Engagement session outfit and make-up

phira

Hullo ladies! Long post (as usual).

J and I are having our engagement photos done in about two weeks (May 25th) on the Boston Common. I'm stressed because Boston weather is unpredictable, and there's a chance it'll be very hot that day. I hate dressing for hot weather and am pretty bad at it. If it's hot out, I'd like to wear either a not-short-sleeve top with shorts as a casual outfit, and a sleeveless dress as a dressy outfit. If it's colder out, I'm planning on wearing a T-shirt and jeans as my casual outfit, and the same dress with a cardigan for the dressy outfit.

I'd love some feedback. I'd like to buy a new boatneck shirt from Old Navy to wear with shorts, but I'm not sure if I should go with navy (a "safe" color for me; I like darker, earthy tones) or teal (more spring-y). For the dress, if it's chilly, I'd like to wear a cardigan, but I have no idea which color works the best. And for both outfits, I have no idea what to do about shoes. And in general, if either outfit seems like a bad idea, please let me know! I've never done a photo shoot like this before, and I want to be comfortable.

Casual outfit ideas--

Shoe options: old beaded sandals from Target or THESE sandals. Second sandals aren't terribly comfortable and I think they make my feet look huge (I'm a size 9.5 wide), but the Target flip-flops are like ... super casual.

Dressy outfit ideas:

Yes, I own that Modcloth cardigan in all of those colors (I also own it in sage, bright pink, and rust). The belt that came with the dress is navy.

Shoe options: THESE heels or THESE flats (with a silver belt). If I were wearing the blue cardigan, I could go super-duper spring and wear either THESE flats or THESE flats. The heels are comfy, but I don't think they match. I don't have ANY heels that match this dress. The silver flats are my wedding shoes, and I'm worried about damaging them or getting them dirty. The pink flats are a slightly darker pink than in the photos; the plaid ones are well-loved, so they're a little frayed and not as bright as they were when they were new.

I am leaning towards the teal top and my flip-flops for the casual outfit, beige heels for the second outfit, and blue cardigan + silver belt + silver flats if it's cold. But I'm just ... not sure at all.

I am entirely aware that I'm overthinking this.

FINALLY: I will not have time to get my make-up done professionally, but I desperately need to get some foundation that's good in photos, and easy for an idiot to apply. It's been years since I went to Sephora--if I show up, will they help me find something and make sure it matches my skin? Last time I had help picking make-up to match my skin, it was at The Body Shop, and now I have a bunch of foundation that's too dark and too orange. I've been using Maybelline BB cream as a foundation in the meantime, but I don't think it'll photograph very well.

labro

Phira, I had my make-up done at my Sephora and I thought they did a wonderful job. They did a skin matchy thing for me and I ended up purchasing the foundation they recommended for my skin color. I've used it a couple of times since (I don't wear make-up pretty much ever) and I've been very happy with it. I think it was L'ancome. Anyway, they hold a thing up to your face and their computer system comes up with two or three products that are a best match. Personally I am a heels person. I think they lengthen your leg and make your foot look slimmer as well (especially if you're wearing a wide width). I think the heel link you shared would go well with what you are thinking for a dress. I guess I don't know Boston weather but I'm sure you'll have a warm day since it'll be the end of May when you're having your photos taken. How about a comfy 3/4 length sleeve shirt like this one from Loft? You can dress it up with some jewelry and it will go well with either shorts or jeans depending on the weather. I've worn something similar with shorts because it was a slightly cooler day but still shorts weather and it was perfectly comfortable. http://www.loft.com/sunwashed-3-4-sleeve-tee/330522?colorExplode=false&skuId=15977298&catid=catl000011&productPageType=fullPriceProducts&defaultColor=1531 I think you'll feel better wearing a pair of newer sandals rather than a pair of old ones for photos. These are pictures you are likely to display around your apartment and if your flip flops are pretty ratty I'd say avoid them. How about a comfy sandal with a slight wedge (again, leg lengthening! ) from Impo like one of these? Impo is pretty affordable and IMO they make comfy shoes. http://www.dsw.com/shoe/impo+ravish+wedge+sandal?prodId=293689&category=dsw12cat1630006&activeCats=dsw12cat1740004,dsw12cat1970014,dsw12cat1630006 http://www.dsw.com/shoe/impo+rezi+wedge+sandal?prodId=293847&category=dsw12cat1630006&activeCats=dsw12cat1740004,dsw12cat1970014,dsw12cat1630006

phira

Thanks for the feedback @LaPeanut1018! Did you go to Sephora the same day as your engagement photos (e.g. have them do your make-up for you)? Or did you go in advance to buy make-up, and then do your own make-up on the day of your photos?

I'm seriously bummed out that we have to have a meeting at our venue earlier the same morning. I basically have about an hour if I wanted to get my make-up done right before the engagement session, but it would be like ... really JUST an hour. But I really would love to have my make-up done for the session. The closest Sephora is on the way to the Boston Common, so it's not inconveniently located. It's just a timing issue.

phira

I own other shoes that I mostly assumed wouldn't work--

THESE pumps, which I could wear if I bought the teal shirt from Old Navy (casual outfit)

Uncomfortable brown flats (THESE but brown)

THESE flats (same as the pink ones)

Boring, super uncomfortable black leather stiletto pump

Dark brown patent wedges (like THESE)

I think the lesson learned is that Phira owns, like, three pairs of shoes she actually likes ...

I should have just scheduled the damn engagement session for February or something and worn jeans and riding boots.

FoxandBunny

@phira - I think jeans and riding boots are always in style, even in the blazing heat of a southern summer. But then again, I'm not exactly the best person for fashion advice.

As for Sephora, I've gone in there and had them do my makeup before. You can schedule a makeover thing/have them do your makeup for you (it's not free like when they just show you the makeup) and they do a good job and if you tell them you have limited time I'm sure they can make it work. They will put makeup on you to try and sell it to you for free if you just walk in the store, and I've had full-blown makeup done in less than an hour for "free" (I bought some makeup) before like that. However, there is the danger of just walking in there and them being super busy and not getting someone to help you. 

labro

I went the day of my engagement session. It definitely took the full hour. Part of it was the girl was running behind a little and part of it was her going around the store collecting different products...but still it took the whole hour. Like@ FoxandBunny said you do need to schedule an appointment for them to do your make up. The service is "free" meaning you are expected to buy $50 of product when they are done. Not very hard to do at Sephora! Honestly it was totally worth it. I didn't wear make up and I have limited product at home and most of it doesn't even match my skin tone!

blabla89

That green dress is absolutely gorgeous! I think it would look great with a blue cardigan and the strawberry mocha shoes, but you also can't go wrong with a basic black flat. I think either of the shirt/shorts colors will look great, too. Just curious, what color is your hair? Ulta offers the same makeup services as Sephora. Maybe there's an Ulta store that's conveniently located? Do y'all have Ulta up there?

phira

I think we have Ulta up here, but I'm not sure if there's one in downtown Boston (like, around Copley). I'm going to look into Sephora and see if they can do something REALLY basic for me (like, just primer, foundation, and a basic eye).

I'm glad everyone things the beige heel would look fine with the dress! J is fashion-clueless and doesn't think they match, and I needed opinions from people who are not fashion-clueless.

The green dress is Modcloth's Luck Be a Lady dress. It comes in a ton of colors. I don't think I would have picked green (because wearing it with a brown belt and/or riding boots makes me feel like I'm cosplaying as Link). But it's SO comfortable and SO flattering and it has pockets. Highly recommend.

FoxandBunny

@phira - I am in love with that dress as well! It looks amazing, plus POCKETS? How could you say no to pockets?! 

Plus, is feeling like Link really that much of a bad thing? He's pretty awesome. I would be all

buddysmom80

@phira I LOVE the dress! I suggest the navy cardigan as well if you need it. Also, coming from someone who is a size 10 in shoes, flats will make your feet look longer, so stick with something with a heel even for casual clothes. For our e-photo shoot, I wore a beige strappy wedge for our casual look.

I also second having your makeup done at Sephora. Let them know it's for a photo shoot and they can adjust according to where you're shooting. My MUA knew our shoot was outside, so indoors, the makeup looked heavy but in my photos it looked normal.

phira

I spent, like, 30 minutes last night trying to make an appointment at Sephora, and it just wouldn't submit the info! I'll try again today and then give them a call.

I'll take a hard look at my shoe choices this weekend. I am very uncomfortable in heels, and our photographer emphasized both on her website and in her email to us that we should wear comfortable shoes, so I'm hesitant to wear heels the whole day. But I think maybe if I bring back-up flat shoes, that might make me feel better about attempting heels. After all, I'm definitely wearing flats while I rush to Sephora/the Common.

buddysmom80

@phira when I wore heels for our formal pics, I had a pair of flip flops I would wear for walking around. The assistant handed whatever shoes I needed at the time. It helped because I suck walking in heels and I REALLY suck at walking in heels in any other terrain than like, hardwood or concrete.

phira

buddysmom80 said: @phira when I wore heels for our formal pics, I had a pair of flip flops I would wear for walking around. The assistant handed whatever shoes I needed at the time. It helped because I suck walking in heels and I REALLY suck at walking in heels in any other terrain than like, hardwood or concrete. That is really helpful. I could definitely pose in heels, and given that the photo session is 60 minutes, I could maybe do heels the whole time if I had to. But I think it'll be nice if the final photos of the day aren't me making heels-pain-face.

Dignity100

Love the green dress!!  I can't wait to see how your pictures turn out!

LizzyTish88

Boston weather can be so unpredictable! But I love the idea of doing your e-pics at the Common. I can't wait to see those shots!! 

I also love the green dress and think that for shoes you can go with the heels and flats to walk around in. I also suck at walking around in heels! I think bringing a cardigan is your best bet, since you never know what the weather will bring that day. 

phira

-.- Sephora's website wouldn't take my reservation because it wasn't clear that I needed to enter my phone number without any hyphens. At least that's all set now!

@caseface5 I soooo wish I knew already what the weather would be like! Definitely a downside of living here. I'm really excited to have photos on the Common! Although there will probably be lots of people out (Memorial Day weekend, early afternoon), we're hoping to get some shots that include the Boston skyline.

JaimeLynn621

Love the dress! Super cute and now that I see that I am kind of kicking myself because I had wanted to wear a more casual dress like that for my engagement pictures but ended up not . As far as the shoes though I would definitely wear the flats. It is just going to be more comfortable but that is just my opinion. I also really like your idea of where you are having the pictures done too. I got engaged on March 19th and we took the engagement pictures literally that weekend and I live in Wisconsin. I wanted outdoor pics because that is just very us but the snow was like half melted and brown looking and that doesn't make for pretty pictures at all. We chose to do our pictures at a place called The Domes and its an indoor garden. We did inside the tropical dome in front of a waterfall which made for awesome shots! So happy how they ended up and glad we got to take what looks to be an outdoor photo despite how the weather was outside. Excited to see your pics and how they turn out:) Congrats and relax it will be a lot of fun!