Tips for Budget-Friendly Wedding Makeup

wedding make up

In an effort to save wedding, a lot of brides will try to do their own makeup or have a friend do it for them. But, if they are not familiar with makeup products or do not have access to the same high-quality makeup that the professionals do, they may realise their wedding makeup is less than perfect on their special day.

Overspending is an Issue Too

Overspending is an Issue Too

Even if you skip the makeup artist and go the DIY route, you run the risk of overspending on high-quality makeup. After all, a good set of wedding makeup, including brushes and everything else you will need could easily cost £200 to £400 – and a makeup artist much less. So, if you truly want to save by going the DIY route, there are a few things you need to do to keep your look gorgeous and your budget low.

Stock Up on Make Up Early Using Coupons

Stock Up on Make Up Early Using Coupons

Drugstores always have sales on great makeup brands and with loyalty programs and vouchers, you may be able to walk away with some great wedding makeup at a 75 to 80 percent discount. But, to do all this you will have to be willing to clip vouchers, watch the sales, and start early. Most brides will start stocking up on their wedding makeup several months before the big day just to ensure they have enough time to shop all of the sales.

Ask a Friend With Makeup Experience

Ask a Friend With Makeup Experience

Everyone knows someone that can do makeup. See if you can work out a trade with them – you supply the makeup and materials and they do the physical labor. That way you still get professional looking makeup without paying for it. Maybe you can get a discount price if you know them too.

Use YouTube

Use YouTube

Sometimes to be a makeup artist, you need practice. There are tons of video tutorials available online today that can tell brides how to do their own wedding makeup so that they look glamorous without spending a lot of money in the process. You can search YouTube videos from other brides or subscribe to streams so you can watch video tutorials from the pros.

Go to a Cosmetics Gift Counter

Go to a Cosmetics Gift Counter

Department stores will give away free gifts if you make a purchase at their counter. And, you can usually get a free makeup tutorial too. Ask them to apply some of your wedding makeup so you can see just how you need to do it – then you can replicate it on wedding day. Also, they can help ensure you pick out the right makeup for your skin colour and complexion so that you look perfect on your wedding day.

Trade Services

Trade Services

If you have a trade yourself or you are good at something, see if a makeup artist will be willing to do your wedding makeup in exchange for your talent. For example, you can make business cards; therefore, you offer the artist free design and card printing for one free session of wedding makeup. There is no harm in asking and the worse they can say is “no” but there are plenty of wedding suppliers out there still willing to trade services.

Host a Makeup Party

Host a Makeup Party

Avon and other cosmetic companies let you host a party and you get tons of free samples plus deep discounts off your order. Use a wedding party for your bridesmaids and let it double duty as your way to pamper them or even their gift. Then see what free makeup items (and free lessons) you can score when you host the party.

Use What You Already Have

Use What You Already Have

If you do not wear a lot of makeup, you may only have a few things. Use up what you already have and then purchase what you need. For example, you might have a thing of blush or even foundation already. All you need are a few essentials for your base.

Borrow It

Borrow It

If you know someone with tons of makeup, see if you can borrow some of theirs. Some people have plenty of lipsticks brand new they haven’t even worn or an eye shadow that is perfect for your wedding. There is no harm in asking friends or family to see if they wouldn’t mind you using their makeup for a day.

Book Your Wedding Appointment as a Bridesmaid

Book Your Wedding Appointment as a Bridesmaid

It’s true. Salons will charge twice as much if you book your appointment as a bride, but if you book as a bridesmaid, you get a cheaper price. They never have to know and there is no difference in the makeup service they offer – they just charge more because they assume a bride has a bigger budget than the bridesmaid.

Just Go Natural

Just Go Natural

Just because it is your wedding doesn’t mean you need to go overboard with the wedding makeup. Some women put on so much makeup that they don’t even look like themselves in their own wedding photos – and people hardly recognize them. The more natural you go, the less makeup you will need – which means you’ll save, but also not look like a complete stranger walking up to the altar.

Schedule a Cosmetics Counter Consult

Schedule a Cosmetics Counter Consult

The girls at the cosmetics counter are professionals – the same type you would hire on your wedding day. Schedule a consult on the wedding day and go in and have your makeup done. Usually they charge anywhere from £5 to £15 for a full application and tutorial – then you will look absolutely gorgeous and all made up without having to spend more than the cost of good foundation.

What are your tips for looking absolutely smashing without spending a fortune on wedding makeup?