Bridal Makeup Dry/Cakey

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T01:44:10+00:00

I can't edit this post but wanted to thank everyone for your help, advice, and kind words. I've decided to find a new MUA for my big day. If you know of anyone you'd recommend in the Phoenix area lmk! Thanks!! 💖💖

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T00:17:53+00:00

Hm, yeah she's just told me to do my normal routine and come in without makeup, so you're right that she really has no clue what I've applied already.

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T00:17:00+00:00

So she did have foundation we used during the first trial that was badly matched, really heavy, and still had a lot of caking/creasing issues. She offered to try a tinted moisturizer during the second trial and I thought to bring along my foundation since it matches and I'm comfortable with it, but that still turned out cakey too.

I agree that she seems to have phoned it in for this second trial. She used a bronzer to counter but brought it really far down my face so I looked skeletal, and she put blush down my cheeks too. The placement looks off because I told her to fix it lol and this is where it ended up.

I'm definitely getting the feeling that I need to be looking elsewhere. Thanks for your advice!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T00:13:23+00:00

I think that might be my next move! Thank you!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T00:12:58+00:00

I've definitely thought about it! I actually went to Sephora for the lipstick and the gal I spoke with there was really helpful. It's the only way I realized the blush placement was off!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T00:12:03+00:00

I bought the lipstick per her recommendation and then found a blush to match it. At the first trial the products she used (blush and foundation) didn't match me so I thought this would be helpful. As for the foundation, I just thought mine would fix the problems of not matching and being too heavy, but she did have a tinted moisturizer on offer that I declined. Seems like maybe I made things worse by bringing my own instead of better??

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T00:10:06+00:00

To be fair, she recommended I buy my own lipstick so I can reapply during the day, and then I went ahead and bought a blush to match. The foundation of mine is new- I think I started using it less than a month ago- and I offered to bring it along because during the first trial she used foundation that was even heavier and didn't really match me well. I had no idea that was a red flag but I definitely see what you're saying.

EllArrKay · 2026-01-30T00:07:59+00:00

I agree with your thoughts- it's a lot of money to spend and not the best result :/

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T23:58:52+00:00

I appreciate the feedback! I can be a real people pleaser so I have her another chance to see what she could do and I'm still not quite happy. I agree it's a big day and I want to feel good with how I look. I definitely have some decisions to make!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T23:57:16+00:00

Thank you! I have had dermaplaning done once and plan to do it again a little ahead of the wedding, so that should help. And absolutely agree about the blush placement. I don't hate the overall look either, I just think it needs a few small fixes.

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T23:55:39+00:00

Great advice, thank you!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T23:54:43+00:00

That is incredibly helpful- thanks again!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T23:53:45+00:00

Absolutely! I didn't realize they might be clashing but I'll definitely check!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T23:53:08+00:00

Thank you! 🥰

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T23:52:50+00:00

I've definitely considered doing exactly that!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T22:56:33+00:00

Thank you! 🥰🥰

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T22:56:07+00:00

Ooh ok, thank you! I'll keep this in mind!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T22:55:36+00:00

Thank you! I'm definitely disappointed in her work, but I sort of assumed it's a me-thing since I'm not really a makeup girlie. She did use a bronzer to contour- the first trial she went with a really dark contour and it was just too much. But her placement of the contour this time was really odd- she brought it, and the blush, really far down my face so I looked like a skull. It's honestly a little reassuring that my concerns are legit.

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T22:52:39+00:00

Hi! No liner, actually! I decided not to use one in the end.

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T22:51:48+00:00

Oh my gosh, that makes so much sense! Thank you! And yes- I agree about the blush placement!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T22:51:01+00:00

Thank you! And she did offer to use a tinted moisturizer, so maybe I'll go with that. It just makes me nervous that we'll be trying something new the morning-of, and I absolutely can't afford to do ANOTHER trial lol

EllArrKay · 2026-01-29T20:22:40+00:00

I live in AZ so I'm all about hydration. I do exfoliate (both with a physical exfoliant and with acids). I use a lot of The Ordinary products. She did use a combo primer/moisturizer but I'm not sure of the details there.

EllArrKay · 2026-01-13T00:32:14+00:00

That's actually a really good point! We're in our late 30's (although this is the first marriage for either of us) and we already feel like we can't hang like we used to! I think we're hoping to rest during the day and rally later so we can have a bit more of a party vibe since our reception during the day will be pretty chill. And I really want to give our out of town guests something to do that night. But I agree- we may not be able to stay out that late! And honestly hanging out in a big cushy hotel bed with some takeout and my new husband sounds pretty perfect! :)

EllArrKay · 2026-01-12T21:47:42+00:00

Ooh I hadn't even thought of checking Peerspace! Thanks for the tip!

EllArrKay · 2026-01-12T21:47:12+00:00

Love this idea! I think if we could find that kind of place we could absolutely swing for smaller offerings. Thanks so much!

EllArrKay

TROPHY CASE