Is this normal?

bridalmarch

I've been good friends with the guy who does my hair for many years. He's doing hair for the wedding and I asked if he knew any makeup artists. He assured me he had someone in mind who would be the best, but she's requiring us to provide our own foundation. He said that will keep the costs down and we'll be able to to hair and makeup for a little under $100 total per person. 

The only other time I've had both hair and makeup done professionally was for my BFF's wedding. That makeup artist used foundation on us, and I paid around $200 total for both (including tip) 

Has anyone heard of using your own foundation to keep makeup cost lower? In general, can any give me some trusted brands? I don't wear foundation at all. I use Maybelline BB Cream and like it, but that's it. I have sensitive skin and I'm fair/medium toned. I don't mind paying for good stuff, but I'd like to give my girls some cheapish options, too. 

HobokensFury

$100 is a great price.  You probably have to provide your own foundation so the MUA doesn't have to go buy a variety of skin tones.  That's how it keeps the cost down.  I used Smashbox on my wedding day and it stayed percent all day long.

PS: Have you decided if you're going to hand cancel your invites yet?

bridalmarch

I don't think we are. The babysitter we had isn't able to watch our daughter on Friday and it takes a person with more patience than I to bring an 18 month old to the PO to hand cancel 100 invites. Now it looks like I'll just have to drop them off Saturday on my way to my cousin's baby shower. It's a two hour drive, so I just don't think I'll have time to do it then and still be on time. I want them mailed more than I want the hand canceled. 

Sassenach1743

No. That is not normal. I am a professional makeup artist and I would never require or even recommend that a client bring their own products. Only if the client wanted me to use their specific products would I do so.

I would be skeptical that this mua isn't skilled enough to properly color match you.

As far as keeping down the cost... that's ridiculous. Compensation for my services are for my time and skill first and foremost. Yes, I replenish my kit when need be but one client isn't is going to drain my product. 

I would advise you to speak with this artist in person and maybe do a trial, but I would also seriously consider that you continue your search for another mua.

Sassenach1743

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_is-this-normal-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:ead4710c-30cb-44b9-84b0-ac625b1902acPost:cc0f767b-7628-43e6-a4a2-e489f1a587e2">Re: Is this normal?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes, in fact I INSIST on using my own foundation, and <strong>many of the small time MUAs give you that option.  Foundation is very expensive and it's also very unsanitary if it isn't taken care of completely properly.  I wouldn't let someone put random foundation on my face from a kit.  Who knows if they've double dipped sponges and what kind of skin problems the last person they used had.</strong> I'm a huge fan of L'oreal True Match.  It's actually what my stylist recommended for my wedding (since I didn't want airbrushing or any sort of heavy panstick type of foundation) and I've used it ever since.  I use the regular liquid base for everyday, but when I need it to have a bit more coverage or last all day and night, I use the "super blendable compact makeup", which is a cream foundation.  Apply a little primer under it and it holds as well as any of the more expensive stuff I've used.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

<div>If it's a small time (by that I mean part time without a large kit inventory) mua then I suppose I can understand the option to use your own products.</div><div>
</div><div>As far as the sanitary remarks are concerned; All my foundations are pump bottles that remain sealed. Product is dispensed on a disposable piece of artist's palette paper or sterile stainless steel palette that is used solely on one client at a time. There is ABSOLUTELY NO CONTAMINATION of my products whatsoever. So it doens't matter how many clients I work on using the same foundation because it's never contaminated. I also use new disposable sponges on each client along with sanitizing my brushes and every other product I use (i.e. shadows, blushes, concealers, etc.)</div><div>
</div><div>Please do not assume that those of us that are legitimate professionals with a large kit inventory don't know how to keep it sanitary. That is insulting. </div><div>
</div>

lyndausvi

I think requiring someone to use their own foundation for cost saving purposes is a little strange.

I think using your own is fine and even smart in some cases.  I  think when you pay for makeup you are really paying for the person's time and expertise,  not the actual product.

MairePoppy

I have sensitive skin, too, so I woudln't let a professional mu artist do my makeup, let alone apply a foundation that I've never used all over my face. I'm also a fan of L'Oreal True Match. It's not a fancy, pricey brand, but it is kind to my skin and very blendable. It's about $12 a bottle at drugstores.

achiduck

While I think it's odd, I wouldn't not use the person because of it. Just make sure you do a trial so you know what you're walking into on the day of your wedding.

ZeroOrchestra

This happened to me when I was a BM. I didn't know prior to the day, so I was a bit thrown. I gave her the Smashbox foundation I use everyday and she caked it on so thick, it was awful. It was a young girl whose mom was the hairstylist and I have no doubt that she had little experience. Worst 50 bucks I've ever spent. I can't even describe what she did to my eyebrows.

thejessy

I used to do lots of local little fashion shows and many times the MUA would ask the models to come with foundation, mostly for the purpose of timesaving (well and mostly because many of the MUAs weren't getting paid and were doing the services as a favor). To me it doesn't sound that strange. I used to use MAC Studio FX.

erinlin25

I've never seen that, but am on the bandwagon that I want to supply foundation so I know its going to be OK with my skin (very sensitive too). But the make up trial will give you an idea of what products they plan to use and you just might be comfortable using all of their products.  I would never let a random MUA do my makeup without having a trial first and knowing what products they are using.  

cwaggoner07

My MUA did this, and I had no problem with it. However, I wear heavy makeup daily, and I have a favorite foundation. My girl was actually a trained Toni & Guy hair stylist and had only recently begun doing weddings, so she didn't have a full inventory of foundation for makeup's sake.
If you are happy with your current foundation, I see absolutely nothing wrong with it.

If you decide to go with her but are unfamiliar with foundations, you can walk into a MAC or Sephora and they can help to color match you and find something suitable for your skin.

Sassenach1743

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_is-this-normal-1?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:ead4710c-30cb-44b9-84b0-ac625b1902acPost:f95ee567-921a-4b58-a5e0-ca505136e989">Re: Is this normal?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Is this normal? : Dude, you need to chillax.  I wasn't insulting you personally.  I was simply pointing out a legitimate concern that I personally am paranoid about.  I've seen highly professional $200 a haircut type stylists who didn't keep their tools to MY preferred level of sanitation.  And most of the MUA's I've worked with are on the Pageant circuit, where liquid foundation just doesn't cut it, so they use cream or stick.  Hence my paranoia over it.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

<div>I realize my reaction was strong and I know you were not personally insulting me. I just take extreme pride in my work. I also see a lot of posts on this site about makeup and makeup artists that have the same tone of "they don't know what they're doing and who knows if their tools and/or products are clean" not to mention the "why is it so expensive?" question. Usually I don't respond because it just makes me mad to think that the general public doesn't have much respect for my profession. I'm not saying that you don't have respect for it, I was just responding to your specific comment on sanitary practices. </div><div>
</div><div>I would hope ALL makeup artists (small time, salon, pageant, theatre and motion picture) are professionally trained and keep their kits/products sanitary. </div><div>
</div><div>When it comes to cream and stick foundations, the sanitary practice is to scrape the product with a sterile palette knife and apply it to a steel or paper palette which then becomes the sterile surface from which the artist uses to apply product to the client. This prevents any brush or sponge from coming in contact with the product container. It is also recommended to spray all cream and stick foundations with a sanitizer after each use, just in case, namely with 99% alcohol or a comparable cosmetic sanitizer. If your pageant artists are not following this basic sanitary protocol, then they should not be practicing make up artistry OR they should only be using their products on one specific client because said products are considered contaminated.</div><div>
</div><div>I understand your paranoia if this is what you commonly see. To be honest that in itself has me concerned as well. And for all you ladies out there with sensitive skin, bringing your own products is fine... any artist will accommodate you if this is the case. However, it is not required. Any professional mua should have products that can accommodate sensitive skin. If they do not then I'd see that as a sign of someone not yet accomplished enough to take your business. </div>