the longevity of makeup, so you can rest easy knowing you'll look fresh and flawless whether you're a boho beach bride or saying a snowy "I do" at your winter wedding.

8 top tips for doing your own wedding make-up:

1. Begin with a clean and perfectly primed canvas.
2. Choose a foundation that suits your skin type and undertone to achieve a natural look, make sure it matches your chest for a uniform appearance.
3. Prime and powder your eyelids since they have natural oils which will disrupt your eyeshadow.
4. Use translucent powder sparingly to set only the areas you need to, such as the t-zone.
5. Layer a powder blusher over a cream blusher for a long-lasting flush of colour.
6. Pick a long-wearing lipstick or opt for a lip stain which can also be used on your cheeks.
7. Blend, blend and blend again - you want everything to seamlessly tie in together with no harsh lines.
8. Use a setting spray to seal everything in.

1:1 bridal makeup lesson with Melissa

As a highly experienced bridal makeup artist of 12 years, I would love to share my knowledge with you so that you can enjoy a stress-free wedding morning while doing your own makeup.

When you book a personal lesson with me, we’ll spend 2 hours going into detail about the look you desire for your big day, determining the best application to suit your features and personal taste while enhancing your natural beauty.

I'll focus on your skin’s needs, guide you with a step-by-step product application, help with foundation colour-matching and teach you how to apply false lashes amongst other things. You'll receive a customised face chart with a list of each product and tool used and a downloadable easy-to-follow guide to refer back to. You'll also be able to ask questions after the lesson and receive advice on product purchases.

If this is the service you've been looking for, then I'd love to hear from you!

Enquire about 1:1 bridal makeup lessons