Make Up? Is It Worth the $$$?

I would splurge and have it done. $60 is fairly reasonable. I was a bridesmaid for my best friends wedding in NJ and it was $85 per person for make up and $90 for hair. It wasn’t required by the bride, but all 7 bridesmaids ended up getting our hair/makeup done. I told my makeup artist I didn’t want anything too heavy since I don’t wear a lot of makeup in my day-to-day, and she gave me a really nice, natural look. If you haven’t gotten your bridesmaids gifts yet, you could pay for them to have it done or if you’d prefer to gift them with something a little less expensive you can offer them to have it done at their own cost.

I think it’s worth getting your makeup done, especially for pictures. Just communicate with your makeup artist what you like/don’t like so they can provide you with a look you’ll be happy with.

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Not at all. You're only responsible for the cost if you're requiring them to have it done professionally or requiring them to wear it a certain way. If not, you can just say "hey, I hired a makeup artist to do my makeup. She charges $60 per person, just let me know if you're interested by X date so that I can give her a head count." If you want to pay half, I'm sure it would be appreciated, but definitely not required.

$60 is a steal!!!
Mine was $75 for each service (hair and makeup) but it was totally worth it. I dont have many chances (or good excuses!) to get pampered like this.
I'm also totally terrible at makeup so...me doing it was not really an option.
But they did a beautiful job on me. I didnt feel like I didnt look like myself, just a glam version!

I’m doing my own makeup. I have soooo much of it and I’m always playing with it, so I’ve gotten pretty darn good at it. I know what look I want to go for, so I’ll just practice various versions of that with different products until I find my favorite. Gonna test to see what holds up the best and all of that. Also, doing makeup is extremely therapeutic for me, so it will serve as a way to keep my nerves at bay that day. In the end, I really just think it’s a matter of personal preference. If you feel more comfortable doing it yourself, then do it!

$60 is very reasonable. Around here in NJ, to have someone come to the venue and do it it was well over $100 each so we decided to go to the salon to have it done. Also, you don’t need to pay for it if you aren’t requiring them to have it done. And I see you have already bought their dresses which is another thing that is not required of you. I would let them make the decision. I would assume accepting the role of bridesmaids people assume their are certain costs associated like dress and shoes and pro hair and makeup if they want

I think a makeup artist is definitely worth it! I don't think it's rude at all to not pay for your bridesmaids' makeup. I'm not paying for my girls to get there makeup done but am offering it as an option. My MUA only charges $50 per bridesmaid and a few girls are getting it done because that's a lot cheaper than usual. I've been in several weddings, and none of the brides paid for our makeup to be done. If you're not requiring them to have their makeup done professionally, it's not expected that you pay for it.

I’m a professional makeup artist, and though I’m quite nervous about who I will hire for my wedding, there’s no doubt I will hire a professional makeup artist. Makeup is the absolute last thing I want to be worrying about on my wedding day.

I will also say - since I spend so much time with bridal parties getting them ready - it’s a really special time for everyone to be together before the ceremony, and is usually a fun, relaxing time. I understand budgeting for sure, but I think it’s an important aspect for the overall tone of the day.

I stopped wearing makeup regularly a couple years ago, so I understand worrying about not looking like yourself. Tbh, all three of my BMs are bomb with makeup, so I'm not going to bother hiring anyone. They are totally capable of doing their own and I'll ask if one of them is willing to do mine. They live for that kind of stuff, lol. It'll look just as good as any professional, and they know me/my face/my style already.

I wear minimal make up daily, so I am doing airbrush makeup and lashes. I want it to be natural, which is why I am going to do a trial the day of my bachelorette party. With lashes mine is $110, so yours in a great deal! I left the options open for my girls, We will get it done at the hotel. The girls are paying for themselves.

View Quoted Comment Just be sure not to get any makeup on your gorgeous dress!

$60 is an amazing price! To me it’s worth it! I’m not a hair or makeup person. I only wear eye makeup. But for me alone for Savannah GA I’m paying $230 both hair and makeup. My girls at $150 for both.

It's totally worth it. Group Pricing maybe?

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hey Megan, great advice. I absolutely agree. I wouldn't want to be worrying about it either. If you're worried about looking like yourself, you should def let your artist know they you'd want to keep it light and natural. Contouring always helps.

I asked my older sister to do my makeup as she is far more experienced with that than I am and it gave us some special time together. My wife chose to do her own. It's really up to you, but if I were you, I would just let everybody do their own, including your moms. It would be one less person to coordinate with the day of and everyone can be working on their makeup at the same time versus all the time it would take for a makeup artist to do everyone. I think the makeup you did for your engagement pictures is beautiful.

For $60?? Heck yeah it’s worth it! Lol!! That’s a steal. Bridal makeup is 2 to 3 times that much here in San Diego.

I've considered hiring one for myself.
But not the bridesmaids. I'm not requiring them to get theirs done, so I don't want to pay for it.
$60/person isnt bad. But I say that thinking I'd only be paying for myself. I plan to get my hair done by myself to give me time to relax in the morning. And if I did the makeup, I'd be doing that on my own in that time as well.


Getting a trial done will help with the .making sure you look like yourself issue.

If your makeup doesnt last as long as you like, have you tried a setting spray? I didnt know what that was until the last 5 or so years. I feel like it really helps me with getting my makeup to last.

I wish this trend of everyone being expected to act like an actress or celebrity, had never started on TV. It sets up a standard for regular people, much like the ultra skinny models, and doctored photos of models, that there is a standard of accepted looks more like a manikin than the person looks even on their most formal day. Heaven forbid you should have a freckle show through a magazine style made up face. It is not real. It holds women to a ridiculous, and demeaning , standard of just not measuring up to minimum standard of beauty, without it. I like to see people looking their best regular selves, a little polished, but not much more than most cam do with a previous good haircut, and themselves or with the help of a friend. The way all but celebrity and very rich people, have always done it. I also hate what has happened to the getting ready time, between the time I was first in weddings, then my first marriage, and recently. I hate it when brides want to coop everyone up in a group for group grooming sessions, for hours, before a ling wedding and reception. I by far enjoy being in weddings more when people get ready alone or with maybe one friend or family member ( each member of bridal party). And come together all made up, hair done, dressed or ready to slip on their dress. Grooming that takes 1-1½ hours for each individual, not people waiting turns, for 3½-6 hour grooming and getting ready sessions. Nicer to relax and do something nicer with your time than a group grooming for half the day. Like seeing friends, family, and SO.

I'm really great with my make-up, but I want to be pampered the morning of my wedding. Total hair and make-up for just me is $400.00. You have a bargain!! I had another quote for $700. 00, for just me!