I’ve had my makeup done professionally at the last couple of weddings I’ve attended in which I’ve played a minor role in (I was cousin Beetrice’s maid of honour at her wedding and sister of the groom at my brother’s wedding). I was very kindly offered to have my makeup done by a makeup artist at these weddings and while I’m not too bad in applying my own makeup, it was lovely to have my makeup done by professionals instead.
Plus there’s something about sitting there having brushes and fingers on your face that feels quite relaxing. No? Okay, just me then. 😛
Even though the makeup artists who did my makeup at these weddings had amazing makeup kits, I was adamant in them using several of my own makeup. They were absolutely fine with it, but I’ve heard not-so-nice stories about makeup artists throwing a bit of hissy fit when they assumed that their clients thought that their makeup wasn’t good enough. This made the clients so uncomfortable that they relented and allowed the makeup artists to use their own products instead. I’m not saying that there’s anything bad with their kits, but it puzzles me that clients felt bad and obligated to use the makeup artist’s makeup when they actually preferred their own makeup instead.
When it comes to my makeup and my skin, well, I know what works and what doesn’t. I’m sure the makeup in the makeup artist’s kits are fantastic; heck the last makeup artist who did my makeup for my brother’s wedding had better makeup than I did! But at the end of the day, I know what works for me. I know what gives my skin that glow, and I know what makes my makeup last. The makeup artists who did my makeup were lovely, and had no problems with my using my own makeup.
I know that the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer would work better on my skin than the makeup artists’s Shu Uemura base. I know that the NARS Pro-Prime eyeshadow primer would make almost any eyeshadow stay on like glue on my oily eyelids compared to some random primer that I’ve never heard of. I use my own lipsticks rather than the makeup artist’s lip palette because I’ll get to reapply with what I have.
Most makeup artists are very flexible these days and would be fine with you using your own makeup. At the end of the day, I’m engaging their services and expertise in makeup application and not so much to use their own kits. If you don’t wear makeup on a daily basis or only have a small collection of makeup, by all means use what the makeup artist has. But if you have, for example, a foundation/blush/lipstick that you love, then feel free to request that the makeup artist use it instead. If you have a few items of makeup that you know will work, use those instead, especially when you know these items won’t break your skin out. You never know if that new foundation that the makeup artist has that you’ve never tried before won’t break you out.
So the next time you do need to get your makeup done professionally, don’t be afraid to use your own makeup if you prefer to, especially if you know what already works for you. Like I said, most makeup artists are fine with it but in case you do get one that questions your request, just tell him/her politely that you would prefer to use your own, thank you very much.
I love the feeling of having my makeup applied by other people too! And getting my hair done, but I do hate awkward hair dresser small talk
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Me too! Which is why I always have a book or magazine with me. No talking necessary!
I actually enjoy having makeup done by someone else. Always interesting to see how other people will interpret a look or use a product. Haven’t had it done by anyone other than a brand in recent times, so this doesn’t really apply to me, but it’s a very good tip especially for bridal makeup. Here, they sometimes use some really weird brands so I’d be very wary about those!
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I remember many years ago just before I was married, Geek told me to use my own makeup when getting my makeup done for the bridal portraits. She reminded me of how icky their makeup kits can be and I made the mistake of not bringing my own things because they used goodness knows what sort of makeup and charged me extra for some goodness knows what sort of ampoules that were supposed to make the makeup last longer. Man, I could have done with a good primer instead of paying so much more for those ampoules!
I have always always always been apprehensive of other people doing my makeup because it has NEVER been to my liking. Except for once when the makeup was for Nikki’s book. That one got me down to a tee. She knew what I didn’t like and still made it work!
I have this lack of trust with “professional” makeup that I even did my own makeup for my own wedding – had a trial session and what she did was sub-par to even MY ability! So I thought, why pay when I could do a much better job for free 😉
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Hahahah well in that case, you might as well do your own makeup! Save the money! 😛 I had a professional do mine and my wedding day makeup was quite disappointing. She gave me very dark and very arched brows which looked awful on me. My makeup skills back then was pretty much zero so I couldn’t do my own. I reckon that’s why I’m never keen on looking at my wedding day photos. 😛
Well, you know exactly what works on you, I mean, what shade and color of makeup suited in your face or skin color. So if you have that kind of makeup to use during special events, why not apply it, right? I think, some makeup artist wouldn’t mind. You have your reason and they will definitely understand it. You just have to explain to them that it’s not about their kit but it’s about knowing what makeup really works on you and that’s what you have in your own personal makeup kit. Thanks for sharing your story here.
Exactly. Of course, there are plenty of makeup artists who keep their kits spotless and their makeup “industrial-strength” (unlike most commercial cosmetics, drugstore or departmental store), but at the end of the day, if the client is happier to use their own makeup, then the makeup artist should allow it. For me, I’m commissioning them more for their expertise in artistry and application than their kit, and if my own makeup can achieve what I want with the makeup artist’s expertise, then he/she will have a very happy client in me.
You look gorgeous in the shot! Yes, I need to try your idea!
I seldom get my makeup done professionally. I do my own makeup when I attend weddings or parties because I do not want to spend the money on the MUA as I usually attend as a mere guest. I am happy with my half-bucket skills and my little glamour collection that is just enough for the identity of a guest.
Plus, I won’t think of asking the makeup artist to use my set since i) I go to their studio to get my makeup done and ii) I am all for trying new things; what they have.
You are absolutely right about the risks involved in using the artiste’s set especially since I have sensitive skin and I am really scared of using unfamiliar foundations (could be why I subconsciously will not hire a MUA).
On how the MUA’s set may be better, I guess that depends. Mostly, the MUA’s set would be more in-depth than mine but vary less.
Many pro MUA’s sets tend to be very singular because of a few reasons, i) they started out with a class where they purchased most of their makeup from, ii) they were counter sales assistants with brand discounts so they bought a lot from the same brands, iii) they could have been sent products to use and some brands are more aggressive in sending products than others, iv) MUA’s personal preference for certain brands.
In that sense, I prefer my own collection because I actively get products from every makeup brand that I know exists. I have met MUAs who are a bit impressed that I have got Le Metier, Charlotte, and Hourglass. I do prefer Charlotte eyeshadows over many others and Hourglass powders over standard loose powders.
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I’ve seen makeup artists with professional kits that differ from departmental store brands (e.g from Krylan, Ben Nye, etc). They like to use those as according to them, they last much longer. For me, I don’t know how well their makeup performs on my skin. It could be really good but it could also be bad. This is why I prefer to use my own, because I know what works for me. I’ve seen makeup artists with really good and pricey makeup kit but I’ve also seen the ones which really cheap products (e.g. the 88 shade eyeshadow palette that you can get for $15 on eBay). A friend of mine who’s a makeup artists gave a really good point: at the end of the day, the client must be happy. And I can’t agree more.