Hair and makeup opinions

[Selkie]

I normally wear little to no makeup, so figuring out what to do for the wedding has been a big headache for me. However, I think I''ve found a look I like, and I was hoping to get some opinions. I wanted to go with a strong lip color, and subtle, shimmery eyes. My eyeshadow is pale gold with a little bit of mauve at the lash line and corners. When I do put on more than the bare minimum of makeup, I totally feel overdone, so I tend to be conservative. So I need perspective on whether this look needs more OOOMPH, and where.

I''m curious what you think of the colors, esp. the lips, and whether it works with my complexion. My dress is ivory with champagne and silver embroidery, and red beading. I''ll probably be wearing the ivory necklace you''ll see in one of the pictures.

On to the pics. First one-my hair is down and most of the lipstick had actually worn off, so this is probably the closest to what I usually look like when I wear a little eye makeup. It also gives a better idea of my hair color than the following pics, in which it looks pretty dark.

 

[Selkie]

A little darker lip, with my hair pulled back. I''m planning to wear it half up and curled, and will attach some inspiration pics later on.

 

[Selkie]

What it might look like with the dress (couldn''t take actual pics w/the dress since it''s being altered) and necklace:

 

[Selkie]

I want to have my hair something like this (it''s not that long, though), with some scattered hair pins:

 

[aprilcait]

Look at you with that beautiful red hair!

Honestly, I''d say the look need a bit more oomph. I''d suggest darkening your eyebrows a bit with eyebrow powder (that can make such a HUGE difference in a make-up look), to really frame your eyes. I''d also suggest that, even though you have a stunning complexion, that maybe using some foundation could even things out, or if foundation seems like WAY too much make-up for you, maybe using a little powder would be good to just lessen the shine. Also, a bit more mascara (especially on the outside corner lashes) would really add a pop.

 

[Selkie]

These are the pins I''ll hopefully be using.

 

[belle]

try some more color on the eyes... a smokey liner will give more definition and keep you from looking all washed out.
definitely color up the cheeks!
you''re a natural beauty selkie, you don''t need to overdo the color, just really highlight what you have.

 

[Selkie]

Date: 7/6/2007 3:14:15 PM
Author: aprilcait
Look at you with that beautiful red hair!


Honestly, I''d say the look need a bit more oomph. I''d suggest darkening your eyebrows a bit with eyebrow powder (that can make such a HUGE difference in a make-up look), to really frame your eyes. I''d also suggest that, even though you have a stunning complexion, that maybe using some foundation could even things out, or if foundation seems like WAY too much make-up for you, maybe using a little powder would be good to just lessen the shine. Also, a bit more mascara (especially on the outside corner lashes) would really add a pop.

Thanks! That''s exactly the kind of help I need. That picture makes my hair look much better than it normally does! Must be the flash .

I actually was wearing Origins matte foundation and powder, but I wasn''t very careful applying it, so I guess it looks uneven. I''ll definitely be more thorough with that. I like that foundation, it feels very light and non-greasy, which I definitely need. My cheeks are very rosy, in general...too much sun

, and I have way more freckles than it looks like.

I always forget the eyebrows, so that''s a great tip, thanks. I did use a bit of eyebrow pencil, but again, I can''t judge how much is too much.

 

[Love in Bloom]

Selkie, you are so pretty!! I greatly admire your lovely cheekbones

. ITA define and darken the brows a tad, add more blush and maybe some depth. I like Jay Manuel's Manual Override (kind of hard to find nowadays), but Bare Escentuals warmth also helps add some dimension. I use it on the cheeks, temples, and chin. I know putting on a darker shade may seem really awful especially since you do not normally wear makeup and your complexion is fair, but I would hate to see you get washed out in bad lighting. Also, since your dress has red beading, I think a red lip would look fantastic! If you aren't that much into actual lipstick, I think a lipstain would give you some nice color without you feeling too made-up. Benefit Benetint is great (I use it on my lips and cheeks). I think the pigment in the tint is very natural looking and you can control the intensity with multiple applications. Just be sure to practice applying to get the hang of it and make sure your lips are in really good condition before you apply the tint.

 

[belle]

here is a pic with some changes on one side.
i darkened up your eye make up a bit, defined your brow and added some more color to your cheek.
just an idea.

 

[Selkie]

Thanks, Belle! Wow!! You''re hereby hired as my personal image consultant/touch-up artist

. The changes are so subtle, but make a big difference.

LIB, thanks for the makeup recs. I think the lipcolor I was wearing is Revlon colorstay, and I liked that it wasn''t waxy feeling. I''ll have to check out the Benetint. Do you recommend "priming" my lips in any way, or putting something over the lipstain to make the color last longer? It came off pretty quickly, I noticed.

 

[swingirl]

Okay, here''s my opinion for what it''s worth. You have a broad forehead and strong angles on your face (great cheekbones!!) In the photo with your hair pulled tight it looks too severe and acceptuates the angles. I like a softer look (#3) with some puffiness around your temples. The way you wear your hair naturally looks good because of the nice soft wave over the side of your face. So try to keep the softness around your forehead. More people will remember the front view over the back view.

Regarding eyes-- darker eyebrows (not black), darker shadow on the lid.

Lips-- I like brides in lighter lip colors. Weddings are such a kissing event, too dark lip color is scarry! I know you want to match the red beading and choker but I''d keep it a lighter tone in (but in the same color family) since you have a light complextion.

I can''t wait to see the dress with the beading. It sounds lovely!

 

[zoebartlett]

Hi Selkie!

Sorry I can''t help you with makeup advice, since I don''t wear any (literally none...I''m clueless). I did want to pop in though and say how beautiful your eyes are! Wow!!

 

[Love in Bloom]

Date: 7/6/2007 4:05:31 PM
Author: Selkie
Thanks, Belle! Wow!! You're hereby hired as my personal image consultant/touch-up artist

. The changes are so subtle, but make a big difference.

LIB, thanks for the makeup recs. I think the lipcolor I was wearing is Revlon colorstay, and I liked that it wasn't waxy feeling. I'll have to check out the Benetint. Do you recommend 'priming' my lips in any way, or putting something over the lipstain to make the color last longer? It came off pretty quickly, I noticed.

With a stain/tint, I do not recommend priming. It is best on clean lips because the oils in gloss or balm prevent the stain from setting. After applying the benetint, it is a good idea to add a touch of gloss if you want shine, or balm if you want matte.

As far as priming for lipstick, I would definitely suggest lipliner. The best I have tried so far as been Kevin Aucoin's flesh toned lip pencil. It is more than I ever thought I would spend on a pencil (

!) but goes with everything and it doesn't change the color of my lipstick when I use it to prime. Have you ever ordered from beauty.com ? You can order it, try it, and if the color doesn't do anything for you, you can return it

. I loooooooove beauty.com. Unfortunately they do not carry the benetint

. I'd suggest Sephora for that, plus you can try it there

.

Aucoin lip pencil at Beauty.com (oops forgot the link!)

 

[parrot tulips]

Wow, such gorgeous ladies here on Pricescope! I don''t have any additional advice to give, except maybe to google images of celebrities with similar coloring for inspiration. I love this one of Marcia Cross (hope the photo uploads).

 

[Selkie]

Thanks for the compliments and all the help! My FI would be all for me wearing makeup more often, I just don''t have the patience every morning. But with the amount we''re spending on wedding photos, dammit, I wanna look good

.

I''m definitely planning going for a softer look around the forehead and sides, but need to have it at least partially back because it''s in the evening, on a boat, and it will either be windy or humid or both. I am going to a salon to get my hair done, so hopefully they can work wonders and give me volume and curls.

Date: 7/6/2007 4:38:26 PM
Author: parrot tulips
I don''t have any additional advice to give, except maybe to google images of celebrities with similar coloring for inspiration. I love this one of Marcia Cross (hope the photo uploads).

I was looking for updo and half-updo pics of Nicole Kidman (before she went from red to blonde) and Kate Walsh (after SHE went from blonde to red) for ideas. Not that I think I look anything like either of them, but because of their coloring, like you suggested.

Never been in Sephora-do they do makeup trials there?

 

[Selkie]

Kate Walsh...pretty, pretty hair. Even if it's not real (the color)!

 

[diamondfan]

I love the hair idea.

I agree with some subtle darkening of the brows and a red tint, not a matte heavy lipstick, on the lips. I also think a bit of gleam on the cheek bones above your blush would be pretty. Darken the mascara a bit, but do not overdo the eyes if you are doing the red lips. Some liner, not done as a harsh thin line, some shimmery neutral shadow and mascara should be good, you can highlight the brow bone and define in the crease but do not go too heavy. I would use a primer for the skin before my foundation, and not over power or you could look chalky. Also, a tint should not be put on over something on the lips because the tint''s sheer ness will show the primer through it. But you must slough off any dead lip skin and slather on a good NON medicated lip salve to keep them soft. You can use one of those gel liners (trish mcevoy makes a red liner that is gel and therefore not as opaque) and sort of blend it all over and put the sheer red or tint on top. Blot, and re apply a bit. Then, take a tissue, and put it gently over your mouth. Take a large fluffy brush and use some translucent powder, getting off the excess. Powder your lips through the tissue. This helps set the lip makeup without drying it out. I would stick to more red than rust colors for the lips, but sublty done.

You will look stunning no matter what!

 

[belle]

you''re welcome selkie. you are beautiful and will look absolutely stunning no matter what.

ps you could also try maybelline superstay lip color, that stuff has staying power like nothing i''ve every seen before!


pss... it''s funny, by your username, i''ve always pictured you with dark hair!

 

[Pandora II]

I would recommend having your eyebrows professional done a week or so before the wedding, then you can touch them up on the day.

The other thing I like is a brown or grey liquid eyeliner above the top lashes - get a friend to do it for you if you''re not used to using it as it is quite tricky. I recommend having a bowl of water and mixing a little with the liner to thin it out so it''s more subtle. I did this for my sister who never wears make-up for her wedding.

She has naturally platinum blonde hair and eyebrows and lashes so pale you can hardly see them so it was very easy to make things look heavy. Mixing with the water you can get a colour pale enough to add definition and yet not too overpowering.

I find makeup sponges really good for applying a light layer of foundation and loose powder goes on lighter than the cake variety.

I''d maybe add a slightly darker shade of brown on the outer part of your eyelid and blend it really really well so that it almost works as a natural shadow than as a visible cosmetic.

What belle did looks fantastic!

 

[cellososweet]

i loooove your hair. i''m always so jealous of redheads. i love love love the color but it would look strange on me. alas. . you are stunning my dear

i second the eyebrow suggestion. Paula Dorf makes a great eyebrow duo (at sephora and some macy''s). I use the lighter one for my brows and the darker one as an eyeliner. It''s a powder that you use with an angled brush. And let me tell you, it''s a miracle-worker. When my mum had no eyebrows from chemo a few years ago I used it on her with nothing but her brow bone to guide me and it turned out fantastic. I know they have a blonde one and I''m 99.9% sure they have an auburn one too.

One huge tip is to invest in a concealer that is close to your natural skin color but is thicker than a liquid foundation (i use sonia kashuk. got it at target). If you put the concealer on your eyelids before your shadow it will not only make the color more of a true hue (it''ll look more like it does in the pottle), but it will also make it stay on twice as long.

The same goes for your lips. A little bit of liquid foundation on your lips before you lipstick will make it last longer too.

And pile it on a little thicker than you normally would. If you look natural from about 5 feet away, that''s perfect. Because the camera always washes faces out.

I think you look fantastic. All I really have are tips on making it last longer (which is always good for brides)

 

[TravelingGal]

You look great, so there''s not too much to be done. Belle did a great mockup!

I would agree about the brows. I also think that false eyelashes add a lot of extra oomph without looking over the top. If you look at all the celeb photos, it''s the lashes that really add that glamour, IMHO and it just looks great in photos.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

First off, let me just say you are gorgeous!

But, I think what would be helpful is to go to a make-up counter and get some help. If you go in the mall most of the time it is free and usually it''s customary to buy one of the products (I usually go with the lipstick). I hands down love Laura Mercier''s line the best. She has beautiful shimmery blushes that work well for your skin tone and my favorite lip glosses. I think even if you don''t go the day of, it would be helpful to go in before and see and hear how it can be done. You wouldn''t have to purchase anything, but you could try to find similar shades in the grocery aisle!

Just my two cents!

 

[Gypsy]

I would go to a Laura Mercier counter and ask them to play up your eyes... fill in your brows a bit and shape them.

You have lovely features -- skin, eyes, lips and hair. And you are washing yourself out.

I would by her eye products though cause their pigment is so saturated you really do get what you pay for. And her eyeshadow primer is a MUST.

 

[labbielove]

Selkie,
You''re a natural beauty. I hear ya about not normally wearing makeup,as I''m in the same boat, but have recently discovered that I love wearing a light foundation and powder as it takes away my ''shine'' problem later in the day.

You''ve gotten great advice here from everyone, and I''d throw out a couple of more tips
- Yes, Sephora does makeup trials/makeovers, at least the one near me- I''d suggest going at an off time, or really any of the makeup counters, although i like Sephora as they have more than one line (my bag is a hodge podge of brands)

- when all is said and done with the makeup application, I''d suggest trying this product "Model in a Bottle", or any makeup setting spray (although I don''t know of other brands off the top of my head). I tried it prior to going for our e-pics, and have been addicted ever since- it really helps the makeup stay fresh, and prevents any caking or flaking (i sometimes have a breakout or two and after coverup it used to get a bit dried out as the day went on)

- if you need a good concealer (although it doesn''t look like you do at all) I would try the Bobbi Brown concealer stick- it''s great, tiny to fit in your purse and is great for emergency touchups

 

[Selkie]

I look a lot paler than normal in those pics, because I''m wearing the lightest shade of foundation in the Origins line, plus powder. I actually have a lot of sun damage and redness normally, plus lovely dark circles under my eyes, so the concealer is actually something I need too. I think I''ll go back and pick up the next shade up, plus I definitely need a good blush.

Funny I''m getting so many compliments on my complexion. I had wicked acne through my early twenties, and still break out easily. Plus large pores, which will never go away. Oh well, I''m definitely seeing the value of owning a good makeup collection now!

My future SIL was a model when she was younger, and I''ve asked her to help me out with the application. I think she''ll do a great job. Plus it will be kind of a bonding thing, I hope. We get along great, but don''t have a lot in common, and she seemed really excited to help me out.

 

[HappyAnniversary]

People in my area often pay to have a professional make-up application. When I first heard this I thought it was such an extravagance--until I saw the photos--the MOB and bride looked so beautiful and the MOB had hers done at noon for an evening wedding and it stayed beautiful all that time. So the advantage was not just a great job but that it lasted! I am so bad at putting on makeup that after I work hard at trying to look good after an hour someone will say, You ought to try and wear some makeup, you''d look so much better, andI say I am!! Anyway consider the option--all the other money spent on the wedding is for something that doesn''t make you look beautiful--this directly affects how you look. If I couldn''t afford it I would go directly to the make-up counter and have them do it, that''s what all the girls do for prom.

 

[Trelala]

I second HappyAnniversary''s idea. One of my friends wanted to save money on makeup on her wedding day. So she set an appointment at her local MAC counter to get her free make-over after spending $50+ on MAC goodies. She did bring in several magazine clippings of the "look" she wanted. Her makeup turned out beautiful.