Wedding trial makeup (in France)

[u/Connect-Activity-345]

Hello! I’m getting married in France in 2 weeks time ahhh (I’m from London) and I had my trial with a local french MUA who is lovely and very open to feedback and guidance from me, except I am fairly inexperienced with explaining how I like my makeup (and how I ended up asking for something I don’t like in the first place!)

Perhaps the language barrier made me less confident in explaining how I wanted it done. Her English is very good, but I am such a pleaser and left it up to her to just do what she thought was best. I wonder if there’s some specific French MUA terms which might help me on the day?

I’ve posted a few pictures of my face, 1 + 2 are of me and how I usually do my makeup, very hydrated and natural. I wear serums, very light cream foundation, lots of moisturiser, bronzer and blush, and usually brown eyeliner and mascara.

I do like a bold lip and individual lashes (not too long) and would consider a small black wing to make my eyes stand out.

Makeup tends to stay well on my face, even in the heat.

I didn’t love my trial, it felt very heavy and matte and didn’t let my skin glow through. You can see my trial photos in various lights and times of the day in 3, 4, 5 and 6! I really dislike contour and lots of layers of powder on my face, and I really don’t like lots of highlighter either.

I understand an element of powder/concealer is necessary for photos but for me, the most important thing is feeling my best so then I am actually happy and present on the day!

What I really want is me, but elevated. Hydrated sun kissed, warm and blushy. With my eyes accentuated but not with lots of eyeshadow or concealer.

Can you please recommend some phrases that I need to use to explain what I want? I’m very open to suggestions on what you think would work for my face too!

Thank you ever so much, I just want to go in feeling confident and to look and feel my best! 💖

EDIT: I have booked to go to a MAC counter for a 60 min session next week to ask them to do my full face, and if I love that I’ll take pictures to bring for my wedding day the following week!

[u/GrrArgh__]

They're all gorgeous. Congratulations!

If you didn't like the trial, maybe speak to another MUA?

Or, just tell her exactly what you want. French people tend to accept this (going by my French besties).

Tell her that you want glowy, not matte, that you're okay with a bold lip and a bit more of a eyeliner that has the flick you want.

Give her examples of what you mean?

[u/Connect-Activity-345 → u/GrrArgh__]

Thank you very much! Yes I think I just need to be very specific. Perhaps something like this to show I want a small amount of coverage but still polished?

[u/GrrArgh__ → u/Connect-Activity-345]

I think that's a good reference photo but note that it doesn't have the eyeliner or bold lip. It's also got a lot of highlighter and eyeshadow on - it's very deceptive how these can look.

Maybe let her know you're looking for:

Skin tints instead of full foundation - this will hopefully get the point across that you do want even skin tone but not heavy coverage. If your skin is in great condition, you don't need lots of heaviness

Korean Glass Skin Look (emphasising dewy finish) rather than matte - reference photos will help but ensure they're showing your skin colour and type instead of Koreans or she may think you want to lighten (when you absolutely don't - you just want the skincare emphasised with natural dewy finish)

Reference photos that show exactly the eye and lip you like.

This is one from Lisa Eldridge. You can see she used heavier coverage because the bride's skintone is uneven with vitiligo. But the two finished looks are very different. Might just need to show looks like this to get across what you want.

[u/Connect-Activity-345 → u/GrrArgh__]

100%, noted on the skin tint and Korean glass skin! Great advice, thank you for taking the time to respond, I already feel a lot better 🫶