-Natural or Dramatic Makeup-

Besides your gown, this is really the most personal of decisions for your wedding day, so it's all up to you! There's no "supposed to do." In fact, that wasn't apart of my vocabulary for the entire wedding. LOL! My mantra was, "Keep it simple and elegant" even if we had to break some "rules."

Personally, I did my own make-up after making a purchase at the Prescriptives counter. It wasn't cheap, but at least I got to keep my money's worth. I had the Prescriptives lady do one side of my face while the Bobbi Brown lady did the other half. I liked what the Prescriptives lady did and purchased her make-up. (The Bobbi Brown lady was also a little snippy.) I didn't want to appear too fresh-faced, and I didn't want to appear too dramatic (i.e. Tammy Faye Baker. God rest her soul.) I wanted to achieve something between natural and dramatic. Since there would still be some light when we married and then an evening reception, I wanted to make the transition smoothly.

Evening make-up is usually more dramatic than daytime make-up because there is less lighting.

My sisters (my attendants) did their own make-up as well, and they did beautiful jobs, so everyone felt comfortable with how they looked.

I say go to Macy's or JCPennys and walk to their make up counter and have a make over, whichever came out perfect, that's the one you go with. You don't have to spend a lot for a makeup artist, if you can do the do yourself. I'm lucky to have my cousin to do not only my makeup, but for the entire bridal party. She's a makeup artist and she said to consider that as my wedding gift ( I know sister's trippin'). I'm just joking though. That's a wonderful gift and I truly appreciate it.

I'm having a make-up artist do all the girls for the ceremony. Most of them have used her before so it works out fine. This is the look I'm going for;

[IMG]http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e181/phenomonique/makeup.jpg[/IMG]

That's gorgeous, Monique.

I went with a makeup artist that used MAC products which I love. Because I was having a afternoon into the evening wedding she suggested that I go with something more dramatic and it came out wonderful. I am a lip gloss and go type of girl but everyone said I looked like myself. I don't know if have ever seen airbrushed makeup but it's so pretty but really heavy but its long lasting and looks great in pictures.

[quote="VIPrincessBride"]That's gorgeous, Monique.

[/quote]

It's so natural, I love the look. Here's a picture of her work. The make up is great, but I look dazed. I'll go for more color on my lips. My skin looks flawless;

[IMG]http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e181/phenomonique/MsMo.jpg[/IMG]

[quote="phenomonique"]It's so natural, I love the look. Here's a picture of her work. The make up is great, but I look dazed. I'll go for more color on my lips. My skin looks flawless;

[/quote]

That's you?! Oh, you're beautiful! No wonder what's her name is hating. LOL! I don't think you look dazed. More lip color would be good. A berry-toned liner and lighter lip gloss would be perfect.

Oh Mo your makeup looks so good you look so familar.

[quote="VIPrincessBride"]

That's you?! Oh, you're beautiful! No wonder what's her name is hating. LOL! I don't think you look dazed. More lip color would be good. A berry-toned liner and lighter lip gloss would be perfect.

[/quote]

LOL!! Thank you. you're to kind.

[quote="Mrs080908"]

Oh Mo your makeup looks so good you look so familar.[/quote]

Well, I'm from New Orleans, lived in Atlanta & San Diego for a year (each), New Carrollton MD 13 yrs, and now Bronx NY. Have you always been in VA?

Mo you look good girl!

I think a mixture of both...for an ENHANCED look or an ACCENTUATION of your natural beauty is in store....

1. Don't be afraid of more foundation...You are taking photos that will last forever....In 20 or 30 years when you look back you want to smile, not frown....I let my Mary Kay collegue do mine, and at first I was pissed-not being used to the heavier foundation...which turned out not to be that heavy....in my pictures I was amazed! My skin was flawless!

2. Use the berries (cranberry, rich/brown reds, etc)....This family of color looks great on Black women...especially cafe beauties like Mo....my skin is actually about the same as Mo's as far as tone and shade. I used some on my lips and sealed it with a light light layer of gloss (but the gloss was colored)....

3. You cannot cover damaged skin with a great result....Make sure you do great skin care going into the wedding...Any damage you have now should be addressed with a dermatologist if need be....Healthy skin makes make-up look even BETTER....

Remember...you are going to be taking photos so make sure you use color and even skin with concealer and foundation if need be. Everyone doesn't have perfect even skin, and that can show up in photos....So consider that when thinking of make up!

I had more earth toned colors for my wedding. I like the gold's, bronze, brown....My sister's friend is a make up artist so she hooked me up! I wanted the bronzed goddess looked and she did exactly what I wanted....it was just enough to look good for the occasion, but I don't think I was overly made up where it looked like if was caked on. I think you should do whatever you want for your wedding, whatever you are comfortable with. Like others say, there are going to be a trillion pictures of you on that day, so you want to make sure however you look you feel as beautiful, confident and comfortable as you should....so you can look back on those pictures for years to come and smile....

Totally up to you. i don't wear make-up at all really so i kept it natural - very natural! Just clear lip gloss, a little eye liner and shadow (that I couldn't even see now that I look at the pics)!

Mo, you look lovely. I think that I will go for a natural look because of your post.

Mo, I was raised in New York from birth and I came to Virginia to go to college in 2002 and I just haven't made back to NY yet but the woman you remind of her name is Mechal, I just asked my mother her name you two could really be twins.

I advice you to hire best make artist and wear concealer. This is the quickest way and the best temporary fix to get rid of dark circles. It is affordable and will also help you to hide the dark circles while you are still on the process of eliminating them completely.

With out a doubt you should go for a softer more natural face on your wedding day. There is plenty of time to sex up your face later. Here are some great examples from our make up photo gallery to try at home or show to your make up artist:
[img]images/photoalbum/3/hair93.jpg[/img]
I really like the soft plum shade on teh lips and the eyes.
[img]images/photoalbum/3/strong_eybrow_make_up.jpg[/img]
Defined eyebrows make for a clean fresh face. The smokey eye is sexy and the light glossy lip says kiss me and still there is innocence in the look.
[img]images/photoalbum/3/dramatic_eye_make_up.jpg[/img]
I am tottes digging her nose ring BTW. I love a ramatic eye on your wedding day. Imagine the photos and the effect on your husband every time you look at him.
[img]images/photoalbum/3/victorias_secret_makeup_african_american_makeup_looks.jpg[/img]
Imagine this make up with a gold and ivory dress. It would be STUNNING.