one more for input:

[thanate]

So, I'm doing this getting married thing, and battling with my dress (lining changes fit, phoey... will probably have to re-set the sleeves entirely) and playing with hair gunk, of which I need about 10x as much as a normal person to notice any effect at all, on the theory that one Ought to Look Good.

Which presents another quandary... make-up. I honestly have no earthly idea how to do grown-up makeup. I've got a large box of things like blue lipstick and funny colors of eyeshadow, which I have mostly not been bothered enough to use in years and should sort through and throw away most of, since I expect it's mainly gone unusable by now. What I haven't got is any kind of foundation that actually matches my skintone, or useful concealer options in case of sleeplessness or blemishes or whatnot. And much as I want to say this is silly, I'd also rather not end up at the last minute with a whole bunch of wedding pictures where I've got noticeable dark circles under my eyes.

So... any suggestions? (preferred products/brands, where to shop, etc?)

Comments

[ballistabob.livejournal.com]

Red Door Spa (Elizabeth Arden) is your friend. Just ask belfebe. ;-) They actually have very good make-up consultants, and they even offer "Bridal Services" that includes everything from just make-up application to a full day at the spa.

http://www.reddoorspas.com/SpaServices/BridalServices.aspx

**kicks grauwulf under the table**

[belfebe.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah. And it also makes you feel like a million bucks. Nothing like getting pampered and primped up for your wedding day. :-D

Just make sure you get the package. That way you can get the "trial" makeup and hair all included.

[thanate.livejournal.com]

Er, thanks, but I think this is far more than I had in mind. And aside from the fact that I haven't gotten over feeling silly about being pampered, I don't think I'm going to have time to go in at a time when they're open within two days of the ceremony. My fault for getting married at noon on a sunday, but still. :/

[grauwulf.livejournal.com]

WHAT?! :-P

My personal view, which thanate knows, is that she is an extraordinarily beautiful woman and it's a shame to hide that under make up. *shrug* Of course it does seem like the kind of thing the "people" normally do for wedding type things......

The spa packages do look pretty nice though ballistabob.

thanate?

[ballistabob.livejournal.com]

And I feel the same way about belfebe. Of course, that doesn't preclude me from enabling my sweetie to be pampered once in a while. :-D

[greta-k.livejournal.com]

If thanate says, "Go light," they'll do that. I was one of belfebe's bridesmaids, and I was very skeptical of going there at first. I'm glad I went, though. I'm not a heavy makeup person - not good for the skin. However, they did a great job and it really made a subtle (but noticable) difference in the pictures.

[thanate.livejournal.com]

er, I think this was rather more than I had in mind. (and they don't open until 10 on sundays, so no day of, definitely.) The world, it is far too complicated. :/

[heuchera.livejournal.com]

In the DIY category, I have found I like mineral foundation. Works for concealer too. It is just powdered rock and doesn't feel like you are putting goo all over your face or look weird if you are not an expert at applying it. I have had pretty good luck getting whatever coverage I desire at the time, and blending is easy. I also use mineral blush and sometimes eyeshadow. The brand I use costs too much and has a spelling mistake in its name which bugs me (Bare Escentuals -- makes me nuts), but there are less expensive kinds out there which I haven't tried.

In terms of color selection, I have to get the lightest color they make for foundation. You know what my skin tone is, if that helps.

Becca got makeup done at a salon for her wedding, which is the only time I've seen her wear makeup ever. She looked quite nice but a bit odd in terms of being Becca. So from that standpoint I would say find something to work as emergency concealer if needed, top with a little powder, and you're good to go.

[thanate.livejournal.com]

This seems rather more my speed (and after checking the Elizabeth Arden prices, it's not nearly so scary)... possibly a trip to Sephora might be in order. Foundation and possibly some mascara sounds like plenty, really.

And now pardon me while I laugh at the fact that not only is their name unpronounceable, but their sales spiel starts with: "Made with pure, crushed minerals from the earth..."

[heuchera.livejournal.com]

If you experiment with mascara, also get some eye makeup remover. You will be a much, much, happier person and still have eyelashes afterwards.

[thanate.livejournal.com]

Actually, mascara is the one thing I do feel relatively competent to deal with, although I've had a bad habit of not actually bothering to wash it off until it crumbles off my lashes. :/

[heuchera.livejournal.com]

OK, good then. My comments are colored by my experience of being attacked (attacked, I say!) by a crazy person wielding a wand of waterproof mascara. I nearly lost my eyelids trying to get the stuff off later that night and became instantly converted to remover for all eye makeup ever after.

[hydecat.livejournal.com]

Awhile before my wedding, I went with some friends to the Clinique counter at a department store and had them do my makeup. They put on way too much, and I certainly wouldn't have them do it the day of, but they were good at finding me a concealer that matched my skin and so on, and I only had to buy what I wanted.