Bridal Make-Up: Splurge or Save

One of my favorite trends right now is the fresh, natural look of make-up for brides and the ladies in the wedding party. Chalk it up to the more casual direction that weddings are taking or Kate's signature look - I don't care, I love it. The best part of natural make-up is that, with the right products and a light hand, it's a super easy look to recreate on your own (and save money by not hiring a wedding day make-up pro).

Images Courtesy of: Anna Delores Photography

Want to give it a try? Here's a round up of products to recreate this rosy-cheeked bridal look - either by splurging or by saving.

Tinted Moisterizer: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Travel Size (Splurge) Sonia Kashuk Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (Save) // Mascara: Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara (Splurge) Clinique Lash Power Mascara (Save)  // Creme Blush: The Multiple by NARS in Orgasm (Splurge) NYX Cosmetics Tango with Bronzer Stick in Merengue Flush (Save) // Eyeliner: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long Lasting Eyeliner in Noir Intense (Splurge) New York Color Eyeliner Pencil Waterproof in Smokey Plum (Save) // Eye Shadow: By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Blonde Opal (Splurge) Sephora Jumbo Liner 12HR Wear Waterproof in Taupe (Save) // Powder: Laura Geller Balance - N - Brighten Baked Color Correcting Foundation (Splurge) Milani Minerals Compact Makeup (Save) // Lip Color: NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil in New Lover (Splurge) Sephora Collection Ultra Vinyl Lip Pencil in Gorgeous Peach(Save) // Laura Mercier Creme Lip Color in Audrey (Splurge) Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in Matchmaker (Save)

Will you be doing your own make-up for your wedding day?

Comments

[Sara]

The thing with makeup is - it's on your face. You know? I vote splurge. There's no hiding your face and there is a difference between high end and drug store cosmetics not only in the way they feel on your face (and smell - seriously.) but in the way they look.

[KissMyTulle]

Sara, have you read the book "How to Look Expensive"?

http://www.amazon.com/How-Look-Expensive-Gorgeous-Breaking/dp/1592407234/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360606510&sr=1-1&keywords=how+to+look+expensive

It's amazing the drugstore make-up that's just as good (if not better) than the high end stuff. Why? Because those chemical engineers just move from company to company and take what they know with them. It's business. That's why Maybelline's Great Lash mascara has been THE item ALL companies have tried to mimic/be like.

Also, I'm a strong believer in pre-wedding skin care. If your skin is beautiful - your face will be no matter what make-up you use. That's where I splurged - on my skin and I was able to use minimal make-up + drugstore brands on my wedding day (and never had to reapply).

[Stephanie Elizabeth {Fab You Bliss}]

Yup, for years I refused to purchase anything other than Yves Saint Laurent face makeup because it was the only one I could find that gave me a natural looking complexion, but also evened out my skin tone. Then I watched a 20/20 or Dateline...one of those shows that stated all brands of makeup are basically the same thing and the people buying really expensive stuff are just getting ripped off. So...in the pursuit of saving $$$, I just purchased a Revlon base makeup from CVS drugstore that had the exact same ingredients as the expensive brand I've been using for years and you know what, it's even better than YSL.

PS...I just read 7 Years Younger http://www.7yearsyounger.com/ and although they back a range of different priced products, a LOT of the recommended products they say to use come from the drugstore. Go figure, huh?

[KissMyTulle]

Stephanie,

Some make-up is better than others (NARS blush is absolutely worth every single penny. Something to do with the patented pigmentation) but it really does come down to experimenting with different brands and using what works for you.

P.S. Thanks for that site!