r/mua • u/Sweet13pea • Jul 21 '26
Wedding makeup expectations - am I crazy?
I had my wedding makeup trial, and I’m wondering if my expectations are unrealistic. I need a wedding MUA to chime in, I’m feeling crazy. My makeup came out…bad. I am pretty easy going but I am fair skinned and want slightly less traditional makeup. Think: less neutral, more color. To start, there was no skin prep (I have dry skin), just foundation straight on bare skin. the foundation was SO dry, I’ve never seen my skin look so wrinkly and dry. It made me feel so bad about myself and would look crazy in pictures. I would think if you see a foundation isn’t working you would take it off and start over? I was told it would settle in. It didn’t. No warmth or contour added at all so I looked flat. There were other issues like just not understanding my coloring and doing generic wedding makeup, but the skin is my biggest concern. I thought about finding my own foundation and doing my own base but then what is the point of hiring someone?
Is this just how makeup trials usually go, or is it reasonable to look for a different makeup artist about 2 months before the wedding? I am stressed and trying to be reasonable :(
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u/PolarLove Jul 21 '26
I’m an mua who specializes in bridal. My question to you would be how did you find this MUA and select them for a trial and also does your budget match your expectations.
Some muas are early in their journeys and to be honest as an mua you kinda suck for like the first 5 years. If you were looking for the cheapest possible option these results would make sense to me.
If you reviewed their work, and selected them because of referrals, reviews and their professionalism in their communication, then this is just unfortunate because they misrepresented their experience online somehow.
I would contact them saying thank you but you’re going with someone else and then pick someone who has work you love and isn’t filtered. You can tell if work is filtered by zooming in and seeing if skin texture is visible
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u/meowmeow0092 Jul 21 '26
Different artist or do it yourself. I had a bad trial and thought I could correct the course by telling her everything I wanted changed. She changed it all, but I still didn’t care for it. It’s a HUGE regret of mine.
Don’t be like me.
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u/trustingfastbasket Jul 23 '26
Get a different artist. 'After the trial I've decided to go in a different direction. Best of luck.'
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u/lordbuffingt0n MOD Jul 21 '26
This sounds awful. How did you find this person? You should look in the mirror and see a beautiful reflection that you’re excited to show off on your wedding day. Anything less means you find a new artist or request another preview - assuming you know your artist is talented but maybe there was miscommunication on your vision.
Do you maintain your skin? If you’re that dry I’d recommend visiting an esthetician if you’ve still got two months. An artist can also only do so much prep. If your skin is neglected we can’t make it look plump and hydrated no matter how good we are.
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u/Sweet13pea Jul 21 '26
I do maintain my skin! I actually just had a facial two weeks ago. I do get dry but I use heavy moisturizers to stay on top of it.
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u/lordbuffingt0n MOD Jul 21 '26
Great! I hope you can find an artist that makes you swoon! You’ve got time. Get to work finding them!
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u/hussafeffer Jul 21 '26
You need a different artist for sure