DIY Wedding Makeup vs Hiring a Makeup Artist - Should you do your own makeup for your wedding?

Should You Hire a Makeup Artist or Do Your Own Wedding Makeup?

I'm probably not supposed to say this as a professional makeup artist, but I don't think every bride needs to hire someone to do her makeup.

There. I said it.

If you love doing your own makeup, know exactly what looks good on you and feel completely comfortable getting yourself ready on your wedding day, I can understand why you'd consider doing it yourself.

Especially when you've already got a wedding budget that's somehow grown every time you open another email.

But I also think there are a few things worth considering before you decide.

I've worked in makeup for eight years, and 6 years in bridal. While I obviously love what I do, I'm not going to tell you that professional makeup is the only way to look beautiful on your wedding day.

What I will tell you is that doing your own makeup on a regular Saturday is quite different from doing it on the morning of your wedding.

Let's talk about why.

First, are you actually good at doing your own makeup?

I mean that in the nicest possible way.

Some women are genuinely fantastic at doing their own makeup. They've spent years figuring out their features, they know which products work on their skin and they can do a beautiful eye look without giving it a second thought.

If that's you, you're already starting from a pretty good place.

But there's a difference between having a makeup routine you love and being able to recreate a particular look for a wedding.

Maybe you normally wear tinted moisturizer and mascara, but you've saved a Pinterest board full of glamorous bridal makeup.

Or maybe you're comfortable doing your foundation but have never quite figured out false lashes.

Those are things I'd think about before deciding.

You can definitely learn new techniques, but give yourself enough time to practice. Your wedding morning probably isn't when you want to attempt winged liner for the first time.

The makeup you love doing isn't necessarily the makeup you want to do at 7 a.m.

Picture your wedding morning for a second.

Your hairstylist is arriving. Someone's looking for their earrings. Your phone keeps going off because people have questions about where they need to be.

And you've still got to do your makeup.

Now, maybe that sounds completely manageable to you.

Some women find doing their makeup relaxing. It's their time to sit down, put on some music and enjoy getting ready.

I get that.

But if you already know you're someone who gets flustered when you're running behind, think carefully about adding another responsibility to your morning.

When I'm booked for a wedding, I schedule the makeup appointments ahead of time so everyone knows when they're sitting in my chair.

You don't have to worry about whether you've given yourself enough time to fix an eye look or start your foundation again.

You get to sit down and have someone else take care of it.

For some brides, that's reason enough to hire an artist.

Let's talk about the money

Weddings are expensive. Especially here in Vancouver.

And I don't think anyone should feel embarrassed about having a budget.

When you're comparing the cost of professional makeup with doing it yourself, though, it's worth looking at what you'll actually need to purchase.

If you've already got a makeup collection you love, doing your own makeup might be a much more affordable option.

But if you're planning to buy a new foundation, concealer, setting powder, brushes and a few other products specifically for your wedding, those purchases can add up.

And there's always the possibility that something doesn't work the way you expected.

Of course, the benefit is that you get to keep the products afterwards.

With a professional artist, you're paying for the appointment and the artist's experience, along with whatever planning or additional services are included in their booking.

Every artist structures their pricing differently, so read what's included before making comparisons.

I also wouldn't assume that a less expensive artist is less talented or that a higher rate automatically guarantees better makeup.

Look at their actual work. That's where I'd start.

What about making sure your makeup looks good in photos?

This is where I hear a lot of conflicting advice.

Some people will tell you that you absolutely need professional makeup because otherwise your face will disappear in wedding photographs.

I don't agree with that.

You don't need an unusually heavy application of makeup just because you're having professional photos taken.

But I do think it's important to understand how makeup looks under different lighting.

The foundation that looks perfect in your bathroom might appear a little different outside in daylight or under direct flash.

Certain powders can create an unwanted pale cast in photographs. Blush can look stronger or softer depending on the lighting, and the placement of your eye makeup can change how your features appear on camera.

These are all things I consider when I'm applying bridal makeup.

If you're doing your own, I would strongly recommend testing your finished look in different lighting before your wedding.

Take photos outside. Try some with flash. And if you can, have someone photograph you from a little farther away rather than relying entirely on selfies.

You might be surprised by what you notice.

RELATED READING: Does Wedding Makeup Really Need to Be Heavier for Photos? →

What if you've had professional makeup done before and hated it?

I hear this more often than you might think.

Someone had their makeup done for a wedding or special event and went home feeling like they had to wash half of it off.

Maybe the foundation was heavier than they liked, their eyebrows were completely different or the lashes felt uncomfortable.

I understand why that would make someone hesitant to book another artist.

But I wouldn't judge every makeup artist based on one experience.

We all have different styles, and not every artist is going to be the right fit for every client.

This is why I think looking through someone's portfolio matters.

If you normally love softer makeup and every photograph on an artist's Instagram shows dramatic full glam, you might want to keep looking.

The same goes in reverse.

If you want a smoky eye and a lot of definition, book someone whose work shows they enjoy creating that kind of makeup.

You shouldn't have to spend your entire appointment convincing someone to do the style you actually like.

This is why I include a bridal makeup trial

One of the things I love about working with brides is getting to figure out their makeup before the wedding.

My bridal collections include a two-hour trial in my private studio.

Before we meet, I'll send you a detailed questionnaire so I can learn about your skin and makeup preferences ahead of time.

I'll also ask about your inspiration photos and any previous makeup experiences you've had.

I read through everything before you arrive.

That way, we can spend our appointment working on your makeup instead of using half the session trying to figure out what you like.

And I absolutely want you to tell me if something isn't working for you.

If you hate the lipstick, tell me. If you want less coverage, say so.

You're not going to offend me.

I'd much rather make changes while you're sitting in my chair than have you go home wishing you'd spoken up.

By the end of your trial, we'll have a plan for your wedding makeup, and I'll have photos to refer back to on the day.

RELATED READING: What to Expect at Your Bridal Makeup Trial →

There's one thing about DIY makeup that people forget

You need to allow time for it.

And I don't mean giving yourself an extra fifteen minutes.

If you're doing your own wedding makeup, I'd recommend getting completely comfortable with the look well before the wedding.

Practice the entire application from start to finish and actually time yourself.

Don't just do your eye makeup one afternoon and assume you'll figure out the rest later.

You want to know how long everything takes, including any adjustments you tend to make along the way.

I'd also wear your practice makeup for a full day.

See what happens to your foundation after several hours. Pay attention to whether your concealer creases or your eye makeup starts moving around.

If you're getting married during a warm Vancouver summer or having an outdoor celebration, think about how the weather might affect your products too.

You want to discover those things while you're experimenting at home, not halfway through your reception.

What if you only want professional makeup for yourself?

That's another option worth exploring.

Not every bride wants to pay for makeup for her entire bridal party.

Some brides prefer to have their own makeup professionally done while their bridesmaids take care of theirs.

Other brides choose to book a makeup artist for several family members as well.

It really depends on what you're planning and how the artist structures their services.

Some bridal artists have minimum booking requirements, particularly during peak wedding season, so I'd recommend asking about that before assuming you can book an individual appointment.

If you have a larger group, it's also worth finding out whether a second artist is needed to keep the morning on schedule.

So, when would I recommend doing your own makeup?

If you're already comfortable creating the exact look you want, enjoy doing your makeup and have enough time to practice, I think doing it yourself is a perfectly reasonable choice.

Especially if you're having a smaller wedding or would rather put that part of your budget toward something else.

I would just make sure you're choosing DIY because it's something you genuinely want to do, rather than because someone has made you feel that spending money on professional makeup is unnecessary.

And if you decide to do it yourself, commit to practicing.

You'll feel much more comfortable once you've worked out the products and application ahead of time.

When would I recommend hiring a makeup artist?

I'd seriously consider it if you're planning a makeup look that's different from what you normally wear.

I'd also recommend looking into professional services if you don't enjoy doing your own makeup, have a large bridal party or simply don't want to be responsible for your makeup on the day.

And if you've been saving beautiful makeup inspiration for months but aren't entirely sure how to recreate it on your own features, that's exactly the kind of thing a good artist can help you with.

Personally, I love working with brides who already enjoy makeup.

It's fun when someone comes in knowing what they like, and we get to play around with different ideas during their trial.

But I also enjoy working with women who rarely wear makeup and need a little guidance.

Neither type of bride needs to change who she is because she's getting married.

A few questions brides ask about DIY wedding makeup

Is it cheaper to do your own wedding makeup?

It can be, especially if you already own products you enjoy using.

If you need to purchase an entirely new makeup kit, I'd calculate those costs before deciding.

Will DIY makeup look bad in professional wedding photos?

Not necessarily.

Good application, appropriate products and testing your makeup in different lighting can make a big difference.

You don't automatically need heavier makeup for photography.

Should I do my own makeup if I have sensitive skin?

It depends on your preferences.

Some brides feel more comfortable using products they already know their skin tolerates.

A professional makeup artist should also ask about allergies and sensitivities before applying products, and you can discuss using your own products when appropriate.

What if I'm very particular about my eyebrows or eyeliner?

Tell your makeup artist before booking.

It's completely reasonable to have preferences about features you're used to doing yourself.

Bring examples of how you normally wear your makeup and talk about them during your trial.

Is hiring a makeup artist worth it for a small wedding?

It can be.

You don't need a huge bridal party to enjoy having your makeup professionally done.

Just check the artist's minimum booking requirements, particularly for popular wedding dates.

Can I book a makeup artist just for my bridal trial and do the wedding makeup myself?

Some artists offer makeup lessons or standalone appointments that could help you prepare for doing your own makeup.

If that's what you're looking for, ask about those services before booking. A bridal trial that's part of a wedding package isn't necessarily available as an individual lesson.

Here's what I'd want you to think about

Forget what everyone else thinks you should do for a minute.

Would you genuinely enjoy spending part of your wedding morning doing your makeup?

Or would you rather have someone else take care of it while you sit back and enjoy getting ready?

I think the answer to that question tells you quite a bit.

There's nothing wrong with doing your own makeup, and there's nothing excessive about wanting to hire someone who does this professionally.

Just make sure you're making the decision because it feels right for you.