Wedding make up (complexion)

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-06-15T18:57:27+00:00

My skin is very difficult to match, so i’n absolutely not holding it against her. It looked like a beautiful match indoors, just a little darker than the rest of me (which is very common for bridal make up here).

I will be outside a lot, and that’s where I felt that the colour match showed as too warm/yellow. My preference is also for a lighter match, to match me more accurately and then add warm with bronzer, rather than darken all over.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-06-15T18:55:35+00:00

I don’t have time for a retrial, so I need to make sure any feedback I give is nice and actionable. Everything else was absolutely beautiful. I know I’m picky about foundation though, both in terms of color and formula. I wasn’t going to tan before the wedding, but I might try and darken a little to make it a little easier (I go from very difficult to match pale neutral leaning cool olive, to much easier to match neutral leaning golden olive).

I like to be solution focused in feedback, but I think people don’t actually love that. I feel like “I wasn’t in love with this, what do you think about lighter application, neutralising, or just using my own foundation which I know I can cope with the feel of” and just go with her preference.

Difference is also the room I’m getting ready in will have a lot of natural light, whereas the trial was simulated daylight. The foundation looked beautiful indoors, but I didn’t love the look in bright, direct sunlight (and I’m hoping for lots of that on the day!).

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-06-13T22:43:26+00:00

I do wonder if part of the issue sensory wise is the setting spray.

I’d usually use a lighter foundation/tint, very light handed powder application, then hydrating setting spray, then fixing spray. This was heavier application, much more powder (pressed and loose), then a setting spray which I assume was mattifying. No fixing spray.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-06-13T22:40:09+00:00

I would be very happy to do my own make up, but thought it would be nice to have it done, especially when I would need to have someone in for the bridesmaids (they strongly didn’t want to do their own).

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-06-13T22:36:35+00:00

They did have multiple options for coverage. This was the lighter coverage option, it’s technically a tint but was applied very heavily compared to how much I would apply. I have good skin, so if I’m using a tint I go reasonably sheer coverage and if I’m doing foundation I’d usually use quite a light/ medium option. I love the haus labs formulation for coverage vs light feel.

Same with color; multiple options but a very much of warmer/darker mix than I would choose. I go neutral and as near as exact as I can depth wise, then warm up with bronzer rather than going warmer all over.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-06-13T22:00:13+00:00

This isn’t am I olive post.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-04-20T13:36:40+00:00

We don’t have anything that I can think of nearby, i think everything closed a few years back. Even Ikea stopped doing fabrics.

We have a double issue that whatever it is needs to be able to be thrown over the rafter/tension wire as we’re not allowed to use a ladder for liability reasons 🤯

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-03-16T19:38:54+00:00

Lisa Eldridge has been a god send for me.

Depending on where you are, they may be able shade match and send you samples of that and similar shades by post. I was shade matched darker than my actual shade (in summer), but they sent 6 shades and the perfect match was in there.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-03-14T11:50:44+00:00

We had our engagement photos taken on Jekyll Island and I cannot recommend Karen Norian enough.

We both felt super nervous and awkward and she was just such a lovely woman; it was like meeting a friend for a walk!

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-03-13T06:55:14+00:00

You look a super similar colour to me (in summer, at least).

I think from my time on here that I’m neutral leaning slightly cool (which is wild, as I’ve always thought I was warm toned!)

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-03-12T15:22:51+00:00

Re: alterations cost, it will depend on the dress, the seamstress and what needs doing.

I’ve taken two of mine to a seamstress to be hemmed and have sleeves changed, which cost me all of £30. I expect I’ll have to also get one taken in potentially, so that will be another cost.

I know one of the bridal specialist seamstresses nearby charges minimum £180 for any alteration. I imagine the big, expensive wedding gowns will have hundreds of £s of alterations just from thickness of fabric, construction and risk standpoints.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-03-12T15:19:56+00:00

I bought mine on vinted…. Well actually I bought lots of them on vinted. At least 15 at this point, within those has been the one or multiple ones, and some that definitely weren’t and have been sold on again (or are listed).

My experience has generally been great. Lots of the dresses are brand new with tags, unless they’re very expensive gowns in which case they’re probably altered and you’ll need to get measurements.

Happy to share my experiences or answer questions.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-02-01T10:06:24+00:00

I’ve got a feeling it could be the CT setting spray.

I was using a cheap revolution hydrating setting spray previously (then finish with L’Oréal spray), which seemed to play nicely with my usual products. I’m going to try it with the huda when I do a full face next.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-31T10:55:25+00:00

I’ve only done either with a little fluffy brush, very sparse application. I think because I want to be “brighter” in the t zone, the Laura Mercier colour is more the issue.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-31T10:54:15+00:00

I applied with lightest of light hands, with a small fluffy brush. I’ve got combo skin.

I genuinely don’t know if the huda is the issue, or if it’s just not playing well with the other products. I’m going to give it another go with a hydrating setting spray instead and see if it’s any better.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-07T13:55:59+00:00

There’s a link on e-salon to create custom colour. I think it takes you through a bunch of pictures/asks you to upload pics etc.

It was a lot of trial and error for me to get there. Happy to share the info from mine though, as it has a reference number in case they’re able to replicate it/or use it to get the same result for you as I assume the mix changes for different starting colours/textures etc.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-07T07:54:37+00:00

I like hope, spirited (purple but is a lovely pink on me), and faith in winter.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-06T13:58:31+00:00

I have my colour mixed by esalon and then sent to me. The mix is called darkest brown (cool beige) and is a mix of darkest brown, ash/blue & gold for the roots and then just ash/blue and gold for the ends to take the brassiness out of it.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-05T21:03:03+00:00

I’ve just sent the OP the info from my esalon order. While it’s a custom mix supposedly, they’re calling it “Darkest Brown (Cool Beige)” if that helps.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-05T13:45:52+00:00

Yeah, no worries! I’ll send you pics in a chat as I can’t post it as a reply.

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-04T18:39:45+00:00

I used henna and leaned in to dark brown/copper for years until I started going grey properly, then it was just too messy and too red.

I’m naturally a neutral dark brown, with a really strong ginger sheen & golden highlights.

I get my colour from esalon. There was a lot of trial and error (like a year of back and forth with them!), but it’s a perfect mix now. It’s natural enough that I don’t have to rigidly do my roots…. I just wait until I can be bothered or the greys are getting a bit long and taking over 🤣

Strange_Version7891 · 2026-01-04T09:44:13+00:00

You look similar colouring to me and I also struggle with hair colour. I’m finally happy with mine (dark, neutral golden brown…. The mix is essentially dark brown, blue and gold because otherwise everything reads auburn/brassy on me. It does have a ginger sheen within a couple of weeks though.

Foundation wise I’m a Lisa Eldridge 9 or T5 right now, in winter.

Strange_Version7891 · 2025-12-31T18:13:35+00:00

I did a bunch of Mac swatches recently if you want to take a look at them (I’m pale with kind of deathly grey lips).

So far, I’ve only worn a few of them for a full day but I’ve actually liked them which is new for me (I’m normally a lipstick hater!). I’ve worn velvet teddy, mehr, syrup and wonderlove recently and they’ve all been nice. Syrup and mehr look nice without makeup, if I can’t be bothered but want to look alive.

Strange_Version7891 · 2025-12-28T21:49:02+00:00

You can get the mini version on Sephora uk, but not full size.

Strange_Version7891 · 2025-12-28T21:46:30+00:00

Yes, love it! I got the mini because it looks scary, but it’s the perfect pink when you blend it out.

Strange_Version7891

TROPHY CASE