STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kitty · Hermes

Hair and make-up

HeatherLynn · Gucci

My college roommate just got married and she used her regular hair stylist. Her hair stylist had a recommendation for someone to do her makeup. If your regular person can't do it or you don't have one I would check the knot for recs. If you find a make up person first you could ask him/her for recs on a hair person or vice versa. They all know each other in that industry. You could also call a makeup counter to see if any of them do makeup for weddings on the side. I know a lot of the MAC girls do makeup on the side for weddings.

blubirde · Chanel

I planned all the make-up and hair for my BFF's wedding and I asked my regular stylist for a rec. I actually asked her to do the hair and make-up (she does both) but she couldn't, so she recommended people at her salon. They were great and we did pre-appointments to make sure everything was done the way we wanted. Oh and they came to us, which they said they would only do if the number of people getting made up was small (only 3).

I also know a MAC counter person who does weddings as well. I'd definitely want to look at a portfolio first though. Typically I don't trust mall make-up counter people, but I'm sure there are plenty that are good. I'd just want to see previous work first.

Elle · Hermes

I got my rec on the Knot, because I was planning from out of town. Definitely do a trial first, sooooo worth the money! I ended up really not liking the way this lady did my makeup AT ALL but liked the hair, so I hired her for that only and did makeup myself.

Kitty · Hermes

My mom thinks I should do my own hair and make-up....

jj · Kate Spade

Are you really good at doing your own hair? I'm horrible at it, and wanted a messy updo, so I found a local stylist (we had a destination wedding). I did a trial during one of my planning visits, and it worked out really well.

I would have been a total stress basket if I had to do my own, because the results live on in pictures for eternity. It was so wonderful to put myself in someone else's expert hands.

Kitty · Hermes

My hair is too short to wear up, so basically it's just wearing it down, which yes, I can style just as good as my stylist.

Make-up - I'm torn. I know I can do my own make-up REALLY well, but I don't know if someone could d it better.

brazilian · Dooney & Bourke

I would try to find someone that can do your make-up and do a trial session with thwm, as Elle suggested. Then, you can decide if you want to book them or not.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

The wedding planners recommended the woman I used. I also saw many ads in the local bridal magazines/expos. I was late finding someone so I didn't have a lot of choice. She kicked butt on the hair but the makeup was bad. I think I mentioned before that when she first practiced makeup on me, I looked like Sheena Frickin' Easton circa 1981.

Kitty · Hermes

Yikes, that's a lot of eye liner!

blubirde · Chanel

As long as you do a trial to find someone good, I think you'll be happy with the outcome. As for doing it yourself, it saves money but imo, the $$ is worth it. There are two things to consider:

1) someone who is used to doing hair and make-up will know what to do to make the hair stay through hours of dancing and picture taking (which I wouldn't be as good at even though I can do my own hair) and create a make-up look geared towards pictures. The make-up artist who did ours remembered to do our ears, did a different base than I normally would wear to look good in pictures (it did), etc. I wouldn't have thought about any of those things.

2) it's easier and less stressful to have someone else there to take care of it for you on the day of. We were all running around, getting ready, etc., and it was very nice to have someone make the bride sit down for a period of time and basically relax while she was getting everything done. She used the opportunity to have a glass of champagne and have a few moments of repose before the craziness of the day.

If you can find someone you're happy with, even if you can do it yourself (as long as money isn't a huge consideration), I'd have it done. It's one less thing to worry about (two actually) on the day of.

Elle · Hermes

If you're used to working with makeup and doing your own face, I'd just pick up a few new products and do a couple practice runs with yourself! I get the idea behind doing makeup to look good in pictures, but frankly sometimes it means that you end up looking a little freakish IRL. And you obviously do your own makeup to play up certain things and play down others, and you know what things work for you and which don't. A makeup artist isn't necessarily going to know those preferences.

I'd do a slightly more intense, polished version of your daily face. I'd also include false eyelashes (practice with these first if you haven't used them before - they can be tricky) an appropriate color of blush, and a longer-wearing version of a lipcolor that you like. That way you still look like 'you' to all the people who are actually at the wedding and good in the pics.