Where to get my makeup done in Ottawa (for the makeup-shy)?

January 25, 2019 12:29 PM

I'm going to be in Ottawa for an event at the end of February, and looking for recommendations on where/how to get my makeup done. It's a professional event where I will be accepting an award; not crazy-fancy, but dress is semi-formal and there will be lots of photos which will likely end up online or in publications. I'm also basically clueless about makeup. Do I just book this at a makeup store or go to an cosmetologist? Halp please!

Is this the kind of thing that I should book at Sephora? Or look specifically for a makeup artist? The last time I went to a store for a makeup consultation (MAC), I was constantly telling the consultant that she was putting way too much makeup on me and left super unsatisfied; however, since this is specifically for an event and not every-day wear, maybe a store option is okay? I would probably still want it on the natural side as to limit how weird I feel.

Also, I would strongly prefer if the makeup was not tested on animals, which I know rules out a lot of the products at Sephora specifically. I'm fine with chemicals/non-"natural product"/non-"organic" makeups though. I'd also like to keep the whole thing <$100 if at all possible, but I'm willing to budge if I come away with some products (or can be convinced that it's worth it for other reasons).

I appreciate any advice! Thanks AskMe!

posted by Paper rabies to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (4 answers total)

Best answer: I have a friend who gets her hair & makeup done for professional appearances at Saab on Bank St., she always looks lovely.
posted by ITheCosmos at 12:40 PM on January 25, 2019

Best answer: When I'm looking out of town for a makeup artist, I usually go by Yelp reviews. Once you find an artist you think is capable (you could try to see if they have pictures of their work on Instagram - most decent artists do, and it's the best way to tell if they're the type to shovel on makeup) take in some pictures of the look you want, and emphasize that that's exactly what you want. Please feel comfortable with asking them to redo a look - you are paying them to perform a service, and should not be left unsatisfied.
posted by Everydayville at 1:01 PM on January 25, 2019 [1 favorite]

I go to the makeup counters at The Bay when I need my makeup done for an event, so you can definitely do that. I show up in my fancy dress, tell them about the event, emphasize no wild colours, no excessive eyeliner wings, and I've had great results every time. I think most of the makeup counters at The Bay offer applications. You can book an appointment on the phone and they'll explain the cost structure then - it's usually that you have to buy $x of product from them, but if you go with a company like Clinique you can buy the lipstick they put on you (for touch-ups through the evening) and hand cream (or whatever, something you would be more likely to use). Last year at Mac it was $60 or $70, I think, so I expect something like this would be easily within your budget and you get stuff at the end.
posted by phlox at 1:05 PM on January 25, 2019

The phrase you're looking for (if you're looking for it!) is "cruelty-free" makeup. There is a lot of it out there and much of it is quite good. Many makeup artists will either advertise they use cruelty-free products or be able to accommodate that. It can also help you to search online and winnow down brands that test on animals. Have fun at your event!
posted by hepta at 2:00 PM on January 25, 2019