Well, not bride but bridesmaid. 🙂
I’ll be playing bridesmaid over a couple of weekends and I have been wondering how to do my makeup so I look good but not better than the bride. After all, its her big day and I don’t want to steal her thunder though I seriously doubt I’d be able to produce that happy bridal glow even with my beloved Guerlain Meteorites highlighter!
That said, I may be leaning towards a neutral look with more dramatic eyes for the night. My makeup skills are such that I cannot produce the smokey eye look effectively bar a look that approximates the smokey eye look. That might be good. I can’t be looking smokier than her 😉
I’d most likely use the Guerlain Illuminating Perfecting Primer which works as a good base for me and then use some powder foundation over it. I know liquid foundation works better so I’m still toying with the idea of using a liquid foundation if I can find one in my collection worth using without botching up. I’d definitely set it all with my Make Up For Ever Loose Powder which I swear by for oil control and for budge-proof makeup.
For the eyes, I was thinking of the Guerlain Perle D’argent silver-grey eyed look lined with my regular Guerlain Kohl pencil and the Guerlain le 2 Mascara. Yikes! That’s looking like a lot of Guerlain of mine floating around! I’m worried about carrying my stuff around because I’d have to work in situ instead of at home and I’m terrified of losing my stuff. 🙁
The only reason I’m choosing the Guerlain smokey eye palette is because its idiot proof for me. I’ve used it on any number of occasions without thinking too much about it, and it’s been good to me. So, with all the running around I’ll be doing, the last thing I want to worry about is how my eye makeup will look!
I haven’t thought about the blush. I might go with a Chanel Joues Contraste in Narcisse because I love the light neutral shade of pink. Lips would likely be kept light and glossy.
In the alternative, I could go like Kahani of Soloverly, with old Hollywood glam – red lips, lots of black eyeliner and mascara and light shimmer shadow on the eyes. This might in fact be a great idea because its relatively fuss-free as compared to a smokey eye.
I might actually do this for one of the dinners! My dress is a lilac-blue chiffon gown or a silver gown depending on what I end up wearing on the night. I’m blessed with being a bridesmaid to a bride who lets me choose my own gown and colour and did not try to squeeze me into anything frilly and pink 🙂
I’m still toying with both ideas. What do you think? Should I do smokey eye chic or Hollywood glam for the reception this weekend? 🙂
YZ says
November 19, 2008 at 2:40 pmSmokey eye chic is the way to go! *nods*
Btw I’m taking a wild guess here – is your lovely sister the bride? 😉
Connie says
November 19, 2008 at 3:00 pmHollywood glam! I think that would look more chic on you
ParisB says
November 19, 2008 at 3:01 pm@YZ : Yes she is! Hence my free hand in things haha.. Thanks for your input
Melissa says
November 19, 2008 at 3:21 pmi suppose there will be a make up artist?
Mag says
November 19, 2008 at 3:21 pmIf you’re going for the liac blue, red might clash with it. The red lips/black liner combination sounds better with the silver gown.
I’d go for smokes all the way though because you can leave your lips nude without having to worry about touching up. 😉
prettybeautiful says
November 19, 2008 at 3:24 pmi vote for smokey eyes!
ParisB says
November 19, 2008 at 3:24 pm@Melissa : Nope, I’m doing my own – no point wasting the money when I would be overly critical anyway.
@Mag: That’s a good point re: dress. Thanks!
@prettybeautiful: Thanks!
jojoba says
November 19, 2008 at 3:30 pmsmokey eyes for sure
Stephanie says
November 19, 2008 at 3:32 pmI’d go for Hollywood glam 😀 It’s my personal favourite- red lips, black lined and macara-ed eyes. I did that for a wedding dinner once and usually always do that 🙂
Nikki says
November 19, 2008 at 3:49 pmmaybe you can go for simple natural look then apply more before reception 🙂 IF you have enough time 🙂
Tine says
November 19, 2008 at 4:45 pmHollywood glam, dahlink! Bright red lippie, oh so sexy 😉
PinkD says
November 19, 2008 at 4:57 pmIf it’s day time, i’ll go with the smokey eyes while if night time i will go with Hollywood Glam. Coz later on during photo session with light, flash and of course the sun / moonlights, you want to gorgeous.
Monstro says
November 19, 2008 at 9:29 pmSmokey eyes for sure with blue dress!
Bear in mind, that if you’re doing nude lips, try to make it not TOO nude as the flash from the cams will wash you out a little 😉
Have fun at the wedding, dearie!
Kahani says
November 19, 2008 at 10:14 pmOoh this topic is soooo relevent to me too as I’ll be Syen’s bridesmaid AND another bestie’s only bridesmaid (so honourary maid of honour [tee hee]) in March. I support going for neutral but pretty on wedding day. But maybe a pop of pink blusher to look fresh and pretty?
And the girls are right about the gown. If it’s a really dusky lilac blue then a red lip may be ok, but somehow a smokey eye just seems like a good idea. But if you’re wearing the silver DEFINITELY the red lip (thanks so much for featuring me!). It would be so utterly glam, and you’d look lovely ; )
rinnah says
November 19, 2008 at 10:49 pmI’d say that the dress you plan to wear would be the deciding factor for me… smokey eye for the lilac and Hollywood glam with the silver. Personally, I’d lean towards the Hollywood glam! 😀
Reese says
November 19, 2008 at 11:38 pmMy best friend’s hubby is paying for my hair and makeup for their coming wedding dinner…so I don’t have to fuss
sulan dio says
November 20, 2008 at 7:46 amgreat beauty!
nea says
November 20, 2008 at 9:45 amhi! first time commenter, but been reading your blog for a few weeks now 🙂
i’d vote for smokey. cuz kinda agree with Mag that lilac might clash with the red lippie. but i really like the idea of thick black eyeliner (esp winged) and shimmery eyes and pink lippie for the day
ParisB says
November 20, 2008 at 10:37 amThanks for your input everyone! I hear you all re: red lips and blue dress so I’ll probably go smokey eye with the blue dress and hollywood glam with the silver 🙂 I’ll update… if I dare 😛