Question
So, I went today to have a trial make-up session at a cosmetics studio here in town. And, I hated what the girl did! I specifically told her that I have oily skin that makes my face very shiny and I don't want that (especially for pictures!) and she still put shimmer stuff all over my face and it made my skin look sooo shiny. She used eyeshadow for my blush???!!! Again, it looked very shimmery, My eye shadow wasn't blended in and it made me look like I had black eyes. ANd I am NOT exaggerating here. Now, I am discouraged. I like the way I do my makeup, but for my wedding day I want a PROFESSIONAL with the right tools and makeup for my skin type to do it for me. Someone that is better than me! How can I find someone that I will like. The good thing is I have a little while to find someone, but I can't devote a whole lot of time to finding this person. Any suggestions?

Answer
Definitely try somewhere else. Can you get recommendations from other people? Also, talk to the cosmeticians at your local drugstore. Some of them are makeup artists as well, and if they aren't, they will certainly have some ideas about where to go to get makeup done, usually from a lot of experience. I'm always giving people recommendations about where they can get their makeup done.

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I realize you don't want to do it yourself, but why not just practice a few looks yourself? I had a pro makeup artist and when she left, I basically washed my face and started over. (She did do the other girls so it wasn't a total waste of money.)

Other than that, just shop around until you find someone with whom you're comfortable.

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YIKES! I can imagine how disappointing that would be.

I like Munchkin's idea of asking around at drugstore make-up counters. I never would have thought of doing that!

Don't worry, your next trial will be better.

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Try department store cosmetic counters, too. Good luck!

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I have tried and my friends have tried a few of the dept. store counters only to get the same results that you got. The only one that I found that was great was the Bobbi Brown counter. They have a more natural beauty approach to make-up. I had them show me how to apply it (I learned a lot) and then I did it myself at my wedding. Plus their make-up is wonderful. Wears well, great colors, a worthy investment.

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I wonder if it's not the make up but the person who applied it. Apparently they didn't even listen to you when you told them that you didn't want to look shiny.

I had my make up done at a counter (Clinique) but I went with a woman who came highly recommended. LOL I was impressed. I bet she could have done just as good a job with poster paint.

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Do you have a Merel Norman near you. If you can find one just call and make a apt. and see what you think. Different people do different things and think different things look good.

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Are there any makeup/cosmetic schools nearby? Why not try to find the looks you're going for in a magazine and contact the school to see if any of the students would be willing to do it? They could add it to their "portfolio" and you might just find what you're looking for.

I think the problem is that make up artists tend to do our makeup so differently from what we're accustomed to that it freaks us out and we immediately hate it. Plus a bit more "heavy handed" makeup looks better in photos so maybe that is something to keep in mind too- trying to balance the "I want to feel comfortable" with the "I want to look fabulous in my pics" could be tricky.

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Where are you getting your hair done for your wedding? I had my makeup done at the same place as my hair, and I loved the way she did it. We had a makeup trial beforehand and when I didn't like some things, she took it off and started over. In addition, I discovered that they didn't have any lipstick shades that I loved that suited me, so I went and bought my own lipstick and took it to the salon on my wedding day, and they were happy to use it in addition to the makeup they provided.

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Thanks for all the suggestions. One of the problems was that the girl kept using colors that she said that she used. And, she would say things such as, "This is what I use on my face and I love it!" The thing is she is very pale and dry skinned. So, I think that was defintley a problem. The place that I went was Merle Norman, so I'm def. not going back there. I also, noticed she was really young maybe like 22 or 23, so she probably wasn't too experienced. I talked to one of my friends and she suggested this lady that works at the Prescriptives Counter at our mall so I think I'm going to try her. ANd....hopefully I will like it!!!!

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I always tell brides that counter girls=hit or miss.
They are paid to sell you thier cosmetics. They were not hired based on thier artistic skills. ( Believe me, I was a senior beauty advisor for 5 years and I had to fix many customers makeup that came from other counters) I would seek a professional or go to a salon where they usually have freelance artists working and ask them to teach you how to do your makeup if you don't trust anyone else doing it.

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I went for another make-up trial last week at a person my friend recommended, and she did a great job! I was nervous after my first episode, but now I feel so much better. I would suggest asking people for recommendations!!!!

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Good I am glad you liked it! Are you going to use her?

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yes I am! I have already booked her!