Makeup question... how to ask the bridesmaids

Just let people do their hair and makeup as they choose to. Are you hiring someone for hair and makeup? Are you paying for the bridesmaids makeup? If so, you can give some guidelines, but if you're not paying for their hair and makeup, they can do theirs as they'd like.

Why would I pay someone to do makeup when I'm not going to wear any and I'd like my bridesmaids to go light on it? I am having hair done and having someone there for that.

Dont sweat this one... just like you selected what they are wearing (or gave them a choice to pick from) You set the tone for hair and makeup as well. It's easy to do if you kinda put it all together in one message/email.. say something such as:

"ok.. here's my vision for the final wedding party look for my beautiful friends... the dress is xXxX your jewelry is xXxX (but don't spill the beans if you are getting them a piece of jewelry to wear as their gift) your shoes are xXxX.... to go with this look I'd like you to wear your hair xXxX and keep your makeup natural (no heavy eye or lip colours please). You guys are wonderful and thanks for making my special day more so by helping me make my vision a reality - I love all of you"

None of your wedding party should take offense, it's YOUR day that they were invited to play a special role in! If you get push back...you can tell them that because your little sister is MOH and doesn't wear any makeup yet, you don't want her feeling badly about what she looks like in comparison with the rest of the wedding party, and since you want a cohesive look, are asking everyone to keep their makeup natural.

And then Id give your little sister the "extra feel so special treat of being able to wear some mascara and a little blush and lip gloss on your wedding day. Having you put that on her the day of, would create a loving memory she will never forget that's special to the two of you.

You really can't tell people how to do their makeup. I would feel a little put off if someone told me how to do my makeup. If you want simple and don't plan on wearing makeup why even hire someone? You definitely don't have to.

We weren't sure if you hired someone or not because you said "So I know a lot of weddings hire someone to do makeup for the wedding party and bridesmaids all get their makeup done. I really am clueless about all that because I'm not into that sort of thing." That's a vague statement; it kind of sounded like you did hire someone or were considering it. Some brides hire a makeup artist and hair stylist for themselves and extend the invitation to the bridesmaids/MOB/MIL to have it done as well. Usually if the bride asks or requires the bridesmaids to have a certain look, the bride should pay for that.

I'm sorry @Ayla but your post kind of made me cringe

I'd say just let them do their makeup how they want. No one will outshine you on your wedding day. If someone's wearing more makeup than you it wont look weird.

I have a friend who's in a wedding and has been complaining about the bride micromanaging this. Demanding specific eye shadow color, etc. My friend isn't happy at all and feels like a prop not a friend. Don't do this to your BM's.

I wouldn't be pleased if someone told me how to do my makeup. do your friends wear a lot of makeup normally? if not, i wouldn't worry about it....

Coming from someone who loves to wear makeup, if someone told me not to or to "go light" I would be pissed, and say there's no way. Let them do their makeup however they feel comfortable.

If you're not paying for their makeup to be done, you don't really get a say in what they wear on their face. I would be really uncomfortable if someone told me how to wear my makeup. Plus, "light" on makeup for a special event to me is still foundation, concealer, setting powder, brows, natural but a decent amount of eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, mascara (maybe a few single lashes to make mine look fuller) and a neutral lipstick color. "Light" to me is more natural, but since it's a significant and special event I'd wear makeup that reflected that. Someone else might think light makeup is something different. If someone told me I needed to be in a highly photographed event and couldn't wear the amount of makeup that I felt good about I'd be uncomfortable the whole time.

Do any of your bridesmaids typically wear heavy makeup? If not, then I wouldn't worry about it one bit. Even heavy makeup looks much lighter in photos, which is why makeup artists generally go a little heavier for events like this. If you do have a bridesmaid who likes to wear a lot of makeup, maybe you can send an email out to all of them saying your makeup will be light, so if they could all try for a more natural look that would be great. But I wouldn't give them specific guidelines...I promise they will not outshine you on your big day!

The only way you get a say in how they do their makeup is if you pay for it. Otherwise, you have to let them do their makeup how they want. You're welcome to not wear makeup if that's what you want, but you can't force that idea on them.

I agree with PPs:

You can't tell them how to wear their makeup, especially if you're not paying for it.

You should really consider makeup, you'll looked washed out in some of the most important pictures you'll ever have without it.

I'm sorry I know this is not what you asked but as PP said, you should consider wearing make up. Do you have a vision of this makeup less wedding? Like an inspiration pic? Just wondering. It would be okay to say you want everyone to have a more natural look for the wedding vibe you are going for, like not a Hollywood glam type vibe, but if someone told me to wear light makeup or no makeup or a little makeup I would not comply.

Let them wear whatever they want to wear.

If someone told me to go light, I'd break out the extravagant falsies and do a dark smokey eye.

Honestly OP, there's a way to get a "No-makeup" makeup look and you'll still look very natural. I'd reconsider wearing nothing on your wedding day. As PPs have said, it's going to wash you out in all of the pictures.

Okay I should have said natural look.

MOH (little sis) wears non, two go light (so no worries there) one wears her makeup heavy and the other is my FH sister and she (still a teen) is still, to put it nicely, in that tacky makeup stage. I don't have anything against it and AM NOT trying to be controlling. Just want there to be an even look.

I still don't understand why I'm supposed to pay for a makeup artist to do natural looking makeup.

You know yourself how to put your makeup on naturally!

As far a photos I have seen weddings with no makeup on the bride

Thanks everyone

I wouldn't listen to a bride who told me to not wear any makeup as a BM. No way I'd go to a wedding as a guest without any makeup. Unless you are paying for their make up then you have no say in how much they do or don't wear.

Also, all you can tell him to do is buy the dress (that is in their budget), you do not tell them to purchase certain jewelry or shoes, anything you are requiring them to wear (jewelry or shoes) is purchased by you and is NOT considered a gift. You want their hair and make up a certain way then you have to pay for it.

The dress cost $70 that's all I've asked of them. Oh and told them to wear tan or nude colored shoes.

I really feel I haven't asked to much of them at all.

I think I would feel very uncomfortable in makeup when I don't normally wear it. And let me clarify I'm not asking anyone to not wear it. Just to go for a natural look.

Isn't it normal to want everyone to look equal? Like if I was having a glam wedding (which isn't me at all lol) I might say go heavy with makeup and lots of sparkles and stuff.

I would say look into getting a natural look done for your wedding. It will accentuate your best features and show up amazing in picture. A natural look is more than just an every day look and a professional would know best.

I dont agree with your statement that people know how to do their natural make-up.

Also as far as everyone looking equal, I just think that is a bit much, nobody will stand out just because their make-up is different. They are all individuals. Plus if someone were to tell me to tone down my make-up for a wedding I would probably be very upset and even choose to step down. I wear make-up for myself not at someone else's discretion.

"Isn't it normal to want everyone to look equal?"

^This is a weird statement. You should just want your bridesmaids to look how they normally look (having the dresses which are likely the same or similar in style will keep everyone "looking equal"). If one wears slightly heavier makeup, so be it. Your bridesmaids are not props. They will only be in a few bridal party photos with you where you'll be able to "compare" makeup looks. Other than that, it'll be mostly photos with you and FH. If your girls are caught in candid photos, it won't matter if their makeup doesn't match how heavy or light the other girls' makeup is. This is not a battle worth fighting in my opinion.