readers ask: dear lucky about DIY wedding makeup

A: Dear Monica,
I love this idea. Unless you really know and love a particular makeup artist’s work, I definitely vote for DIY, with the pro weighing in first. The best makeup lessons I’ve ever taken were the group ones at Trish McEvoy in New York—totally worth it if you can get to NYC. Another option: March into a department store, find beauty advisers who look like you want your wedding makeup to look and ask them to walk you through how to do it. Yes, you should buy a few products if you like the results, but then … you’d be wanting those products either way, no? I’d hit up a Bobbi Brown counter, a Chantecaille and a Laura Mercier. Or, for the more self-assured, makeup-application-wise, there is a gorgeous new makeup line from Vera Wang at Kohl’s that is perfectly beautiful and tasteful, with natural, feminine, pretty colors. As in, can’t-go-wrong colors. As in, colors that will look gorgeous on you and all your bridesmaids. I think you buy yourself a generous and fabulous selection (this will cost significantly less than having your makeup done) of the Vera Wang, have your bridesmaids provide some cocktails and have a full-on makeup-trial party.